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Hudson River Valley Gardens: Part One–Innisfree
December 2013 Now that the first traces of snow have settled upon New England, contemplating greenness—and gardens—seems more therapeutic than ever. Perhaps I’d dawdled about writing this report of my June trip to New York State’s Lower Hudson River Valley because I knew that the pleasure I’d get from thinking about those days would be … Continue reading
Springtime Sauntering through Historic Charleston, South Carolina
For Northern New Englanders, March always seems the cruelest month. Winter–which begins in November–persists…and sometimes mightily. As gray days continued, and new snow piled upon old, I decided that a Southward trip was needed for mental and physical health, and so devised a two-week itinerary which would carry me into Springtime. March 9, 2013. I … Continue reading
The Steel-Gray Charms of Salem in Wintertime
JANUARY 2013. MARITIME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE; NEIGHBORING MARBLEHEAD; NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE’S HOUSE OF 7 GABLES; FEDERAL-ARCHITECTURE-HEAVEN ON CHESTNUT STREET. If I had my druthers, I’d be taking pictures and writing in Italy and England for half of every year. But practicality and logistics make that impossible, so I’m finding places to write about that are a … Continue reading
Jane Austen & Bath, England
I really wanted to call this Armchair Traveler Chapter “Jane Austen’s Bath.” But holding forth about Jane’s bathing habits would have given me ammunition for a brief and not very interesting article. So, instead it’ll be “Jane Austen AND Bath.” I’ll try to describe the City as it was during the times when she lived … Continue reading
The Great Canopy of London’s Skies;Getting Older in Greenwich;& Garden-Strolling at Hampton Court Palace
September 25th, 2012. London, England. Over the course of my six recent Diaries for Armchair Travelers, I’ve paid much attention to the landscapes I explored during my month-long journey. But now, as I complete this series of articles, I find myself remembering the skies of London even more vividly than I can recall the admittedly … Continue reading
Contemplating the Genius of Place & The Places of Geniuses: Liverpool,Ruins at Great Witley,Chawton
September 20th, 2012. Liverpool, England. I was still ailing in body but was otherwise feeling quite exuberant, due to my pleasure at being able to spend time with my British friends Anne and David Guy, and Janet Hardwick. (Note: Once again, the photos that Anne took, and which she generously allows me to include here, … Continue reading
Major Ramblings Across the English Countryside: Stowe Landscapes; Hidcote Garden; Severn Valley Railway.
September 17th, 2012—Monday morning. Oxford, England. Having finished my mad dash up to the Cupola of the Sheldonian Theatre, I returned to the Old Bank Hotel, organized my suitcase in 10 minutes (remember…packing only what you absolutely need is the most luxurious thing you can do for your traveling-self), and was ready for my 11AM reunion … Continue reading