yk's annual Family Summer vacation in the Berkshires, August 2021
Aug 25th, 2021 | 12:58 PM
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yk's annual Family Summer vacation in the Berkshires, August 2021
You may recall that we take a yearly summer family vacation out to the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, and I have written a TR for many of those trips. As our son gets older (he is now 8), there's more he can do (less napping too) and we keep finding new places to explore. This pandemic year we have been doing a lot of hiking back home so we also hiked out in the Berkshires.
We were super lucky with the weather, especially since summer 2021 has been deemed (by meteorologist) as the worst summer in memory. It was either raining or 90+F. but miraculously, when we went the first week of August, it was mostly cool and sunny weather.
We rented the same house in the town of Richmond as we did last summer. After going to the Berkshires for 7 consecutive years, we finally found a place we like so much that we couldn't wait to return.
Due to the pandemic, we limited ourselves to only a few outdoor dining, and skipped all indoor museums. For the most part, we cooked and ate at the rental.
Day 1 (Saturday)
We were able to check in early (12 noon). We got takeout sandwiches from a place back near our home, drove out to the Berkshires, and ate lunch when we checked in. This year we added a bike trailer to our car so we could bring our bikes along. In the afternoon we rode on the Southern half of the Ashinwillticook Rail Trail. The entire Rail Trail is 12.7 miles from Lanesborough (southern end) to Adams (northern end). We began in Lanesborough and turned around in Cheshire at the northern tip of the Cheshire reservoir. that was about the halfway point. The RT is quite scenic as we rode along the reservoir with views of the surrounding hills.
That evening I went by myself to a Boston Symphony Orchestra concert at Tanglewood.
Day 2 (Sunday)
We went on a hike in the morning at a place called The Boulders in Dalton. The Berkshire Natural Resource Council (BNRC) maintains lots of hiking trails and it has a most excellent website with hiking trails/info/map. They also have an app. We returned to the house for lunch, then set off for Tanglewood once again. I got lawn tickets for our whole family for the Sunday afternoon concert. It was quite a nice day and we picked a shaded spot in the back, far away from everyone else. True to form, a pop-up shower passed by just 10 minutes before the end, so we missed the very end of the concert.
Day 3 (Monday)
We drove over to NY state to visit Bash Bish Falls. The Falls itself is inside Massachusetts and you can access the falls from both MA and NY. I read online that the NY side is flatter (but also slightly farther). Turns out the path is only 3/4 mile from the NY parking lot to the Falls. On this monday morning, there were few people and we had the Falls to ourselves for the entire duration we were there. There were both a sheriff and a park ranger stationed there, as the steps down to the falls were barricaded off. We talked with the sheriff and turns out the Falls was so heavily visited last year (during the pandemic) that at one point they had hundreds of visitors there at the same time. People were jumping off rocks, bringing along boogie boards, swimming etc even though there were "No Swimming" signs posted everywhere. In the end, the state decided to close the stairs permanently due to liability. As we were retrieving our steps back to the parking lot, many more people were arriving.
Then we drove over to Sheffield to hike in Mt Everett State Forest to see the Race Point Falls. By the time we finished, it was way past lunch time, which we decided is a good time to visit our favorite restaurant – the Starving Artist Cafe and Creperie in Lee. This place is always packed and trying to find an outdoor table is not easy, that's why we thought going there late would help. I think we got there close to 2pm and were able to get an outdoor table. We love their crepes.
After a respite back at the rental, we set off late afternoon to the Berkshire Botanical Garden. I don't know if it is new this year or if they've always had it, but they offer an outdoor concert series on summer Monday evenings. We got there 45 minutes early, secured a spot on the lawn, and walked around the garden for a while before returning to our seats for the concert. We packed sandwiches for dinner though the garden offers charcuterie plates, as well as beers from a local brewing company. It was a beautiful summer evening and the concert ended just before the mosquitos came out in full force.
Just before heading back to the rental, we swung by Laurel Lake in Lee to watch the sun set.
to be continued...
We were super lucky with the weather, especially since summer 2021 has been deemed (by meteorologist) as the worst summer in memory. It was either raining or 90+F. but miraculously, when we went the first week of August, it was mostly cool and sunny weather.
We rented the same house in the town of Richmond as we did last summer. After going to the Berkshires for 7 consecutive years, we finally found a place we like so much that we couldn't wait to return.
