The Histories

In this post there is much foliage to be seen between Greenfield and North Adams, in northwest Massachusetts. You'll see a series of photos, taking mostly along Route 2 going east to west. The effect is that you get to experience the foliage becoming more vibrant with distance west and at higher elevation.

The map below shows Mass. State Route 2. The eastern and western thirds of this section are hilly and windy (the Hoosac Range passing through the town of Florida and vicinity). The middle third, between around Shelburne Falls and the town of Florida, the road flattens out as it follows the Deerfield River. That very sharp spike is the famous hairpin turn at North Adams.

This drive on October 8, 2022, started in Lexington, with its original purpose being an overdue drive in the hills, to also include an also overdue fix of art, at shops, galleries, and/or museum, in the cultured Berkshires.

The foliage was unexpected, not having been out much the week prior. I started taking pictures well east of Greenfield. My mission quickly became foliage focused, as I blew by most art and tourist attractions to make sure I could see foliage at the brightest time of day. Mountain shadows can start to take over early.

Below you see Mt. Wachusett, from Leominster north of approximately Worcester.

The town of Orange.

Somewhere probably around Erving or Greenfield

also Greenfield or to the east. Glimpse of Deerfield River to left of road.

Greenfield, just west of the Interstate 91 interchange. The road ascends not far beyond.

The Bridge of Flowers crosses the Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls, just a mile or two south of Route 2.

Bridge of Flowers (photo from the internet)....

Resuming west....

Continuing west near Charlemont, Mass.

Drury, Mass. is a village in the town of Florida, Mass. Route 2 steepens again here, following the Cold River a while. The Cold River feeds into the Deerfield River, both flowing eastward.

The Whitcomb Summit lodge is being renovated. The old generation resorts have fallen apart, with signs of rebirth now. There's a large public overlook right off the highway.

A photo of the lodge, from the internet. The lookout tower is now gone.

An even older rendition, from the heyday before air travel.

The Whitcomb Elk is a World War I memorial, bronze from 1923.

A stern warning heralds the descent of Route 2 into North Adams.

The Wigwam Western Summit offers cottages, and has a new cafe and gift shop. It's an example of a newly renovated travel destination.

Contemporary outdoor seating at Wigwam, with clouds casting spectacular shadows.

Finally, the Hairpin Turn before final descent into North Adams.

Natural Bridge State Park is a former marble quarry a mile or two outside downtown North Adams. A stream appears to have cut away rock, but the gap at ground level is so narrow that you can walk across. This video shows the creek just upstream of the natural bridge.

After a spectacular foliage showing, I decided to forgo the art museums. The long drive home involved going south on Route 8, through Pittsfield, Lenox, finally to the Mass. turnpike.

Connecticut, April - Sept. 2022.

Part 2 will include the repainted living room, and re-planting along the driveway.

Ferry

The Chester-Hadlyme ferry holds maybe eight cars for a less than 5 minute ride across the Connecticut River.

Ferry Road in Hadlyme passes a pristine salt marsh, seen below, on the way to the ferry from Route 82. The ferry is a quaint alternative to the quaint East Haddam bridge crossing a few miles north. The ferry goes back and forth all day spring, summer, and fall.

Below you can see the ferry dock. The boat itself is past those two short green towers.

Below, is a view of Gillette Castle, taken from the ferry. It was the home built of stone in 1914-1919 for stage actor William Gillette, who invented the Sherlock Homes as we know him: the pipe, hat, and "elementary, my dear Watson!" The property includes a narrow gauge rail loop, where Gillette entertained distinguished guests including Einstein. The property now is a state park with trails, museum, and snack bar, and you can tour the house.

The ferry costs $5 and sometimes includes a wonderful sea breeze.

Photo taken from internet:

Front walkway, continued:

Spring 2021: the old front walkway after removing the loose slate:

The new walkway was built in 2021 (see previous post). This was taken one fine morning, July 11, 2022

August 22, 2022. New contemporary homemade number sign to the left of the door (brushed nickel numbers bought online). Also two new Japanese holly plants to left of walkway.

Sept 1, 2022. Replacement of art-deco sconces. The aret deco look was ok, but the lights were too bright and the bulbs were built-in. The new can lights (below) have better effect.

Tree Work

July 6, 2022: The professionals came to cut the three lower limbs off the honey locust.

THUMP.

THUMP

THUMP.

The crew patiently cut from the outer branches toward the tree. The house shook every couple minutes as pieces of log would fall to the ground! On a weekday I was worried about the noise while trying to work, but it was more just wanting to watch all the excitement that ended up being the bigger distraction.

There were about 60 rings on the larger logs.

With a crew of 2, a bucket truck and chipper, they got it done in a day.

The workers piled up logs that were small enough for the wood burner, and carted the rest away. Here is LT's log impersonation...

Afterward, the vista opened up a bit

Trellises and Shrub Alignment

Two of these trellises purchased to grow morning glory and partially screen the east side of the patio.

The seed packets said several days to germinate. These morning glories sprouted in 2 days after planting, then climbed to the top in a couple weeks.

Leyland cypresses planted in front of the wood shed.

Make note of the white fence behind the shed.

The fence is not quite square with the house.

The fence is not quite square with the street either and,

The house is not quite square with the street.

The shed is square with the fence, therefore not with the house.

To offset this visual disorientation, I lined up these cypresses and a third bush at an outward angle so that they offset the fence angle, allowing everything to balance. The Chinese call such energy balance feng shui.

Sept. 10, 2022, painted the shed Deep Woods (Benjamin Moore), a dark green with hint of sage. It reminisces of way, way north, or at least the Adirondacks. The line of bushes also buffer the starkness of the wood shed from imposing on patio relaxation, and will grow to more of a privacy screen.

Northern shades of green:

Scenery

The dogwood in spring

Stone Fireplace Demolition

The old stone fireplace: it looked tired and had to come out.

A hammer-drill was used to break the fireplace up. It was built solid with solid cobbles and concrete. Almost a ton, based on the landfill weight tickets and accounting for the cobbles being reused to build up the rock wall.

Segregation of demolition debris:

Below: No more fireplace! I've since filled the former fireplace area in with new bushes, Leyland Cypress and Soft-Serve false cypress. The soft-serves are supposed to take on a lumpy shape, like soft-serve ice cream.

There were many leftover cobbles from the fireplace demolition. The cobbles were a welcome addition to even the top of the rock wall. The concrete went to the Transfer Station. They charge $120/ton, I paid around $100 in two trips.