tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75408681077472052382024-03-04T21:45:54.577-08:00Photos of AmericaA photo journal with pictures from across the United States (with an emphasis on the Northeast). Included are personal descriptions and stories about each photo, which are from the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-36339046614115931222009-05-13T12:28:00.000-07:002009-05-13T12:36:54.197-07:00Johnson, VT<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RljbyCiwdKLT7lsGPHq3eBwziJABhv0T7S6C1MHNTIn3_Iiy7x9OAb7xA_0N0_8RVPnHu5P9EoM9ICL25a42_kkVP8jmpK8-AsgInK1Xjp_vAWoPt5FW7JYm1B0O607CTlGdjyu5EzQ/s320/JohnsonBW.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Johnson, VT" alt="photo of Johnson, VT" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335392974667375378" />The towns north and west of Stowe, Vermont (including Johnson) have some of the best scenery in the state, partly because they are located in a low valley that runs far below Mount Mansfield and some of the other high peaks in the area. The low elevation and relatively flat geography make for some truly stunning rural farmland scenes as well, including the scene shown here, which was taken in October of 2007. I took several black and white photos at this spot, as the scene (which was just west of town) had a timeless, frontier-like quality to it.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/blackandwhite/johnson.html" title="See larger photo of Johnson, VT, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Johnson, VT photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-11979241518913373952009-05-11T13:29:00.000-07:002009-05-11T13:36:22.145-07:00Somesville, ME<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtyaOcFwT2mU-jdDsnPfC_2Wv7WNgwdwZJL3JRgZMiITXuTlAke6-rXKYAYAKdctS6olbuqeLGYNxPmszMa5cfrNRQJbguW0xC_EtOLA2hp-tOJOrRwvBfQp7Z4IfeZthAQPiMxWrbwg/s320/Somesville.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Somesville, ME" alt="photo of Somesville, ME" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334666510642504642" />Much of the Maine coast north of Portland consists of either moody fog-shrouded coastal villages where fishing and boating are a way of life, or bustling tourist towns with gift shops, restaurants, and inns. But there is one town on Mount Desert Island that has a tidy, colonial feel that wouldn't be out of place on Cape Cod in Massachusetts or along the Connecticut coast. Indeed, Somesville is an historic community with beautiful homes and peaceful tree-shaded lanes and very little in the way of commercialism. The photo shown here, which was taken in May of 2008, shows a charming footbridge in the heart of the "downtown" section of the village.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/somesvillelandscape.html" title="See larger photo of Somesville, ME, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Somesville, ME photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-72693915552315791962009-05-06T13:00:00.000-07:002009-05-06T13:07:34.797-07:00Sherborn, MA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiql7CxMUeL3tLEUnkF4RtSwTIqAtw7vLPuHswA6MfOMh15RR5xFYjbylJU3ECI2GrjkZ1R0ZbjDXRKENVbFXHsQ0ZRrkQk_Vop_FhqDSbWTe4cFztCi9Qz2jjklt14L3lGzQICccw601Y/s320/Sherborn.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Sherborn, MA" alt="photo of Sherborn, MA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332803441727795458" />Sherborn is one of those idyllic rural towns west of Boston that has a nearly perfect mix of low hills, woods, and farmland. Near the Framingham border is a beautiful open area that includes a place for strawberry picking. The photo shown here, which was taken in the summer of 2007, shows this spot on a day when the clouds were very dramatic. The people picking in the fields give the picture a sort of timeless quality to it. <br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/blackandwhite/sherborn.html" title="See larger photo of Sherborn, MA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Sherborn, MA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-35661377828023555682009-05-05T15:12:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:17:29.528-07:00Muir Beach, CA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW4XIzCsdebi7O7ouvglYrBmHs2BilQoTBZAcUj7C-ozTRRCJxp87jOvX8xND7RoULK6KFH0wP_sAyjSD6oecXo9cywajPJhFtYqUsC8uojvuQioj1QOBQiUg1UijrXYIJnrtH0j9ACi4/s320/MuirBeach.