MERIDEN - With gasoline prices on the rise and Gov. M. Jodi Rell promoting "Staycations," people are looking for more things to do closer to home. One does not have to go far to experience a nice picnic in Hubbard Park, and everyone has noticed Castle Craig standing vigil over I-691.

To get to Castle Craig you can take one of several routes. The easy way up would be to take a drive up the road leading to the top of the mountain, which is open from April through October during daylight hours. If you are looking for a hike, you can take the winding trails through the woods to the top.

The trails are wide and generally easy to navigate and the incline is usually gradual. The sign at the base of the trail in Hubbard Park is a little worn and does not depict the route very clearly, nor are there trail maps available at the base with directions. Getting to the top takes a little luck and sometimes a little ingenuity.

The trail leads from Hubbard Park to a footbridge that crosses I-691. The bridge can seem a bit disconcerting as it rumbles when large trucks pass. Frequently, cars honk and people wave as you cross the bridge and truckers will happily blow their air horns for you if you ask them politely.

Once over the highway, the trail winds its way through the woods and begins an uphill journey toward the castle. One more bridge crosses over a stream. From there, the journey continues. On the left side of the trail a steep rocky path climbs toward higher ground. Taking this route is a shortcut that will eventually lead to a road.

Cars pass going in both directions, but it was not clear which way led to the castle. In an attempt to get directions, I unsuccessfully tried to wave down several vehicles. People drove by slowly, ignoring my desperate attempts to get help on the way to go.

Ironically, I witnessed a woman a little farther down the path wave a car down instantly and get directions. It turned out that the castle I was seeking was just around the corner.

Castle Craig was more impressive than I thought it would be. It stands before a breathtaking, panoramic view of Meriden.

Grisel DiMarco, of Meriden, and her baby Antonio were enjoying the view with her sister Maria Suarez, of West Haven, and her baby Josemerie.

"I told her she had to see something beautiful today," DiMarco said as she gestured at the landscape. "We decided to do something to get out of the house."

This was DiMarco's second time to the top.

"My husband brought me up here the first time," she said.

"We like the view a lot," Suarez said.

Josemerie smiled and squealed with joy as she looked out over the landscape.

"She hears the echo of her voice," DiMarco said. "The kids like it; it's relaxing being up here."

Dedicated in 1900, the tower stands 32 feet high on East Peak, which itself is approximately 976 feet in elevation. It was constructed from native trap rock by local masons.

Depending on the weather, the observation deck at the top of the tower offers views as far as Sleeping Giant, Long Island Sound and the Berkshire Hills.

The tower was donated, along with the 1,800 acres of parkland, by Walter Hubbard. He gave the land to Meriden with no conditions other than that the park was to remain free for all Meriden residents.

Hubbard Park offers a local option for something fun to do on a nice day. The hike is full of sites that cannot be found anywhere else. If you are lucky, you may even find the Record-Journal letterbox, which was hidden there more than a year ago.

Happy hiking!

jstanley@record-journal.com (203) 317-2266