Saturday, October 14

AUTOMOTIVE NIRVANA: Driving a well-running Alfa (preferably an open Spider) on a smooth, windy, traffic-free, two-lane blacktop country road on a nice day in the midst of lovely natural surroundings. On Saturday, October 14, AONE will be doing its best to achieve automotive nirvana during the AONE Fall Berkshires Sortie.

For the 2023 edition, we will again convene in Shelburne Falls, Mass., at the lower end of Deerfield Avenue (where there is a large, round parking area). Please plan on being at the gathering point by 10:30, with a full gas tank, as we will be setting off at 11AM sharp. We will be outside of cell phone range (another condition of automotive nirvana) and will not likely pass any gas stations. Those of us who want to breakfast before we start are advised to go to Baked, at 4 Deerfield Avenue, at opening time, 9AM, though late-comers can order take-out pastries and hot drinks.

We will then embark on a drive of about 2 hours and a little less than 100 miles, mostly on country back roads (with a few stretches of numbered highways mixed in), with a pit stop thrown in for those who will have consumed too much morning coffee.

We will conclude our tour with lunch at the same restaurant as last year: Charlemont’s Cold River Café (at 31 Main Street, Charlemont; please note that while the café does not have a beer and wine menu, patrons are allowed to bring their own, and the package store in the adjoining wing has a wide selection; the café does charge a $3 corking fee).

If you're coming on the tour, please contact Peter Walker before Thursday evening, October 12, at anderwalk@earthlink.net or 978-524-8102. Meg Anderson's cell phone is 978-578-4384. Peter's is 978-335-1673.

Lodging: In past years, some Sortie attendees have taken advantage of local inns to spend the previous and/or following nights in the area, and we usually make available a list of B&Bs and motels/hotels in the area. If you are interested in finding lodging, consult this announcement for an earlier year’s Sortie or contact Peter for it.

Everyone who's been on one of our Sorties knows what a great time it is, and what a great way to give your Alfa a good fling. (See last year's event.) Don't miss it!

Directions

Baked (no website) is at 4 Deerfield Avenue, Shelburne Falls, Mass. From the intersection of I-91 and Mass. Route 2 in Greenfield, Mass., take Route 2 westbound (the “Mohawk Trail”) for 8.4 miles, toward Shelburne, Buckland, Charlemont, and Williamstown. Just after the State Police barracks, the Exxon gas station, and the Sweetheart Restaurant on the left (eastbound side of Route 2), take the left turn into Shelburne Falls, onto South Maple Street. Then turn left onto Bridge Street. Deerfield Avenue is the last left turn before the bridge across the Deerfield River. If you miss the left turn off Route 2, take the next left turn, which will also allow you to drive to the intersection of Bridge Street and Deerfield Avenue. Park at the very bottom end of Deerfield Avenue.

See the event report