Posted on Thu, Jun 14, 2012 @ 01:11 PM
Mick Huska
When I’m on the hunt for a nice outdoor location to relax, I always try to find somewhere secluded and a bit out of the way. I love being at Onota, Pontoosuc or Laurel Lake but the summertime can be rather crowded at those locations. For me, it doesn’t get much better than Windsor Jambs located off Route 9 in the Windsor State Forest in Windsor and parts of Cummington.
The Jambs are approximately a 45 minute ride from the Yankee Inn, but well worth the trip. The ride through Dalton and into Windsor provides some great scenery in The Berkshires as well as being able to see a few small towns. With a little luck, you may be able to see some of the wildlife The Berkshires have to offer!
The Jambs themselves are never really heavily trafficked in my experiences there, unlike Wahconah Falls or Pittsfield State Forest. There are plenty of locations for one to hike, swim or just relax. Trails and old dirt roads that wind through the "The Bush" are favored by hikers, cross-country skiers and snowmobiles (winter time). If you decide to visit there, you should bring a camera for taking pictures of the beautiful 25 foot with 80 foot high granite walls and the beautiful waterfalls flowing through there. There is also a 100 foot long sandy beach where guests can enjoy swimming. Make sure to bring some food because picnicking is allowed and encouraged!
So If you’re looking to add a unique, outdoor experience during your visit to The Berkshires away from some of the hustle and bustle, I highly encourage a day trip to Windsor Jambs. It’s the ideal location for relaxing, unwinding and getting in touch with nature during your vacation.
Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 @ 12:12 PM
Kayla Hebler
There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in the Berkshires, but the Berkshire Botanical Garden is truly “a glistening community gem”. The Garden is a non profit membership- supported educational organization which has 15 acres of cultivated land, located at the intersections of route 102 and 183 in Stockbridge, Ma. The Berkshire Botanical Garden is a great place to take a walk and learn about local gardening and how to preserve and improve the environment. The public display of the gardens is open from May through mid October. The plants in the gardens are some of the oldest in the U.S and their collections are mostly of plants that thrive in the Berkshires; more than 3,000 types of plants are represented here.
Classes, workshops, lectures and special events are offered year-round. Some of the events that the Berkshire Botanical Garden hosts are the Plant Sale, the Flower Show, the Fete de Fleurs Garden Party, the Harvest Festival and the Holiday Fair.Although it is not until fall time (which is the best time to visit the Berkshires) the Harvest Festival is my absolute favorite! Being the first fundraising event since 1934 the Harvest Festival has really become an amazing community event. There is tons of great local food venders from around the area, horse rides, games for kids to enjoy, live music, great beer, and plenty of shops set up tents with great merchandise to browse or buy! But if you will only be able to come in the spring or summer you can still visit the gardens and take walks throughout the park. Starting in June, there will be guided tours Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 10 a.m. Keep an update on special events and classes they will have in the near future by checking out their website!
http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/
Posted on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 @ 12:06 AM
Sean W.
Spring seems to be here to stay, and for those itching to enjoy the outdoors in the Berkshires, I have another recommendation for a good days hike. Monument Mountain is a short ride down route 7 from The Yankee Inn, and has some of the best views in the Berkshires. There are several trails to get to the top of the mountain that vary in difficulty, but no matter which way you choose to go, getting to the top is a great accomplishment. The view of the Housatonic river valley is spectacular, and those who make it to the top will enjoy views as far as Mt. Greylock (the highest peak in MA), Southern Vermont, and the Catskill Mountains in New York. Monument Mountain is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, drawing more than 20,000 visitors a year according to the Trustees of Reservations.
Now that it’s warmer outside, dust off those hiking boots, choose your trail, and head up to the summit. Be sure to bring your camera and you may be able to snap a photo of a bald eagle! For more information about hiking at Monument Mountain take a look at the Trustees of Reservations web site http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/berkshires/monument-mountain.html Happy Hiking!
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 10:00 AM
Kayla Hebler
Hilltop Orchards is a historic apple orchard in the Berkshires and home to award-winning Furnace Brook Winery, located in Richmond, MA. Not too far from us here at the Yankee Inn, Hilltop offers a place for you to hike and pick apples off of their beautiful preserved land. They also have snowshoeing and cross country skiing, but seeing as it is already spring, do not worry because there are still things to do here! Starting April 7th, they will have a year-round full moon hike and bonfire. Holly Brouker who is the guide will lead you and the group on a one hour- one a half hour hike. The interactive journey incorporates Native American traditions relating to moonlight, and there will be a bonfire, wine tasting and entertainment right after the hike ends. They ask that you arrive by 6:45 p.m. and the hike begins at 7 p.m. The cost is only $10.00 for a great hike, bonfire, and tasting of up to six different Furnace Brook wines. Due to popularity, Hilltop Orchards requests that only adults that are 21 and up come to enjoy. So if you are in the area visiting and would like something fun to do check it out!
