Letter 14 Western Massachusettes

Harrington Travels East 2009
Letter 14: Western Massachusetts
Monday, May 25 As we left Boston we had to decide which highway to take into New York. Highway 2 or 120. 2 is a divided highway and the other was a toll road. Toll roads are nice if you are in a hurry, but you have to buy their gas, stop at their rest stops, no sightseeing unless you want to pay again to resume your travels. So you know us we chose Highway 2. About 25 miles out of Boston, near Leominister, we ran into

Johnny Appleseed country. He was born here in 1774 and started his travels about 1797. He was a practical nurseryman. He realized there was a real need for service in supplying seeds and seedlings. He started many nurseries throughout the Midwest by planting sees which he bought from cider mills in Pennsylvania. AT the time, established homesteads, by law required each settler to plant 50 apple trees the first year. Apples were a practical necessity in the early settlers’ diets.
He also spread religion and became a self appointed missionary for the Church of new Jerusalem, and he became accepted as a peacemaker between the Indians and settlers for more than 50 years of travel. We are sure we will probably run across more monuments to his memory as we travel.

We arrived in an RV park just north of Greenfield and were welcomed by a group of Connecticut campers to share their campfire. This was the first campfire for us on the trip and they were a great bunch of people. This RV park is owned by a group of Masons. They have caretakers, but each member helps out with small repairs when they come camping. It operates as a non-profit. All excess monies go to charity. It is a wonderful place to stay. We highly recommend this park. With all respect to Boston (it was a wonderful experience), we are now in our element … away from crowds of people.

Tuesday, May 26 Olivia visited with one of the couples planning a trip to the western US. This couple has also volunteered for months with the Salvation Army helping in Mississippi and Texas for Katrina and Rita. One of their projects was to fill 8,000 food boxes in about one week. The first day they did 56. But volunteers started showing up and they finished the job in time.

This camping group was going home so we told them goodbye as we left to go sightseeing. Our first stop was to see the “Bridge of Flowers” in Shelburne Falls. It is the only one of its kind in the world. Built as a trolley bridge in 1908, the 400 foot long, five arch concrete span was abandoned with the passing of the trolley line in 1928. One couple’s vision of transforming the structure into a flower bridge with a walking path down the middle became a reality in 1929. The project was spearheaded by the Shelburne Falls Woman’s Club and is still under their leadership. Over 500 varieties of annuals and perennials are planted and tended by local volunteers who work with a head gardener to ensure continuous blooming throughout the seasons. Thousands of visitors from around the world come to Shelburne Falls each year.

We were amazed at the variety of flowers and how they actually accomplished this feat. There were pink iris, huge poppies, even trees, phlox, pansies and much more.

Views of the river over azaleas, vines everywhere, lavender clematis, two flowers kin to bluebonnets, and peonies. We didn't begin to take all the labeled plants and flowers. We both had the same idea, could this be done on the Roger’s Street bridge? How about it Master Gardeners? Maybe not on this grand scale and probably in pots, because of the historic structure, but certainly a wonderful tourist attraction. Note the water pipe along the top of the fence. For more information go to www.shelburnefalls.com.

Also in Shelburne Falls was this beautiful view of the hydroelectric dam and

glacial potholes below it. Look hard to the right for round holes in the rocks, others are much larger but not in this picture.
Potholes formed when rocks lodged in cracks then the force of water caused them to spin, carving out the holes. They are still working in the spring when the river floods.

As we drove around this little town we ran across the Lamson Cutlery Factory Outlet, so we ventured in. Not only did they sell cutlery, but a large supply of kitchen equipment. Their cutlery was very high priced. We called Teenya to see if she knew of this brand and were relieved to hear she didn’t know it. A set of 4 steak knives sold for $194.00. Nine inch discontinued utility kitchen knives were the best “bargain” at $12.00.

From there we drove south a few miles to the Yankee Candle Factory store. It was something else! Not only did they have their candles, but nearly every collectable available. Olivia enjoyed looking at the displays of wonderlands.

She thought of Dr. Jon Williamson (our Cedar Hill dentist) in the winterland room, where it snowed every 5 minutes, the wind howled and a train went round and round the high ceiling. In the children’s area there was a countdown to Christmas and every toy imaginable and Santa was in his workshop working. There was a whole section dedicated to Gingerbread girls and boys and not only did Olivia eye them all, but thought of Pat Kollie, she would have bought them out! And we also thought of Teenya with her Heartstone collection. Somehow we didn't take a picture of all the rooms of candles.

Turner Falls was next on our route, but not in Oklahoma. We hunted and hunted for the falls, but they were illusive. The closest we came was to an intake canal to their factories and power.

Wednesday, May 27 was really a day to catch up. We woke up to rain, again, so we stayed in bed late. We worked on the blog and washed. Then we noticed the shelf under the kitchen sink was cracking. Fred worked about an hour bracing it back to level.

This ends Western Mass as we move into New York state II for our second passing through this state.

Again, we love to hear comments and news from home.

Email us at olivia@bobheck.com or fredharrington@yahoo.com