Jul 27 2010
Adventure in Our Own Backyard: Northampton to Greenfield, MA
A post from one of the newest in the Globe Corner Bookstore family, Sam:
We began the day just after sunrise by searching for breakfast and a much needed cup of coffee. Driving north from Northampton, we spotted the classic polished steel siding and large neon lettering of the Whately Diner, Fillin’ Station. This original eatery from the 1960s was packed with hungry patrons and was complete with working jukeboxes and a scalloped chrome back wall behind the bar. Grabbing the few remaining stools at the end of the counter, we enjoyed hot eggs and pancakes as well as the speedy service keeping our coffee cups filled. Our fellow breakfasters consisted of a diverse group of families, truckers, tourists and locals all in search of a quick meal. After our meal and a quick read of the local newspaper we headed back to the road north toward Greenfield.
Less than a mile from the diner we ran into the Yankee Candle Village. This expansive complex contained a dizzying amount of merchandise ranging from toys and candies to jams and candles. The look and feel of the store was more suited to a Disney theme park than anything else. The Nutcracker Castle and Bavarian Christmas Village were complete with shimmering night sky ceilings, trees and imitation snow while the Pirate section included an interactive ship with props (pirate hats and spyglasses, of course) for those looking to fulfill those childhood fantasies. There is of course no way to visit the Village without exploring all of the available candle scents. We particularly enjoyed the flower-inspired scents but were more interested in their more imaginative offerings like Apple Pie and Vanilla Lime. Once we had our fill of Christmas in July, our heads light from smelling hundreds of candles, we returned to the car and continued on.
Shelburne Falls was our next stop on the agenda. I had visited once before in the winter but the beauty of the town had then been hidden behind the cold and rain. On this fortunately warm and sunny day, the Bridge of Flowers was in full bloom, extending over the Deerfield River right in the center of town. As we walked down the main drag from our parking space to the river we stopped in the local bookstore where a feline friend of ours from the last visit was waiting for us. After a thorough petting and a browse around the store we continued on to the famous Bridge of Flowers. The blooms were beautiful and the scene was perfect for some great photographs of the plants and the surrounding river and town. After passing across the river, we walked into the West End Pub for a snack and a few drinks. The outdoor seating over the river gave us a perfect view of the town and the surrounding forests as we refueled. Perhaps the best part of the pub was the stack of old trivia cards on each table. These Soviet-era game pieces kept us guessing and even got tables of patrons working together.
Before leaving we asked a few of the locals about a good swimming spot along the river. They quickly replied that there was one just down the road, and soon we were parking on the shoulder at the intersection of Rt. 112 and Johnson Rd. Walking down to the river we soon found ourselves on a strip of sand on the river. A few others were enjoying the serenity of the river and the surrounding wooded hills. The water was refreshingly cool and we bobbed around for an hour or two, taking breaks to sun ourselves on the warm sand every so often. Wet, but quite happy, we jumped in the car and headed to our final destination.
The Green River Festival in Greenfield attracted hundreds if not thousands of people throughout the day. We arrived around 5:30, toward the end of the festivities, to find people eating, playing, talking and relaxing on the grassy field. Cake began to play on stage and we promptly joined the rest of the attendees on the grass. Laying back, my head on my rolled up raincoat, I took in the music and the evening air, enjoying some of my favorite songs from my childhood. At 7:00 the hot air balloons began preparing to launch. We watched as the teams unfolded the huge pieces of colorful fabric and inflated them with fans and hot air from their gas burners. Soon around ten balloons were rising into the air, their passengers waving and their vibrant colors mirroring the general mood and the sunset. As they drifted quietly into the distant sky we made sure to appreciate what an enjoyable and full day it had been.
For those considering taking a trip, long or short, to the western side of Massachusetts, I highly recommend it. It is a gorgeous area naturally, historically and culturally. We are truly lucky to have such beauty in our own backyard. Looking for more information on the area? Try
The Berkshire Hills & Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts An Explorer’s Guide by William Davis & Christina Tree.
Llalan specializes in all things Ohio, but has funny stories from all over the US and Canada, plus a few snort-inducing ones from Thailand. And not only does she read books from around the world, she also samples beers in as many languages as possible. Favorite style: the multi-national American Double IPA.
