Tag Archives: photography

A Day in the Green Mountain State…

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The final weeks of September through mid-October tend to be the most beautiful here in New England, with the leaves changing brilliant colors before they tumble off the branches and onto the ground. It’s a transition that can be easily overlooked in all it’s breathtaking glory when you- say- work in the city, for example. Not content with missing a moment of foliage and having this past Sunday freed up of any specific plans or errands that needed to be taken care of- I hopped in my car, selected the “Scenic Route” options on my GPS- and made a four hour journey along the winding back-roads heading North to Vermont. My destination? A covered bridge tucked away near Rutland that I had hoped to photograph- but I found myself stopping (on more than one occasion) to check out various farmer’s markets, stunning views of the mountains, and lots of abandoned places along the way.

While there’s still plenty of greenery to be found- I did catch a glimpse of bright red and orange leaves showing themselves along mountainsides, in fields, and on farms. The drive was so relaxing that when I lost cell service and couldn’t locate the covered bridge for the life of me (and my GPS was rendered useless when trying to do so-) I didn’t even mind. Instead, I stopped for a late lunch/early dinner at Mr. Darcy’s Bar and Grill in Ludlow, Vermont (I loved their name- and their soup!) as well as a country store on my way home where I picked up some chocolate fudge as a surprise for my mother and some of my personal favorite- maple cotton candy- for myself.

I’m planning another trip to Vermont- more than likely this coming weekend- since there were plenty of places I had wanted to stop this past Sunday but couldn’t because of time limitations. I’m looking forward to pumpkin and apple picking, snapping a few more photos, and of course grabbing some more maple cotton candy.

xx

The Life Aquatic.

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The last time I went to Mystic Aquarium, I don’t think I’d turned 21 yet- and I also think I may have called out of my job at the time just so that I could make the trip to Connecticut with some of my friends (who also may have called out of their jobs, too. None of us were exactly responsible back then.) Before that, spending a day in Mystic was a family Summertime tradition for years- only gradually fading out as my brothers and I got old enough where we could bring ourselves or go with friends whenever we felt like it.

Much like Roger Williams Park Zoo’s efforts, Mystic has the distinction of not only being a great place to view so many species of fish and sea mammals in one convenient location- but the facility is also a leader in oceanic research and in the education of how to care for and protect the marine life within and around the waters. Their conservation efforts over the years have been really admirable- and there are so many ways visitors and locals can get involved to help, too.

This past Sunday, having a lazy afternoon with no concrete plans- my friend Stef and I decided to head down to Mystic for the remainder of the day (coincidentally enough, Stef was with me during the last pilgrimage there before I turned 21, too.) to look at the penguins, sharks, and seals. The place was crawling with temperamental toddlers, so we didn’t stay long- but we had a nice time for the couple of hours we were there- especially in the “Titanic” inspired exhibit within the indoor 4-D theater area. I’m not sure how long that particular exhibit will be on display, but it’s worth checking out if you’re in the area and need to escape screaming children for 15-20 minutes.

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Directly across from Mystic Aquarium is Olde Mistick Village, which was also a yearly stop for my family and I when I was a kid. OMV, which hasn’t changed much over the years- is just a series of pathways, small restaurants, and shops. When Stef and I left the aquarium, we headed over and perused a few different clothing boutiques, natural remedy shops, and even a store that specialized in Wicca/Pagan materials until we started getting hungry and headed towards downtown Mystic to grab some food.

Unlike the area on the Mystic River that I’m most familiar with (Chelsea,) downtown Mystic, CT. is charming and full of activity. While we were stopped in traffic, both Stef and I couldn’t help but comment in disbelief at how cute it all was. I’d like to go back before the Summer is over and take a few more photos of the area before it gets blanketed by snow- and check out the farmer’s market I saw advertised on a banner.

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It took a little searching, and more than one missed turn, but Stef and I eventually found a spot she’d located on her phone and thought we should try for dinner on Sunday night: Captain Daniel Packer Inne, which as you can probably guess- is an old inn turned restaurant/pub. Besides the really cool interior, the place also had some of the best food I’ve ever tasted- including but not limited to the salted caramel gelato I dove into when I was done chowing down on dinner. So, so good.

The entire afternoon/evening was such a nice time- such a wonderful way to end the weekend (and technically begin the week.)

“If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air…”

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One thing that I’ve learned over the years is that when it comes to going away for a day/weekend- it’s best not to get dragged down with planning every minor detail of your day(s.) During the work week, I depend on plans. I plan what to eat, I plan what to wear, I plan appointments for clients and I plan what files and what paperwork to focus on for a (pre-planned) amount of time. I have been told by many people- friends, family, and colleagues- that I am both the most organized and most meticulous person they know.