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Muir Beach, CA" alt="photo of Muir Beach, CA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332466814583949474" />The cliche "Getting there is half the fun" certainly applies to Muir Beach, California. Whether you are coming from the north (along the stunning highway 1) or heading up from the south (along a steep, winding road from San Francisco), this beautiful beach in Marin County is well worth the ride. And as can be seen in this photo taken in November of 2004, the beach itself is breathtakingly gorgeous as well. <br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/muirbeachlandscape.html" title="See larger photo of Muir Beach, CA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Muir Beach, CA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-31975973499541865632009-04-29T13:07:00.000-07:002009-04-29T13:18:19.183-07:00Groton, MA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp3jyvCkXPsNFwoK59Cju5Nlfx0UoaRrTSEfYHyEOGo0ouJnx6P4s1y1YJIgi4GBkdKgD7jcfs3UxgJ07XoU5r_rXN6q74KDUeTieW5LR5yA1iaCGYJ8xLhzW6w_YW5SkuBdZ3xTK1DQ/s320/Groton.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Groton, MA" alt="photo of Groton, MA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330208198923034642" />Groton is probably one of the most beautiful towns within an hour's drive of Boston. In and around the town center are tree-shaded streets lines with historic old homes and churches, while a short distance away from the center are a number of apple orchards and farms. The photo shown here, which was taken in October of 2006, gives a view of a church that sits along a village green at the eastern edge of the center of town.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/mainstreets/grotonmainstreet.html" title="See larger photo of Groton, MA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Groton, MA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-63010371989862092012009-04-28T12:28:00.000-07:002009-04-28T12:33:46.513-07:00Jeffersonville, VT<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLyLkGKY7syua0j1hednDaPlO4xoNumkDuVTPkyP0Cpm1oW5_Ga95aOgwl62NRZc0A8nP-imyQDxy9I_lF0WlVpL4NIV9r9cibebZirqmZ8mp3wra8HXGBlBPTr2PvJ1XadAC9i58AmQ/s320/JeffersonvilleBW.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Jeffersonville, VT" alt="photo of Jeffersonville, VT" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329826630279282226" />Although they are separated only by a narrow mountain pass (or "notch," as it is called here), Stowe and Jeffersonville are vastly different places. While Stowe is a bustling resort with endless options for shopping, lodging, and dining, Jeffersonville is a rather remote place with charming inns, general stores, working farms, and winding roads. The photo shown here, which was taken off Route 108 in October, 2007, shows a stark view of the landscape coming out of town on the way to Mount Mansfield and Smuggler's Notch. I took the shot in black and white to emphasize the haunting feel of this part of Vermont, especially when there are low clouds and fog.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/blackandwhite/jeffersonville.html" title="See larger photo of Jeffersonville, VT, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Jeffersonville, VT photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-81944732157123277412009-04-23T13:51:00.000-07:002009-04-23T13:56:57.619-07:00Lake Placid, NY<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RhE0L6vTopYEWuCbeOlSLhLzLQJG2KV-ub9dj6ZcLePMzGev_RA7P7yvm1RZw8KCnrq1_3me1yU5pDJ_wFvY2RkUSlq7xM2mU_J_6_HV0JbHkz2eFqMiithhVt1M2Kn7E_VQ4O4yMhs/s320/LakePlacid2.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Lake Placid, NY" alt="photo of Lake Placid, NY" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327992824766717970" />Some of the most dramatic scenery in the Eastern United States can be found in and around the Lake Placid area within the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Just east, south, and north of the village are the highest mountains in the state as well as raging rivers and pristine woods. The photo shown here, which was taken in the late 1990s, shows typical view from Route 86 between Lake Placid and Wilmington, heading toward Whiteface Mountain, a ski area with the biggest vertical drop east of the Rockies.