Wednesday – October 24, 2012
We left North Adams early and drove along scenic Route 2. This is a narrow, twisty, windy, hilly, slow road with one genuine hair-pin turn. Because it is the major east-west through-road across the mountains, there are large trucks traveling single-file with the cars. With the common Deer Crossing signs, there were Bear Crossing and Moose Crossing signs. I watched carefully, but had no luck with any unusual sightings. There was a recent article in the NY Times Travel Section which described some attractions along this northern Massachusetts road. Signs along Route 2 informed us that it also called The Mohawk Trail. There were shops along the Trail selling Native American goods, but we didn’t stop to verify authenticity.
House and Teepee Along The Mohawk Trail
At 9:30 AM we arrived in Greenfield, Mass. and looked for someplace interesting to have breakfast. We found Denny’s Pantry – Family Restaurant with large signs announcing they were not related to any chain restaurants. The interior was set with mix ‘n’ match wooden Colonial chairs and tables. The patrons and waitstaff were all local people catching up on town gossip and making plans to meet later. Breakfast was simple, tasty, and plentiful.
Whitcomb Summit
Well fortified, we continued eastward along beautiful Route 2 which follows the bends in the XXX River. The trees were glowing in shades of orange, reds, and yellows as we drove through the former mill towns of Northern Massachusetts. Entering the small town of Erving, Mass., we drove over the French King Bridge which looks like it should have been in Paris. The bridge reminds motorists of the former wealth of the region when this area was full of factories and mills. Today the buildings are mostly abandoned or modestly repurposed and there are high unemployment rates among the residents.
Main Entrance of the Mariposa Museum
We drove as far as Nashua, New Hampshire and turned around to drive east along Route 101. A young man in Nashua who learned we were tourists, recommended the Mariposa Museum in Peterborough, NH. We had never heard of it, so thought it would be fun to go. It was a Museum of World Cultures and Folk Tales and it was definitely worth visiting. A lively presentation about people who had caused major changes in the world, was just ending and many people were milling around the small museum. There was an excellent exhibit upstairs about the art and life of Woody Gutherie which was a part of their Change Exhibit.
African Figures
There was also a collection of musical instruments from around the world which visitors could play. Around the rooms were large cases full of international dolls, puppets, and other artifacts representing hundreds of different world cultures. This was such a fun, interactive and friendly museum. Highly recommended!
Masks in Peterborough, NH
It was getting late, so we drove to the next largest city of Keene, NH to look for a place to stay for the night. The Courtyard was fully booked (!) but the young woman behind the desk recommended The Lane Hotel on Main Street. This turned out to be a lovely boutique hotel in a remodeled commercial building in downtown Keene. The room was very clean, huge and well decorated and included a free Continental breakfast and free wifi. The location was ideal because we were on Main Street and could walk to everything in town.
Asian Figure at Mariposa Museum
Dinner was at the highly recommended Nicola Trattoria which had excellent food and service. I would definitely return to Keene NH and stay at the Lane Hotel again. We learned there are two colleges in town and that the few hotels book quickly, so next time we might make a reservation! :-)