In the first blog about Boston, I talked about rain. The first part of my full day there, I walked around Back Bay East, following the Women’s Heritage Trail. As I made my way from Back Bay East to Faneuil Hall Market Place where I was meeting a friend, I found some great photo ops in historic downtown Boston.
Boston Common
I made my way through the massive central park in downtown Boston. It is considered the oldest city park in the US, as it dates from 1634. The park is 50 acres. I found the carousel to be sad and lonely on this rainy day in October.
Boston Common Carousel
Chinatown
As I made my way out of the park, I found myself in Chinatown. Boston’s Chinatown is the largest outside of New York City.
Chinatown entrance in BostonThe Empire Garden was once a movie theatre.
Old State House
I finally made my way to Faneuil Hall but was not able to take pics as it was getting remodeled. From the Marketplace we decided to do some indoor activities as the rain and wind was getting intense. We decided to visit the Old State House. The Old State House was home to the Massachusetts General Court until 1798. It is one of the oldest public buildings in the US.
The Old State House
Thanks for reading about my Boston walk about. Interested in learning more? Visit the podcast to hear about it.
As always prints are available for each of these photos.
When I visited Boston, I knew that I wanted to find out more about historic women in Boston. My podcast, Tourist in your Town, specializes in historic women and minorities. There are several different areas featured on the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail. So, I decided to walk the Back Back East tour and try to find some of the historic places associated with these women.
I discovered that most of the homes associated with the women did not have markers, so a handy printed map would have been helpful for me. I tried to use my phone, but that just didn’t work well for me. But I did find some beautiful doors and entrance ways in this historically residential area.
There’s just something about a simple bicycle, waiting for someone to take an adventure.It’s that sad, lonely pumpkin against those heavy blue doors.The French Cultural Center.Fisher College
Be sure to listen to the episode featuring these women and historic locations in the Back Bay East area of Boston.
My fellow travel blogger, Tatiana, has started a new Thursday Travel – Photo Challenge. The first challenge was barns. It just so happens that I work right down the street from a very cool red barn. I’ve been wanting to take photos of it for a while. But never have. The property is soon to be sold for development, but I’ve been putting off stopping. But when I woke up this morning and it was snowing, I knew this was the day. I grabbed my camera on the way out the door. It was still fairly dark when I got there, but the snow was coming down and had already covered everything nicely, creating a nice winter scene.
Red Barn in Snow
Prints of this beautiful winter scene are available in my Pixels shop. Just click on the photo!
In early October, I visited some friends in the Boston area. Since I’ve started a travel podcast, I find myself having to travel at least every two – three weeks. I mostly travel by car because I can only do weekends right now. But I decided to fly up to Boston for a quick trip. I took a four day weekend at work and booked the flight.
Rainy Boston street scene
Early October is a great time to see the leaves up there. However, it’s also a great time for changing weather. It rained. A lot. I tried to prepare for it by taking a raincoat, umbrella, and a home-made camera cover. The camera cover worked okay, but I think it’s best to shell out the money for a real one. A good thing about the rain is the clouds were amazing.
Trinity Church in Copley SquareOld South Church in BostonFire Engine 37 / Ladder Company 26 in Fenway
September is my birthday month and in honor of me, I decided to share my favorite images. I previously share my favorite simple images and my favorite window photos. This week, I thought I would share my favorite train photography.
Steam Engines
Like many photographers, I love steam trains. There is just something about the smoke rolling from the stacks. My favorite is just before take off when the smoke releases from below.
Steam train just before take offTrain crossing the trestle with steam blowingReleasing steam
On the Train
When we visited New York City, we took the train up. These are some photos that I took on that trip.
The sleeping car on the Crescent Route with Amtrak.The dining car on the Crescent
Train Stations and Depots
The train stations and depots have their own charms. Some are beautiful, historic buildings currently still in use for passenger trains. But many have been repurposed as visitor’s centers or craft shops.
Main Street Station in Richmond, VAAshland Train Depot is also the visitor’s centerGreenback Depot in downtown Greenback, TNThe visitor’s center in Loudon, TN.
Yes, I am slightly obsessed with trains and train depots. That feeling of nostalgia when you step inside. Of course, I have not doubt that original passenger trains were uncomfortable rides. But it’s nice to imagine having the time and money to take the train across the country. Some day.
While looking for a new subject for my podcast, I came across the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. I also noticed they were having a Cherokee Fall Festival. It would make the perfect East Tennessee day trip. So, we made our way from Knoxville, TN to Vonore, TN.
Greenback TN
Greenback Diner
When I travel, I like to stop at local places to eat, so I searched for diners between Knoxville and Vonore and found the Greenback Drugstore and Diner in downtown Greenback, TN. It’s more diner than drugstore. But it’s a great little spot for a quick breakfast. Right across the street from the diner is the historic Greenback Depot, home to several small shops. None of which were open when we came through town.
Greenback Depot
Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum
At the Cherokee Fall Festival, we were surprised to find Civil War reenactors. I am famous for not reading descriptions all the way through. Apparently, the reenactment is because a troop of Cherokee joined the Confederates for several major battles. We did not stay for the reenactment, battle isn’t my thing. But I did get some cool shots of the actors and their camp.
