Travels with George #2

Day two opened to a beautiful fall day in Erie, PA. We drove to and through Buffalo, NY about 80 minutes later and made our way to the bypass that would lead us to the Massachusetts Turnpike. Along the way we again noted the changing landscape. We were often in full woods with some remaining fall colors. The land rose and fell a lot, sometimes precipitously by prairie standards. Green, lush and interesting, very much not agricultural unless you count vineyards in the aggie mix.

New York state is beautiful. I suspect most people think New York is all about the metro area of the Big Apple. But the remainder of the state (ninety five percent of it!) is as pretty as England if not more so. Hilly, large green meadowlands and cropland too, but always with woods nearby. Hills the proportions of mountains (not California caliber, of course) were everywhere. The topography was quite diverse. 

We often mentioned what winter driving would be like on such terrain, and I remember that well. Treacherous. Slippery. Abutments and bridges perilous. Those were the days of constant snow and exciting travel. Not so this day. Clear, dry and beautiful.

We noted traffic. Lots of it. Trucks aplenty, but cars, too. The world is a busy place and I think they were all on the New York Thruway that day. Anyway, after Buffalo we drove past Rochester, Syracuse (where I once resided), Utica and Rome, and finally Albany/Schenectady/Troy, otherwise known as the state’s capital region. Very complicated because besides the three smallish cities are probably 40 communities all with their own cultural history, and traffic!

We made our way onto the Mass Pike bypass (I 90) and entered still more woods and hills. These were the Berkshires, and we went by Stockbridge, Lenox and other delightful towns before arriving in Pittsfield. When we got to the hotel, so many people were checking in we decided to just drive around the city for a while.

We went past the Shaker Museum, then my old home and the old neighborhood observing all the changes in the past 63 years. We drove to nearby lakes, and memorable areas all drinking in the memories. Later we returned to the hotel, checked in, napped, then made plans for dinner while also venturing out to explore nearby city features. 

My ancient old church, founded in 1771, and the current building built in 1843), the downtown shopping district known as Upstreet (never downtown!). We spotted the Berkshire Atheneum, now a court building, but originally the library. The new atheneum is modern. The old is a much-loved architectural marvel.

Pittsfield is old. Its architecture is, too. Churches are old, stores are old, and industries constantly building and fading at the same time. It is an odd bit of a place, but its cultural roots are amazing and large. That is what I remember the most of Pittsfield and the Berkshires. At a prime time of maturing, this area helped define who I am and what I became.

More later as we explore the region. I was atingle and remained pretty much so the remainder of our stay.

November 16, 2023

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