Just back from a train-assisted two-night tour of western Massachusetts and a little bit of Vermont with my old friend Dave. I took Amtrak from Montpelier to Greenfield, Mass., arriving at about 1:30 in the afternoon. Dave had driven over from Cambridge, NY, and we were slow enough parking and getting organized that we didn't start riding until after 3:00. Some steep climbing getting out of town, much of it on a class 4 gravel road that we wound up on after missing a turn and had to walk. Pizza in Shelburne Falls, then a motel stay a few miles further west in Charlemont. Next day we followed the Deerfield River up to Readsboro, Vermont before turning back south to North Adams, Mass., and spending the second night there. Third day started with a long climb up over Route 2/Mohawk Trail and a excellent descent--in brilliant clear weather after two cold and cloudy days--back to the train station. A good time all around.

Top of the climb out of North Adams. We had worried about this all night, but in the morning we just rode right over it. Albeit at a slow and stately pace.

East entrance to the Hoosac Tunnel. We got there just as a westbound freight was going through.

I love the name of this Vermont village and have always thought that the American Heart Association should open a regional office here.