Details Regarding Location, Dates, and More
Nine Mountain Retreat: Where It Happens
Located in Plainfield, in the Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts, the Intensive takes place in a spacious, beautiful house situated on 45 acres of woodlands with hiking trails, stone walls, gardens, and a small apple orchard.
The house is a very large three-story structure built using post and beam construction. The first floor is essentially one large room that contains the kitchen, dining area, and ample room for reading, writing and workshopping.
The second floor and third floors consist of the guest bedrooms, a sitting area, and two large central baths.
The rough cut beams, natural wood floors and trim, and white walls create a beautiful, rustic, and serene space. Each room is tastefully decorated, original art decorates the walls, and plants are found everywhere.
 
Each room has ample views of the great outdoors to enhance the natural atmosphere.
The house is situated on 45 acres of woodlands surrounded by stone walls and a small apple orchard, and is abutted by State forest and Audubon land.
Please note that we will make all reservations and arrangements for lodging and meals for conference participants. Directions and other details will be sent to all registrants along with the pre-conference materials.
When
Plan to arrive on Friday, July 25, between 5 and 6. Dinner is at 7 pm, introductions and preparation for the next day take place. The conference will begin with breakfast at 8:30 AM on Saturday, July 26, and last till 11:00 A.M. on Monday, July 28.
How to Apply
Before you apply, please go to our Participants page to make certain this conference is right for you. Once you understand the nature and goals of the conference, you will find an application form here.
Conference Fee
Following successful application, the registration fee is $1225. This includes:
Conference fee, workshop tuition, and materials.
Lodging for three nights.
Three meals per day plus snacks and beverages (contact us regarding any special needs).
Location/Directions/Transportation
The Nine Mountain Retreat is located on 9 Mountain Street, Plainfield, MA 01070.
If you are driving:
From Boston: Mass. Turnpike (I-90) to Hwy. 91 north, Northampton exit 19, Route 9 west. Then follow directions from Northampton listed below. (2 1/2 hrs total).
From New York City: Taconic Pkwy. north to Rte. 295, Rte. 41, Rte. 20 Pittsfield, to Rte. 9 east. Then follow directions from Pittsfield listed below. (3 hours).
From Hartford:Hwy. 91 north, Northampton exit 19, Route 9 west. Then follow directions from Northampton listed below (1 1/2 hrs).
From Northampton: Follow Route 9 west from Northampton center for 25 or so miles through the towns of Florence, Williamsburg, Goshen, and Cummington. In Cummington look for the Old Creamery Grocery store on the left (big white building with a COW on the roof) at the intersection of Route 112 south and Route 9. Stay on Route 9. Go west exactly 3.3 miles past the Creamery and take a right onto Packard-Prospect St. Follow this dirt road for exactly 1 mile (it will turn to pavement again) and take a left onto Mountain Street. Our driveway is the first on the left. (1/2 hour)
From Greenfield: Follow Route 2 west to Shelburne and take a right onto Route 112 south. Follow 112 south through Buckland and into Ashfield and take a right onto Route 116 North. Follow 116 north for exactly 7.7 miles into Plainfield. You will pass Plainfield center (two white buildings on right: Town Hall & Church) and keep following 116 down the hill. At the bottom of the hill take a left onto Prospect St (7.7 miles from Route 112). Follow Prospect St. for exactly 2.2 miles and take a right onto Mountain Street. Our driveway is the first on the left. (1/2 hour)
From Pittsfield: Follow Route 9 east through the towns of Dalton, Windsor, and West Cummington. After Windsor center (a country store & a church) you will descend a long hill and see signs for West Cummington and cross a bridge over the Westfield River. Keep going east on Route 9 for less than a mile and take a left onto Packard-Prospect Street. (You have gone too far on route 9 when you see the Old Creamery Grocery store on the right (big white building with a COW on the roof) and you must turn around and go back 3.3 miles and take a right onto Packard-Prospect St). Follow Packard-Prospect St. which is a dirt road for exactly 1 mile (it will turn to pavement again) and take a left onto Mountain Street. Our driveway is the first on the left. (1/2 hour)
If you are flying:
The best place to arrive for flight transportation is Hartford's Bradley International Airport. That airport is about an hour away.
Taxi sevice from Bradley Airport to Nine Mountains:
Northampton Taxi 413-584-6244 Bradley Airport / 9 Mtn $90
Florence Taxi 413-586-8005 Bradley Airport / 9 Mtn $85
If you are coming by bus:
There are buses directly to Greenfield from some places. See the Greyhound bus website for details.
NOTE: From NYC it takes about 5 hours by bus to Greenfield.
Peter Pan Bus 800-237-8747 has buses from N.Y.C. & Boston to Northampton.
Amtrak Rail 800-872-7245 has trains from N.Y.C. to Springfield Mass.
Bonanza Bus 888-751-8800 has buses from points south, west & north to Pittsfield Mass.
Rainbow Taxi & Vans 413-499-4300. Service from Pittsfield, Albany N.Y. including Albany Airport to 9 Mtn.
Pickup by 9 MOUNTAIN by request in Northampton or Pittsfield for $25.
And So Forth
As a conference participant you do not have to bring your laptop, however, you must bring writing materials. Also, please bring your entire manuscript. If you want more information on the nature of the conference, or not sure if it will work for you, please use our links above.
You will receive pre-conference manuscript preparation assignments and other materials several weeks before the conference begins.
Application and registration information found here.
If you need to contact us click here.
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