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

39 comments:

  1. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

      Delete
  2. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

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

      Delete
  3. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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 ♥

      Delete
  4. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

      Delete
  5. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark, I forget that you know massachusetts

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

      Delete
  6. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

      Delete
  7. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

      Delete
  8. 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 ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lynn. Looks like you had a find weekend xoxo

      Delete
  10. 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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

      Delete
  11. 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?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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!

      Delete
  12. Lovely photos,looks a lot like Oregon.xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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

      Delete
  13. 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♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! You are welcome here on these here roads any old time :-)

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

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

      Delete
  15. 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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello hdwk! I'm happy to show you this area where I live

      xoxo

      Delete
  17. 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

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. 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

    ReplyDelete
  21. 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

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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

    ReplyDelete