Not Exciting, but Very Pleasant

We now live in Western New England - 2.5 hours north of New York City and 90 minutes west of Boston, in an area that alternates between old mill towns and farmlands, including dairy farms and fruit orchards. It is picturesque in places, from the Connecticut river running through the valley to the pretty rolling hills on the route to Northampton.

It is also a bit run-down in places.  Many old towns have faded greatly since their mills shut down - shedding residents and the tax-base they provide. After living in the dynamic cities of Seattle, Atlanta and, yes, Nashville, it feels strange to be in an area that is shrinking rather than growing. In the places we were used to we could easily go out to try a newly discovered restaurant, or just visit a new part of town. That isn't so easy here.

There are other interesting sites, however. We happen to live in one of the more rural areas, in a brand new apartment complex (we rent as we wait for our place in Atlanta to sell) built on what was either farm land or woods. Many of the former residents are still around - we regularly see wild turkeys in our parking lot and deer wander by in the winter, or so I am told.

All summer long we have been visiting the Easy Pickin's Farm and Orchard and have been- you guessed it - picking our own fruit (blueberries,  raspberries and apples). The berries were fantastic - it had been four years since we had enjoyed good, fresh berries (blueberries and raspberries don't grow well in the South) and we gorged on them every week while they were in season.

Now it is apple season and we are getting our fill. There are so many varieties I have never tried before - Macoun, Macintosh, Cortland, Liberty, the list goes on. Luckily a number of my co-workers also enjoy what the area has to offer and we compare our favorite apple picks of the week. One is a Macoun-only guy, another is like me - ready to try them all.

We are also within 90 minutes of the ocean - a relatively quick drive to Rhode Island and we can sit on the beach, munching away on fried clams and drinking the local Narragansett. We have both missed the water since we left Seattle and Rhode Island is very pretty.

I don't know how long we will be here - it doesn't feel like "home" and I don't think it will be too long. But I really can't complain. One of the people we have met during our trips to the orchard has summed it up best. He was raised here and describes it thus: 

"Not exciting, but very pleasant". So true.