So when it comes to my days off and/or vacations, I like to loosen the grip I have on my schedule and just let the chips fall where they may, so to speak. I tend to make one solid plan- like heading to a specific location, seeing a specific attraction, or visiting a specific shop or restaurant- and let the rest of my day(s) and experiences happen from there. It makes it easier to unwind and enjoy myself.

I consider myself blessed to have a tight-knit circle of friends and acquaintances who share a similar view on plans and weekend getaways, too- so when a group of my girlfriends asked me to come along for a spontaneous day at Cape Cod this past weekend, I didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation- because I knew I’d have an incredible time.

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The one solid plan for this particular adventure was to bring our friend Alyssa to a family function at her parents’ vacation home just outside Hyannis. The drive there, although long, was also insanely fun thanks in part to our playlist and the fact that Alyssa brought a bunch of snacks for those of us who were crammed in the backseat of the car. We arrived late in the afternoon, and once Alyssa reached her family’s house- the four of us that were left hit the town with no real destination in mind.

I haven’t been to Hyannis since I was a kid, and even then- my time there was limited to the hotel where my dance studio was staying for a regional competition. I didn’t see the beach and I certainly didn’t see the cute main street lined with bars, restaurants, museums, and stores. That street is where we ended up first this past weekend, grabbing some really good food at Fresh Ketch and sitting outside to people watch before we did a little shopping and ultimately decided to hit the beach as the sun was setting.

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The sand wasn’t scorching by the time we arrived but the water was so warm. I was glad I had decided to wear a lightweight cotton (and tie-dye!) dress since it made wading into the waves a lot easier. The group of us stayed there for a couple of hours, alternating between going in the water and lounging on a blanket to watch the sunset as well as a few different groups who had also come down to the beach set off the last of their stockpiled Fourth of July fireworks.

When Alyssa eventually called us to come meet her for more fireworks- this time viewed from the roof of a nearby yacht club with her family- we gathered up our things and jumped in the car to go. We managed to catch the tail-end of the show, which was still impressive nonetheless- before we went back to her family’s house for cake and goodbyes and then started the long journey home.

It was such a beautiful, perfect, hassle-free day. The scenery was gorgeous, the company was, of course- fantastic- and almost none of it was planned in advance. We just went with it- and it all worked out in our favor.

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Tales From Old Orchard Beach…

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In the Summer before my junior year of high school, I traveled to Maine with my best friend at the time, Kristi, and her mother and step-father for a week long vacation in Old Orchard Beach. It was the first and only time I’d ever been, and it was one of the most memorable vacations I’d ever gone on. Be it because of OOB’s classically cool, old-fashioned pier and boardwalk where we spent most of our time, their amusement park (which includes some pretty outdated rides that don’t feel all that safe but are still a thrill nonetheless,) or the fact that Kristi and I were both mending our broken teen-aged hearts at the time of our trip (and nothing is more devastating or overly dramatic than a broken teen-aged heart.) Whatever the reason, or maybe a combination of all of them- I always look back on that week, and that entire Summer, fondly.

This past weekend, a little more than twelve years later and with a considerably less broken heart, I decided to head back to Old Orchard Beach for a day. Although Kristi, at home with her son (but very much with me in spirit,) was absent- my best friend Sean came with me to enjoy the slightly modified but still very cool pier, and hop on nearly all of the still rickety carnival rides until we thought we were going to throw up our order of boardwalk french fries.

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OOB also has a pretty big arcade, and much like the Summer of 2002, I spent a good amount of time (and quarters) perfecting my skee-ball skills and re-visiting The Simpsons pinball game- which I hadn’t seen in ages. I used to play it ALL THE TIME at Hampton Beach when I was a kid, and then it just disappeared one Summer, never to be seen again until this past weekend. I was so entranced by playing it that Sean ended up snapping a few photos of me, lost in concentration.

When we ran out of quarters, Sean and I combined our measly ticket total and cashed them in for the grand prize of a plastic top, two erasers, and a bouncy ball which undeniably made us the envy of everyone in the arcade:

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Of course, you can’t end a day at the beach without heading down to the actual ocean and without grabbing some homemade ice cream. As the afternoon was coming to an end, I kicked off my flats and sprinted down to the surf by the pier to attempt to re-create a photo that exists somewhere in the abyss that is my old photo albums, of me, posed with a gigantic grin- with the surf and boardwalk behind me. My hair is a lot more red in this most recent photo, and I’m missing my old glasses and sequin-covered tube top- but my expression of sheer giddiness is still very much present.

