"The little corner of the g ..." a Massachusetts Travel Page by dracko

Massachusetts (and New England in general) is probably one of the nicest places in the country to live. I have yet to visit another place in U.S. that comes close. There's a bit of everything here - woods, mountains, rivers, ocean, big cities (okay, Boston's the only one, but you get the idea), small towns, a cool winter, a warm summer, and something in between the two to call spring. Not to mention the stunning displays of foliage you see all over the region in the fall. People are friendly, and most don't even mind if you make fun of their accent.

Massachusetts was home to the second oldest pilgrim colony in N. America (The oldest was in Virginia in 1607. It didn't last long, and as a result few people seem to have heard of it). As such, it's full of history, having been home to many an important historical figure and event over the last few hundred years. That status gives the state and especially Boston a unique charm unlike any other place in the US. Boston has a very European feel to it, with its numerous twisted one-way streets and unique architecture. Yet it is still a modern city, growing and improving itself, as anyone entering it within the last few years couldn't help but witness with a certain degree of discomfort - Boston is rather famous for its traffic jams and the Big Dig, their source and raison d'etre at the same time. In short, when completed, the Big Dig will take Boston's major expressway and bury it entirely underground, with a park taking its place up above. Until that happens, constant construction and detours that change on a daily basis are unfortunate parts of Boston living. But don't let it scare you, the public transport system in Boston is alive and well, and seemingly unaffected by all the hubbub. So save a tree and take the T. You'll save yourself some time, you'll see! (Sorry about that! Poetry isn't one of my strong suits, but the inspiration just hit me like a sledgehammer. I'm still reeling.)

There's plenty to do in Boston - it's full of museums, theatres, historical tours, and most anything else you may desire to do. And don't forget that it's home to the Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox. Don't badmouth the home team, as there is many a rabid fan in the city who would be happy to put you in your place if you do! Boston and the suburbs are also home to a number of schools, making for many a young soul among the city's 2+ million residents.

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The Berkshires

Once you get away from Boston and its urban sprawl, the state takes a turn for the quiet, peaceful, and even quaint in some places. Head over to Cape Cod or Cape Ann (it might help if you can teach yourself to tune out the tourists, especially if you go on a summer weekend) for some time at the beach, sightseeing, and some of the best and freshest sea food in the country. If you're visiting during the fall and are lucky enough to hit the 2-3 week foliage period - consider yourself in luck! Head out west into the Berkshires and take in the views! Or better yet, take a sightseeing flight from one of the many small airports in the state. There's nothing like the seeing that incredible quilt of colors from three thousand feet up! Don't forget your camera!

If scuba diving is your game, Cape Ann is full of great dive sites - from cozy coves, to rock walls, to many an interesting wreck. Just be prepared for cool water. If all your diving has been in the tropical waters, you're in for a surprise! Although in the summer (Aug/Sep) temps reach into the balmy low 60s.

If you're a skier, there's Mt. Wachusett - which while not that great of a place to ski compared to some of the better resorts further up North in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, will work in a pinch. And being not much more than an hour away from Boston is a much closer alternative to spending half a day driving or bouncing on a bus to get to the fancier places.

So that's Massachusetts for you. A great place to live or visit. So come one, come all! See for yourself what everybody's raving about! Try the lobstah! Stroll through the Boston Common! And flip-off that cabbie as he tries his damnest to run you over!