A Pedacito of Recharging in The Berkshires

Sometimes, travel is for adventure and exploration. Other times, it’s to get away to relax the body and the mind.

Living in New York gave me plenty of things to do that were fun and kept me busy. However, several times a year, especially during the summer, I longed to get out of the city to a quieter area where I could relax, breathe in the fresh air and drink a glass of wine.

That is exactly what I was able to do just a few hours north of the city, in the little town of Becket, Massachusetts, located in the Berkshires. I’d heard about the area over the years from friends in Boston and knew about it from movies and books.

But going to the Berkshires was not on my list of “places to go” until my good friend invited me to her family cottage in Becket, nestled along a small pond just steps from the start of the Appalachian Trail.

Our small cottage on Greenwater Pond in Becket, Massachusetts

Their cottage was built in the 1920s and over the years, her family has added on a couple of bedrooms and a half bath. It’s somewhat rustic and is a place where you can breathe in the fresh air and truly relax.

Becket is a small town located a few miles from the more “well-known” towns of Pittsfield, Stockbridge, and Great Barrington. Getting there from New York typically required a car rental. Sometimes we’d get lucky and take the bus to the next town over and my friend’s parents came to pick us up.

Becket Cottage, located in the Berkshires of Becket, was a perfect place to relax

Enjoying the sun outside of Becket Cottage in Becket, Massachusets

A great view of the peaceful Greenwater Pond in Becket

I love sitting outdoors, and every time I was there, I spent as much time outside as I possibly could. From kayaking on the pond to sitting in the yard by the outdoor fireplace drinking wine, it was always exactly what I needed to recharge. Watching the sun set behind the mountains in the distance became a nightly ritual every time I was able to tag along with my friend.

My husband and I doing some kayaking on Greenwater Pond in Becket

A firepit kept us warm on the chilly nights in Becket, Massachusets

While visiting Becket, this was always "my spot"

The more time I spent in Becket, the more I relaxed. I learned about the history of the area and appreciated its unique vibe among the locals. The pride felt by those who are from the area is palpable and listening to the stories told by my friend’s parents of their time growing up there made me laugh and understand the culture just a little more.

Before the pandemic hit, my husband, Chuck, and I were able to go up there for a weekend with my friend and her new husband along with the rest of our group of friends. It was exactly as I remembered. The fresh air from the trees and the mountains combined with the relaxing area the community around the pond provides was just what we needed to slow down, even for just a couple of days.

Becket, Massachusetts was the perfect place for me and my husband to unwind

The most beautiful sunsets can be seen from Greenwater Pond in Becket

Finding my happy place at Becket, Massachusetts

The Becket cottage has always been my friend’s “happy place” and I was more than happy to claim it as one of mine as well. For as much as city life can be exciting and offer something new and different nearly every minute of the day, getting out of town to just sit and relax is as important for the mind and the spirit.

That’s exactly what my trips to the cottage provided for me not only in my years in New York but even when I’ve been able to go back since moving to New Orleans. I’m thankful I was given the opportunity to spend some time in this area of the country that is as beautiful as it is unique. And I hope to have a few more trips to the cottage in my future.

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