I’ve only been traveling for a month, but it feels longer. I thought this would be a good time to catch up and provide a sneak peek of what you can expect for future blog posts…
First stop after landing at Boston Logan was the South Shore- Marshfield and Plymouth, MA.
Plymouth Rock monument housing Plymouth Rock.
Plymouth Rock looks pretty small for a disembarkment. They must have had to take turns.
Plymouth Harbor, pronounced Hah-buh.
That’s Pilgrim Mary Brewster by the fountain. She arrived on the Mayflower. Born in 1569, she died at Plymouth in 1627.
Finally, the REAL reason for my trip north- my youngest grandson Greyson, who is almost 4, and my younger son Dustin, 36.
Isn’t this the cutest dog? I had to include him. The owner told me the breed, but I forgot. Please comment if you know…
Next stop is Mount Greylock in Adams, the Northwest corner of the state. At 3489 feet, it is the highest point in MA.
The leaves had not changed color as much as I had hoped, but the views were still pretty awesome.
Although the weather was not bad at the base of the observation tower, it was gusty and raining at the top. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Greylock
Temperature up here was 42 degrees and visibility was next to nothing. When I left Florida two days earlier, it was in the 90s. Believe me, I froze my butt off!
Anyone remember Norman Rockwell? He painted portraits and illustrations of ‘Americana’. The little guy in the bottom right felt “Rockwellian” to me.
Dramatic foliage shot heading east on the Mass Pike toward Brimfield as the sun begins to set.
Pretty reds starting to show up in Brimfield.
What are you lookin’ at??? Eat more chikin’…
Brookfield, in central MA, is known for its apple orchards. Apple-picking conjures up thoughts of crisp days, blue skies and really bad stomach aches.
I was surprised at all of these little chapels I discovered in my travels around New England. People must have needed a lot more prayer in those days.
This was by itself on the side of the road. I was looking for a sign that said “Bell out of order, please knock”.
These country roads used to take me home.
North Brookfield Common lies just north of Brookfield. A lot has changed in 15 years. For the record, we should all love our neighbors.
Quabbin Reservoir begins below. I would encourage you to read the link if you are not familiar with its history…
“The Quabbin” or “the Res” is what we called it growing up.
This is the drinking water source for greater metropolitan Boston.
Winsor Dam is 2640 feet long and 170 feet high. This was the place to hang out back in high school.
When we were kids, we would roll down the hill. I can still remember the smell of the freshly-cut grass. It was a lot bigger then, as well.
The road across the dam only allows foot and bicycle traffic now. Does anyone remember driving across? Leave me a comment, please.
There used to be four thriving towns under these 400 billion gallons of water. In the 1930s, the people were relocated- above and below the ground.
Look at the stone wall and compare it to the photograph below.
This is the house whose pillars rested on those stones.
More rock foundation that supported an adjacent section of the house and the porch steps.
Enfield, Dana, Prescott, and Greenwich were mainly affected, although there were several smaller towns, as well.
Try to imagine 2,500 homes in four towns that were demolished for this huge endeavor. Pictures are available in the Visitors’ Center.
I’m told of a plan to establish rattlesnakes on Mount Zion- a 1,400 acre island in the reservoir- in a repopulation effort. I’m glad I live in Florida!
https://turtleboysports.com/bringing-rattlesnakes-to-the-quabbin-reservoir-is-the-dumbest-idea-ever/
Meanwhile, 50 miles southeast, we have a 70-foot-deep chasm in the earth.
Loosely defined, Purgatory is a place of suffering sinners. Purgatory chasm has seen its share of both. https://www.mass.gov/locations/purgatory-chasm-state-reservation
Be honest, how many readers have worn holes in the seat of their britches sliding down this rock face? Please comment. I cannot be the only one.
Several times during the summer, a bunch of neighborhood kids grabbed their bikes and headed for this place.
It was probably less than 10 miles, but it felt further in those days. We were just little kids and didn’t have gears, so the hills were grueling.
It was at least 15 degrees cooler in the caves and among the rocks. I can still feel it in my mind.
Sheer cliffs and slippery moss-covered rock faces abounded. A cave you could actually get stuck in was called “the lemon squeeze”.
This could be “Lovers’ Leap”, but I remember it being further in. Can anyone help me out?
This is an internet photo of Fat Man’s Misery. Doesn’t sound politically correct to me.
Another internet photo-sorry! This must be Lovers’ Leap. Millbury and Sutton people help me out and leave a comment.
This is the same rock that told us where to turn off 50 years ago!
Think anyone under 30 would know what this is? It’s probably set up to dial 9-1-1! Those were days of good clean fun, with plenty of bruises and scraped knees.
I hope you enjoyed the walk down Memory Lane. Stay tuned for seascapes and fall foliage in the North Shore, New Hampshire and Maine. Subscribe and get it automatically. Love and peace!
Awe I love this! How neat!!
I need to put this on my list of places to visit.
Beautiful & very informative🙏🏾
Love your pictures!
Don’t remember if we ever visited Massachusetts as a kid…..nice info and pics..