One of the best trips in New England is to start from Hartford, Connecticut, run out through the northwestern corner of the State into Massachusetts, through Great Barrington, Lenox, and Pittsfield, and either to Springfield or back to Hartford or to the Hudson River. It is one of the best routes in the Berkshire Hills, and though there are some severe climbs, the varied scenery, the attractive towns, and the good roads make up for the few hills that must be walked. This route we shall give in the next two weeks.
Leaving Hartford at the City Hall, run along Main Street, and follow the car tracks upwards of half a mile. At Albany Avenue turn to the left, and you will find the road direct to Talcott in good condition and with few hills, until you have passed Hartford Reservoir No. 2, where there is a steep climb over the hill by Talcott and down into Avon. It is impossible to ride this hill, and you must walk about half a mile. Unless you are somewhat used to riding, you are strongly advised to walk down part of the hill to Avon, though with great care it may be ridden. Cross the railroad at Avon, and run direct five miles to Canton. There are a few hills along this part of the road, but as the road-bed is in fairly good condition they can all be easily ridden.
At Canton bear to the left and cross Farmington River, turning to the right and running up the west bank close by the railroad into New Hartford, always following the river and the railroad, sometimes between the two and sometimes to the west of the path. Turn finally, after passing Greenwood Pond, to the left of the fork, keeping to the railroad and leaving the river. There are one or two pretty steep hills here. Pleasant Valley, through which you pass next, is easy riding, and Winsted is soon reached. From Winsted to Canaan is very hilly in parts, and the rider is advised to walk up many of the hills. Leaving Long Lake on the left, follow the railroad out to Colebrook; then keep to the right at the fork, through Mill Brook—where there are some bad hills around Burr Mountain—leaving Bigelow Pond on the right, to the depot at Norfolk. Turn to the right at Norfolk, run out by Mill Pond, and take the left fork, running along the valley through West Norfolk to East Canaan, where, crossing the railroad, bear to the left, and follow the railroad itself into Canaan, crossing it once more before entering the town. Canaan is a somewhat extensive town, and there are good accommodations for the night. The distance is forty-one miles from Hartford.
Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856; Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons to Rochester in No. 859: Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown to Hartford in No. 865; New Haven to Hartford in No. 866; Hartford to Springfield in No. 867.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
Yes, my dears, I agree with you that the weather is warm. It was cold not so very long ago; and whether cold or whether warm, we must take it as it comes. To complain about the weather, to fret over it, to fuss and to fidget, and make everybody else as well as ourselves uncomfortable in consequence, is very stupid.