Sometimes I look at my work schedule and think I really really need a break, to see girlfriends and laugh and see some culture outside of my own area: New England-fare, museums, restaurants, concerts, country coffee shops, that sort of thing.
I drove simply two hours to the Berkshires in Massachusetts, I have to admit that I didn’t know it was this close to my home. I also drove to another spot in New York, I’ll blog about that next week. Stay tuned.
What I remembered from my time away:
- Culture is not just in New York City.
- Taking a break from social media–Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook–for a few days won’t kill me.
- I still had my work projects when I returned home and my clients still liked me even though I had boundaries.
- Going off technology for a week is on my list to do in September.
- Sometimes seeing a girlfriend is the best medicine.
- Like-minded friends can feed the soul.
- I rediscovered eating well, food co-ops and people that smile a lot.
- Coffee shop tea and coffee seems to taste better in the country.
- Driving in a car with no distractions — alone time — is the best.
I was looking so forward to seeing American Masters Rockwell & Hopper with my friend Elisa, currently at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge MA. Here is a wonderful display of Norman Rockwell pieces on Pinterest.
I look all the time for something that suggests something to me. I think about it. Just to paint a representation or a design is not hard, but to express a thought in a painting is…I’ve never been able to paint what I set out to paint.” — Edward Hopper
A highlight of my 24 hours in the Berkshires was seeing my friend Suzi Banks Baum, artist, writer, teacher and mom. Now that I am writing and taking photographs for my own blog, being with uber-creatives like Suzi really lights me up. I had a chance to see her colorful work space, divine. We went to an estate sale, ate lunch at the healthiest spot imaginable in Great Barrington, and of course she took me to a spot to take photographs. Bliss.
When I first moved to New York City, I ventured north to the Red Lion Inn which is still adorable and very New Englandy. Stolling through town was such a joy.
All photos above are taken with my iPhone 5s.
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I feel it !!!!friggen amazing moon,you have done it again !!xo
Lorie, you are always my first reader. You must be up at 6:30am. Thanks for all of your support!
Grinning. Sharing. Looking forward to more visits with the Moon. xooxox Tons of love, S
Visiting your home @suzibanksbaum:disqus was magical. So happy we made the time, and I am forever changed by that. Thanks, and thanks for being in my blog 🙂
Love the Berkshires. I’m inspired to book our seasonal fall foliage trip before the Hopper exhibit moves out of town, thanks for the head’s up!
I hope you get up there @disqus_K1AYMssge5:disqus, two hour drive, so very close. Enjoy and always appreciate you reading the blog!
Ahhh….summertime and your taking advantage of the season — an inspiration 😉
What a story @doreen_birdsell:disqus! Your place was very magical so I’m not surprised. Thanks for reading!
Your inspiration is contagious, Nancy! Reading your post makes me want to escape up there right now!! Looking forward to reading about the second part of your adventure.
@maryvonohlen:disqus Thanks for reading … and for lending your support. Inspiration is my goal, happy about that!
Nancy, you are so very talented! I adore your photos, and now want more than anything to wander around the Berkshires with you! Really looking forward to part two!
Hi @Emily:disqus! Thanks for stopping by my blog post to read about my latest …. walking around with you anywhere would be great. I’m finally going to Africa in September. Oh my.
Nancy! Your dream is coming true, as we talked about!!! I’m so happy for you! More in my email back … love you
Travel writer! These are gorgeous, and you look like you’re having the best time. Thanks for giving me a girlfriend break without having to leave the office.
@janepollak:disqus Hi and thanks, I see the words “Travel Writer” and I got excited and smiled! You know how to make a gal feel like they are on a good track. Happy to see you got on Disqus.
So fabulous, I grew up in West Stockbridge and my parents still live in our family homestead! @nancymoonpr:disqus We are there about 1x a month and every weekend during the ski season because Ava is on the Butternut Ski Race Team… SO… we’ll have to meet there one day and show them our swag 🙂 OXOXOX
Oh @denisedigrigoli:disqus what a great way to spend the ski season. It is special up there, I’ll go back for sure. Have you ever seen James Taylor play there?
What a fabulous trip! Thanks for sharing your adventures. I love the pictures. And I’m so jealous that you got to see all those Hoppers and Rockwells. “The Five Little Peppers and How they Grew” was one of my favorite books growing up!
@karennedlerquinn:disqus I don’t know that book. Thanks for commenting, and enjoying.
Looks like you had a great time! Loved the ‘things you remembered’. I also love the Edward Hopper painting of the boy in bed looking out the window 😉
This sounds wonderful, Nancy! Going off technology for a whole week–wow! I remember being a wilderness camp counselor in college. We used to be on the trail for a week at a time with no technology (the days when Facebook was just starting). Recently I took 36 hours away from my phone and found it completely liberating. I look forward to reading your blog post about it when you come back from the technology detox! 😉
And as always, lovely photos! Especially like the one of the old books and flowers!
@jacquelineboone:disqus as always, your support means a lot to me. So happy you get something out of my blog post. Yay!