Due to the pandemic, we limited ourselves to only a few outdoor dining, and skipped all indoor museums. For the most part, we cooked and ate at the rental.
Day 1 (Saturday)
We were able to check in early (12 noon). We got takeout sandwiches from a place back near our home, drove out to the Berkshires, and ate lunch when we checked in. This year we added a bike trailer to our car so we could bring our bikes along. In the afternoon we rode on the Southern half of the Ashinwillticook Rail Trail. The entire Rail Trail is 12.7 miles from Lanesborough (southern end) to Adams (northern end). We began in Lanesborough and turned around in Cheshire at the northern tip of the Cheshire reservoir. that was about the halfway point. The RT is quite scenic as we rode along the reservoir with views of the surrounding hills.
That evening I went by myself to a Boston Symphony Orchestra concert at Tanglewood.
Day 2 (Sunday)
We went on a hike in the morning at a place called The Boulders in Dalton. The Berkshire Natural Resource Council (BNRC) maintains lots of hiking trails and it has a most excellent website with hiking trails/info/map. They also have an app. We returned to the house for lunch, then set off for Tanglewood once again. I got lawn tickets for our whole family for the Sunday afternoon concert. It was quite a nice day and we picked a shaded spot in the back, far away from everyone else. True to form, a pop-up shower passed by just 10 minutes before the end, so we missed the very end of the concert.
Day 3 (Monday)
We drove over to NY state to visit Bash Bish Falls. The Falls itself is inside Massachusetts and you can access the falls from both MA and NY. I read online that the NY side is flatter (but also slightly farther). Turns out the path is only 3/4 mile from the NY parking lot to the Falls. On this monday morning, there were few people and we had the Falls to ourselves for the entire duration we were there. There were both a sheriff and a park ranger stationed there, as the steps down to the falls were barricaded off. We talked with the sheriff and turns out the Falls was so heavily visited last year (during the pandemic) that at one point they had hundreds of visitors there at the same time. People were jumping off rocks, bringing along boogie boards, swimming etc even though there were "No Swimming" signs posted everywhere. In the end, the state decided to close the stairs permanently due to liability. As we were retrieving our steps back to the parking lot, many more people were arriving.
Then we drove over to Sheffield to hike in Mt Everett State Forest to see the Race Point Falls. By the time we finished, it was way past lunch time, which we decided is a good time to visit our favorite restaurant – the Starving Artist Cafe and Creperie in Lee. This place is always packed and trying to find an outdoor table is not easy, that's why we thought going there late would help. I think we got there close to 2pm and were able to get an outdoor table. We love their crepes.
After a respite back at the rental, we set off late afternoon to the Berkshire Botanical Garden. I don't know if it is new this year or if they've always had it, but they offer an outdoor concert series on summer Monday evenings. We got there 45 minutes early, secured a spot on the lawn, and walked around the garden for a while before returning to our seats for the concert. We packed sandwiches for dinner though the garden offers charcuterie plates, as well as beers from a local brewing company. It was a beautiful summer evening and the concert ended just before the mosquitos came out in full force.
Just before heading back to the rental, we swung by Laurel Lake in Lee to watch the sun set.
to be continued...
Aug 25th, 2021 | 05:22 PM
#3
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Day 4 (Tuesday)
Today was the coolest (temperature-wise) day of the week, so we hiked Monument Mountain in Great Barrington in the morning. The last stretch to reach the summit was a bit steep but we managed. I had originally planned on eating lunch back home, but as we had to drive past West Stockbridge anyway, I decided on a whim to swing by Six Depot cafe. We expected it to be packed but surprisingly it wasn't even though it was right at 12 noon. Since last year, Six Depot had added picnic tables out in their parking lot. We got sandwiches and a soba noodle salad.
After resting for a couple of hours back in the house, we headed to Norman Rockwell Museum, which is our first time there. As I said, we didn't tour inside, but they have a wonderful outdoor exhibition of Fantastical Sculptures scattered across its vast grounds. We had a lovely time.
Day 5 (Wednesday)
In the morning, we explored the northern half of the Ashinwillticook Rail Trail, picking up from where we turned around (Cheshire reservoir) and rode north to Adams. This half is slightly longer and no less interesting. This part of the trail follows the course of the Hoosac River and terminates just north of Adams center.
