As our series "Life on the Connecticut" continues, we meet two retirees, looking for love and excitement — on a cruise of the river.

This summer, reporter Ben James rode his bicycle the full length of the Connecticut. In the second part of our series, he talks to people in those formerly industrial communities about changes on the river – for better and for worse.

In the first audio report from his series, "Life on the Connecticut," Ben James brings us interviews with people working, grieving and getting by along the Upper Connecticut.

This summer, reporter Ben James rode his bike the length of the Connecticut River, talking to people who love it. And people who don’t. Here's Ben's essay describing those conversations, with photos from along the way.