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/lakeplacidphoto2.html" title="See larger photo of Lake Placid, NY, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Lake Placid, NY photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-83643560710517138272009-04-21T13:12:00.000-07:002009-04-21T13:20:05.535-07:00New Canaan, CT<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TxFF9BQo6es60tbaSNdWKdYD4xub1Uwsd2ipVzcQxIOD1CuE5Am2W1hsrZ9ti0L4pdzFwmfoogk12VbpHhR__tA5Vf56EGaWB1eP0jCoAIErdidplU2e08ZelzLuMs8dryhYfyayPxA/s320/NewCanaan.jpg" border="0" title="photo of New Canaan, CT" alt="photo of New Canaan, CT" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327240570068260914" />The Southwestern part of Connecticut has some really attractive towns and villages, and few are more charming than New Canaan. Bigger than many of the villages around it, but much smaller and more manageable that the nearby cities along the coast, New Canaan has a feel of yesteryear with its old-fashioned streetlights, charming downtown clock, and friendly little independent shops and restaurants. The picture shown here, which was taken in February of 2009, shows the heart of the downtown section of New Canaan.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/mainstreets/newcanaanmainstreet.html" title="See larger photo of New Canaan, CT, on the Travel Guide of America site.">New Canaan, CT photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-12850434442378004392009-04-17T12:35:00.000-07:002009-04-17T12:42:25.769-07:00Boston, MA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB_QjhiGIaLT5SFpMk0KV8sE77x4tujGkyYKKmnCnnp1MMS1Web0b6HJMJVk2gu7zXMkRFAW7Ad3XqdP7K4QrjF1PFLcdNAYnjF0Ti2vrmdrTNNUnQqSSOrShABVwXzHFUgBvjxHuGeA/s320/PublicGarden.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Boston, MA" alt="photo of Boston, MA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325746919199593858" />The city of Boston is densely populated in many areas, but it also has a park system that is about as nice as you will find in a large city. One of the most scenic open areas is the Public Garden in downtown Boston, which is shown in this photo, which was taken in April of 2007. The Public Garden and many other parks, including the Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park, have a variety of plants and trees, allowing for beautiful and always-changing colors from the springtime to the fall.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/bostonlandscape.html" title="See larger photo of Boston, MA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Boston, MA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-83654139801827100922009-04-15T12:48:00.000-07:002009-04-15T12:58:54.830-07:00Blue Ridge Mountains, VA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HMGpsz4NKoPgGWggG_HwfTwzIzTF65_XTe-JIsJaRWctJhzKcZEfU9r02Sei1BELldelk6EJVGg9jvc_Y_3SgNWzzHTbXBawgGs0yyBh54i-DxJS6k2oi2vvLMU1rvUmaNJfS9DQx6w/s320/BlueRidge.jpg" border="0" title="photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains, VA" alt="photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains, VA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325008249789221410" />Taking a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway can be an exhilarating experience, as it changes seemingly from mile to mile. While much of the North Carolina section is wild, rugged, and mountainous, parts of the Virginia section are a bit more placid and have a more historic feel, including, at times, almost a frontier-like quality. The photo shown here, which was taking while on a road trip in the early 1990s, shows a well-preserved old cabin along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Roanoke and the North Carolina border.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/blueridgelandscape.html" title="See larger photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains, VA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Blue Ridge Mountains, VA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-69285171087967906122009-04-14T11:38:00.000-07:002009-04-14T11:48:39.484-07:00Little Compton, RI<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyflMKPqF6RDnb1PHrbHCss3rUWIASnq4GIQsDEm-mpwFugqWDpUSFNv8gezixlwuaLLUqLthsDpacgxgwSLObYnlhetMseRvbSVMeV8pcZWrZOrpoRwbkjEkJArfKzUANin3jTSrqtOY/s320/LittleCompton.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Little Compton, RI" alt="photo of Little Compton, RI" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324618535015619074" />As I mentioned earlier in a posting about Sakonnet, Route 77 goes through some of the most scenic parts of Rhode Island, if not all of New England. Open fields and meadows drop down to the ocean, farm stands are scattered about, and the towns, including Little Compton, are charming, rural places that are worlds away from Providence. The photo shown here, which was taken in the summer of 2004, is of a vineyard that is located just off of Route 77 and a short distance west of the center of Little Compton.