Fall Foliage Fun

Nothing beats fall foliage and driving or hiking and seeing the myriad colors and leaf shapes that change hues throughout the foliage season. Wouldn’t it be nice to bring home a bit of fall color and decorate your house for the holidays using some fall leaves.

Here’s some easy fall leaf craft decorating ideas that you can make with some of the beautiful leaves you’ve collected while staying at the 1896 House Inn.

Leaf Lanterns
http://recycledawblog.blogspot.ca/2012/07/how-to-make-leaf-lanterns.html?spref=fb

Pumpkin place cards (with fall leaves)
http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/seasonal-decorating/pumpkin-decorating-projects/page/23/0

Autumn Leaf Luminarias
http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/autumn-illuminated?center=0&gallery=274704&slide=273501

Fall Leaf Initial
http://thethriftyabode.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-leaf-initial.html

Autumn Leaf Wreath
http://www.craftjr.com/diy-fall-wreath-craft/

Leaf-Covered Candles
http://www.marthastewart.com/269676/leaf-covered-candles

Leafy Centerpiece

http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/seasonal-decorating/pumpkin-decorating-projects/page/9/0

Fall into the Berkshires

This weekend and next are going to be peak season for fall foliage leaf peeping in the Berkshires.

Check out the fall foliage maps at http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peak-foliage-forecast-map/

Go for a fall foliage drive up to the summit of Mt Greylock and check out the most beautiful views from this 3,491-foot mountain, or take a hike and check out the trails. Mt Greylock is a great place for birdwatching as well. Mt Greylock is less then 1/2 an hour from the 1896 House Inn. 

Driving map with vantage points

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock/downloads/drivingmap.pdf

Summit Hikes (check out the foliage for miles and miles around!!!)

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock/downloads/summithikes.pdf

Full Mt, Map

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/mgry1.pdf

Mount Greylock was the first state reservation in Massachusetts, established in1898. It contains over 68 miles of hiking trails, including 13 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Birding: The boreal zone (especially 3,000 feet and above) contains what may be the state's only breeding Blackpoll Warbler. Swainson's Thrushes also nest in the damp coniferous forest, as do White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncoes. Mourning Warblers still nest in cutover, regenerating areas. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is a strongly suspected nester, and the Olive-sided Flycatcher nested regularly in an area that has now grown up to tall spruces. Historically, a small population of Bicknell's Thrushes nested near the summit. (from http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding/IBAs/site_summary.php?getsite=6)

Birds of Mount Greylock

INFORMATION GUIDE & SIGHTING LIST

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock/downloads/birdsOfGreylockGuideList.pdf

Fall Foliage In Williamstown!

The Berkshires are scheduled to reach peak foliage colors this coming weekend of Oct. 14 – 16, 2011.

What a time to visit Williamstown, stay at the 1896 House Inn and eat yummy food at the 6' House Pub. Sit outside by the firepit and drink a cocktail or a hot mulled cider.

Check out the latest up to date Fall Foliage reports at http://www.foliagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=34:northeast-us&Itemid=68&layout=default

Take a Hike!

Fall foliage views atop Mount Greylock, No better place to view the splendor of fall in the Berkshires than from the top of Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusets.

Or Take a Scenic Drive!

Williamstown, Mohawk Trail and Savoy State Forest Loop --- (55 miles)

■ Starting at Williamstown, proceed east on Route 2 into and through North Adams. Natural Bridge State Park is located east of North Adams off Route 2 and 8. This bridge of white marble was created by the waters of Hudson Brook.

■ East of North Adams, Route 2 is also named the Mohawk Trail, used by Native Americans of the Five Nations to pass between the Connecticut and Hudson valleys. At the Hairpin Turn, the trail rises sharply to the Western Summit. There is an observation point to view the mountains of southern Vermont and northwestern Massachusetts.

■ Continuing on Route 2 / Mohawk Trail, the next stop is Whitcomb Summit, the top of the trail, with an elevation of 2,173 feet.

■ Further along, the trail crosses a bridge and turns sharply to the left. Another road leads to the right. Here the visitor has a choice of three routes:

■ The first is to continue along the Mohawk Trail to Charlemont, Shelburne Falls, and Greenfield.

■ The second is to retrace the route back to North Adams.

■ The third is to turn into Savoy Mountain State Forest for a visit to Tannery Falls. To reach the falls, pass through Drury on Route 2, then turn right on Black Brook Road, right on Adams Road, and left on Bannis Road into Savoy Center.

■ From Savoy Center, proceed west on Route 116 to Adams. Pass throughAdams and head northbound on Route 8 to North Adams.

■ Also, East Road, which runs parallel to Route 8, gives a commanding view of Greylock Mountain, towering over Adams, a charming Victorian town with an elegantly restored Main Street.

■ Turn west on Route 2 when leaving North Adams and return to Williamstown

Drive information courtesy of http://www.visit-massachusetts.com/current_category.30/current_advcategory.292/companies_list.html