I have mentioned I am behind in my posts “to remember and to share” and here I am “catching up” with this year’s and last visits to The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Mass., both to quietly celebrate my birthday, and for the memories. So here goes first with 2025 and then followed by last year 2024.

to set the stage — here is an image of curiosity that may get you to continue scrolling and reading down to find out the “hook.” This image was taken when I arrived in Stockbridge on Monday the 10th

By now you should know that “this is my spot” – waiting to hear her footsteps and then her beauty and fashion coming into view. Dark and quiet, hard to get a sharp image, but the memories.

I do not recall being on the fourth floor before, but my room was great. Sitting area in bedroom, spacious, and an amazing bathroom. If I was not worried about falling I would have used the tub, but opted for the separate shower to be safe. Remember you can click my images for larger sizes.

My plan on Tuesday was to head to Hudson, NY, which is packed with antique shops. Cathy and I visited there over 25 years ago. There is a large antique warehouse, fun, but mainly large items – few smalls, and less books. I then travelled some back roads I had not been on for ages back to Great Barrington only to find scouting again poor. At least I was out seeing old haunts — BUT Monday’s drive from Pittsfield down US 7 to Lenox was so sad with such massive changes in one year – big condo buildings and new massive retail building going up the entire route. I do not understand it – where do the people work?

on the way back I looped through Housatonic on Route 183. Was pretty sure this was the spot I have visited before and had to see again – I did drive past a few years ago. Yes, and now the background history – below the Glendale Power House is a historic power station on the Housatonic River. The 1905 power house, built for the Monument Mills, is one of the first places in the United States where electricity was generated to provide power to an industrial facility. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the facility has been rehabilitated and converted into modernized hydroelectric power generation plant.

Posted KEEP OUT – DO NOT ENTER, etc. etc., the gate was open. I parked just inside the gate and walked down for the above image figuring I could talk my way out of getting arrested. And why? Because I just wanted to take some shots where I parked in September, 1963 in my 1929 Model A Ford Roadster – Belzebuth. I trust by now you know I will be revisiting many of my explorations this summer in my “new” 1930 Model A Roadster. Please click these to enlarge.

Then not even 3 miles north it was back on the porch enjoying life as it passes by.

and out for a walk up Main Street I always enjoy stopping in this store which reminds me so much of my Country Store collection. In 1963 or 64 at a country auction in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, I sadly was underbidder for the nickel plated display case exactly to the right in the image below, BUT, I was able in the early 1980s to purchase the same style case in oak in an old shop closing in downtown Philadelphia. I love my country store stuff.

Disappointed with the poor scouting on Tuesday, I decided to simply enjoy the Inn on the 12th (sort of a special day for the past 79 years), and I read a cozy mystery, finished my presentation for a 250th anniversary on the 15th, and completed my Did You Know That…. history article for my April CLARION. And, waited for son, Gary, to arrive from Boston to join me for dinner. First time I got to see his “new” car.

and, dinner.

Thursday time to head north. I had moved this holiday up a day so I could be back to give a presentation at the 250th Anniversary of the Westminster (VT) Massacre across the river from me. This is the little known first blood and deaths in the American Revolution. On the way home I was able to stop in Cheshire, Massachusetts to visit the MAMMOTH CHEESE MONUMENT below to capture this image to include in my Did You Know That History…. article in my April CLARION – click here for my article if you wish to take a look. And, then it was home.

Now back to 2024’s visit, documentation begun a year ago here.

Finally again after a three year hiatus – no excuse other than thank you COVID for slowing us all down. But I am back continuing my stays since Cathy and I came for Valentine’s Day in 1996. But my history on US 7 (you know my favorite road) goes back, and I first drove past the Inn in 1962 (63 years ago) in my 1929 Model A Ford Roadster. On a camping trip in the 1970s, driving by and I think the kids were asleep in the car, I parked, came up on the porch, entered, looked around, and knew someday I would be back to enjoy this world.

My last visit was 10-12 March 2021. My visit in 2020 was in September, delayed with COVID, and at the end of that post I added my stays and explorations from 2019 and 2018 I had sadly forgotten to document for myself to remember, and also to share as you know I enjoy doing. I encourage you to take a look and see the fun in this area. Since I categorize my posts — click on this link to see all I have written about my wonderful visits to THE RED LION INN. A total of 13 writings, now this the 14th

Reading about the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum and Train Rides I was surprised to learn of a train station in Lenox that I had never seen. Before “beating myself up too much” for missing it I discovered it is located far to the east of “downtown” Lenox.

Some views around this “out of the way” train treasure.

of course I then had to stop at the Stockbridge Train Station – a real beauty.

