The Amazing Escape

The summer when I was 16 years old, I went to work as a junior counselor at a sleepaway camp in Lakeville, Connecticut. I had never gone to a sleepaway camp as a child — in fact, I had never been away from my own family for any extended period of time — so I was ready for adventure. Once I got over my initial shyness, I loved every second of it. But the best part was my one day off each week. That’s when a gaggle of us counselors would pile into someone’s car and head to Bash Bish Falls in Massachusetts. We’d spend the day hiking, hanging out, and frolicking under those famous double falls. Something about this spot seemed magical to me, and it wasn’t until very recently — when I realized the site is less than two hours from where I now live — that other people started to chime in with their own treasured Bash Bish memories.

You can read more about Bash Bish Falls in our cover story. For many in the Valley, it is close enough for a day trip, but you may also want to sneak away overnight and head up to Lenox, Massachusetts, to experience some summer culture. Here, you can catch the Boston Symphony Orchestra while sitting on the beautiful lawn at Tanglewood, stop by Edith Wharton’s beautiful estate, or browse through the countless antiques shops. We also fill you in on what it’s like to stay at a working farm (don’t worry, you won’t have to milk the cows or wear overalls — although you’re welcome to if you like), tell you why the offbeat Victorian charm of New Jersey’s Cape May may rekindle your love of the beach, and alert you to several other nearby towns and attractions. So, while your European vacation plans may be on hold due to the economy, gas prices remain reasonably low — it’s the ideal time to hit the road. So start planning!

Happy summer,

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Olivia J. Abel
Editor in Chief

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