If you are more interested in going to see the land, and taste wine during the day they are open 9-5 daily. Hilltop Orchards also has a store for wines and ciders, fruit pies, scones, cider donuts, preserves, maple syrup and more…YUM!
Directions:
From Downtown Lenox about 15 minutes
Take MA-183 South (West St) towards Tanglewood (for 1.5 miles)
Veer right onto Richmond Mt. Rd., which becomes Lenox Rd., (3.2 miles)
Turn right onto MA-41 (follow 1.4 miles to Rt 295)
take left on Rt 295 / Canaan Rd. -- look for the white gates at the entrance on the right about 1 mile down
http://www.hilltoporchards.com/index.html
Posted on Mon, Mar 12, 2012 @ 09:06 AM
Sean W.
Wahconah Falls
Approximately 30 minutes from The Yankee Inn, is a great hiking spot called Wahconah Falls State park. Any time of year, a short walk will bring you to a beautiful waterfall and hiking trails. Located in Dalton MA, Wahconah falls is a popular outdoor spot for hiking, picnicking and photography for locals and tourists alike. Open from sunrise to sunset, this state park in the heart of the Berkshire Hills is a great way to spend an afternoon in the Berkshires. For directions and more information, check out http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/wahf.htm, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation web page.
Posted on Tue, Feb 21, 2012 @ 09:35 AM
Adventures with Gram: The Vermont Voyage
Mick Huska
This past Sunday my grandmother and I decided to trek to Vermont. Why? Well, when visiting Vermont you never need a reason. There’s always something fun to do. Anyhow a few days prior I had spotted something about a general store in the town of Pittsfield, VT. The drive was two hours and we said what the heck. We decided we’d maybe do shopping in Rutland on our way then head over to Pittsfield. On the way back we’d stop for dinner in Bennington. Sounded like a good plan.
So we headed out around 9 AM on Sunday. Around 11 AM we arrived in Rutland. Rutland to me is like a jello dessert: good in theory, but always disappointing. It’s pretty commercialized with strip malls and doesn’t really have that quaint charm that one associates with Vermont. After not bothering to stop we followed the GPS past Killington and into Pittsfield.
Unlike Pittsfield, MA this Pittsfield is a town of about 450 people. When we initially arrived we could still see some damage from hurricane Irene. Many temporary bridges, washed out embankments and even a few condemned houses off their foundations were seen. Fortunately, the The General Store was spared. The general store was everything you think of when you imagine a typical New England general store. There were lots of handmade, local goods ranging from canned food, to crafts and even dog treats. They also had a nice little restaurant in there. The sandwiches we bought we were reasonably priced, delicious and not overly filling. We also purchased some locally made canned beets and pickles. We also had to pick up some treats for the dogs as well.
Eventually we had to wave goodbye to Pittsfield and head back home. Much to our chagrin, both the restaurant at which we wanted to eat and the bakery we wanted to visit was closed on Sundays. If you are staying at the Yankee Inn and want to take a day trip to Bennington, I recommend paying a visit to Lil' Britain Fish And Chips for some authentic British style fish and chips. Finally (if you’re not too stuffed), I recommend taking a walk to Crazy Russian Girls Bakery for some tasty chocolates and pastries. Bennington is an hour ride from the Berkshires and worth the visit. Take the ride up route 7 and enjoy some of the beautiful scenery of The Berkshires on your way to Vermont after your stay with us.
Posted on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 @ 09:30 AM
Scenic Hiking near the Yankee Inn
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Sean W.
Experiencing nature in the Berkshire’s is a main reason why so many people are attracted to the area, and when staying at the Yankee Inn, you won’t have to go very far to do so. Just about 10 minutes from the Yankee Inn is the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. With seven miles of trails, a Nature Center and plenty of opportunities to view wildlife, the sanctuary is something worth stopping by during your stay in the area. “When you walk along Yokun Brook, take note of the beaver “lodges” of tree branches and mud, where these nocturnal creatures spend their days. Salamander migrations are a major spring event along West Mountain Road.”
Happy Hiking!
Posted on Fri, Oct 14, 2011 @ 12:44 PM
Berkshires Foliage Tours - Unique Ideas
Most leaf peepers opt to drive through the countrysideto see the vibrant fall foliage,
but there are many unique ways to take in the scenery.
Hawk Meadow Farm Llama Hike:
First-time visitors to Hawkmeadow Guest Farm might not believe their eyes when they approach the farm's green pastures. But seeing is believing, and the farm's small herd of llamas offer unique hiking companionship while exploring the forested trails just outside Lee. Friendly, furry and sporting names like "Cuzco" and "The Equalizer", the llamas of Berkshire Mountain Llama Hike are happy to lead children and adults alike on a one- to three-hour hike through the fall colors. Call 413-243-2224 for an appointment.
Source: www.berkshires.com