so is hiking supposed to be fun?

Pretty much sums up my sentiments. We are back from the Berkshires, which was fun, albeit exhausting. I have learned one extremely valuable lesson:

When someone suggests a hike and says, "It's only five miles," always ask, "What's the elevation?"

I have learned that a five mile hike can feel like 12 miles if the elevation is as steep as the slopes in the caverns of hell. Seriously, I thought I wasn't going to make it. Yeah, I'm a wuss like that. I'm still hurting. Over the last few days, we did a few hikes through some gorgeous land, including one through Beartown State Forest, which was like a mycologist's dream with its many varied and beautiful mushrooms, like my favorite seen below:

We spent a rainy Saturday at The Clark Museum, where I oohed and ahhed over this painting for probably way too long. It's the Moroccan hexagon tiled floor that killed me. Sargent always makes my heart beat a little faster with joy, and seeing this work in person was wonderful.

Now that we're back from la-la land, it's back to work. While away, I managed to cut pieces for a whole bunch of new softies, but there will be more on that later, I promise. I leave you with this shot of the water:

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

P.S. - That last hike that proved so difficult for me? Not a bother on Mali, who forged ahead of us all, leading us along the trail like a little scout. I swear, there were times, I felt like I was running to keep up with him. I love my little hiking dog.