Most visitors to the Berkshires, and many of us who live here, recognize that Norman Rockwell's America is still alive and well.    A recent Berkshire Visitors Bureau poll revealed that the #1 answer to why people come back to the Berkshires for vacation year after year is that "it never changes."   Considering this little corner of the world with 30+ hill towns draws 2.5 million visitors per year, spending $500 million….there seems to be a lot of people seeking nostalgia.

Nowhere is this best illustrated than this weekend, when the Main Street of Stockbridge is taken back in time to Rockwell's iconic portrait.   For the 21st year, the street will be cleared of modern automobiles and the streetscape will be recreated according to the details of the portrait.    It does not take much…   Ever since the street was immortalized, zoning prohibtions have frozen all buildings and signage for 40+ years.

December 5, and 6, 2010.    For more information, visit the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce site.

And stay at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast.     Lenox  is the next town up Route 7, about an eight minute drive to Stockbridge.    Lenox, well-known as the summer home of the Boston Symphony at Tanglewood (the actual venue straddles the Lenox/Stockbridge line) consists of two square blocks of upscale shops, restaurants and galleries.   Hampton Terrace features 14 rooms, fireplaces, Jacuzzis, full breakfast and a Romantic Weekend Special until late June.

We've been doing this for ten years:   (1) taking a hundred calls in September and October asking "are the leaves turned yet?, and (2)  getting 40 requests for our 14 rooms once they do…

So I am letting you know right now…..it's okay.   We are happy to steer you toward the perfect time to come….and remember….the leaves are no redder on Saturday.   If you have the flexibility to come mid-week, you'll save 30% here on our room rates.

First, our location, in case you run across this entry on the Internet (I hope you did), we are located in the Berkshire mountains….two hours west of Boston and 2 1/2 hours north of New York City.   We are in Lenox, the summer home of the Boston Symphony.    2.5 million people come to this area each year….so there are great restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, hiking, horseback….   and everything in Lenox is a two block walk or less from our door.

Here is the first report:   Over the past several years, the summer has been VERY dry and the cold came late…so the leaves turned in late October.

It takes rain and cold to turn leaves, so the first requirement is met……THIS was the rainiest summer on record.   As far as the cold…..yes…we've had some nights in the 30s and some trees are yellow.   So we are not quite there yet…but a cold snap will do it, I think.

The good thing about the Berkshires, is that you do not have to hit it perfectly.   The are mountains (Greylock is the second highest peak in New England) and there are valleys 4000 feet below..   Vermont is 45 minutes north and Connecticut is 30 minutes south (drives through historic villages and great vistas).    So depending on when you stay here, you can drive up or down, north or south and see the optimum pop of tree colors.

So beginning today….give us a call at 800-203-0656 or e-mail me at stan@hamptonterrace.com.   I will let you know how things look out my window….when I think things will be best….and look up our availability.

P.S.   We were just named by BedandBreakfast.com as "one of the 10 best undiscovered inns in New England for viewing foliage" and we are rated #1 by Trip Advisor in Lenox out of 30+ inns.   We look foward to hearing from you.