I Can See For Miles and Miles

 

I drive by this place so many times, I decided today would be the day I went for a hike. The view is amazing, and I have always driven to the summit. This time around, the access road is closed so you have to hike it. I had made a resolution to stay active, and start exercising more. Today was a decent day to start that.

I started on my way, and knew it would be a shot, but steep climb.

There wasn't much ice left, but there was lots of reddish mud. I got quite a bit of it on my clothes as I crawled up the side of the slippery slope.

All worth it for the view at the top. 

I'm going to try and keep doing this!

 

Water Under The Bridge

New Year's Day.

 A fresh start, and a farewell to a mostly awful old year. 

I woke up feeling restless and decided to take a drive along the Mohawk Trail. Past Shelburne Falls, Charlemont and up into the small town of Heath. 

I eventually hit the Vermont border, and decided to turn around and head back down Route 8A. I passed by a very pretty covered bridge and decided to get out of the car and explore it a bit.

 

I had never been on this road before and was totoally unaware of the existence of this quant covered bridge, Classic New England, I have always loved the smell of the old treated wood used to make these, and to walk through them to see the light peering in through the beams. 

I sometimes get inspired after such expereiences and hopefully this sparks something new for 2021.

This part of Massachusetts feels a lot like Southern Vermont, and the lines blur quite a bit. Hills and farms, small rivers and streams. Occasionally, you see historical schoolhouses, and an old mill. Many of the houses have fallen into disrepair and have been abandoned. Still, people come here for the peace and quiet, as well as the occasional pristine hillside views.

 It is old county, and I am always drawn to such sights,