I took a similar picture of a baggage cart at the Branchville, Connecticut, station in about 1960. Entering it in the Kodak contest I won an honorable mention and my picture was displayed at the Kodak Exhibit on the second level of Grand Central Station in NYC. I will have to dig it out to share here – yes I have many momentoes of my past.

and my fine room on this visit – complete with “Victorian” wallpaper.

and from “my spot” watching for her and listening for her footsteps.

my first visit with half of the dining room changed into additional lounge area — pretty nice.

Yes, I have “my spot” on the porch as well.

In March 2024 I then had dinner at ZINC in Lenox — “off season” the dining room at The Red Lion Inn is now closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The French Onion soup is amazing.

the next day I took a round about route over favorite roads to Millerton, NY, for an antique center, and then return to Stockbridge. Through West Stockbridge to NY Route 22 down towards Austerlitz, but first backroading to Edna St. Vincent Millay’s home. I have yet to be there “in season” when open for visits.

One of my favorite spots that I have often explored – and recently in going through my travel records from 1963 discovered I camped at the adjoining camp ground at that time with my 1929 Model A. Roadster — will visit this summer (2025) but maybe stay in a cabin – past tenting and sleeping bag on the ground days.

In Copake the octagon house — I need to knock on the door and ask for a tour.

I continued on down NY Route 22 (another of my favorite roads in places – at least where over the Massachusetts border) — and down to Boston Corner – as per sign below.

Living in Boston Corner (Peter Helck – 1893-1988) was an important artist, illustrator and car enthusiast. He acquired, in 1941, the famous Locomobile (Old Number 16) that won the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup on Long Island, the first American-made car to win a race against international competition. Kept original, his son sold the car to the Henry Ford Museum. I am pretty sure Peter Helck drove down to our car meets in Connecticut in the 1950s. I am thinking he did come in No. 16, and I am thinking my Dad and I may have visited him at Boston Corner at some point – sorry cannot remember everything.

I made it down to Millerton, NY, to a favorite antique mall, and then back across the border to Sharon, Connecticut, for a great lunch at J. P. Gifford — need to go there again. One of Cathy’s doctors offices was around the corner, as was the hospital where she had a few operations.

Then, heading east to my favorite US Route 7 (particularly tn this area) across the bridge you see to the right over the tracks, and then down to the Cornwall station – love it.

Heading north on US 7 — this is my favorite stretch from Cornwall to West Cornwall

Where I arrived at the covered bridge.

The West Cornwall train station

And – really my favorite spot that I discovered in 1963 in my ’29 Roadster when it was TOLL HOUSE ANTIQUES. I would visit owner Bruce often, and sold him one of my Model A Fords – the only one I do not have a picture of – it was a ’30 Tudor Sedan shell of a car, but drove – not road legal. Yes, my van in one of my spots that has seen three of my vans, and my 1929 Roadster and my first 1930 Roadster — AND – STAY TUNED — the plan is to this summer park Auntie EM, my “new” 1930 Roadster in the same spot — pinch me, too much fun,

Continuing on, the backside of the station in Canaan, CT

and crossing back into Massachusetts, off on the old route is Ashley Falls. When there was an antique shop here I would always stop – looks like it should have been a train station, but in finding images of the station – not so. But across the road is an old mill that I fancied buying in the early 1980s or late 70s.

if you got this far — remember the “teaser” I started with? Well, when I got back to Stockbridge this was the reading on my odometer — so appropriate since I live at “44.”

cruising a tad north on (did I say my favorite?) US Route 7 is this old inn. Years ago I did explore the grounds and the porch, but now the property is posted. I am positive this is the Inn I read a great book about (the inn keepers experiences) maybe 40 years ago? “Ring a Bell?” any ideas of the title? Let me know, please.

And, think it was the next day – remember I am finishing this a year after experiencing – I drove by Chesterwood which is just past the Norman Rockwell museum. Always there off season, someday I will plan to be there the right time to see the home of Daniel Chester, the sculptor who is known for his sculpture of the Minute Man in Concord, Massachusetts and the seated figure of Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC

I concluded this day at the Norman Rockwell Museum — do plan a visit, but below I do have for you the FOUR FREEDOMS.

this is Rockwell’s painting of Main Street Stockbridge. The windows of The Red Lion Inn are dark as it was closed and not operating at this time in 1967.

a collection of Saturday Evening Post covers.

and the FOUR FREEDOMS

If you got this far thank you. First I promise not to be so tardy in reporting adventures in 2025 – but I still have many from 2024 to finish up

I am in AYU (As Yet Unnamed) writing this – finally perfect to be in my secluded retreat to read and write. So, hopefully more coming soon – thank you, love, RAY