Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Hill Towns


 I love where I live this time of year. There are five colleges nearby, and dozens of farms. The small towns up the road are called the hill towns, one after another. This Sunday, Mother's Day, in the middle of two emotional windstorms, JB and I drove the back roads through the hill towns.  It was the best thing for me. 

It's been a while since I've carried my camera with me, and I am so happy when I do. I hope these photos give you a sense of the rural small towns where the growing is active, myself included. And I hope you enjoy this ride with me through the hill towns of western Massachusetts.











love
kj
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39 comments:

  1. Rob-bear16 May, 2012 00:21

    Love those pictures of the back-country roads. Reminds me of the rural areas around Toronto, when Toronto had rural areas around it. And of the back country to which my parents retired in the 1970s.

    So much is lost in our sprawling urbanization.

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 10:23

      Bear, I am amazed at how untouched this area is. I've been here for seven years and it is still the same lush landscape(well, not lush in the winter!) no big city here, though I love big cities too.

      I wrote about winter cold in Winnipeg once
      xoxo

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  2. Wieneke16 May, 2012 05:02

    These pictures could have been taken in some parts of Europe. E.g. the Ardennes in Belgium or in our own province of Limburg.
    Calm rural places. I like it!

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 10:26

      Wieneke, I am always so glad to hear from you. I remember too similar back roads in the Netherlands and Belgium

      And, it is possible I will be in the Netherlands within the next couple of years. Will you meet me for apple pie? Xoxo

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    2. Wieneke17 May, 2012 06:39

      KJ, is the Pope roman catholic? What a question!!! Of course, anytime. :-)))

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  3. soulbrush16 May, 2012 05:26

    Great pics as always -they give me a true feeling of that place you love to much. And the header is stunning. Love ya and sending you lotsa Wednesday kisses from London town.

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 10:28

      Hi joss! I am so lucky to love two places: the farms and the ocean

      My first book is in that header!

      Love ya too joss. Honestly I am so glad you are blogging again. And your art blows me away ♥

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  4. sukipoet16 May, 2012 07:54

    i feel like im in the car with you. i love back roads. in fact, years ago i wrote a short story of that name. happy spring.

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 10:30

      Suki, I never left the car! Odd that JB and I just drive and didn't stop but that's what we did.

      Where is that story?
      Xoxo

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  5. the walking man16 May, 2012 08:02

    I like anywhere in Ma west of Concord. The only problem with Massachusetts is it's really hard to spell and it's not western Maine

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 10:32

      Mark, I forget that you know massachusetts

      And I know what you mean about rural gorgeous authentic unpretentious Maine.

      ♥

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  6. Anne Huskey-Lockard16 May, 2012 08:56

    What a lovely *drive*~~looks like the kind of place I could be quite happy living.
    Isn't interesting there are certain times of the year when things just look exceptionally beautiful? As though they are putting on their best Sunday suits and showing off before the heat of Summer sets in?
    Same here.....everything is re-greening after the late freeze and the mornings are sunny and cool.
    Couldn't be better.

    XXOO~~
    Anne

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 10:36

      Anne, I so agree. Everything looks abundant and proud. I know your space and place is that now too. It does give reason to give thanks

      That is what I most love about mary Oliver's poetry: she knows and she tells. So do you, my friend xoxo

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  7. ~Babs16 May, 2012 10:44

    Last year we took a drive through Texas hill country.

    I've learned that hills are all basically the same in that
    they're much more beautiful going down the other side.

    Love your snaps!
    XOXO

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 22:35

      Well, that is a good lesson, babs! Now I'm wondering why the hill towns are called the hill towns since most of the land is flat!

      Thinking of you: kiss kiss babs

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  8. Robin16 May, 2012 10:45

    KJ......beautiful ride! I remember some of those roads in the Autumn... it is lovely to see them draped in glorious GREEN....so lush.... thought I live in a biggish city....I adore being in the country too.....

    I know this was a healing ride for you....away from those wild winds that have enveloped you lately.... and....so happy you brought your camera along - so we could come along!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 22:38

      Yes, you know part of these roads, robin. Remember the one room pizza place? :-)

      A ride on back roads is always good for me. Yay country and yay city too

      xoxo
      kj

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  9. Lynn Cohen16 May, 2012 12:10

    Loved the trip through the Mass back roads. thanks for the tour. Happy mom's day a bit late.

