Having a population of 1800, scattered over area of 60 km2, it is a picturesque place 15-minutes’ drive from my home in Amherst.
We took a drive through Leverett already a day before, looking for an access to the pond or for a hiking place. However, it turns out, a car is not a way to explore this place. It takes a slow approach for Leverett to open her jewels to you.
So called “center” of the town is situated around Leverett pond, the latter ostensibly inaccessible but so welcoming if approached slower and with more attention.
We took a drive through Leverett already a day before, looking for an access to the pond or for a hiking place. However, it turns out, a car is not a way to explore this place. It takes a slow approach for Leverett to open her jewels to you.
So called “center” of the town is situated around Leverett pond, the latter ostensibly inaccessible but so welcoming if approached slower and with more attention.
It is small and beautiful. The houses, except the town hall, post office, church, and museum, are built around the pond, facing it. Most of their facades can be appreciated only from the lake. Exception is those few not on the very bank of the pond, and these in my opinion are more interesting than average American house, whereby the latter reminds me of a barn with windows. Leverett town hall is a classic example. Leveret church also- like most churches around- is like a barn with a turret.
The houses seem simple, very simple (barns!) with their main asset – the view to the pond. The terraces each of the house has, to all appearances are not for working but for sitting with a cup of tea or a cocktail (whichever you prefer) and watching sunset or sunrise, or maybe holding a rod and waiting for a fish to catch the hook. Peaceful. Yes, Leverett is not for working – it is so remote there is no mobile coverage, and no internet access.
When I came back a day later, and explored all the paths and small roads leading to the direction of the pond, I found numerous places where it is possible to access the lake and even let in a boat. Although most roads are marked as “private”, with signs “No Trespassing”, there are few places with public access and several specially designated places, maintained by Rattlesnake Gutter Trust (inspiring name, and there are rattlesnakes in the vicinity!), which welcomes visitors to sit and enjoy the view.
When driving by car, we missed all these places, these small signs. Even by foot I passed one of them without noticing (noticed only on my way back to car). This place just opens up so slowly. Like a picture you should sit in front of and observe for a longer time. Even the weather - cloudy at the beginning of my walk, turned no a sunny afternoon only few hours later. "Patience!" this place seems to say.
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| This property is for sale, if you are interested. | Roadside market. Prices seems lower than in supermarket and - locally produced! |
And then there is a hill and small hike just adjacent to the pond. It seemed at first like a hike though woods, nothing special. I even remembered having heard that bears are frequent visitors in this area. Even the loop around the “summit” was all in trees. I had already lost hope to see anything worthwhile when the view opened at my feet. A bench on a brink, overlooking Leverett pond (and I could even see the turret of the church above the trees).
I may come back. Being few hours without internet won’t hurt.
You fall in love with Leverett. And maybe it falls in love with you as well. No internet coverage means you are stuck here if you do not know the way away.
You fall in love with Leverett. And maybe it falls in love with you as well. No internet coverage means you are stuck here if you do not know the way away.
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