We had pretty well explored the byways and washed-out bridges of the Berkshires when we emerged onto the Mohawk Trail/Route 2 hungry and thirsty. A couple of detours had made the drive overlong and we were ready to stretch our legs a bit.

The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls was just what we needed. It is an abandoned trolley bridge connecting Shelburne Falls with Buckland over the Deerfield River that has become a long, skinny garden. The flowers were exquisite, far beyond anything we had seen earlier at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens.

After stretching our legs down to the glacial potholes and other local wonders, we retired to the Blue Rock Restaurant for some light refreshment: cheesecake and Coke for her, for me a pint of Lefty's Irish-Style Stout. I had found a bottle at the Leverett Village Coop a couple of years ago and loved it, but Lefty's is a small operation and I never could find it on draft.

It was excellent. Subsequent research shows me that Lefty's Brewing is doing well and that old link needs to be updated. I will get right on it!