"What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding"

The World and the people that fill it are unfortunately getting busier and busier. In response, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a place to just go and relax and center. When Chris and I are trying to do so, we occasionally have visited perhaps he most beautiful man made structure in Western Massachusetts, the The Peace Pagoda.

The Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist religious dome structure in Leverett, MA. Standing about 100 feet tall, the dome is decorated with gold painted statues depicting the life of Buddha, and at the top sits a golden pinnacle.

The Nipponzan Myohoji order of monks currently living at the Peace Pagoda in Leverett study in the Nichiren tradition of Buddhism. It was founded by Nichidatsu Fujii, who was a great peace advocate for many decades until his death in 1985. He was 99.

On site is the dome structure, the remains of the old temple which burnt down in an accidental fire in 1987, the construction of a new temple, and a beautiful Japanese garden and zen garden.

Below are the photographic highlights from a recent trip.

America's Lost Pastime

When I was still a reporter I wrote a feature story on the lost American pastime, the drive-ins. As I look back, I think it was perhaps one of the most fun stories I've written. Something about the drive-ins has always seemed to me a symbol of a time past where families could get together for simple fun at a low cost. You can go in your pajamas, see two movies, and eat some of the greasiest food on Earth, and all at a reasonable price. There used to be thousands of these things all over the world, today less than 500 exist, only 4 in Massachusetts.

On a recent weekend night I dragged Chris to his first drive-in theater, and one of the only remaining in New England. They are a dying industry, left in the dust by DVD and On Demand.
We visit the Northfield Drive-in, right over the border in Winchester, NH. It was small, but incredibly intimate and well-kept. We saw a double-feature of "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

It was a warm summer night, and brought memories of my childhood of sitting in the back of a car covered in DEET and watching Dancing Hot Dogs. My family loved the drive-in and still do.
Here is a little peak at the Northfield Drive-In experience .

If you are reading this, support the drive-ins. Bring your family, sneak in a bottle of wine, go with your friends. This is a dying culture that should be preserved.



Above: What an action-filled double feature. Both movies were much better than the reviews. Critics expect too much from films like this
Above: Northfield was in great shape compared to most of the suffering drive-ins.
Above: It was a packed house that night.
Above: This is where the action happens.
Above: "Go Indy, Go!"



Above: And now for your viewing pleasure, one of the many wonderful intermission commercials often still played at the drive-ins.

Views in the Valley (Mount Holyoke)

If you are from the Valley, chances are you have driven to or even hiked to the top of the Historic Mount Holyoke. It is a beautiful peak right off of route 47 in Hadley, and is the home to a picturesque Summit House built in 1821.

Also, Art History fans might recognize the view from Mount Holyoke's summit in Thomas Cole's "The Oxbow" (1836).

Here are some photos from our trip.

Above: I pose in front of the beautiful view of the Connecticut River. This ledge stretches out over a brutal drop straight down. However, I am fearless.

Above: I think this is the definition of majestic.
Above: Ohhhhhhh..... ahhhhhhh
Above: This is that earlier mentioned brutal drop.
Above: Chris was feeling particularly dangerous this day.

Above: There's even some great private picnic spots at the summit.

Above: A view of the large summit filled with private views.

Above: A great place for lunch in the summer.

Above: This is the highest spot on the mountain.
Above: Sweet! I'm glad Angie and Dave felt the need to proclaim their love in chalk on public property. That is about as cool as wearing an "I'm number 1" hat.