Today I had to pick my friend up from Boston and bring him home to Upstate New York. This, means traveling across the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts which of course means I got to trek the entire Mass Turnpike... twice... in one day. This, to me, felt like watching a good movie twice in a row with only a very short break in between. It makes one appreciate the movie less, and get very excited about being done with it. However, in my travels, I noticed some things as I drove that made this proverbial "movie" much more bearable. So, for next time you find yourself in a situation that requires a little too much time on the Turnpike, let me suggest some sights to look out for.
5. Perkin's school for the blind
If you are lucky enough to be driving on a day with no fog, no leaves on the trees, and you look at just the right time, you have a chance of seeing Perkin's school for the blind. Not only is it just a beautiful school, but it is home to great history. With alumni like Anne Sullivan and Hellen Keller, Perkin's has been home to people that have quite frankly, changed the world, especially in terms of how we see those with disabilities.
4. Berkshire Mountains
Honestly, there is not much more to say, as a guy who just loves a nice view of nature, the view of the Berkshires from I-90 makes the drive wayyy more bearable.
3. Highest point on I-90 east of South Dakota
Can you believe it? Can you ACTUALLY believe it? This is crazy. When you are driving on the Mass Turnpike, you will, at a certain point, be on the highest point of the Interstate... East of South Dakota! This is wild. I just can't get over it every time I see it.
2. A solar farm/wind turbine that really shows that there is some hope for the future of our environment
I know what you're thinking, how can it be a farm if there are no cows? Well, it's like a future farm where instead of milk and eggs, we get energy from the sun/wind! You can see at least one of these on the Mass Turnpike, but I think I may have even seen two!
1. A random car graveyard on the side of the road
I saved the best for last. This is a real hidden gem. For a brief moment, like, blink and you miss it kind of moment, you drive by what I can only describe as a ditch that spans the length of 2 football field. In this ditch there are well over 100 vehicles, rusting away, mysteriously useless. It's quite a sight to see, assuming everyone can see it and I wasn't just hallucinating!
