to pwt54

[constantia]

dear "pwt54"
Many thanks for your kind advice. I'm not really looking for the quickest, but rather the most interesting routes, as we will pass this way but once! Keen to get away from major traffic as we will be driving on the wrong side of the road - for us!!I will just keep reading your forum entries until we leave for the States next week. You are doing such a wonderful service -thankyou!

[pwt54]

Yes, route US 7 isn't very interesting. The route 9,100,131, and 106 route is a good route. Route 100 is our premier State route. I wish i could help with the Massachusetts area but I don't go there. However I did do route 22 on the New York/Massachusetts border and i enjoyed the ride. I'm not sure how the foliage is down there.

[Kerry Gough]

Hi, Deb:

In the post I made three days ago, I did make a mistake when I said "Sturbridge" as it certainly should have read "Stockbridge". I appreciate Geri calling attention to that. I know better as Stockbridge is one of my favorite villages. I will stay there again this year at the Red Lion Inn.

Concerning travel through MA. I am going to suggest a back road route for you that will eventually end up at the Mohawk Trail, since you mentioned it in one of your Posts. That is a beautiful drive even though the foliage may be less than peak at the time you are there. The contrast of greenery and early fall colors are always fascinating to me.

The roads I will suggest are just good back roads from a sight see point. You will not travel fast but will have an eye appealing journey through central and western MA. From Sheffield, go north on Rt. 7 to Great Barrington and turn right on Rt. 23. Follow 23 east until to come to Russell.

There, take a left on Rt. 20 north. Continue on 20 to South Worthington. Take a right turn on to Ireland Road and go to West Chesterfield. Turn right on Rt. 143, which will take you towards Williamsburg and Rt. 9. At Rt. 9, turn right and go about a mile into Williamsburg.

On the right side of the road, be sure to stop and visit the Williamsburg Genral Store. It is a delightful place to visit and they have an excellent and aromatic in-store bakery. Their signature item is their "Wrapple". It is fresh apples wrapped and folded in several delicious layers of fresh pie pastry and liberally sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Of all the apple specialties I have enjoyed in the New England fall through the years, the "Wrapple" takes first prize!

Now, go north on Rt. 9 for about five miles until you come to Rt. 112 north at Goshen. Turn right and continue until you reach Shelburne Falls and Rt. 2, which is the Mohawk Trail. Here, you may want to stop and see the Bridge of Fowers. It is one of their favored attractions.

Then, just get on Rt.2 west and you have an absolutely beautiful drive ahead of you on the prettiest part of the Mohawk Trail. Take your time and stop along the way by the streams you will see and for good views from the scenic overlooks. Traffic on the Trail can be slow going but you will not mind that because of the enjoyment of the area.

This will take you on in to Williamtown, which I gave information to you about in a previous Post. You will then just follow Rt. 7 north to your destination of Bennington. It may look like it is a long route I have suggested. My calculations show it to be about 110 miles, Sheffield to Williamstown. With enjoyable stops along the way, and a beautiful fall day, that is not far at all.

Just some thoughts and suggestions that might be of interest to you add to your enjoyment to your New England experience. Have a great visit!

[Kerry Gough]

Me again, Deb!

In my response to you several days ago, suggesting you go straight up Rt. 7 to get to Bennington, that was before I knew of your interest in the Mohawk Trail. Then today I sent you the Post on driving a scenic route from Sheffield, across southern MA, and then heading north towards the Mohawk Trail, with a short side jaunt to Williamsburg and then on to Shelburne Falls.

Let me suggest a combination of the two. I do this as I think that you would really enjoy seeing Stockbridge and maybe the NRM. If you go up Rt. 7 to start, when you get to Pittsfield, turn east on Rt. 9 and that will take you to a merger with Rt. 112 in about 20 miles. It is only about 30 miles total from Pittsfield to Goshen when Rt 112 becomes a straight shot to the Mohawk Trail.

Where Rt. 112 turns left and due north, at Goshen, you are only five miles from Williamsburg. Just stay on that road following Rt. 9 and just double back after going to Williamsburg, which I highly suggest is worth the short digression. The route from Pittsfield to Goshen is a nice drive and there might possibly be more early color in that vicinity of the state than the southern portion.

If I have you confused, get back to me. I will try to make it clearer for you.

[cisco_prs50@yahoo.com]

Will the route from 100/107 intersection in south to montpellier be any good for the last week of september?

I am planning to come from niagra to VT.

Thanks for advise

[constantia]

Dear Kerry - what a star you are! You have solved my dilemma. I always was a gal that had to have her cake and eat it too! Your 2 routes in one go is the answer (with a "wrapple thrown in! Hmmm...a quick lot of extra gym and a week's starvation is called for, it seems!} You are so full of knowledge about all the little specialities of each area, which is just how I like to travel! What you got for the Woodstock and Stowe areas along these lines? All tips most gratefully received.

[Kerry Gough]

Good morning, Deb. I am glad to be of some help to you. I love to see others enjoy Vermont and New England as much as I do and like to share with others.

Concerning Woodstock and Stowe, I will difinitely get back to you on those two spots. Woodstock is very special. We are staying there three nights this year. It is not only a super little village but a good location to take day trips from. You will enjoy it, I am sure.

Have a great day and I will be in touch.

Kerry

Give me a couple of days and I promise not to forget. What dates are you going to be in Vermont and where else are you going in New England? I do not recall seeing that information.

