The Berkshires

Last fall we took a trip to the Berkshires of Massachusetts to hang out with David's grad school friends Thomas, Alexis and Omair. Alexis and her family very generously volunteered their home in Lenox for our reunion. In total, we spent about four full days bumming around the Berkshires, looking at leaves and doing fall-themed things when we weren't stuffing our faces with booze or food. It was a great chance to catch up and keep the friendships going.

For our first full day we went to breakfast in the morning at a spot a few minute walk from the house called Haven. Afterwards we strolled around town for a while, checking out some small shops. Lenox has a cute little touristy downtown. We headed back to Alexis's family's house to get the car to go grocery shopping. Omair ended up cooking a few different delicious things for us while we were visiting, and Alexis brought enough of her pretzels to feed an army. The rest of the day was spent chatting and day drinking. Dinner that evening included Alexis's mother at a farm to table restaurant called Nudel.

General Berkshires scenery.

Philadelphia on the flight into Boston.

Manhattan! Our flight gave us great views of DC, Baltimore, Philly, and NYC.

Alexis's family's house in Lenox. Beautiful!

Breakfast at Haven.

Paul got some new local-ish beer to try while up in Massachusetts.

We didn't skimp on the harder stuff either!

Cute old town hall in Lenox.

Don't be fooled by the book cover...

On the second day we explored the Berkshires a bit more. We took a short hike through the nearby forest to a small pond. Complaints were minimal. ;) Later that afternoon we went apple picking with some of Alexis's family. There were still tons of apples on the trees, despite most of the leaves on the hills around the farm being bare already this time of year. On the way back to the Faraci house we stopped in Pittsfield, to check out the downtown and window shop. Pittsfield used to be the home to GM and has a nice historic downtown, with lots of cool buildings.

That evening, the Faraci's treated everyone out to dinner at the Old Inn on the Green. A really great restaurant about 40 minutes south of Lenox in an old inn. People still use the building as an hotel, but the downstairs has been converted into a great American restaurant.

David and Alexis looking cute in the woods.

A rare candid smile.

Five went in...and only five came out!

Apple-picking money shot.

Sooo many apples.

It's decorative gourd season, y'all!

Wait one apple-picking moment...while I take your photo!

Pittsfield has lots of nice old buildings.

Case in point.

And a really cute downtown in general with lots of little shops and restaurants.

We were lucky to find ice cream this late in the season, but you know if anyone can find it, we can!

Paul's crusted lamb from the Inn on the Green. Delicious!

We had a large group for a wonderful candlelit dinner at the Inn on the Green.

For our last full day up in the Berkshires, we slept-in and then visited a ski resort for Paul to ride an alpine roller coaster. The ride was short, but fun. Almost everyone in the group went...some rode their brakes more than others. Following the coaster, we visited a local farm where we got to pet some cows and see some gourds. The ski resort was about 30 minutes away from Alexis's family's house, so we swung back through Pittsfield on the way home to check out a local brewery.

Later that evening, we visited a haunted house in the nearby town of Richmond. The entire old mansion was set up with a series of spooky rooms. There was also a walk through a haunted forest to get up to the house. Lots of local high school kids were paid to jump out and scare us and overall, there was a good production value. The evening was rounded out with a long fireside chat with mulled wine. Delightful!

Wheee! Coaster-time!

Alpine coasters are fun. They're never very high and you can go pretty fast.

Group shot!

Moooove over, Paul, I'm trying to eat!

The beer was good, but the space wasn't really heated and it was cold!

Spooky haunted house effects.

Follow the candle-lit path to your dooooooooom.

Hot Toddy & Fireside chat time.

Adorable dog in a hoodie. He's like people!

So ended our brief trip to the Faraci manor in the Berkshires. The Faraci's were tremendous, over-generous hosts. We felt right at home and really enjoyed our relaxing time away from Atlanta, along with the opportunity to catch up with friends. On our way back to the airport, we wondered around Boston and had a nice Italian meal. A fine finish to a long weekend in Massachusetts.

Checking out one more historic house on the way out of Lenox.

Freeway heading back to Boston. Lots of fall colors.

Cute neighborhood streets in Boston.

Quick walk around Boston Common before lunch.