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/scenicdrives/littlecomptonphoto.html" title="See larger photo of Little Compton, RI, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Little Compton, RI photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-9769338441902335072009-04-10T11:15:00.000-07:002009-04-10T11:20:59.690-07:00Chapel Hill, NC<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwiquo2FUXzvAaMczEEYPuAfhJI4PoxqZ4TPJpJ5REGFk5CudBUFrv86BeiEN8pZpjdsENyEJxbuOqmq5xCMmfVgybo3Mbwc-cSeBJEEAiC_QAVBgzikDGmm65RtuRUbUdxlLpQ5RZWr8/s320/ChapelHillCampus.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Chapel Hill, NC" alt="photo of Chapel Hill, NC" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323128499694659698" />Chapel Hill is one of the most attractive towns I have been to in all of America, so much so, in fact, that I could almost picture living there even though the heat can be extreme in the summer. The photo shown here, which was taken on one of those brutally hot (but otherwise beautiful) July days in 2008, shows a pleasant, tree-shaded part of the UNC campus in the center of town. This scene is a stone's throw from the shops and restaurants of Main Street, indicating the close connection between the university and the town of Chapel Hill. <br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/chapelhilllandscape.html" title="See larger photo of Chapel Hill, NC, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Chapel Hill, NC photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-44447859687838223952009-04-08T08:58:00.000-07:002009-04-09T12:05:14.497-07:00Bar Harbor, ME<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuPbkts-KQ-Dqm2HfAiESYt3Jo5u85JguRhP4joLYq9L-c0ba8KJempOOWJJd5nKS6Zb4YH5eEbNB68MYfvX3MMkipszAUMDkTmKWKQj832i3CFPPM9Nkx7cyv4buU-8wYrApQixhrsE/s320/CadillacMountainRoad1.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Bar Harbor, ME" alt="photo of Bar Harbor, ME" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322768397677242386" />Bar Harbor, Maine, is an attractive town for strolling and picture-taking, but some of the greatest views of Bar Harbor are from 1,500 feet up. The road to the top of Cadillac Mountain has some spectacular views of the town (and the water and landscape around it) from several turnoffs, as well as from the summit of the mountain, where this photo was taken in May of 2008. The Porcupine Islands can be seen in the distance, as well as the mainland of Maine.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/scenicdrives/cadillac1photo.html" title="See larger photo of Bar Harbor, ME, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Bar Harbor, ME photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-67084184599120267102009-04-07T12:39:00.000-07:002009-04-07T13:01:27.940-07:00Thirteen Mile Woods, NH<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VMhSty_xaSgxcZqOiHVdtt9kci8InsYmxagZDBI9Z0TJzYwQDog9AuXJLLdMqAplNSj9w3GvfrjFw5Ol53rd1aZx1sMtx6w3qjUt3pj0XhLDI6Iv0uyxI4CawvFA0pjq2rEaVRt28wc/s320/ThirteenMileWoods2.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Thirteen Mile Woods, NH" alt="photo of Thirteen Mile Woods, NH" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322036544618110354" />Route 16 in New Hampshire starts off as a fairly scenic road heading out of Portsmouth, but eventually becomes a somewhat ugly commercial strip as it passes through the eastern edge of Central New Hampshire. But as it approaches the White Mountains, it becomes quite beautiful, with particularly stunning scenery as it passes Mount Washington on the left. Relatively few tourists go beyond this point, however, which is a shame, because the upper stretch of Route 16 has some of the most incredible scenery in all of New England. One part of this stretch goes through the Thirteen Mile Woods, a remote region of waterways, spruce and fir forests, and low hills. The photo shown here, which was taken in late September of 2004, shows the breathtaking beauty of this area.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/scenicdrives/thirteenmilewoods2photo.html" title="See larger photo of Thirteen Mile Woods, NH, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Thirteen Mile Woods, NH photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-34466325010942276542009-04-03T12:46:00.000-07:002009-04-03T12:54:08.862-07:00Edgartown, MA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI7yfbGxwOChb-YCQmJUpZ84C3NV63ALDLgIs-OfeMD1ZRskj8hX0AwaQyfZYwbETvNqxT_5nnLiOEmvB3_tffFrxtS1JXqo01jUMOkxcnDkuTI5Q31gPZUKCtUT1vKeezPdBEfPTaS0/s320/Edgartown.