After The Harvest

 

This will be the third fall I've seen change over from summer in Franklin County. I definitely enjoy the view of the Mountains and the rolling fields. It seemed like everywhere I went this year, a cornfield was rising... more so than previous years, this one seemed to scream CORN CROP!

Then over the past few days, Farm machinery worked from sunup until sunset, and this is all that is left.

Last year this was a hay field, and I do like the sight of hay bales in the fields.

Now it's back to barren land and the Winter is sneaking around the corner in a few short months.

The Fishing Place

 I returned to Fitzgerald Lake again, on a beautiful, sunny mid afternoon. This time, I took my girlfriend, and strolled a little further down the path.

Colors are a little late this year. It has been very warm, and the nights are only now starting to cool down. Tiny splashes of red, yellow and orange are starting to slowly peek through,

The docks that I walked to earlier in the week is part of an area known as The Fishing Place.

I don't think they stock the lake, and I rarely see anyone fishing at the Fishing Place. But the lucky angler might find something interesting. 

It is a gem of an area, where not too many people go and the paths are well managed. Peace and quiet with nature as your only other voices is what I seek and usually find around these parts. 

It has never let me down.

Reflections

 Fitzgerald lake Conservation Area. Florence, MA

I discovered this area a little over 20 years ago, when I was first visiting Northampton. It is a place I have returned to many times since. It is a small, simple manmade lake that is part of the Broad Brook and Coles Meadow region. Ultimately flowing into the Mill River in Hatfield, and reaching the Connecticut River a few miles away.

During my more recent walks, I have taken the time to reflect on years before. It has been a safe place where I can relax and think about the things in life I have been grateful for in the past and present, and what I have to look forward to in the future. Today was the last full day of Summer. A very busy one for me, as I went to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, the Lakes Region New Hampshire, All of Rhode Island and even a train trip to Chicago! In between it all, I started playing out full time again, and had some memorable shows.

Last Days of Summer

 Cooler Nights and Earlier Sunsets.

Cornfields waiting for the upcoming harvest.

The Upper Pioneer Valley is beautiful. With mountains, rivers, and rolling farmlands surrounding you. I love the angle of light around this time of year. It has been a productive and enjoyable Summer. Certainly better than last year. My hope is that next year will continue to improve from the previous one. In the meantime, I have plenty of remaining shows, and Fall is my favorite time of year.

United Views

 A Few More Adventures in Providence.

We checked out of The Dean and took a stroll across the new Pedestrian bridge that spans the Providence River, and connects both sides of the Riverwalk.

Work continues on the area, as they expand the river walk on either side, and add parks and artwork to enhance the scenic views.

It was sunny and hot out, so after a little while we were getting pretty overheated. We spotted a Dells frozen lemonade stand, and that cooled us off a little. But now we were getting hungry, so we drove through College Hill, up Hope Street to an Indian Restaurant near Blackstone Park.

This would be our final activity in Providence, and we left shortly after lunch. However, we took home some lasting memories from the past two days. It was a well spent 48 hours. 

You've Gotta Have Art

More Adventures in Providence.

The Rhode Island School of Design Museum in Providence has some of the finest displays and variety of Art anywhere on Earth. Be it sculpture, painting, artifacts, or modern multi-media. It's relatively small, but the quality of content is amazing.

A whole day should be centered around visiting this place, because after seeing it, all of the wonderful images are left racing around my head, and if there were more time, I would have lingered nearby sipping a beverage at a nearby location. But we only have two days to see all of Rhode Island, and Newport was calling.

 

 

One Voice is Clear Above The Dean

                            

Bringing my partner to explore Providence for her first time, I wanted to make it a weekend to remember, Rather than stay in one of the chain hotels, I found a very eclectic place called "The Dean".

                                     I was not let down.

Located in the heart of downtown (or "Downcity", as they call it) I had originally booked a small. bunk style studio on their website. However, on check in, I asked if I could get an upgrade, not thinking there were any more rooms available. A few minutes later, I was relaxing in a grand suite with a king sized bed.

But I didn't come to Providence just to hang out in a nice room. So we went to have dinner at a very pleasant bistro with outdoor seating near the Providence riverside. The River Social is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some very nice Mediterranean cuisine, as tour boats and gondolas go by.

After dinner, we went out to a rooftop bar called The G, where things were hopping.

             Nice views of the city skyline.

We finished up the night at a Karaoke Bar that was located back at The Dean, and we eventually got up to sing a few numbers for the enthusiastic crowd of college students, before closing the night in one of the private rooms.

                           Not a bad Day One at all!