After I rinsed the sand off of my feet, it was a quick walk back into town to stuff myself with peanut butter cup ice cream while sitting outside a cute little general store/cafe- and then from there- back to the car to head home to Boston as the sun was setting.

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If you live in the area and/or don’t mind a bit of a drive, then I highly recommend visiting Old Orchard Beach. It’s a lot less crowded than some of the other popular New England beach destinations in the Summer, there’s more to do, the beach is clean, parking is convenient and cheap (everything is surprisingly inexpensive, really,) and there’s a lot of cute motels and inns in the area that are within walking distance to the boardwalk and pier. I fell in love with this place twelve years ago and have been kicking myself for not going back sooner- but I’m sure glad I did this past weekend- and I’d like to go again before the Summer is over.

A Sample of Summer…

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It’s been chilly and rainy outside for most of today, so to keep myself occupied (as well as warm and dry,) I’ve been going through some of my photos from this past Memorial Day weekend. The photos above were taken off of a sleepy, winding road in Rhode Island on Saturday. The house, which had caught my eye early last year when I drove by it after photographing another abandoned location- has been left to be claimed by the elements and the plants growing around and into it. The small barn/garage next to it, which had been standing the last time I’d seen it- has since buckled and somewhat caved in- presumably under the weight of all that snow we had this past Winter.

What I hadn’t noticed my last time in the area, however- was the old, abandoned bus-like vehicle tucked away in the woods across from the house- hidden behind some tall grass and trees. That was a pleasant surprise.

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On Memorial Day, I layered my most patriotic (and adorable) crop-top and headed up to Hampton Beach to kick off the 2014 Summer season with an afternoon by the sea. The actual boardwalk was a mob scene, with bumper to bumper traffic and pedestrians everywhere- so I headed North along the coast and found a nice little spot a few miles away where I could park my car, climb over the rocks, and have a peaceful and spectacular view of the water.

I know it feels like Spring only just got here not that long ago, but I’m already excited for Summer. I’m a total beach bunny at heart- and this past weekend was enough of a tease for me to want to go back and just dive right into the ocean instead of sitting on the rocks above it!

Spring Forward.

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You may not be able to tell from the photos above, since the flowers and trees have not quite bloomed yet, but this weekend’s weather was nothing short of heavenly. Sunny, clear, and the perfect temperature- not too warm- but not too cold. If it could stay like this year-round, it’d be ideal.

I had gone to a casting call in South Boston yesterday afternoon, where I soaked up the sunshine and met some really, really nice people while waiting for my turn to go inside to meet with the casting company. I also had dinner plans much later on with my Canadian friend, Frank, who was in town for PAX East- so in between the two obligations, with no errands left to run- I had a few hours to kill.

I may have already said this in the past at some point, but one of my favorite things to do in Boston (weather permitting, of course,) is wander aimlessly on foot. I know it sounds strange, since there are 1,001+ things I could do instead- but with all the time I spend driving, or riding the T, going from place to place, appointment to commitment and back again- it’s nice to not have any set destination and to just roam freely. Boston is a beautiful city, and I find myself falling in love with it all over again whenever I go for long walks and take it all in at my own pace.

I spent a good portion of my evening people-watching in the Common, iced green tea-lemonade in hand, and snapping photos of Beacon Hill at sunset before I met up with Frank and the two of us headed to Assaggio in the North End (one of my favorite places!) for a delicious meal.

I can’t wait for the flowers to begin showing themselves around here. We have the beautiful weather. Now we just need the beautiful colors, too.

xx

A Haunting in Connecticut…

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It’s no surprise that I find beauty in abandoned, decaying buildings. They’re what I typically photograph the most. When I stumble upon the most beautiful of forgotten structures, however- my appreciation is matched only by my sorrow that such a fine piece of architecture has been left to rot from the elements.

Such was the case yesterday while I was going for an aimless Sunday drive after running some errands. I somehow ended up in Thompson, Connecticut- where I found the above-pictured house near what I believe was the center of town. The empty and dilapidated building, which a little bit of research has taught me was formerly The Mason House (built in 1845,) is apparently up for demolition due to long-term neglect, which is a shame- considering how much potential it could have with the proper amount of attention and renovations.

I admired (see: fell in love with) The Mason House from the road, just beyond it’s broken and peeling white front gate- and would love to go back to take more photos when the last of the snow has melted. It’s a stunning building. It’s another one of those “I would love to turn this into an old fashioned and cozy inn/bed & breakfast” type of places.

Escape to the Coast.