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Edgartown, MA" alt="photo of Edgartown, MA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320554054057187682" />The Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard is considered by many to be a playground of the rich and famous as well as a place that can get pretty wild and crazy during the summer in spots. But much of it is charming and sedate, feeling a lot like Cape Cod used to be before big parts of it became commercialized. And Edgartown is about as charming a village as you'll find, with white clapboard colonials, tree-shaded lanes, stunning water views, and refined shops and restaurants. The photo shown here, which was taken in the early 1990s, gives just a glimpse of this beautiful village near the southeastern edge of the Vineyard.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/mainstreets/edgartownmainstreet.html" title="See larger photo of Edgartown, MA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Edgartown, MA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-87215855313035651172009-04-02T13:26:00.001-07:002009-04-02T13:32:39.288-07:00Lake McDonald, MT<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYEJzpUSCiXZ7IZWKh3i7htg1iK71L4lRZanZv0JCSZBgTltq1-0CFxem5Xw-QRBXiCagM3V7_5Mm41_Ek7cFpn5oL8D-GKBMJwd_UCXn7F3a7rAavfhfN0bAg4_BEOYReFDxQhmV5U0/s320/Whitefish2.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Lake McDonald, MT" alt="photo of Lake McDonald, MT" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320193295224100034" />One of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen is in the western section of Glacier National Park in Montana. The western side of the park is deeply wooded and lush (unlike the dry, mostly prairie-like eastern side), which makes the lake feel both insulated and hidden. The photo shown here, which was taken in the mid-1990s, shows an eastward view of Lake McDonald from the tiny village of Apgar, about 20 miles east of Whitefish as the crow flies.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/whitefishphoto2.html" title="See larger photo of Lake McDonald, MT, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Lake McDonald, MT photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-15201277224325268542009-03-31T13:40:00.001-07:002009-03-31T13:40:57.811-07:00Boylston, MA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDICoBEolB2VtZ3T27NwOwmeUtrsdjFQhUz9sbCuDTCpN-Y2KgCJsVkrsBVyTlDm8R8W_PpeR7QGJkuyLaqm1aIt0USNWpLgGHrt7kpluNKtmuitvLctbTfJmyQYOl2oAmx3AHQdDGoDE/s320/TowerHill.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA" alt="photo of Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319452813195744514" />Some photos take on a timeless quality to them, especially when they are in black and white. Such is the case with the photo shown here of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA. This picture, which was taken in April of 2007, displays a view that almost has a frontier feel to it, even though this spot is less than an hour west of Boston. I took this on a day that featured some rather striking cloud formations, which added to the moodiness of the shot.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/blackandwhite/towerhill.html" title="See larger photo of Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Boylston, MA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-48045363534256622742009-03-26T12:39:00.000-07:002009-03-26T12:47:11.881-07:00York Beach, ME<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23sNwY2N_ZWA27rj_lTapA-JfkjvUQ9EsreLwKX77UtP07fRGrdvFFfd-iG9n_oJchFkt1Pghk8yVSdDx_yWMBINKBFa1FjZ1beVmCwv0vo2b-mtCBozVfgMmOCwUWbJ7SkwaZ0N29Xk/s320/York.jpg" border="0" title="photo of York Beach, ME" alt="photo of York Beach, ME" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317583617324243666" />Much of the York Beach area in Maine is flat (as you would expect in a beach town), but heading east out of the village of York Beach, you quickly encounter some rather steep and winding roads that afford dramatic views of the ocean. The photo here, which was taken in December of 2008, shows a look eastward out over the open ocean near Cape Neddick Light (an often-photographed lighthouse). The rugged, rocky shore in this area is much different from the sandy beach areas found only a little more than a mile away.