Hales Brook Trail, Marion

Been wanting to check out this trail too, which is located in Marion.  I wasn't planning on doing the whole thing but I wanted to hike as far as a rock outcropping which the trail guides all say is pretty cool to see cause it's just this giant rock in the middle of the woods with few others around.

Like I said, I'm a sucker for boardwalk-type trails.

Looks like an alien face in the reflection

Or a skull.  Or a ghost.

Russell took his time while I went ahead.  I'm a fast walker.  Comes from years of living, working and vacationing in cities.

I ended up going far ahead of him and would just meet up with him on my way back.  

When I saw 'rock slab bridge' on the trail map, I wasn't expecting something this small and unimpressive.

I knew I was very close to this rock outcropping....and I came upon this.  Multiple huge trees across the trail.  Under most circumstances I would have clambered over them and continued on, but as we had a rather ambitious trip coming up and the last thing I needed was to twist an ankle, fall and wreck myself.  I had no choice but to turn back. I'll have to try again next spring.

I probably did about 2 miles round trip and it was a very quiet and peaceful walk.

White's Factory Ruins, Acushnet

Continuing on with bucket list items, we went for a drive to Acushnet to find the ruins of the old White's Factory.  So glad we did!  It was a photographer's dream subject.

Russell thought it was cool too.

This building continues to crumble and care must be taken while walking around.

Mohawk Trail

I bookmarked a website that shows when foliage will be at it's peak in New England and Western Mass would be at peak by about October 14th.  We decided to take a loooong drive out to the Berkshires on the Mohawk Trail (aka Rte. 2).  Our first stop was at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Information Center in Leominster cause I had to use the washroom, and I discovered a small gift shop inside so I had to get a fridge magnet!

Once we got west of all the cities, the highway went down to 2 lanes and winds it's way through tiny quintessentially New England towns, and alongside rivers every now and then.

Loved this bridge

Naturally we stopped at this Trading Post for souvenirs and photos.

Before anyone freaks out about how un-PC this is, the trading post is Native American owned.

This is a second trading post but I didn't go in to shop, just stopped for pics.

It was definitely a pretty drive, but I didn't find the foliage all that impressive.  It was just too hot, too late to force the leaves into changing.

This was a pretty vista point. 

Nothing would have induced me to climb down there like those people did!!

This was the first place where there was a sweeping view.

I really hate to be a 'west coast snob' and all, but as compared with the Cascades, Olympics and Sierras, the Berkshires are scenic hills at best.  

My goal was to get as far as the famous 'hairpin turn' in North Adams, which is in the northwestern corner of the state.

This pic was taken from Wigwam Summit.  That's the Hoosac Range in the Berkshires and extends north into the Green Mountains of Vermont.

The town of North Adams.

Not much in the way of colour but it was a beautiful day and view.

Heading downhill to the famous turn. 

I admit that I was surprised the turn was on the back side of the mountain.  When I pictured it in my head, I thought it was at the summit.  

View from in front of the Golden Eagle Restaurant.  The place was packed and there wasn't even room to park.  Russell double parked while I jumped out to get a few snaps. 

Taken on the way home at another spot on Rte 2.

We left the house at about 9AM and we rolled in the driveway about 4:30, also stopping for lunch at 99 on the way home.