[constantia]

Hi Kerry The Wonderful! We are flying out of Cape Town on Tues 27th Sept, to JFK and will pick up a rented car in Hartford. First night Sheffield, then Bennington and up to Woodstock next weekend,for 3 nights till Oct 2nd., then Stowe for 2 nights. Over to Bethel then on to Maine - Freeport and Camden - before a couple of days in New York. All too short and so much to see ...but don't want to spoil it by rushing too much. That's why I value your kind of advice...days full of an assortment of different things to pick and chose from, sampling the lovely New England way of life. I am hoping against hope I have planned this ok, but it seems as if our hopes of seeing your spectacular fall colours are rather dodgy!I am surprised at how warm your weather is still, and I don't think the leaves will change without the cooler weather! Oh well - I am glad there is someone like you to give us other ideas on what to see and do! I don't want you to go to too much trouble, though...you have already made such a difference to my bank of info! Thankyou so much.

[Kerry Gough]

Deb:

Thanks for the information. In your town-to-town information, you mention going from Stowe over to Bethel. I assume that is Bethel, Maine? If so, I can give you some suggestions on a good and scenic way to travel to Maine, including to Freeport. I can suggest a couple of good eating and/or stopping places along the way, too.

Let me know if it is Bethel, Maine. Thanks!

Kerry

[constantia]

Hi Kerry, Yeah it is Bethel, Maine! Sorry - I am not used to this kind of speak! "London, England" and such! Here we have only one place with a name that no-one else shares; I forget how big the U.S.A is and that there must be lots of Bethels! Anyway, once again I would love to hear your ideas on that area and route down to Freeport ... to me it is just a squiggly line on the map still, and as we can't get any kind of detailed map,only the bigger places are mentioned, so our first purchase at JFK will be a good detailed map of New England so that we can follow your expert advice! Thankyou, kind Kerry

[pwt54]

Deb, if you happen to stop at one of the Welcome Centers on the Interstate highways in Vermont, ask for a free New England Map. The New England Inns and Resort Association sent most of our Welcome Centers a case of them every year.

[Kerry Gough]

Deb:

The map PWT mentioned is a handy map to have with the New England states all on one page. Since I know you will be in Connecticut and Massaschusetts before you travel to Vermont, check in the main lobby at Bradley Field, on arrival in Hartford, for maps of those two states as well as the New England map.

At one time, there was a Travel Kiosk that was available for nformation for the two states since the Hartford airport serves both Hartford and Springfield. Someone manned the Kiosk to give information. They may would have the New England map, too.

Since you are picking up a rental car in Hartford, let me suggest a travel route for you to Sheffield. Take Rt. 20 West out of the airport and stay on Rt. 20 until you come to the intersection with Rt. 8 north. Turn right and continue to Rt. 57. Turn left (West) on Rt. 57 and go to Great Barrington. Then turn south, or left, on Rt 7 and you are 6 miles from Sheffield.

That entire drive is a pretty backroad journey with both hills and curves. You will not be able to drive fast but I think you will certainly enjoy the scenery along the way. When you arrive in Great Barrington, stop a moment at the Chamber of Commerce Travel Desk at 362 Main Street and they will be able to furnish you with a map and information that could be helpful.

Great Barrington has some good places to eat. I also recommend Jacks Grill in Housatonic, just 11 miles north from you just off Rt. 183. Just turn left when you reach Housatonic and you will run right into it. Their specialty dish is New England Pot Roast and it is delicious. I eat there on my visit to New England each year. Jacks is owned by the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge. Look at their Internet site at www.jacksgrill.com.

I had mentioned to you a visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge when you head north to begin your one day rambling journey to Vermont. If you are not familiar with it, look at their Internet site at www.NRM.org.

It, too, is on Rt. 183 just a few miles past where you turn left to go to Jacks. It is on the right hand side of the road and you cannot miss the sign for it. Rt. 183, though very short, is a pretty drive.

In one of my earlier Posts, I told you about the General Store in Williamsburg,MA. If you will do a search for "Williamsburg Gneral store, Williamsburg, MA", it will take you to their Internet site. I can't remember their address exactly but think it is just www.WilliamsburgGeneral Store.com.

PWT may can tell you more about this than I can. For information on Vermont when you arrive there, I understand that in Bennington, at the corner of South and Elm Street, which is actually Rt. 7, the road you will enter Bennington on, is a Vermont Travel Information desk. You might check it out for helpful information for your stay and travels in Vermont.

[Kerry Gough]

Deb:

I looked it up. The Internet site for Williamsburg Gneral Store is www.wgstore.com.
It is a great site and will make you want to go there tomorrow!

[constantia]

All this invaluable advice ...and free maps too! Do you know how fortunate you are to live in such a helpful, friendly society?! I am so lucky to have found you all - your advice is just so spot on! What more can I say but thankyou so much to you all.I love all your tips and will use them all, as far as possible...I think we are going to be somewhat less than alert by the time we get to Hartford as we will have been travelling for over 24 hours, but maybe the excitement will keep us pumped up a bit longer! I am just dying to see everything you have mentioned! We are not renting from the airport in Hartford but somewhere in town,and are pretty scared of the highways, so we will look out for the info place in Bennington appropo Vermont info...but You have given us enough to keep us very happy! We love birds and hiking too, so will try and fit in some of that somewhere as well. Only 2 more days to wait! Any signs of Autumn ( sorry - Fall) yet?

[margym]

Hi Deb-
If you like birds then you may want to plan a visit to the Vermont Raptor Center- they offer rehab for injured birds and also have a "live" educational program/show several times a day. The center was recently re-built and is on Route 4, a few miles east of Woodstock (and before Quechee). You can see/read more about this at: http://www.vinsweb.org/

Enjoy!