The Berkshires

Over the river and through the woods, up and down winding paths, over many hills deeply blanketed with trees we go. The air is crisp when we arrive, feeling more like fall and less like summer. It's so quiet you'd swear you'd be able to hear a blade of grass drop. The towering pines are are outlined against the dark night. Above us is a sky so bright and full of stars, you'd swear it was a ceiling doused in glitter. I take it all in and let a huge sigh out. It feels good to be home.

Maybe it's the mountain air, maybe it's the quaint little towns, maybe it's the fresh blueberries growing out behind my Grandma's house, maybe it's because this is where I was born, whatever it is, no place ever feels quite like home the way that the Berkshires does.

Each summer, when my Mom and brother trek out from Indiana, we make the short drive up from NYC to all convene at my Grandmother's. It's one of my favorite trips of the year. The cell service is spotty, the internet is nonexistent, the card games are frequent, the house is old, and yet, these are all things that only make me love being here more. The thing I don't love? Leaving. Our time here always seems too short and our trips here are too infrequent. Luckily, the extensive amount of pictures I take helps to ease the pain between our travels there. These are just a few favorite photos from our most recent time there, including my Mom and I making a pie with the blueberries growing at my Grandma's house, the starry night sky, our numerous hikes, the grapes my brother grew and brought out from Indiana, exploring the Red Lion Inn and the prickly little friend we saw on Mount Greylock. I’ve also included a list of some of my favorite things to do in the Berkshires.

MY FAVORITE SPOTS IN THE BERKSHIRES

Mount Greylock Drive || It's super pretty and the views from the top are breathtaking. Pack a picnic or pop into the lodge to eat.

Hiking || It's probably easier to list off all the places you can't hike than to list the places you can as there are just so many. Monument Mountain is nice, Williamstown area has lots of lovely trails, but Greylock is usually are go to hiking spot (We love Jones Nose, for great views, or any with the waterfalls, like Money Brook, Roaring Brook, or March Cataract.)

Apple Cider Donuts || My favorite are from this farm, which also has produce, apple picking, strawberry picking and other baked goods (their jelly donuts are also amazing).

Swimming at the Lake || Onota and Pontoosuc are two favorites

Berkshire Area Farmer's Market || Located at Berkshire Mall, open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 A.M.- 2 P.M.

Red Lion Inn || I'm not sure how they are for a stay, but it's a great place to pop in for food, to relax on the porch or just to check out the interior decor that'll make you feel as if you've stepped back in time. They also do a lovely job of decorating for the holidays!

Walking Around Town || My favorites are Lenox, Stockbridge (both of which look especially pretty and quaint in the fall and wintertime) and Williamstown

Visiting the Mansions || Many are now spas, golf courses or hotels, but they're still pretty to drive by, and there are still plenty available for touring from Edith Wharton's home to Chesterwood to Ventfort Hall to Naumkeag.

Frozen Yogurt || We love this place!

Tanglewood || Snag lawn seat tickets, bring a picnic, blanket and some wine and settle in for an evening of music

Shakespeare & Co || Great if you're looking to see a play

Berkshire Botanical Gardens || Very pretty to walk around; they also have lots of different programs, event and exhibits available.

Museums || MASS MoCA, Clark Art Institute, Berkshire Museum, Crane Museum of Papermaking, Norman Rockwell Museum

Hancock Shaker Village || One of my favorite places to visit when I was a kid; they have tons of different activities, classes and exhibits, but it's also just fun to explore

You can also check out this site for more information about the Berkshires.