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.For a larger version of this photo, go to the Johnson, VT photo on the Travel Guide of America site.
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.
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. 
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. 
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.
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.
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.