Hoosac Tunnel

On Saturday we did a little shopping for our upcoming vacation.  New shorts and such are always needed to begin a trip!  We have been wanting to get a handheld GPS for our hikes and to geocache, and we hope to do some hiking in North Carolina as well.  We know nothing about how to use these things, but the guy at the EMS store said that they're pretty easy to use.  NOT!  I guess if you know how to use a compass that might help, but since neither of us know how...well...not too easy.  We also bought a book on the waterfall of the Berkshires.  I'm pretty excited to see all the ones in the book.

On Sunday we downloaded a few geocaches around the lake.  We set out optimistic this thing would just magically lead us to the hidden treasures...um, NO!  We quickly realized that we have no idea, so we put it in our pocket and decided to just enjoy the hike.  We took a different path that landed us down on the railroad tracks by the Hoosac Tunnel.  Neither one of us had ever been there.  Seems wherever we go there's evidence of the damage from Irene last August.

This used to be a road that connected the tracks with South Church Street.  This is what washed out and made South Church such a mess.  From the bottom it looks like it's right up to the tracks, but from the tracks it's really not that close.  Still unbelievable how much damage that storm did.

It's really pretty amazing to me how the tunnel just disappears in the earth.  Even though I grew up knowing about this tunnel I guess I never really paid much attention to it.  After actually seeing this I now want to read up on it and find out more about it.  I have no desire to go into it ever!  The rumor is that it's haunted.  Really amazing though.

We walked back up to the lake trail and of course I had to get my stream fix!  I can't seem to get enough of this lately.   We ended up going a little over 4 miles in about 1 1/2 hours.  Did lots of climbing today.

After that we decided to find one of the waterfalls/cascades.  So off to Williamstown we went.  SInce we were running short on time we found one that was at Mount Hope farm.  Nice little one with really nice sound.

David getting in on the photo action!

Again, you could see how high the water had gotten during Hurricane Irene.  It would have been over my head...so at least 5 feet of water was rushing down.  Must have been so scarry for the people that live just up the road.

They have picnic tables set up on the grassy part leading to this little cascading stream so I'm thinking it might be a nice place to come when the weather is warmer...picnic and listen to the sounds:-)  Bet the water's cold!

We drove up a little farther to where the trail to Mt Greylock begins.  Checking it out for future hikes.  Renee told me about a Money Brook Falls...This is another trail you can take.  Also this way leads to Stoney Ledge.  So many hikes to look forward to.  Renee said that MBFalls is very beautiful.  She described it as spiritual...As soon as she said that I was sure it would be in our near future hike.

It was a great day!  Again, I'm so happy we discovered the beauty of hiking.  Another great way to enjoy out beautiful Berkshires!  Now on to North Carolina and our baby girl!

Later!