Photos by Cheryl Landes The Emerald Necklace is a network of parks in the center of Boston. It's the oldest linear park system in the nation. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed built the necklace from 1878 until 1896. Trails shared by walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters wander through forests, cross stone pedestrian bridges, and … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A walk through a fog sculpture in Boston

Photos by Cheryl Landes I love water lilies. They're delicate, yet strong. They thrive in places other plants wouldn't dare. Some of the lily flowers look like they landed on the edge of a big leaf but somehow stand there without balancing. Others hang out in the middle of a leaf like they're lounging on … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Water lilies in Mingus Park

Photos by Cheryl Landes In late April and early May, the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts, puts on a spectacular show of color. Usually by then, the winter has finally surrendered to spring, and the weather is perfect for a walk through the 17 distinct gardens. The Worcester County Horticultural Society bought the … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts

An orchid in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Photos by Cheryl Landes Longwood Gardens is among my favorite gardens in the United States. The 1,077-acre horticultural garden consists of more than 20 unique gardens, fountains, an outdoor theater, bell tower, and conservatory. The Lenni Lenape tribe lived in this area for thousands … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The Conservatory at Longwood Gardens

Photos by Cheryl Landes Towering ancient sequoia trees. Rugged granite boulders. Scenic valleys and meadows where deer graze. Giant waterfalls. Rivers and creeks with wild rapids and quiet pools. All of these describe Yosemite National Park. Anywhere I've gone in the park, there's another scenic view where perspectives change by season or even with the … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Yosemite National Park in the spring

Photos by Cheryl Landes A visit to the Mission San Juan Capistrano is a journey back into time, more than 240 years ago. It first opened in late October 1775 but was abandoned a week later, when Kumeyaay warriors destroyed Mission San Diego. The soliders and priests at San Juan Capistrano were ordered to return … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Mission San Juan Capistrano

Photos by Cheryl Landes I discovered the Santa Ysabel Asistencia during a trip to see the superbloom in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in 2017. It's an hour's drive northeast of San Diego (53 miles). The original mission was founded nearby on September 20, 1818 as a outpost for the Mission San Diego, when Padre … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Santa Ysabel Asistencia

Photos by Cheryl Landes Joshua Tree National Park, about an hour's drive from Palm Springs, California, spans two deserts: the Mojave and Colorado. It's a stark landscape carved by strong winds and occasional heavy rainfall. Despite its location, the deserts are full of life. Grasses, cactus, yucca, lichen, and other plants thrive, as well as … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Joshua Tree National Park