Day #4

We left Miss Marshmallow behind and drove up to Massachusetts today. We followed Route 7 north to the town of Pittsfield, where we toured the Hancock Shaker Village, a well-preserved reminder of the Shaker movement, one of several Shaker settlements. The village is comprised of numerous buildings including farm buildings, workshops, residences, the meeting house, and a school. Kaylyn and I were introduced to a few Shaker songs and dances in a sing-along. The centerpiece of the community was the round, stone barn. The hay was stored in the center, the cows were tethered around the perimeter for their daily feast.

A bit south of Pittsfield is Stockbridge, home of Norman Rockwell. He once declared Stockbridge to be the, "Best of New England, Best of America." On display in the museum are originals of some of his works. Kaylyn and I were most surprised by their size - much larger than we expected. His workshop was moved to the same property. It turns out he had a habit of emptying his pipe into a metal bucket which sat beside his easel - the same bucket into which he tossed rags from painting. The combination, not surprisingly, smoldered and flared, setting his Vermont studio on fire. He lost many of his props and paintings.For the rest of his life, he kept the charred pot - which he pulled out of the burned building - beside his easel, a reminder of his carelessness.

We returned to Danbury where David and Rebecca treated us to dinner at a 50s diner and then ice cream. David was still hungry from his 100-mile ride around the five boroughs of New York City yesterday. Rebecca rode 55 miles. David rides his bike to work daily - at Cannondale.On the wall behind us you see the large collection of masks Rebecca has acquired. She is a travel agent who has traveled the world extensively.

 The low tonight is 42. Rebecca had little trouble convincing Kaylyn and I to sleep in the house! We enjoyed the warm and cozy bed, bathroom and hospitality.