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/blackandwhite/yorkbeach.html" title="See larger photo of York Beach, ME, on the Travel Guide of America site.">York Beach, ME photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-29497578181591052392009-03-24T12:31:00.000-07:002009-03-24T12:39:51.122-07:00Waits River, VT<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4C4uCwqPU9f0mYH1NvAiRa4RFbeAoDPJdOcLvskmWY2kmurDzpNRV5tRHFV2bOQZdzlG1Bujwf_3liwtORIpk-UzLa4j9QL4seTSn0tpnFYE1wQ-dnSHhEkLUfJKSUuDN2RrbiobOkqc/s320/WaitsRiver.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Waits River, VT" alt="photo of Waits River, VT" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316839553712480242" />If this scene looks familiar, that is probably because you have seen it on a calendar somewhere. Or in a photo book. Or a travel guide. Or so many other places. This is because Waits River is one of the most photographed villages in all of New England, if not the entire country. It is a tiny community located between Barre and the New Hampshire border, and probably attracts more professional photographers than tourists. This photo, which was taken in the late summer of 2002, seems to have a timeless quality, and for good reason; the village simply hasn't changed much in the last hundred-plus years.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/mainstreets/waitsrivermainstreet.html" title="See larger photo of Waits River, VT, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Waits River, VT photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-52526078784269215912009-03-23T12:56:00.000-07:002009-03-23T13:11:16.788-07:00Portsmouth, NH<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBhRFiFK3NVcNbhqKdlF99QdT_-H6kHbZYLQ-hci-rSx4JdivhfRMCPFaRslZs5mZ-nSv9FXeEPR_8lAd2gP9HCGKBhOoGqymtzKRPnr1kO2AmJorGXrotS3VD0NrhmTSbwumj3LHK6M/s320/Portsmouth2.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Portsmouth, NH" alt="photo of Portsmouth, NH" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316475099028009346" />Portsmouth, NH, is a delightful city with beautiful water views, historic homes, narrow little streets, funky shops and restaurants, and wonderful parks. One of the nicest parks is a waterfront spot within walking distance of downtown called Prescott Park. During the spring, the park's garden areas explode in color, as can be seen from the picture shown here, which was taken in the spring of 2004. The park is fairly small, but is often quiet and a great place to relax. <br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/portsmouthphoto2.html" title="See larger photo of Portsmouth, NH, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Portsmouth, NH photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-43196983959022820362009-03-20T09:19:00.001-07:002009-03-20T09:25:03.656-07:00Carlsbad, CA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsc4ThgQRSU-JYzXIWGnP1qHvkt1r1iCwD0YoF5sqs47w3Z8leURZtL4P0IwhlOI-ONSsWafDN59sgETJJLAzRLERZtDmB3xNNGnBVuWVB7Cd2SPG15hKyrtpvWSgRRm8LrC3_hP4Ke7Y/s320/Carlsbad.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Carlsbad, CA" alt="photo of Carlsbad, CA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315305436477066498" />Carlsbad is a peaceful, prosperous seaside town north of San Diego that I visit every now and then because I have family out there. The coast of Carlsbad is mostly flat with some nice beaches, but in some spots there are towering cliffs with awe-inspiring views, including this one, which was taken in June of 2006. Looking north, you can just barely make out the village of Carlsbad in the distance. <br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/carlsbadlandscape.html" title="See larger photo of Carlsbad, CA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Carlsbad, CA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-60107852129470343892009-03-19T11:54:00.000-07:002009-03-19T12:01:40.079-07:00Crawford Depot, NH<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr2mlnVTxa0mL9ZfKTkt7ByTWCNZm1GKO5cZs5tV29CVkQ4bp4ucUa7zzZR29U4tZm2GbZHJ7NOKGp8vGvoE-26dA3fl8nR2vaInacxJFTkCR4jQHsWidTlKJanJZTBuRKNjdTzMA1zs/s320/CrawfordNotch.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Crawford Depot, NH" alt="photo of Crawford Depot, NH" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314974431899688050" />Depending on the season, Crawford Notch, NH, can be a desolate place, unlike some of the other notches in the White Mountains. The picture shown here was taken at Crawford Depot in September of 2006, in between the summer season and the foliage season, and the area indeed had a haunting quality to it when I took it. The railroad tracks shown in the photo go east through one of the wildest and most rugged sections of the Northeast, dropping steeply into the Mount Washington Valley, and eventually, North Conway.