Amherst, MA: I Love this Town

Feeling a bit homesick for my old college town of Amherst, MA I decided to search GoNOMAD for any articles related to the area. Luckily, I stumbled across this gem written by Kevin McDowell about the places to be and see in Amherst; a quaint New England town with so many things to discover. Enjoy the excerpts!

"Antonio’s Pizza: Mentioned first for a reason. One of the best slices of pizza I have ever tasted, up there with the North End and New York City. The key is the crust, thin and crispy, but still somehow able to support the ludicrous amount of toppings on every slice. Pay no mind to the occasionally sarcastic or impatient counter workers; Antonio’s is a must visit on any trip to Amherst."

"Judies: Known throughout New England for their famous popovers. Expanded now into a huge winding space with comfy seating and great lighting."

"The Harp: You can find Harpo himself behind the bar here most nights of the week. Always talkative, usually joking with (or about) his guests, Harpo’s place is always a good time. You get the feeling he was born to run a bar. North Amherst, north of UMass at the end of North Pleasant St."

"Riding the Norwottuck Rail Trail, a 10-mile bike path running from Belchertown to Northampton (another busy college town), offering views of local scenery, the highlight a rail bridge over the Connecticut River. Soon to be repaved, after someone decided that paving bike paths with recycled broken glass didn't make much sense."

"The Amherst Chamber of Commerce has a walking tour of Amherst, highlighting more than thirty buildings and features of interest including the homes of the town's two most famous residents, Emily Dickinson.

Amherst also has 20-odd walking trails named after famous writers. The town continues to be a haven for the literary with a number of indie bookstores and scores of writers and picturebook artists in residence."

See Spot Run

Spring has finally started to show its true colors in the New England area and after this past weekend of some warmer weather, people are finally going outside. Humans however, are not the only species ready to enjoy the sun... no our four legged friends are just as excited to get out of the house where they were cooped up all winter.

Today in the Boston Globe there is an excellent article on places all over New England where people AND pets can go. Check out a few of the places below from the article 11 places to roam with Rover

1. CAMP GONE TO THE DOGS, MARLBORO AND STOWE, VT.

Camp has gone beyond kids and adults, now it's for dogs too. At this camp you and your dog train in verdant fields with homemade meals and on-site veterinarians. And you get to bunk together. campgonetothedogs.com.

2. BRIDGE OF FLOWERS, SHELBURNE FALLS (my hometown!)

I can put in a few words of my own here --- a beautiful town, small and quaint with lots of art and sights to see. The Bridge of Flowers is a huge draw for the town which has over 24,000 visitors, many accompanied by four-legged friends. The Bridge of Flowers was built 100 years ago and many years later money was raised to turn the bridge into a suspended garden of sorts. Shelburne Falls Attractions

5. DOG MOUNTAIN GALLERY AND CHAPEL, ST. JOHNSBURY, VT.

Canines and art, a marriage centuries old. Here you see dog-inspired woodcuts, sculpture, furniture, and a children’s book by folk artist Stephen Huneck, who owns and operates the gallery and chapel on a 175-acre hillside in the Green Mountain State. Visitors are encouraged to post their memories and photos of their late pets on the chapel walls. The lively ones who succeeded them are welcome to frolic on the hilly landscape. dogmt.com

Please check out the rest of the places where dogs and people can walk free at the Boston Globe

Spring is here!

Okay, it is not here yet, but if you are in or around the New England area this March you can catch a glimpse of spring at the 2008 New England Spring Flower Show from the 8-16 at the Bayside Exposition Center in Boston from 10-9pm. The show which is claimed to be the start of spring for the near 100,000 "winter-weary" visitors holds several different exhibits, competitions, and lots of entertainment. Here is a piece from the article:
The show is now in its 137th year and has grown to be the third largest flower show in the world.

This year’s theme, Rhapsody in Green, will be interpreted by over 35 landscapes and informational displays. Both the musical and ecological aspects of the theme will be explored in gardens featuring green roof technology, low-water and water-reuse gardens, recycled materials, as well as a central exhibit featuring a stage for live musical performances throughout the show.

Over 200 vendors will offer the best selection of plants, seeds, flowers, garden tools, outdoor furniture, landscape services and structures, and garden-related gift and artwork in the Northeast.

The free lectures and demonstrations at the Flower Show provide a wealth of information and cover a wide range of topics.

To learn more information on this event, make sure and visit the Mass. Horticultural website