Now, that title should have gotten your attention – yes back for my fifth stay, and Gary joined me. Previous visits included (and every one a great historical read):

SEVEN YEARS “ON THE LIST” – NOW HALF DONE – 1-2 AUGUST 2017 — and my visit to Herman Melville’s home; and, ‘piggyback” ride home. This post has some of my best images of the top of the mountain, and sunsets.

BACK TO MOUNT GREYLOCK and WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS – 18-20 AUGUST 2021 – when I learned of the Ilvermorny School (yes you have to read the story for the backstory). I just found the Boston Globe article you now must pay for — but here is her original story of Ilvermony.

ON TOP OF MT. GREYLOCK – 19-20 OCTOBER 2022 and a LANDMARK BONUS 24-27 OCTOBER – check out the sunset at the top of the page.

ATOP MOUNT GREYLOCK and GREENFIELD FAIR – 3-4 SEPTEMBER 2025

I have always enjoyed my stays st the Bascom Lodge, built by the CCC beginning in 1933 and receive their emails of activities from the group that restored the lodge 18 years ago. This trip was prompted by one of their emails in early July about hosting a talk by John S. Dickson and his book HERMAN MELVILLE IN THE BERKSHIRES. I immediately bought the book, devouring it, and learning of more places to visit while staying atop Mount Greylock as Melville and his friends had also done in the 1850s.

A plan for the day between two overnights was developed, and Gary was able to join in the fun.

I headed west on VT 9 and turned north in Wilmington on VT 100 towards Dover and a shop I like to visit. But viewing the map I found I did not have to turn around and go back down 100. At Mt. Snow I took South Access Road west a short way to pick up the Handle Road to head south. A couple turns, easy to make, I saw a name on the maps, and yes had to take the image to the right. Back on Route 9 going west I turned south on VT 8 on a section I do not believe I had been on previously until joining up with the southern end of VT 100 in Heartwellville.

I climbed (well the car climbed) up to the summit from the northern route. Below Bascom Lodge on my arrival this visit. My best images (and you may wish to refresh you memory by looking at my VISIT – SEVEN YEARS “ON THE LIST” – NOW HALF DONE – 1-2 AUGUST 2017 .
See the window on the right corner? That is the family room I booked, and images of the room below.

And, a room with a view. Not my best planned image ever, but you get the idea

Dinners are amazing. Following my soup I tried the vegetarian selection. I do not “do chicken with bones” – lazy, and I did not wish to take a chance with the Shimp triggering uric acid into my joints.

Well – back to the plan on Friday that developed from my readings in HERMAN MELVILLE IN THE BERKSHIRES. You may know of my affinity and curiosity of Glacial Erratics (one was near my childhood home that I saw almost everyday). I DID NOT KNOW of nearby Balance Rock in Lanesborough that Melville often picnicked at with friends including Hawthorne who lived in nearby Lenox (prompting my next visit there having learned where his home was, and how he came to name his book Tanglewood – now of course the famous summer music venue).

You may enlarge the sign to the right, BUT HERE IS A LINK TO A GREAT WEBSITE on this location that I never knew about in my over 60 years of driving through nearby. And, another great read from the BERKSHIRE EAGLE.

Below the rock looking from the sign.

Then the image of Balance Rock in the Melville book that prompted the visit. In the book to show what Melville and his friends would have seen, but probably taken in the late 1800s or early 1900s once Kodaks were common. The equipment needed in the 1850s to capture such an image in the field normally took a wagon to transport — remember I had my first darkroom as a pre-teen, and know some of the history of photography.

my picture below almost the same angle as the early image above.

we walked down the path to get up close. Over the years people have painted and carved names on and into the rocks. Of course prohibited, and sadly some paint remnants remain. On the carvings we saw dates back to 1900.

This youngster, Gary, had to “check it out”

I as well got up close to analyze the balance.

Gary, “it gets down to this point” — but alas as you can see further below he could only budge it a couple of inches

And, downhill a glacial erratic debris field.

