New Friends on Our Quest for the Berkshires’ Bigfoot

By Chuck Billy's Blog, Places to go, Places to visit, ,

As our quest for the Berkshires’ Bigfoot continued, Asa reminded me that we were also in western Massachusetts to celebrate Mom and Dad’s anniversary. Therefore, after the success of our first day, I reluctantly agreed to a side trip to visit The Mount, home of Edith Wharton, author of The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome, and The House of Mirth, among other novels and short stories. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize this detour was actually leading me closer to Bigfoot!

Asa: Well it was Edith Wharton who said, “True originality consists not in a new manner, but in a new vision.” Perhaps this change of scenery will do you good?

The Mount’s annual summer sculpture exhibit actually was a cover for Bigfoot’s whereabouts! Sure these giant Golden Pears by Audrey Shachnow are art! You can’t fool me. I know food when I see it! And these pears are exactly the size that someone with Bigfoot’s appetite would crave!

Asa: *sigh* I suppose Wharton was correct when she said, “Silence may be golden, but can you think of a better way to entertain someone than to listen to him?” So I listened as Chuck Billy continued to pontificate on his Bigfoot theories, while Mom and Dad enjoyed the grounds of this beautiful estate.

That’s when in this distance I thought I actually saw Bigfoot standing in the wood line! I rushed over to investigate.

Asa: *sigh* Chuck Billy, stop acting so silly around our new friend! I understand now what Wharton meant when she said, “What’s the use of making mysteries? It only makes people want to nose ’em out.”

But it turned out that it was just another sculpture, Stander with Hands Crossed by Joy Brown, admiring the mansion built in 1902 and the refurbished gardens both designed by Edith Wharton. I attempted to cover up my awkward mistake by chatting about Edith Wharton’s love of dogs.

Chuck Billy: Hey Asa, what was that dog quote by Wharton? Asa: “My little dog – a heartbeat at my feet.”

We may not have found Bigfoot on the grounds of The Mount, but we did meet some curious characters to help guide me on my quest! These somewhat menacing creatures, in Nick Swearer’s the Rat Race, were particularly helpful.

Asa: Here is where I disagree with Wharton, who wrote, “Life is always either a tightrope or a feather bed. Give me the tightrope.” I think I’d rather have the feather bed right about now. Are you sure these rats can be trusted? Chuck Billy: Of course! It’s all part of the hero’s journey! Every quest of this magnitude needs unlikely allies to lead them further along.

Or maybe not. After chatting with the rats, who gave me a lot to consider, I determined it was time to leave The Mount and continue on our quest. I’ll share with you in a future post the dog friendly information in case you’d like to make new friends at Edith Wharton’s The Mount too.

Asa’s not the only one who can quote Edith Wharton! “There are moments when a man’s imagination, so easily subdued to what it lives in, suddenly rises above its daily level and surveys the long windings of destiny.” And that my friends, is exactly what I’m doing! Join us tomorrow as I follow my destiny on the third day of our quest to find the Berkshires’ Bigfoot!

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About the author

Chuck Billy is a Golden Retriever, living in Southern Maine, who likes to share his unique observations on life with his little brother Asa. When not writing his blog, he spends his days being awesome.