Early Morning in Williamstown

Waking up extra-early in a strange place with a Brompton is only an advantage.  Basil and I were out the door in ten minutes after a quick night’s sleep in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on a recent trip.

The light was marvelous on what turned out to be another exceptionally beautiful day.

There can’t be much doubt about which direction this side of Williams College’s Southworth Schoolhouse faces:

I thought this was a fairly uninteresting edifice, except that I love brick, of course.  However, check out this peculiar detail :

Someone with either really bad taste (or, perhaps, a sense of humor) has added a faux column to the corners, with a odd little capital at the top, and an strange little base below.  It’s class-on-a-shoestring!  Or, anyway, an attempt at it.

The neighborhood around Williams is dotted with homes with large porches.  Does anyone sit on porches any more?  I imagine that air-conditioning — and computers — have probably nearly eradicated that once ubiquitous pastime.

When the illumination was just right, these windows mirrored the sky perfectly.

There was very little traffic and few people were stirring at this time on this particular weekday morning, and, correspondingly,very little noise. I was startled when Basil and I were crossing a street and the bell in this tower chimed the quarter-hour.

I took this shot because the house and garage are so quirky and so beautifully maintained — and because that central section is practically a turret, in keeping with a recurring Williams College theme.

Later I realized what was really unusual about this image:  I think the vehicle is a Honda. That’s notable because Williamstown is nearly wall-to-wall (shoulder-to-shoulder?) with Subarus.  No kidding; the Subaru dealer must be as flush as Midas. But why not? They’re excellent four-season vehicles, and their owners tend to be very loyal to the brand.

After our leisurely turn around town, Basil and I returned to the inn, relaxed and refreshed, to prepare for the day. I am not a morning person, but my Brompton has changed my life  — literally, it seems.  And so much for the better . . .