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Good afternoon! I’m home from work early today as a result of- you guessed it- another snowstorm passing through the area and making a mess of the roads. I’m waiting for this latest assault on Massachusetts to pass over, or die down just a little bit, before I head back outside to attempt to shovel what’s been accumulating since mid-morning.

Yesterday, in another bout of cabin fever, I headed up to Hampton, New Hampshire for the afternoon. I anticipated it being a lot colder since ocean + heading North and all- but I’d always been under the impression that the coast never got hit with quite as much snow as those of us inland did (I’m pretty sure I heard someone say that to me once a while back and it just stuck with me as one of those “yeah, that sounds legitimate enough” kind of facts.)

Unfortunately, my attempt to escape the mounds and mounds of snow didn’t work. Hampton was a slushy, icy mess. I usually love walking around the boardwalk in the off-season since the place resembles a post-apocalyptic ghost town and it’s eerily peaceful, but it was difficult to relax since I was so pre-occupied with watching my footing on the frozen over areas outside the closed up shops and arcades.

Above are some of the photos I managed to snap before it got too cold for me to be outdoors any longer, and I sought refuge back in my car with my hot coffee and the heat cranked up as high as it would go.

xx

“Lizzie Borden Took an Ax…”

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The spot where Andrew Borden was murdered.

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And the spot where Abby Borden was murdered, complete with crime scene photos on the wall and dresser.

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Punxsutawney Phil was spot-on with his February 2nd prediction of six more weeks of winter. Since Groundhog Day, we’ve been slammed with snowstorm after snowstorm, resulting in dangerous driving conditions and plenty of muscle pain from shoveling so much. New England has been hit with so much snow recently that we’re running out of places to pile it up. As I type this, there is a snow bank next to my car that comes up to the middle of my passenger’s side window because there is simply no where else to throw it.

And although unexpected days off from work can be fun every once in a great while- there is only so much Netflix a person can watch before they begin to go a little stir crazy.

Yesterday, the cabin fever was too much for me to bear, and I braved another incoming snowstorm to go for a drive while the roads were clearer than they have been in days, and just do something for an afternoon that didn’t involve marathoning TV shows for hours on end. I ended up in Fall River, and, more specifically- the Lizzie Borden house- where Abby and Andrew Borden met their demise via a hatchet to their heads in 1892. The house, which now serves as a fully-functioning bed & breakfast, also gives hourly tours. I couldn’t resist, and took said tour of the home with another small group of people in the area who I assume were also combating cabin fever.

Our tour guide was friendly, funny, and informative- and let us linger in the rooms to examine photographs and snap pictures of our own- and the house itself was beautiful and cozy. If you can overlook the fact that two gruesome, violent unsolved murders took place there, and the rumors of it being haunted- then it’d be a lovely place to spend a weekend (I’m actually looking into it since I ain’t afraid of no ghosts…)

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When the tour was over, it was doing more than just flurrying outside- but I wasn’t done. I headed down the street from the Borden house to Oak Grove Cemetery to see the Borden Family burial site. Thankfully, a family that had been in my tour group also had the same idea, which made locating the plot a little easier since the cemetery is huge. Lizzie was right alongside Andrew, Abby, and her sister Emma’s graves, but hers was the only one that had flowers placed near it (and what looked like a piece of candy.)

When I was done taking pictures, and apologizing out loud to the inhabitants of the graves I was tromping and slipping over to get back to my car, I headed home- which took me 2 1/2 hours longer than it should have because of the severity of this most recent snow/ice storm. Overall, though- it was an interesting afternoon. If you’re ever in Fall River, I highly recommend checking the Borden house out. The tour isn’t expensive and it’s a unique (if not slightly morbid,) way to spend an hour.

I didn’t leave empty handed, either. There’s a tiny gift shop in a converted barn out behind the house, and ever a fan of unique jewelry, I picked up one of these Lizzie Borden cameo necklaces- complete with a hatchet trinket by the clasp- that I’ll undoubtedly wear around Halloween.

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Sunset in Deerfield…

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Last Sunday, on one of my usual drives through Western Massachusetts to unwind, I stopped in Historical Deerfield as the sun was setting and went for a nice, brisk walk around the main street of old colonial houses before it got too dark, and too cold outside. The museums and most of the shops were closed, and with the exception of a couple of patrons going into a nearby restaurant- I was one of the only people out and about. It was really peaceful, and very, very pretty.

These were a few of my favorite shots from some of the buildings that caught my eye.

Growing up, I had used to want to live in a centuries old home like the ones in Historical Deerfield, until I visited a few on various class trips and heard how creaky the walls and floors were, or felt first-hand how drafty they could be in the colder months. Now I’m just a fond observer, admiring their exteriors- which look especially pretty during winter.