Berkshires: Beauty and Thrill of Where We Live

By Kathy Keeser
Guest Column
12:27AM / Friday, October 02, 2009

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FLORIDA, Mass.

Living in the Berkshires is grand! And since I live in Florida (the town) and spend much of each day in North Adams, I go up and down the Mohawk Trail usually on a daily basis. Many times people have responded to the idea of living in Florida with remarks such as: "You live up there?" (Emphasizing the underlying idea of are you crazy!) Or don't you hate driving up there? I won"t go up there in the winter!" Etc. 

The thing is — I LOVE the drive. I live in Drury, which is the village section of Florida on the "far side" just before you head back down the mountain over Deadman's Curve to Charlemont, known for the landmark Brown's garage.

As I drive over the trail I pass through wooded areas along the sides of the road where I observe the seasons: the winter beauty of snow and ice, fall colors, spring greening, and summer blossoming. I pass by the five remaining tourist stops between Florida and North Adams: the Eastern Summit, which can be especially beautiful in the morning or on days of drifting clouds; the Elk Memorial; The Whitcomb Summit with the remaining viewing tower; The Wigwam or Western Summit; and in the middle of the Hairpin Turn, The Golden Eagle Restaurant. 

Of course, there used to be other locations or different versions near these locations, especially in heyday of travel on the Mohawk Trail in the 1050s to '70s, but you can find out more about that when the town of Florida publishes its long-awaited bicentennial history, hopefully by the end of this year.  

Along the way, you never know what you may see. Late this spring, near the turn off to Whitcomb Hill Road, I saw a beautiful red fox almost every day near the road at the same spot in the evenings for a few weeks in a row and when I stopped, it lingered and watched me without running away.

Often I have seen bear, especially in the spring, and have even had to come to a stop to wait while the bear turns side to side, trying to decide which way to get out of the road! Near my house, I often see flocks of turkey near and road and crossing the road. And, of course, the geese as they get ready to head south or return north are spotted frequently near the Poirot's ponds in Drury. Luckily, I have seldom seen deer crossing the road, as that could spell trouble for both the deer and my vehicle. 

Then, there is the driving up and down the Hairpin Turn (not to mention even how cool it is to go down Deadman's Curve through the quick intersection with Savoy and into Charlemont and toward Shelburne Falls and Greenfield!). So many mornings, the clouds or mist is floating around in the valley, transforming North Adams and Clarksburg into dreamy, enchanted fairylands. Two weeks ago on a dreary Saturday, there was a spectacular rainbow extending across the valley. 

Tuesday night, there was the very rare treat of two moose slowly walking up the middle of the Mohawk Trail. Luckily only two other cars were on the road near this time, one coming down the hill who gave me some warning by flashing their lights a few minutes before I suddenly came around the curve and "there they were!" One other car came up behind me, keeping its flashers on as we crept up the hill toward the Golden Eagle.

About 100 feet before the curve, one moose decided to exit stage left (or as the audience, to my right). The second moose didn't know what to do — it stayed straight, continuing on the road and going right into the Golden Eagle parking area, giving two tourists who had their camera out quite a thrill before it jumped over the guardrail in the parking area and headed off in the woods toward Clarksburg.  

I feel so lucky to see these amazing sites and since I have been occasionally doing stories for iBerkshires, I actually had my camera with me, so on both those occasions I was able to snap quick, though-not-so clear shots! Yeah, Berkshires!