Scenic Route to Franklin County Fair Today

 Took a scooter ride to the Franklin County Fair  in Greenfield today.  My favorite event was the Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show.  Rather than a competition, it was a funny show, mixing humor with bonafide lumberjack skills such as log rolling where the guy "accidentally" falls into the water, men using a crosscut saw cut the log faster than a man with a chainsaw, and using springboards to stand on while chopping off the top of a simulated tree.  They also do an axe throwing demonstration but I missed that part of the show. The pictures below are from their website.

Topping a "tree" using a springboard to stand on.

 

Crosscut saw racing a chain saw.

 Almost as fun as the fair was getting there.  Route 47N through Hadley is one of my favorite rides.  The area between there and Sunderland is very scenic flat farmland with the Connecticut river on your left.  An unexpected treat today was seeing leaf tobacco hanging in the barns drying with many of the barn's side boards opened to provide ventilation.  In North Hadley I again saw the intriguing home that was converted from an old mill building.  It is such an interesting building that I am tempted to knock on the door and offer them five dollars just to let me look inside.  I get this urge every time I go by that area.

My scenic backroads route to Greenfield (and the Franklin County Fair) continues by turning left onto Rt 116 in Sunderland.  You will know you are at the right intersection because you will see Mount Sugarloaf and the Poet's Seat off to your left as you approach the intersection.  Probably a mile or so before this point, off to the left near the river, is the tranquil Riverside Cemetery which was established in 1714.  If you are interested in old and interesting tombstones you will want to stop here.  The popular Mikes Corn Maze at Warner Farm is also very close to the cemetery.

After turning left onto Rt 116, shortly after crossing the "blue bridge" turn right onto Sugarloaf Road.  At this point, If you want, you can take a detour up to the top of Sugarloaf for some beautiful views of the river.  If not, proceed along Sugarloaf Road into the town of South Deerfield and bear right onto North Main Street which will take you across Route 5 onto Mill Village Road.  Enjoy the beauty of these small towns as you drive through, observing their architecture, libraries, and churches.

You will really feel like you are in the country now, because you are.  From Mill Village Road, turn left onto Stillwater Road and follow that until a right turn over the Deerfield River onto Upper Road.  All along Stillwater you will be driving next to the Deerfield River and will probably see some fly fishermen out there.  I usually take a right turn then onto Lower Road because it is much more scenic but Upper Road will get you into Greenfield too.  Along Lower Road you will pass a huge turf farm (grass) and can catch several glimpses of the river off to your right.  Lower Road will take you directly to Wisdom Way.  Hook a right there and you will pass the fairgrounds and shortly thereafter you will wonder how Greenfield got out into the middle of this countryside!  Total distance from Chicopee is probably about 30 miles.

 I know some of you will ask me"Why didn't you just post a Google or Mapquest map?"  Believe me, I tried before spelling it all out here!   There are quicker options to come home if you don't want to backtrack; Route 5 and I-91S are both easily accessible from Greenfield.  In fact, the Route 5 option will bring you by Yankee Candle on the way home.

I also must admit that I enjoyed seeing Robinson's Racing Pigs yet once again.  Love to see them swim!  Unfortunately I cannot get this video without the 10 second commercial, but it is a great video!  Robinson's Racing Pigs

Great ride, great day!