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/blackandwhite/crawfordnotch.html" title="See larger photo of Crawford Depot, NH, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Crawford Depot, NH photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-23838860598049120282009-03-18T12:43:00.000-07:002009-03-31T13:43:47.578-07:00Hingham, MA<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmIBZYgNqeCwd7qzOYpGBm7ClhZSoVBLqAFtHUusmRi8QKqH3MvNqXYDSBGoangQEhCnGwr7TdFz2ckfbm4OZouHoziX4jW_2QI7Rh_Kamn9nF-6sAp1-LNOIKu_IncfZN_P5Mp_M15c/s320/WorldsEnd.jpg" border="0" title="photo of World's End, Hingham, MA" alt="photo of World's End, Hingham, MA" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314616126734050354" />You don't have to travel very far out of Boston to find some truly unspoiled areas. One example is World's End in Hingham, which is only about 10 miles south of the city as the crow flies, but has the look and feel of a coastal spot about as far away from civilization as you can get. World's End is a coastal conservation area made up of hills, fields, and woodlands, and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also helped the Emerald Necklace in Boston and Central Park in New York come into being. The photo shown here, which was taken in May of 2006, shows just one of many beautiful tree-lined paths that wind through through the reservation.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/hinghamlandscape.html" title="See larger photo of World's End, Hingham, MA, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Hingham, MA photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-10110691835906189552009-03-18T12:19:00.001-07:002009-03-18T12:28:44.522-07:00Hancock, NH<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpglImNXkXYYej1Z5bqy5DwGKZ0jEuhjkxXchPC-xeR_9jWJ9RWnDjZcRSSn-SCSiwYp2jhzI6kYjbcgsABNdhleqNxjJ8a4iyt-qCT9IO_sQ2UzWSvLUfr9SmdXNTIinjWIMiGnrc0tg/s320/HancockVillage.jpg" border="0" title="photo of Hancock, NH" alt="photo of Hancock, NH" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314609795345481026" />Unlike its neighbor (Vermont), the state of New Hampshire is not really known for having charming towns and villages. Indeed, many communities in the Granite State have strips of shopping centers rather than village greens, and some towns have no discernable centers at all. But this is certainly not the case in much of the southwestern part of the state, which is also known as Currier and Ives Country; many communities, including Jaffrey, Peterborough, Wilton, Fitzwilliam, and Harrisville have town centers that wouldn't be out of place in Vermont. And Hancock, which is next door to Peterborough, might have the most charming center of them all, with churches, a country store, an inn, and beautiful old houses, all framed by a backdrop of lush hills. The photo shown here, which was taken on a beautiful day in early October of 2006, shows a typically pastoral scene right in the center of Hancock. <br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/mainstreets/hancockmainstreet.html" title="See larger photo of Hancock, NH, on the Travel Guide of America site.">Hancock, NH photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7540868107747205238.post-56732064006129674522009-03-17T08:51:00.000-07:002009-03-17T08:57:48.238-07:00East Woodstock, CT<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YGjUc4s3hPniTL1usdBTDYp2J-wOQNZkKzPcCDTDnyxYTGxY6cJNY7nCRDd_bmkR9ps0b6XYzktp8vQKbkzJtXlVoZfjhtCkRBXTcHpy606KL0U7W8ZuktCV7DDuhzPQCPeYmMueAWg/s320/EastWoodstock.jpg" border="0" title="photo of East Woodstock, CT" alt="photo of East Woodstock, CT" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314185492261344738" />Because today is St. Patrick's Day, I figured it would be a good time to post a photo of an area that, in many ways, has the look and feel of parts of the Emerald Isle. Woodstock, CT, and particularly East Woodstock, has rolling green hills, narrow lanes, and lots of farmland, giving it a look not unlike the rural sections of Ireland. The photo shown here, which was taken in 1999, was taken near the top of a steep hill just north of the center of the village.<br /><br />For a larger version of this photo, go to the <a href="http://www.travelguideofamerica.com/landscapes/eastwoodstocklandscape.html" title="See larger photo of East Woodstock, CT, on the Travel Guide of America site.">East Woodstock, CT photo</a> on the Travel Guide of America site.Marchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13127881562140186385noreply@blogger.com0