Back from the Berkshires

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I've been going to the area for years, but discovered so many new things to do this time!

We went blueberry picking here: Windy Hill Farm :: Apple & Blueberry Picking, Landscaping Services, Nursery Stock, Garden Center

Then we rented canoes and enjoyed Pontoosuc lake in Pittsfield (I've known about this for a long time but finally got around to doing it - it was great!) - not far from Vacation Village, btw. There are quite a few lakes, but Pontoosuc offers boat rentals on site so we didn't have to tie anything to the roof. If you have your own kayaks/canoes, there are other beautiful lakes to enjoy.

At Tanglewood last night we saw James Taylor and Carole King - incredible!! I heard that tonight Bruce Springsteen got up on stage. They are also playing tomorrow night for anyone that feels like an impulsive trip... Tanglewood is a wonderful treat even on a "regular" BSO night - bring a picnic and enjoy under the stars. Lawn tickets are around $20.

This morning we went on a short hike to Ice Glen. Ice Glen | Stockbridge Massachusetts Hikes | Trails.com

There are so many different hikes/trails in the area, and waterfalls too. On our way back we hit a great art show held at Butternut - 9th Annual Berkshires Arts Festival

We had two great dinners out, then picnicked last night at Tanglewood. Lenox has great shops and galleries, and the neighboring towns of Lee and Stockbridge are charming. We didn't get further north than Pittsfield this trip, but further north there are museums and more theatre, and Becket (east) is home to Jacob's Pillow, a highly renowned dance festival.

I can't wait to go back!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I enjoyed my trip last year to Oak n Spruce - where did u stay???
I think this area really has a lot to offer for all

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I enjoyed my trip last year to Oak n Spruce - where did u stay???
I think this area really has a lot to offer for all

We stayed here: Berkshires MA Bed & Breakfast: Stockbridge MA B&B in Berkshire County | An elegant Berkshire County Massachusetts B&B in South Lee near Stockbridge MA

This place is just down the road from O n S, you probably drove past it a lot while you were there. LOVED it.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

An elegant B&B - definitely NOT OnS

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

An elegant B&B - definitely NOT OnS

Right. We only had three nights and were going with friends (and without kids). After last year's bad experience at O n S it wasn't worth the risk, but it's still a fantastic location and there can't be too many of those disgusting units left...

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

All sounded great - and glad you caught Carole and James.
I heard them 2 weeks ago outside of the Today Show. Not as great as a full concert, but stilll nice to hear them.
James was quite fabulous and walked around the crowd for about 45 minutes signing things for anyone who wanted an autograph. (No sign of Carole doing the same).

As for Berks - Loved the area too, there is so much to see and do; hoping to go back soon, as long as I am not traveling with Those Kids who would not like any of it.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Glad that you had such a nice time. I haven't been in in Berkshires in years. I guess I'm due. Thanks for all the tips.

[grest Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grest]

That concert sounds wonderful! Many years ago we spent several nights at the Historic Merrell Inn...loved the area.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Now you got me wanting to go to Tanglewood. The blueberries reminded me that the Mrs. needs to make a pie with last year's berries as soon as this current heat wave is over.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

okay, time for some questions from a Midwesterner who doesn't know Mass. geography. If we went to the Boston area (wESTBOROUGH) AND WANTED TO HIT THE bERKSHIRES ONT HE WAY HOME, HOW FAR ARE THEY AND ARE THEY WAY OUT OF THE WAY FOR A TRIP BACK TO wISCONSIN? sorry about hitting that caps lock key.
Also, since it would be the week of Labor Day weekend or after, would it be really hard to get a timeshare and what timeshares are there?

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Roughly 2 1/2 hours from Boston to the Berkshires. Not really far out of the way for a driving trip to Wisconsin. Pretty much just a jog off the highway.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

So I heard that at last night's CK/JT concert, Bruce Springsteen jumped up on stage with them!

Irene - My kids wouldn't like it, either.

Connie - The Merrell Inn was across the street from where we stayed. It looks lovely, too.

Ang - I think you would have a great time!

Tony - we took more blueberries than we could use, so we brought them to Tanglewood to share with friends. It was early in the season, so plenty of time for you to go for more!!! Someone appears to have spilled them in my trunk. I've got to get the spare out and dig them out from under there before it gets unpleasant.

Rapmarks -- It is a perfect stop! Right on your way to or from Boston. Madison to Boston is 19 hour 31 minutes, Madison to Lee is 17 hrs 22 mins, Lee to Boston is a little over 2 hours. Googlemaps is a great way to play with your itinerary. For timeshare, Oak N Spruce is, imo, the best located and not a tough trade with advance planning. In fact the week of September 3 is available for 2010 (read reviews before booking - most units are fine to new, but there are exceptions, or at least there were last year). The other is Vacation Village, it's close to an hour north of O n S and another attainable trade in advance. Also a pretty area, but a further drive to the things I mentioned and too far for me. Wyndham Bentley Brook is across the road from VV, also nice and Country Village at Jiminy Peak is there, too, but reviews aren't as good. There are a few other t/s in the area - Ponds at Foxhollow in Lenox. A near impossible trade in summer as there aren't many units and most summer owners use their weeks. It's also the closest to Tanglewood. Wind in the Pines in Great Barrington - converted motel 20 mins south of Lee/O n S, and Stonegate, also in Great Barrington. O n S is the closest to Tanglewood/Lenox (except for Ponds) and VV the furthest. The week after Labor Day is an easier trade and won't be as busy, but Tanglewood and theatre season will be finished by Labor Day. Check out Berkshires.org for more info. This year's Labor Day weekend is the Tanglewood Jazz Festival, if that interests you.

eta: correction: VV is actually closer to Pontoosuc Lake than O n S.

and: Crosby, Stills and Nash playing Tanglewood on Sept 1, 2010....

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

I get my berries in the wild, so they are not ready yet--but I will check them next time we go fishing there.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

thanks, I am going to look into it.

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

It is available, but the reviews are bad. I don't know if the reviewers are fussy or it is that bad.