During the week beginning October 29, 2005, we drove to the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts for a bit of rest and relaxation. Although "peak foliage" season was past, we had a beautiful drive along Interstates 81 and 84 through Pennsylvania and New York. We entered Massachusetts near Greater Barrington and followed US 7 to Hancock where we stayed at the Vacation Village In The Berkshires. The resort is situated at the top of Brodie Mountain and has top-notch facilities except for a lack of cellular phone service.


The first of three "discovery trips" in and around Hancock was to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. Those of you who grew up in the middle of the last century might remember Rockwell as the illustrator of many covers of the Saturday Evening Post. We were fortunate to arrive just in time to hear a very informative talk by one of the tour guides. One of Rockwell's most famous illustrations was The Problem We All Live With. This illustration, drawn for Look Magazine in 1964, depicted Ruby Bridges, a young black girl chosen to be one of the first to integrate the New Orleans schools. For more about this courageous youngster, visit Who is Ruby Bridges.


Our second outing was to the Hancock Shaker Village. This is a fantastic restoration of a village where members of The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, more commonly called Shakers for their style of worship, lived. We enjoyed our tour very much and learned a great deal about Shaker lifestyles. Shakers are best known today for their simple and spare style of furniture. The round stone barn pictured left, is one of their most famous buildings.


Our last outing took us to the top of Mount Greylock. With an elevation of 3,491 feet, it is the highest point in Massachusetts. This was truly a mountaintop experience. The way to the summit wound through beautiful woods with an occasional glimpse of the valleys below. There is a War Memorial at the summit that can be seen from miles around. In the past, we have visited coastal areas where the constant movement of the ocean reminds us of the power of the Lord. But here on the top of this mountain we were reminded of His great majesty.

We were blessed to be able to travel to a part of the country that was new to us. Please view the rest of our pictures here. More Pictures