Finally settled in for the night after a day of running around in the Berkshires. There sure are a lot of old people here too. Except for the wee little snotties, I don’t think I saw anyone here under 50. The younger ones are all probably out drinking at some sports bar.

Driving up was pretty uneventful, although the traffic was grating on my nerves, and for some reason my bluetooth headset was creating so much static during calls that I almost ripped it off the dock and tossed it out the window. Glad I didn’t, because I kind of need it.

After I arrived I took a trip to the Berkshire Museum, then headed over to the Norman Rockwell museum and treated myself to an up-close view of some of Rockwell’s most famous paintings. One that really stood out to me was a painting of a young couple signing their marriage license at the clerk’s office. The old clerk appeared distant and had a sad look in his eyes. Upon reading the inscription, I learned that the model Rockwell used to paint as the clerk had actually lost his wife fairly recently. Really a profound painting to me. The woman was standing on her tiptoes to sign the license while her about to be husband was holding her in his arms. I think it was the first time I ever cried in front of a painting. Sigh.

Then it was off to the Red Lion to get myself settled in. Good Lord, this place is an ancient labyrinth. Took me forever to find proper parking, and I had no idea where the front desk was. I had to do some exploring around, and at one point I walked right into the middle of their upscale “jackets only” restaurant. Oops.

I could swear I had just gone up these stairs a few minutes ago...

Once I got my key and found my room though, I started to get a better feel of the place. Fascinating too, I tell ya Ghost Hunters would have a field day here.

Some of the rooms here totally have that creepy Shining vibe to it.

In addition to five U.S. Presidents having once been guests here, I also learned that John Wayne had stayed here as well. The Duke! Perhaps I’ll see his ghost tonight and he can give me some pointers on wooing the fairer sex.

Well, I'll certainly get some interesting sleep tonight.

Alright, time to go relax by the fireplace now. Tomorrow I’ll be taking a self guided tour of some of the notable buildings around here, including an ancient church that has a geocache hidden in it. Should be fun! They’ll have caroling and a concert later in the evening, and then Sunday will be Stockbridge’s Main Street Celebration. If it still doesn’t feel like Christmas even after all this, then there is probably no hope for me.

Sadly, my piano solo rendition of Christmas Shoes was not appreciated by the guests here.

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• The Quest to Recapture My Christmas Spirit Begins! (4)

Tags: berkshire museum, berkshires, Christmas, exploring, fireplace, museum, norman rockwell, painting, red lion inn, stockbridge
Categories: Lincoln's Personal Log
 
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