Later in the afternoon we went on 2 short hikes nearby. The first is Stevens Glen in Richmond. The trail is a loop which leads to a deep glen with rushing water. The second short hike is Parsons Marsh in Lenox. It is a wheelchair accessible trail that is only 1/3 mile long and ends at an observation platform overlooking a wetland.
Day 6 (Thursday)
Today we headed south to Tyringham. Our first stop was Ashintully Gardens, where we discovered last year. It has a 1 mile loop where you go up the hill and find the ruins of a mansion that once stood there. Our second stop was Tyringham Cobble. We hiked the 2-mile loop trail, of which 1 mile is part of the Appalachian Trail. We were amazed to see 4 AT hikers in this short stretch.
Per my son's request, we returned to the Starving Artist Cafe & Creperie for another late lunch. Again we arrived close to 2pm and had no problem finding an outdoor table. Afterwards, we stopped over at High Lawn Farm in Lee. We have been buying their milk for years but never once visited the farm. They opened a creamery store last summer which sells their own dairy products as well as local meats, cheeses, honey and other food products. Most importantly, they have an ice cream stand. Oh my! Their ice cream is amazing. So much so that I went inside the store and bought a tub of ice cream to go.
That evening, we had tickets for yet another outdoor concert, this time at Edith Wharton's The Mount. They have partnered with SoMa catering which has a food truck selling gourmet hot foods. We got our dinner from them and had a lovely evening listening to music in "the Dell."
Day 7 (Friday)
Every summer, the Berkshire Botanical Garden has Family Friday events. And we somehow have managed to see the same presenter 3 years in a row. The lady is an animal rescue worker/educator and she brings rescued animals to educate the young. The Garden also has an annual outdoor sculpture exhibition.
We went home for lunch, then after lunch we headed out to Chesterwood. We have gone there a number of times before but have skipped it the last 2 years. They also have an annual outdoor contemporary sculpture exhibition. This year is "Tipping the Balance: Contemporary Sculpture by John Van Alstine". chesterwood has a kid's scavenger hunt for the sculpture show which makes it much more interesting for my son. All 3 of us enjoyed the sculptures a lot.
After Chesterwood, we returned to Edith Wharton's The Mount for its gardens, as well as their outdoor sculpture show. (not sure if you're keeping tabs, but this is the 4th place with outdoor sculpture exhibition: Berkshire Botanical, Norman Rockwell, Chesterwood, and The Mount.) They also have a kids scavenger hunt as well. In any case, all these outdoor offerings are a godsend for us folks who have too-young-to-be-vaccinated kids and who want to play it safe by staying outdoors.
That evening, after dinner back at the house, we lit the fire pit and had s'mores.
Day 8 (Saturday)
Today is departure day, but our host told us we didn't need to vacate until 3pm. I had originally got lawn tickets for BSO's morning rehearsal with Yo-Yo Ma, but later I found out Naumkeag was organizing a new event called "Rocket Club," where they invited a model rocket expert who shows us his creations. He came with a launchpad and engines, and he launched at least a dozen or 2 of his rockets while explaining how different shapes/designs affect the projectile. We went to this because it's something my son would enjoy much more than Yo-Yo Ma.
The Rocket Club lasted for 2 hours, we then headed back to the house, had lunch, then loaded up the car and drove home.
Fingers crossed we will be returning to the same house for a long weekend in mid-October.
Thanks for reading!
Today was the coolest (temperature-wise) day of the week, so we hiked Monument Mountain in Great Barrington in the morning. The last stretch to reach the summit was a bit steep but we managed. I had originally planned on eating lunch back home, but as we had to drive past West Stockbridge anyway, I decided on a whim to swing by Six Depot cafe. We expected it to be packed but surprisingly it wasn't even though it was right at 12 noon. Since last year, Six Depot had added picnic tables out in their parking lot. We got sandwiches and a soba noodle salad.
After resting for a couple of hours back in the house, we headed to Norman Rockwell Museum, which is our first time there. As I said, we didn't tour inside, but they have a wonderful outdoor exhibition of Fantastical Sculptures scattered across its vast grounds. We had a lovely time.
Day 5 (Wednesday)
In the morning, we explored the northern half of the Ashinwillticook Rail Trail, picking up from where we turned around (Cheshire reservoir) and rode north to Adams. This half is slightly longer and no less interesting. This part of the trail follows the course of the Hoosac River and terminates just north of Adams center.
