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[tightropegirl]

I love to travel, but I always enter a black hole of self-doubt beforehand that turns me into Emma Woodhouse's father. Why am I leaving home at one of the prettiest times of year? Why subject myself to the stress and the complications? Why not sit in the dappled shade of my garden and be happy that I have a brief respite? Is it not true, as

Comments

[vitawash24]

How about the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts? I don't know about barns, but the towns are pleasant, autumn is gorgeous, and there are several colleges and universities. (And if you want some Vermont, it's just a little further north!)

[jenfullmoon]

I have no suggestions on where to live (though really, I'd vote for Ashland, Oregon-but also I've never been to the other places), but I do not get excited about traveling pretty much until I arrive at the place. Until then, it's just a whole lot of stress, packing, and being awake at 4 a.m. for an 8 a.m. flight across the country.

[movingfinger]

Well, personally, I favor Rhinebeck of the possibilities aired, because it is not too difficult to get into New York City from there, and there are a great many ways a city like that can be useful to a writer, if your whim runs to writing.

[gattagrigia]

Oh, I would love to attend that class! What fun.

For what it is worth, I'd vote (selfishly) for the Pacific Northwest. It certainly hasn't been as wet and cool the last couple of years as it used to be. No snow to shovel usually, barns close to urban centers. The small college towns, from Bellingham to Ashland, all have things to recommend them. The big cities, of course, don't compare to places like New York or Boston, but they work. Happy journeys when you make them!

re Rhinebeck

[ext_817424]

I only know of Rhinebeck because of going to the NY Sheep and Wool festival in the fall. It's a beautiful area, but you need to be aware that the county fairgrounds are right in town, and at least for NYSW, that means thousands of people pouring into and out of town over a weekend. I don't know about other events at the fairgrounds, but I feel like it could be annoying if you just want to drive to the store, but the road is completely blocked on a regular basis.

I went to college at UMass Amherst, and both Amherst and Northampton are nice places, well worth a look.