Despite the fact I haven't been to New England since the 20th century, this time of year always gets me thinking back to my formative years there and the fond, and sometimes not so fond, memories of that special place. Let's face it, the Holidays and all the nostalgic traditions associated with them pretty much originated here.
So journey with me now, if only through the eyes of other photographers from whom I've stolen. (Actually, I'm getting better at that...these are all labeled "free use" by their respective owners.)
The holiday we just celebrated a few days ago got its purported start here, of course, good ol' Plymouth, Massachusetts. Decades ago when grand marble public monuments were all the rage, some committee decided to erect this edifice around the famous stone. It's kinda weird seeing just a plain ol' bolder in the sand housed and protected by this huge ornate thing. It was built just a few years before the Great Depression. I wonder how many homeless people during that time looked at this and thought "Why can't some committee build simple houses for people rather than a mausoleum for a rock?"
This is also the spot where, a long time ago, I cursed "God" in a display of my firm atheism in front of my Jehovah's Witness boyfriend. Needless to say, that relationship didn't last long.
Winter in New England can be rough, but looking at a picture of the prettily frosted trees isn't. Especially when you're fanning yourself on an 80 degree evening in Florida. Here is North Conway, New Hampshire. Linda, her BF at the time Bill and I went to visit her cousin here many decades ago.
Time to warm up and head over to Lake Champlain, Vermont. Without any real spiritual conviction (but just because it sounded Thoreau-like) I once claimed this region the "land that God kissed" making reference to the geographic shape of the lake which, on a map, looks like an impression giant lips would make. Also, because the area is gorgeous. The verdant green undulating hills surrounding a pristine cobalt lake under a cerulean crystal clear sky. Takes your breath away.
I enjoyed a most pleasant day in this area (albeit the New York side) a few years ago on my way to Montreal.
Here in Florida, and I guess elsewhere in the US where there are lots of farms and orchards and ranches and such, counties annually hold fairs to show off the products and people of the land. New England's counties are merely boundaries on a map so they don't organize fairs, and the states are somewhat small so they all get together and put together a big collaboration known as the Big E.
Part state or county fair and part regional expo, each state contributes to this annual event held in West Springfield, Mass. showcasing their wares at the permanent pavilions and hundreds of pitched tents, roll-away kiosks, fried junk food trailers and trucked in carnival rides.
It's great here though sadly I'd only visited once in the late eighties. More likely, back then, if I was hankerin' for carny atmosphere I'd go closer to home and head on down to Rocky Point.
If I were to plan a "revisiting the old haunts" vacation back to New England, I'd have to include a visit to my favorite of all the Newport mansions. The Breakers, built in the Gilded Age as a summertime "cottage by the sea", epitomises that lost era.
Looking at this shot reminds me of summer walks along Cliffwalk, sailing in the bay, cool jazz concerts on the lawn of Fort Adams State Park, lobster at the Chart House on the Wharf. I wonder if I could recreate this house in Sims 3? I wonder if my graphics card could handle it?
The mid-eighties were all about hanging out in Boston. Small town Rhode Island was too constraining for me, I needed a city to stretch out in. And invariable, many a visit to Beantown included a stop over here.
The place for shopping, eating and getting together with good friends for drinks and merriment. (Yes, I actually had those then, both good friends and merriment!) Fanieul Hall is a bit touristy in hindsight but even though I made my way to the city every weekend at one point, the buzz and energy of the crowd drew me back again and again.
So journey with me now, if only through the eyes of other photographers from whom I've stolen. (Actually, I'm getting better at that...these are all labeled "free use" by their respective owners.)
This is also the spot where, a long time ago, I cursed "God" in a display of my firm atheism in front of my Jehovah's Witness boyfriend. Needless to say, that relationship didn't last long.
I enjoyed a most pleasant day in this area (albeit the New York side) a few years ago on my way to Montreal.
Part state or county fair and part regional expo, each state contributes to this annual event held in West Springfield, Mass. showcasing their wares at the permanent pavilions and hundreds of pitched tents, roll-away kiosks, fried junk food trailers and trucked in carnival rides.
It's great here though sadly I'd only visited once in the late eighties. More likely, back then, if I was hankerin' for carny atmosphere I'd go closer to home and head on down to Rocky Point.
Looking at this shot reminds me of summer walks along Cliffwalk, sailing in the bay, cool jazz concerts on the lawn of Fort Adams State Park, lobster at the Chart House on the Wharf. I wonder if I could recreate this house in Sims 3? I wonder if my graphics card could handle it?
The place for shopping, eating and getting together with good friends for drinks and merriment. (Yes, I actually had those then, both good friends and merriment!) Fanieul Hall is a bit touristy in hindsight but even though I made my way to the city every weekend at one point, the buzz and energy of the crowd drew me back again and again.