Later in the afternoon we went on 2 short hikes nearby. The first is Stevens Glen in Richmond. The trail is a loop which leads to a deep glen with rushing water. The second short hike is Parsons Marsh in Lenox. It is a wheelchair accessible trail that is only 1/3 mile long and ends at an observation platform overlooking a wetland.
Day 6 (Thursday)
Today we headed south to Tyringham. Our first stop was Ashintully Gardens, where we discovered last year. It has a 1 mile loop where you go up the hill and find the ruins of a mansion that once stood there. Our second stop was Tyringham Cobble. We hiked the 2-mile loop trail, of which 1 mile is part of the Appalachian Trail. We were amazed to see 4 AT hikers in this short stretch.
Per my son's request, we returned to the Starving Artist Cafe & Creperie for another late lunch. Again we arrived close to 2pm and had no problem finding an outdoor table. Afterwards, we stopped over at High Lawn Farm in Lee. We have been buying their milk for years but never once visited the farm. They opened a creamery store last summer which sells their own dairy products as well as local meats, cheeses, honey and other food products. Most importantly, they have an ice cream stand. Oh my! Their ice cream is amazing. So much so that I went inside the store and bought a tub of ice cream to go.
That evening, we had tickets for yet another outdoor concert, this time at Edith Wharton's The Mount. They have partnered with SoMa catering which has a food truck selling gourmet hot foods. We got our dinner from them and had a lovely evening listening to music in "the Dell."
Day 7 (Friday)
Every summer, the Berkshire Botanical Garden has Family Friday events. And we somehow have managed to see the same presenter 3 years in a row. The lady is an animal rescue worker/educator and she brings rescued animals to educate the young. The Garden also has an annual outdoor sculpture exhibition.
We went home for lunch, then after lunch we headed out to Chesterwood. We have gone there a number of times before but have skipped it the last 2 years. They also have an annual outdoor contemporary sculpture exhibition. This year is "Tipping the Balance: Contemporary Sculpture by John Van Alstine". chesterwood has a kid's scavenger hunt for the sculpture show which makes it much more interesting for my son. All 3 of us enjoyed the sculptures a lot.
After Chesterwood, we returned to Edith Wharton's The Mount for its gardens, as well as their outdoor sculpture show. (not sure if you're keeping tabs, but this is the 4th place with outdoor sculpture exhibition: Berkshire Botanical, Norman Rockwell, Chesterwood, and The Mount.) They also have a kids scavenger hunt as well. In any case, all these outdoor offerings are a godsend for us folks who have too-young-to-be-vaccinated kids and who want to play it safe by staying outdoors.
That evening, after dinner back at the house, we lit the fire pit and had s'mores.
Day 8 (Saturday)
Today is departure day, but our host told us we didn't need to vacate until 3pm. I had originally got lawn tickets for BSO's morning rehearsal with Yo-Yo Ma, but later I found out Naumkeag was organizing a new event called "Rocket Club," where they invited a model rocket expert who shows us his creations. He came with a launchpad and engines, and he launched at least a dozen or 2 of his rockets while explaining how different shapes/designs affect the projectile. We went to this because it's something my son would enjoy much more than Yo-Yo Ma.
The Rocket Club lasted for 2 hours, we then headed back to the house, had lunch, then loaded up the car and drove home.
Fingers crossed we will be returning to the same house for a long weekend in mid-October.
Thanks for reading!
Last edited by yk; Aug 25th, 2021 at 05:25 PM.
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Aug 29th, 2021 | 06:37 AM
#8
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,157
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Last week visited the Hancock Shaker Museum west of Pittsfield. It was striking crossing from NY to MA and back on different highways how run down and rust belty the NY side of the border was and how instantly tidy and prosperous the MA side was.
Anyway a link to some history on where the Mohican tribe from this area of MA ended up, in case you don’t know.
https://www.mohican.com/our-history/
Anyway a link to some history on where the Mohican tribe from this area of MA ended up, in case you don’t know.
https://www.mohican.com/our-history/
Jan 11th, 2025 | 06:39 AM
#9
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 344
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Next time you come you might want to hike the woods to Laurel Lake behind Edith Warton's house at The Mount. Park in the regular parking lot, walk down the lovely winding road and head past the mansion. The paths are marked and circle back to the pond behind the mansion for great bird watching, then head across the lawn to the paths next to the garden for your return to the parking lot. It's all free.
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