Hidden in Plain Sight

In the course of the mundane routines of life, we encounter a variety of landscapes and objects, either ignoring them or looking without interest at what appears to be just a tree, stone, anonymous building, or dirt road. But the "deep traveler," according to Hartford Courant essayist David K. Leff, doesn't make this mistake. Instead, the commonplace elements become the most important. By learning to see the magic in the mundane, we not only enrich daily life with a sense of place, we are more likely to protect and make those places better. Over his many years working at the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and writing about the state's landscape, Leff gained unparalleled intimacy while traveling its byways and back roads. In Hidden in Plain Sight, Leff's essays and photographs take us on a point-by-point journey, revealing the rich stories behind many of Connecticut's overlooked landmarks, from the Merritt Parkway and Cornwall's Cathedral Pines to roadside rock art and centuries-old milestones.

About the Author :
DAVID K. LEFF is the author of The Last Undiscovered Place (a Connecticut Book Award finalist), Deep Travel, and two volumes of poetry. His essays have appeared in the Hartford Courant, Appalachia, Yankee, Canoe & Kayak, and the Encyclopedia of New England. He lives in Collinsville, Connecticut.

Review :
"The essays and photographs take readers on a point-by-point journey to reveal the rich stories behind many of Connecticut's overlooked landmarks, from the Merritt Parkway and Cornwall's Cathedral Pines to roadside rock art and centuries old milestones."--Connecticut Explored "The essays and photographs take readers on a point-by-point journey to reveal the rich stories behind many of Connecticut's overlooked landmarks, from the Merritt Parkway and Cornwall's Cathedral Pines to roadside rock art and centuries old milestones."--Connecticut Explored "David Leff believes that some of the most wondrous pleasures we can experience are 'right out our back door, ' if we'll only be open to exploration. 'The more we explore our home ground, ' he told me, 'the more we'll find.' In his book, Hidden in Plain Sight: A Deep Traveler Explores Connecticut, Leff encourages us to do this as he writes about the diners, drive-in movie theaters, used bookstores, town greens and other delights he has encountered."--Randall Beach, New Haven Register "Zinkies and Gungywamp, barns and brownstone pits, Leff's meditative exploration inveigles and delights."--John R. Stilgoe, Harvard University "You think you know Connecticut? Think again. The inquisitive mind of the 'deep traveler' sees much more than in 'plain sight.' After reading this book, you will explore our state differently. Though the eyes of the 'deep traveler, ' things we experience every day driving and hiking through Connecticut, from roadside rock art to old growth forests, take on new meaning. My recommendation: Hop onboard and take the journey!""--Nicholas F. Bellantoni, Connecticut State Archaeologist "The Connecticut places--some world famous, some obscure--that David K. Leff lovingly explores in Hidden in Plain Sight are fascinating. Even more revelatory is how he gets there. Invariably putting his senses on high alert, he teases out truths 'hidden in the middle of everywhere.' ""--Tony Hiss, author of In Motion: The Experience of Travel "Zinkies and Gungywamp, barns and brownstone pits, Leff's meditative exploration inveigles and delights."--John R. Stilgoe, Harvard University