Erwin's family moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts when he was middle-school aged, and he lived in the Berkshires for several years after high school, as well. These were formative years, and he still adores the region, getting all swoony whenever we drive through the area. Monument Mountain was "his mountain," the one he climbed 30 or 40 times, in all seasons, in all conditions. I have heard many, many stories about this place. When I looked it up and realized it was only a 3 hour drive, and that it's a fairly short trail to the top, I decided we should make a day trip there and see what it's all about. Erwin could play tour guide and show us his mountain.