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 22:38

      Thanks Lynn. Looks like you had a find weekend xoxo

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  10. yoborobo16 May, 2012 17:49

    I love a backroad trip. There are similar untouched places in Maryland. It amazes me because Maryland isn't all that big - lol! But it is very rural, and the countryside is breathtaking in the spring and fall. Love your pictures, kj! Hope you are okay. I've been thinking about you. xoxo!

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 22:43

      Pam, I know Maryland is beautiful. We are so lucky to be able to enjoy these gorgeous springs and falls

      Been thinking about you too. And I know you're thinking to make sure I 'm okay. Pretty much I am ♥

      Love
      kj

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  11. Secret Agent Woman16 May, 2012 18:22

    Lovely. I was just posting back-roads, too!

    Doesn't it make you wish that along time ago the country had made a decision to put all utility lines underground?

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 22:45

      Damn right, cs! Those wires don't belong in view. I know lo is going to remind me to crop my photos! Haha, I probably drive her crazy because she is right!

      ♥

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  12. Annie16 May, 2012 21:15

    Lovely photos,looks a lot like Oregon.xoxo

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    1. kj16 May, 2012 22:47

      Annie, isn't that something, how our back roads look alike? Wieneke says even in Belgium.

      I might be in Oregon within a few months. I have family in Seattle and a friend to visit in Portland
      Xoxo

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  13. studio lolo17 May, 2012 13:34

    I'm about to be taking some back roads myself in a little while to bring my niece back to Carver. I'll always choose the back roads when I can.

    I love your area, but you already know that ;)

    Talk to you later potater!

    xoxo
    lo♥

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    1. kj18 May, 2012 16:48

      Hello! You are welcome here on these here roads any old time :-)

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  14. Lydia18 May, 2012 06:06

    Luscious landscape on this drive! There really is a Shady Pines Campground?!!! :)
    Love the blue shutters on that brick building.
    Just beautiful.

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    1. kj18 May, 2012 23:19

      Ha! I never put 'lush' and 'luscious' together before now, Lydia! You would find postcard scenes here :-)

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  15. Mullin Avenue Workshop18 May, 2012 12:11

    kj,
    I also enjoyed this tour of the hills and back roads. It seems like an idyllic lovely landscape, with the gentle hills, and the towns sprinkled alongside the roads.
    Where I live in Saskatchewan, we don't really have this kind of backroads. Our land is prairie, with highways intersecting, and very large grain fields...it has another kind of beauty.
    I believe in Eastern Canada - Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces we do have similar landscapes.
    So, this is by way of saying that seeing your pictures was a lovely treat!

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    1. kj18 May, 2012 23:27

      Hi Brenda, I think this area is idylic too.. I also like the way you describe your prairie

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  16. How do we know18 May, 2012 23:27

    ooh wow.. i love ur photo posts kj!! refreshing, positive pics these are!

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    1. kj18 May, 2012 23:30

      Hello hdwk! I'm happy to show you this area where I live

      xoxo

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  17. kj18 May, 2012 23:33

    Mim!!!! I saw your first comment and your second and poof! Blogger swallowed them. But I know you are in Rome and I am excited to hear about ms em in Europe

    ♥

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  18. marianne19 May, 2012 01:34

    Thanks for taking me for a ride :)
    Also love your present header! I always have to smile when I see your book in that window :)
    I know you will do the same
    ♥M

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  19. kj19 May, 2012 22:00

    ♥ marianne. Thanks for noticing my book. You're right of course: I always love seeing it ♥

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  20. In the Light of the Moon19 May, 2012 23:08

    Ooooh I see it I see it in the window..it's funny I first clicked on and thought Oh what fun,I love looking at your new photos,but then it caught my eye and I went WOO-HOO!!!Congrats sweet friend!!

    Thanks for taking us along on your road trip..I really like the photo with the signs!!and the barn,and the trees...Oh dear,I think I love them all and your Hill Towns!!xoxo

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  21. kj20 May, 2012 01:19

    Cat, I think every area has its own uniqueness. I love exploring back roads and I stop often to take it all in. Some of the hill towns are so small, main street is one or two buildings :-)

    Thanks also for noticing my book. Xoxo

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  22. erin28 May, 2012 19:50

    carrying a camera calls us to slow down and truly pay attention, doesn't it? and something else curious happens. when we pay attention, real and careful attention, the i begins to dissolve and somehow, ironically, it allows us to truly see.

    you live a wonderful region.

    it is good to meet you))

    xo
    erin

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