The Berkshires

Not wanting to stick around Waltham for too long, Seth and I headed to the *somewhat* cooler hills for a two-night stay in the Berkshires.  We drive straight through this region several times a year en route from MA to upstate NY, but this time we decided to stop for two days before continuing westward.

Our first order of business was a stop for lunch at Stockbridge, the 'Typical New England Town' that inspired Norman Rockwell

The Norman Rockwell museum was FANTASTIC.

Rockwell's studio.  With so many wonderful artists as sources of inspiration, no wonder he was so good!

A free 'Inside/Out' dance performance at Jacob's Pillow.  A lovely stage out in the middle of the woods and in the middle of nowhere.  Luckily all the hippies found the place just fine.

A kooky gingerbread house

The Appalachian Trail twisted its way through many of the local parks and roads.

Our morning runs consisted first of climbing a long, slow, residential hill...

...but on the other side was a very nice surprise

Our first hike of the day led us down to Bash Bish Falls

The highest waterfall in the Massachusetts?  SERIOUSLY???

At least the trail back up was challenging and steep.  I clung to a wire hand rail and pulled myself most of the way up.

The lookout from Bash Bish Falls.

The next stop was Mount Everett

The Appalachian Trail cut through here, too.  Neither of us had walked any part of the trail before so we had to follow it!  Of course, we felt like wimps every time through-hikers came past us carrying their massive packs.  Some of the guys we talked to have been on the trail since March, starting all the way down in Georgia!

A snake researcher creeping up behind me....

Near the summit of Mount Everett

Back down lower in the park we went to Guilder Pond for lunch

The final hike of the day was Bartholomew's Cobble

A big cobble

After getting freshened up we spent the evening checking out the town of Great Barrington (where we were staying).  We found one of the best coffee shops we have seen in a loooong time, called the Gypsy Joynt

It was so much fun finally exploring some of these towns that we pass while driving along the Massachusetts Turnpike.  The area is very beautiful, though obnoxiously well-groomed, and the idyllic, sleepy towns are often too pricey and touristy to be practical.  At least Great Barrington seemed more realistic and the hippies a bit more rustic.  And of course, there is always the Lee Premium Outlets!