Presenting the flagsCivil War Camp
The festival was held on the grounds of the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. Sequoyah created the first written language for the Cherokee Nation. He is also believed to be the first person to create a written language without ever knowing how to read or write another language. Listen to the episode to find out more about Sequoyah.
Maryville, TN
On the return, we spotted this abandoned grocery store. The signs on the outside were new. The soda machines out front seemed to be working. There were items inside, but it was early Saturday afternoon and the place was locked up tight. So, I am assuming it is closed for good. I had to stop and take pics.
Super Market
For lunch, we stopped at Jake’s Place on Highway 411 in Maryville, TN. Jake’s is a country cookin’ joint. We BBQ sandwiches. Hubby got fried okra on the side, made with fresh okra, not frozen. I had onion rings because it’s been years since I’ve had them. They were good, just enough breading without being overwhelming. The pulled pork was perfectly smoked without being overwhelming.
Jake’s Place Menu
Sometimes it’s difficult to go on a real vacation. A quick day trip usually isn’t hard to find. Our travel time was about an hour each way. We ended up being out of the house for about 7 hours. I’d love to hear about your own day trip! Tell us about it in the comments or share the link to your blog!
Prints are available of the photos in this blog, just click on the pic.
More favorites in honor of my birthday month. Windows are a favorite for most photographers. They can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used to enhance your subject. But most of my window photography is all about the window itself.
Window Light
That soft glow that you can only get from window light. In all honesty, I think there is an additional light in the stairwell, but it still looks cool.
The light from windows in the stairwell of Matthias Church in Budapest, cast a glow on the stairwell.Four windows are reflected in a pool of rain water inside an old, abandoned warehouse.
Window as a frame
No need to change a thing. It’s a built-in frame.
A young woman takes a selfie in the window of an upstairs loft in downtown Knoxville, TN.Women make dumplings in London’s China Town. Her work station is setup right in front of the window, allowing passersby to see the art of dumpling making and trust that those will be amazing dumplings.
Window Reflections
Got a window? Then you’ve got a reflection.
While having coffee at Cafe Gerbeaud in Budapest, Hungary, I noticed this cool reflection with the window sign reflected and had to take a picture.An old, historic building is reflected in new mirrored glass building in downtown Budapest.
Just Cool
Some windows are just kind of cool.
A deep window arch in a medieval castle affords a view of the surrounding countrysideThey’re everywhere in Cuba, the large windows and doors with the beautiful, decorative arches at the top. The columns and the decorative iron covers just add a special something else.
To see more of my window photography, please visit my gallery.
It’s my birthday month! That means it’s all about me! So, I decided to share some of my favorite images and the memories associated with them. Enjoy!
Simple
Sometimes an image doesn’t have to be complicated to stand out or be pleasing to the eye. I love these images because they are so simple.
The fan shape of the Gingko leaves are a favorite of many photographers. These two were placed perfectly on the ground. A single ground cherry with a thread hanging out at the top. I feel like if I pulled that thread it would all just fall apart. I just love these boots.I used this camera years ago in college. It cost $12 at that time. Took some technically terrible photos, but the light leaks made for great effects.The shapes of these locks caught my eye. They work so well together.
For a recent episode of my podcast, Tourist in your Town, I visited my hometown of Danville, Kentucky. Growing up, my time spent downtown was spent at the library or shopping. I paid very little attention to the historic aspects of my small town. So, I decided to be a tourist on my most recent visit.
Ephram McDowell Museum
The home of McDowell and the location of the first successful abdominal surgery. The surgery was performed on a woman named Jane Todd Crawford. Want to know more, listen to the story here.
Ephram McDowell House Museum
The Pioneer Playhouse
An outdoor summer stock theatre. Founded in 1950 by Eben Charles Henson, the theatre is an intense summer program for up and coming actors. The Playhouse puts on 4-5 plays every summer. To hear more, listen here.
One side “Main” Street at the Pioneer PlayhouseThe other side “Main” Street at the Playhouse.
Constitution Square Historic Site
The site is considered the birthplace of Kentucky’s statehood. In 1785, Danville was the first seat of government. The square has the meeting house and several other buildings, mostly reproductions.
Prints are available. Visit my gallery for details!
I recently traveled to my hometown of Danville, Kentucky. While there, I wanted to get some photos of the places that were important to me when growing up. One of the most important places was the public library. I spent many days after school at this magical place. So, while in Danville, I swung by and took a quick photo.
This is now a small part of the library. But it was the whole library when I was growing up. It did have a lower floor, so it’s bigger on the inside (some of you will get that). When I got home, I uploaded the pic to my Pixels account where I sell prints. Not long after uploading, I received an email from a man wanting to use it as the basis for a charcoal, pen & ink drawing. Of course, I said yes! Because I love nothing more than artist collaborations! So, without further ado, here are the 2 images. Both are available as prints. If you click on the pic, it will take you directly to the page for purchase.
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