Friday, October 14, 2011

'Virtual Date Night'--Sometimes It's Not Just Nature....!

      Just like Ashley and Aron of the blog Hither & Thither, hubby and I decided this was a great weekend in Massachusetts to head to the Berkshires! It's gonna be a rainy drive tonight, but thankfully it's not a worry, because it's not gonna be a long trip this time!
       Where is the Berkshires, you ask?!...It's practically in our backyard! It's the area located in the western parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut! It's both a specific highland geologic region, and a cultural region...The cultural part is what hubby and I are most planning on visiting tonight!...Cultural art attractions and music! YAY! :-) But I'll tell you more about that in a minute!
        First...about the Berkshires...Tourism is a principal industry in the Berkshires. It's a popular vacation getaway for nature lovers. It's home to dozens of summer camps too. People love coming to visit this area because of it's mountains;...the Hebert Arboretum in Pittsfield Massachusetts (a park)...
        
        ...it's valleys;...the Berkshire Botanical Herb Garden in Stockbridge Massachusetts...
           
            ...it's numerous trails;...Bash Bish Falls, the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts, in Bash Bish Falls State Park in Mount Washington...
         ...it's rivers;....covered bridges...fly fishing...canoeing....and spectacular 'leaf-peeping' of Fall foliage! :-)
        
         Even if hubby and I never stopped the car....but of course we have to! :-)) ...just driving around and looking at the leaves turning colors in peak season would be good enough!...
          
         I mean...is there anywhere as beautiful as New England during the Fall?! :-] 
             
          ....Okay, so you probably have your own beautiful areas. I know! And hopefully hubby and I will get around to visiting them too, one of these weekends! :-) But, today and tonight, it's culture, culture, culture for us! :-)
       We'll be visiting the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown Massachusetts...
       The grandson of one of the principals of the Singer Sewing Machine company, Robert Sterling Clark (along with his wife Francine), was it's creator! Today, the Clark is best known for works of French Impressionism, especially the paintings of Renoir, and a fine collection of British and American silver.
      Then we're gonna pop over to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams Massachusetts...
         It's in a converted factory building, and it's one of the largest centers for contemporary visual and performing arts in the country.
       Then it's back to Williamstown, to the Williams College Museum of Art, which is a teaching Museum...
                ...and it's free! :-)
            Have you heard of the painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell?...Well, we're most looking forward to visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum, home of the world's largest collection of Rockwell art...
        It's located in Stockbridge Massachusetts, where Norman Rockwell lived the last 25 years of his life. If you've never seen his work before, you can come along with us for a tour of the museum...

        Food is not a big focus on this trip, but no 'Date Night' would be complete without music! And the Berkshires also have some of the best music around....cultural music! 
       Our last stop will be the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox Massachusetts. It's an estate and music venue, and the home of the annual summer Tanglewood Music Festival and the Tanglewood Jazz Festival....It's also been the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home since 1937.
            Have you ever heard of the Boston Pops?! It's an American orchestra, based in Boston Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music. They were founded as a second, popular identity of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, consisting of most of the musicians of the BSO, although generally not the first-chair players.
      And so....we're off! :-] I'll leave you with a little culture from John Williams conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra. You might even recognize this bit of classical music! :-)


Culture

Sometimes it's hot dogs, lots of mustard,
just so good you can't believe!
With no set table, wine or napkins,
Just wipe your mouth with your sleeve.

But sometimes it's lots of culture,
Orchestras, Museums, Art!
With a little wine and cheese,
not bageled cheez whiz a la carte!

Yikes! I almost forgot to remind you that TOMORROW is the Giveaway drawing for the lacy afghan (click on the photo in the right hand sidebar for details)! Get your entry in! :-)

18 comments:

  1. Looks like your in for a good weekend. Beautiful pictures, Autumn tree spotlight is gorgeous, thanks for sharing,interesting post. Hope you get the mustard off your sleeve:)

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  2. Krishenka, ^_^ I think so too! I just have to be on my best behavior...It's gonna be kinda hard hiding that mustard stain though! ^_^ Thanks for the nice comment! Have a good weekend yourself!

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  3. Sounds like a wonderful trip! I love Norman Rockwell and would love to travel to see that museum!
    And you're right about everyone having their favorite places in the fall. Here in Michigan we have some beautiful areas to see when the colors change.
    Enjoy your trip and don't eat too much! LOL OR....eat a bit for me too!

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  4. CinLynn, Hi Bead! Isn't that a great Museum?! And who doesn't love Norman Rockwell?! He was such a great illustrator!!...And yes, I know Michigan has beautiful foliage. I saw the photos you took on your trip last year. Beautiful!...I'll definitely have some wine and cheese in your honor tonight...virtually. I'm all about some hot apple cider and a hot dog for real! ^_^ Have a good day my friend

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  5. Great photos, love the autumn leaves, sounds like date night is going to be a good one! I always wondered what it would be like to live in a converted industrial building, the space would be amazing :) have a great night and weekend.

    Bee happy x
    Have a delicious day!

    Enter me!

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  6. Love this one!!!!!!!Orchestras, Museums, Art!
    With a little wine and cheese,not bageled cheez whiz a la carte! giggle. Great post my friend xo

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  7. Bee happy, Thanks! I agree about the photos. Clearly "I" didn't take them! ^_^ I stay 'in my lane'...crocheting and writing poetry! :-)) And yes, a converted industrial building could be roomy...but also the heating bill would be outrageous!! Stick to you r beautiful home you have now. I mean...you've worked so hard on it! Industrially even! ^_^ Have a good weekend! And you're entered!

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  8. Katherine, ^_^ Thank you!! I'm glad you liked that one. I had some fun with that poem myself!...Have a good weekend!!

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  9. The nature part looks so very much like my home state, West Virginia. looks like you ant the hub had a good weekend.
    nellie

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  10. Beyond My Garden, Yes Nellie, it 'does' look like Virginia. I'm from the South. I've been through Virginia many times. It looks like Georgia too...some areas of Massachusetts and Connecticut I mean. It's one earth with the same designer after all, right?! :-) Have a good weekend yourself!

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  11. Deb,

    I've been there so many times because my in laws live there. Such a fantastic place. A lot to do, too.
    That home you saw in my blog is a stunning place to visit. I know you like garden and they have a beautiful & huge one.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  12. Priscila, I knew it! :-) Anybody that knows of a cool spot like Naumkeag in the Berkshires has to have been there! :-] I went over and read all about it too! It looks like a great place to stay and explore! Thanks for sharing it...and your comment here too! Have a good weekend! :-)

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  13. Ah, the Berkshires! I miss Massachusetts! We were supposed to visit this week but my daughter was sick. So beautiful, thanks for sharing those images.

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  14. Carrie, I'm sorry you didn't get to come! It was raining cats and dogs anyway though...But have a good time when you 'do' get here! :-) Thanks for the nice comment too!

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  15. Beautiful Pictures. Love the Autumn leaves.
    Enter ME!

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  16. Alittlesprite, Thanks Sprite! We love the leaves too! :-) ...The Giveaway for the blanket was drawn already, but I'll put your name in for the November 1st one, okay!

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  17. It sure does look pretty in the Berkshires especially with all that beautiful autumn colour!

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  18. Jo-anne, It is Jo! It is! Especially at this time of year. :-]

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