Tired of the Sea? Head For The Hills

Mountains versus the ocean- many people visit one or the other over the summer. It’s either the Hamptons and The Vine life or the Berkshires and White Mountains route. Those of us with a more vagabond spirit might choose to do both and compare.

The beach I need not write about – you’ve been living it for as much of these past three months as you could. But the mountains are often saved for winter sports, and you might not be as knowledgeable about the summer draws of these higher altitudes.

The first question is which mountains. If you are driving and only have a long weekend or a few vacation days to use, most likely you will think of the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, or possibly the Green Mountains of Vermont, or the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

The cultural draws of the Berkshires are known – Tanglewood, Mass MOCA, or the Williamstown Theatre Festival, to name a few. Less talked about but not a secret by any means is an abundance of nature-oriented activities you can embrace in this gorgeous region, making it a perfect place to unwind your body and reinvigorate your spirit when the beach beckons less frequently.

Hiking at one of the many state parks or forests is a great way to relax. It might seem counterintuitive that in order to unwind you actually seek ways to physically exert yourself, but for those that spend the majority of their working day at head-heavy tasks and sitting behind desks, the fresh air and greenery is very good for head and body both.

The Berkshires tend to offer more light trails than the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and for a newbie of outdoor recreation in natural settings, I suggest starting small. Do an hour-long loop trail after breakfast and before hitting some of the smaller, artsy shops in the area. If you are more experienced with getting the most out of the outdoors, you might know of the draw of heading further north. The Presidential Range in New Hampshire is a great place to hike, but be prepared to exert yourself.

However, if hiking isn’t your thing, try kayaking on the Kangamangus Highway or take a swim at Echo Lake. Both are within easy driving distance of the North Conway, New Hampshire area. Camping is another alternative for the real outdoorsy folks, but a bed and breakfast can be easily secured in these areas if you aren’t fully committed to “roughing it.”

Fishing is one more great way to spend time off, and you won’t need to break much of a sweat if you take some time to rent a canoe and bob around on one of the many fresh water lakes in that region.

One of the major differences in relaxing style, besides ocean fishing versus fishing from a canoe, is the quality of the air at the mountains versus by the sea. The salty air and the scents of the beach are different from the more lush smells of the mountains, but either will make you glad to have “escaped” for a few days. The mountain air can be more arid, and oxygen is at a premium if you go to very high altitudes. However, forested areas are rich with oxygen, and deep breaths in the middle of the woods fill your nose and lungs with powerful air.

Many head to the mountains for solace, and though some areas have become more popular and crowded, many people that visit these locales are searching for the common goal of quiet environs and tend to be more respectful of this. The noises are saved for the outlet shopping and the restaurants; stay quiet enough on your travels and you’ll be likely to catch a glimpse of a deer or possibly even a moose. Foxes and bears make their homes in these regions as well, but most aren’t around during the day in the summer months in places that they can be easily seen by day-hikers. Birds, however, are very easily seen. Bring a Peterson’s or some other guide to help educate yourself about the New England birdlife, and be sure to bring along binoculars as well. And if you really are into observation of nature and want to teach the kids, take a very slow look at the ground with a magnifying glass, and look under rocks and in shrubbery to observe some of the more colorful and interesting insects in this area – praying mantis, caterpillars, or roly-polies.

Maybe there is no volleyball or barbecuing, but the woods have their own ways of luring a body bent on relaxing.

–Liz Dembrowsky