Sometimes, usually on warm, sunny days, I get the urge to get into my car and just drive with no particular destination in mind. I don’t know if it’s taking in the scenery, the freedom of not having anywhere to go or anything to do, or just the excitement at the possibility of discovering some place new, but it’s incredibly relaxing for me.

On Sunday, after running a couple of errands in the morning, I did just that- hopped into my car and just drove with my windows rolled down, listening to music, and cruising on the back roads until I reached Western Massachusetts (specifically Belchertown, Hadley, and Northampton- where an old friend of mine lives.) On the way, I found so many interesting abandoned places- a pharmacy, a roadside cafe, an automotive shop, a church in the middle of the woods- and I stopped to enjoy the peace, quiet, fresh air, and snap a few photos.

There were a few other sites I passed along the way that I have every intention of going back to check out in the coming days (an abandoned motel and a farmhouse being a couple of them), weather permitting.

While I was in Northampton, I also spotted this house on the main street and immediately fell in love with it. It’s not abandoned, but it’s my dream home!

SO gorgeous.