In my post SEVEN YEARS “ON THE LIST” – NOW HALF DONE – 1-2 AUGUST 2017  (which has my best images of Mount Greylock – and also details Melville’s ARROWHEAD) I shared with you my 1963 visit to the Pittsfield State Forest. That was next on the list to share with Gary, and also following Melville as he too picnicked at Berry Pond (not named for Berries but to honor William Berry, who served with distinction at the Battle of Bennington during the Revolutionary War. In 1777, Gen. George Washington rewarded Berry for his service by granting him substantial acreage in the Berkshires.

On my last visit a few years ago I believe I passed my campsite, and this trip we may have been close, but on one road I had not been on before we got to see an amazing overlook view, and the pond.

Below the overlook on the long loop road that does not have camping areas. The pond image color is from shooting through Gary’s tinted windshield

Next on the plan (following a circle route – I plan well) we stopped at the Hancock Shaker Village – yes in Hancock, Massachusetts – and in time to eat in the cafeteria. Melville brought his friends here as he was fascinated with their lives. Only allowing visitors to observe Sunday worship, Melville was welcomed at other times. Below we saw of interest this map and list of Shaker communities (you can click to enlarge to read)

I have told you the advantage of NARM MEMBERSHIPS – so our admission was free, and we did not feel we “had to do it all.” A program was just beginning on Shaker Music and Dance, and Gary, the ethnomusicologist said, “let’s go.” Fun and interesting, and visitor involvement.

Gary also wanted to see the Round Barn. Two hundred years old this coming month, the thought into its function construction is amazing and efficient. Do stop and see, once you join a museum at the NARM level of membership.

Why did Melville own a home in the area? Glad you asked. He would visit relatives becoming attracted to the area – again read the book for the details. On US Route 7 just south of Pittsfield I have been passing the Country Club of Pittsfield (which dates to 1897) for seven decades. I was pretty sure the clubhouse was the relative’s home — and yes I was correct of course finding someone inside who knew much of the history.

and the center hallway as you enter – originally off to the sides of this grand entryway were two rooms on each side.

Melville purchased his home, Arrowhead, in 1850. His home and property adjoins the golf course to the east. That was our next stop.

I toured you at ARROWHEAD in this visit – SEVEN YEARS “ON THE LIST” – NOW HALF DONE – 1-2 AUGUST 2017  — Gary and I walked the grounds and sat on the porch looking up to Mount Greylock to the north. The two humps reminded Melville of a whale as he wrote MOBY DICK in his study above on the second floor.

It was then back up the mountain, another great dinner, and reading and writing. On Saturday following check-out we headed up to the War Memorial, but alas it would not be open for a short while. I have climbed at least three times, Gary said, “a reason to visit sometime again” so we headed off to drive around Williamstown, Adams and North Adams.

We toured Williamstown to the west, then going back to North Adams, left Gary’s car at MASS MOCA and headed south to Adams. In Adams I remembered the GREAT CHEESE monument and history that was in Cheshire just off Route 8. I had to show Gary since he helped me restore Winslow Homer’s image of WALPOLE’S MAMMOTH CHEESE that I wrote about last year — and invite you to read the history of Cheshire’s cheese present to President Jefferson, and my follow-up history. CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE Two Page PDF.

We then “circumambulated” on a backroad to the east of Route 8 back to Adams. “Hey, Ray, what did you just misspell? Well, it seems as though even not the same bloodline I have inherited Herman Melville’s gene to “circumambulate.” Although the true definition is the walk around something slowly to take it in, Melville (and yours truly) see circumambulating to go back to where you started your journey from, but BY A DIFFERENT ROUTE. Now your new word for the day – and NEW LIFESTYLE.

I showed Gary the birth home of Susan B. Anthony, and then we went to the Berkshire Scenic Railway station in Adams — still on my list for the hour and one half ride — BUT I came up with an idea for another train outing – stayed tuned as it is said.

Continuing north on Route 8, thanks to the traffic circles now installed in a few spots (rotaries were closed in New Jersey and moved to New England). I saw for the first time this old train station north of Adams.

We were exhausted, we headed back to Gary’s car, and each headed home with memories, and plans for more adventures.

Remember — two overnights with a day of adventures in-between is so much fun. Thanks for reading, luv, RAY