Daniel & Norman

Rain.  Not the best of times for rain as it washes the foliage off the trees.  And, without the sun, the world renowned foliage appears less vibrant.  Yet, there's something special about the early autumn rains that, with the right attitude, we enjoy the natural fragrance of Nature, and the low hanging fog over the hills. 

Into it, we drove a few miles east into western Massachusetts and the Berkshire Mountains.  Tucked into these rolling hills (that's how we Californians would call them "back home"), we visit our first sightseeing attraction:  Daniel Chester French's summer home, Chesterwood.  Who was Dan?  Well, he designed the seated Lincoln at Washington, DC's Lincoln Memorial.  Also to his credit is sculpting the Concord Minute Man, symbol of our earliest fighters against the British at the beginning of our Revolutionary War.  There are many more credits and it was most educational to learn of them and their influence on our world, plus the special home and vistas of the Berkshires. 

Chesterwood and one of its many views of the Berkshires on a rainy day.

But, there's more.  Off to Stockbridge, Massachusetts village for a bit of immersing ourselves into Norman Rockwell.  Who's Norm?  Google his name or dig out a copy of the old Saturday Evening Post magazine.  Depicting Americana since the early 1920s, Rockwell spent his last years living in Stockbridge while continuing his memorable paintings.  Choosing local residents as his subjects, many of whom are still living, he brought a special touch to memorializing the years and the historic events of the time.  Take a look at his version of the Four Freedoms made famous in words by Franklin Roosevelt, and more famous by his paintings.  Study them closely and you will begin to feel something that few artists knew/know how to convey in their works.

Lunch in the tavern at the Red Lion Inn was a group event taking place in a building filled with history that began in 1773.

California RVers in the historic 1773 Red Lion Tavern.  So predictable, except for the fact that they're still standing ... both the tavern, and our friends.

Rain or shine, this day would have been a special introduction to New England.  And it was with our friends.  We've only begun the journey.

Old Friends to Old Friends

Sunday, 9/26

Saying farewell to classmates continues to be difficult.  We have special ties because we grew up together during our high school years and during a peaceful time for us in the hills of Vermont.  If only all who read this could have the same experience.

But, with emotional goodbyes, we parted as Doris and I had to head south a bit to meet with our California RV friends.  it's tough to make the transition from old to new in a matter of two+ hours.  However, Tom & Sheryl, Bill & Ginny, Tony & Joleta, and Al & Debbie made for a great welcome to our lives together for the next 3 weeks as we travel caravan style throughout the New England states in quest of the best of the foliage season.  As we roll into the leafy, colorful New York state RV park, they're standing ready to hug and help us settle into a new routine.

Drinks, appetizers and dinner around an aromatic fire made for a special evening under the canopy of fall foliage ... a great beginning to our journey together.