Carson's

So there I was...checking my emails at Starbucks after hiking from my home through the 6-8 inches of snow that was still falling making a stark winter landscape into a Winter Wonderland. I love snow!  The first email I open is from my close friend, Jan with sad news of the closing of Carson's, one of our favorite breakfast places located in Noank, CT.  Opened 106 years ago it hasn't changed all that much.  From the old stools at the counter to the penny candy and old fashioned milkshake mixer this place was a blast from the past.  We kept our boat moored for the summer in the small coastal town of Noank and would dingy into shore for the short walk to Carson's where we enjoyed a great breakfast while chatting with fellow boaters and locals.  It wasn't uncommon to still be enjoying the atmosphere as we relinquished our booth to the next hungry customers only to carry our thick ceramic coffee mugs outside to the front porch where conversation would continue.  Others sitting out there would join in as would the many dogs that would inevitably be there with their owners knowing that Carson's was always a stop during their morning walk.  My son, Josh, would plead with Kim and I to get him a milkshake from Carson's come afternoon and when we balked at buying him one every day this little 10 year old concocted a plan.  He was familiar with another well known eatery in Noank called, "Abbott's Lobster in the Rough" that people from out of town could never find.  Lost and frustrated they were always stopping locals to ask directions.  Josh made a cardboard sign that said, "Directions to Abbots 10 cents" (he misspelled Abbott's) and stood on the corner where most of the cars got lost.  He did a booming business and people would usually give him far more than 10 cents for the service.  In no time he had enough money for several milkshakes and candy, too.  The owner of Abbott's drove by and being impressed with Josh's entrepreneurial spirit he took a picture of him with his sign that hung in the restaurant for years and is still on their website under "Getting Here".  All because of Carson's.  So many fond memories.  This icon will be sorely missed.