WE’RE OUTTA HERE

a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads

1 country cluB roaD route 5, Holyoke, Ma 01040 413-533-2100 • www.stayattHeD.coM

There are some towns, and even bigger cities, that you can ride upon unexpectedly. Sometimes it is really on how you approach it.

Where we live it is just a few short miles, around the pretty Paulinskill and along some very rural roads, until you suddenly pop out on Newtown’s Route 206 and the all-too-common American town – Wal-Mart, Lowes, Home Depot – just about every car you can think of and the rest of America in 2022.

Newton developed over centuries, but there are other towns that can pop up along the pretty backroads that were planned from the beginning. They are called PIC – Planned Industrial Cities.

This is not something that America invented – people have been building towns and cities along natural resources for thousands of years.

But, up along the Connecticut River, you will find the town of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Planned from the Get-Go!

Built in tandem with the Holyoke Dam to utilize the water power of Hadley Falls, it is one of a handful of cities in New England built on the grid plan. During the late 19th century, the city produced an estimated 80% of the writing paper used in the United States and was home to the largest paper mill architectural firm in the country, as well as the largest paper, silk, and alpaca wool mills in the world.

So - a dam was built, industry arrived and a town came into being. But, what do the town of Holyoke and skimpy swimsuits, athletic girls, nets, and balls have in common? What? Wait…where did that come from? Well, the city was the birthplace of volleyball, invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, physical education director of the local Young Men’s Christian Association or the YMCA. Just a little fun fact – and that I get to write about athletic girls and swimsuits. The only thing more fun than athletic girls and swimsuits are dinosaurs. What? Skimpy swimsuits AND dinosaurs. This is crazy talk! Na, not really – you see before the state of Massachusetts thought to dam part of the river, waaay before – dinosaurs ruled these shores and they left prints – lots of prints and they are there for you to see – just south of the town. A town as well thought out as Holyoke has plenty of restaurants to be found and the downtown area looked to be very interesting and worth a casual stroll. They also seem to have several comic-book stores – always a plus in my book!

Also close by is Mount Tom State Park. This is one of the oldest parks in the state’s park system; it is named for the mountain within its boundaries. In 1915 it was established as a state park. There is a stone tower on top of the mountain that is a favored destination among hikers. The summit of Mt. Tom is 1325 feet above sea level, 125 feet higher than its Massachusetts counterpart.

Although there is an interstate than runs along the town, this is a good thing for all that flowing humanity brought about our stop this month… the D. Hotel & Spa.

Do not mistake this place with any of the common chains – from the moment we rode up the long drive to the D. we were impressed. Opened in 2013 proprietors Linda & Peter Rosskothen sought to have a boutique hotel experience for travelers and locals alike.

We usually can read hotel and inn staff quickly – and it seemed to us that the staff, especially the young man at the desk, truly loved his job, and once he saw we were on motorcycles happily chatted us up about the local area and the dinosaur prints especially.

The rooms we spotless and, we’re not sure what bedding they have at the D., but we want in. We have become persnickety about our mattresses and getting a great night’s sleep leads to a great day’s ride.

The place is a Spa as well – with a pool, hot tub, and full spa amenities – maybe a massage? They have couples massages as well, so go for it… Money well spent! Right next to the hotel is their most excellent restaurant. The Delaney House is considered the best steakhouse in Western Massachusetts and features 100% Black Angus beef from cattle raised on small farms and fed an all-vegetarian diet to promote superior marbling and outstanding flavor. The House also offers a great selection of fish, pork, chicken, and vegetarian options. The adjoining bar, The Mick, is an excellent place to relax and unwind with a few adult beverages before dinner. When we were there, it was a fine summer night so we dined alfresco and the service, food, and atmosphere could not have been better. We liked everything about The D and we surely will be returning… perhaps with a bunch of friends. Nudge, nudge, hint, hint! I mentioned that there are some great roads to be ridden in and around Holyoke, and there are – from the river west, through the Berkshires, all the way to the New York border.

Enjoy the ride, the town, and your stay at the D. Hotel! ,