If you are planning to catch the fall colors without getting stuck in traffic, you could do well to try the Mohawk Trail which runs through the blazing Berkshires for about 19 miles. If you are crunched for time like most of us, no need to do the entire trail. Just do the western terminus, in the city of North Adams and you won't be disappointed.
An old mill town, restored with a purpose, North Adams houses the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA), the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States. Old factories which have been converted into studios and lofts for artists line the streets, striking a chord of contrast with the Victorian buildings and tall churches. A sign from an abandoned warehouse screams "Frog Lotus Yoga" and before you can even think about what that means, you come upon another sign, "Natural Bridge State Park", which by the way, proudly possesses the only natural white marble bridge in all of North America. With so much to see and do, one almost forgets the surrounding beauty of red, gold and purple leaves, carelessly lining the busy streets.
Our visit to the Natural Bridge State Park was made memorable by the Civil War Re-enactors urging us to re-live our history. But it was a weekend event and we were lucky to have caught the show. You might be in for some other surprise so be sure to check out all the details at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/nbdg.htm before you go. Inside the Park, if you look carefully at the Hoosac Marble Quarry, you will see tiny speakers embedded in the rock, that's because, every single day, at sunset, music is played for fifteen minutes. Music made specifically for the quarry and made of the quarry, courtesy MASS MoCA. Please visit http://www.massmoca.org for further details and don't just visit the website. Visit the restored 19th century factory campus of MASS MoCA to be swept away by some of the best art of our time. It is a haven for fresh ideas, sometimes poignant and at times disturbing, but never boring.
If you are really into art, I would suggest checking out the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) while you are there. And for all you history buffs, there's the Western Gateway Heritage State Park. But before you go, please browse through http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/wghp.htm and http://www.mcla.edu
so that you are aware of the timings and exhibits.
When I say that North Adams of Berkshire County is ablaze in colors, I am not just thinking of the vividly rich foliage during this time of the year. What also comes to my mind is the culture, the architecture and the history of this modest city in Massachusetts, which can all but set your imagination afire.
Article and photos by Esha Samajpati
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