Photos by Cheryl Landes Lakewold Gardens in University Place, south of Tacoma, is a horticulturist's haven. A historic estate, the name of the gardens originate from a Middle Eastern term meaning lakewoods. The estate overlooks a lake and is a beautiful place to wander rain or shine. Unlike many gardens in the Pacific Northwest, Lakewold … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Lakewold Gardens
Shemekia Copeland sings at the 2019 Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon. Photos by Cheryl Landes So many festivals are cancelling or postponing this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. I'm now seeing cancellations through July. The Waterfront Blues Festival was among the first July events to cancel this year. Organizers announced the move shortly … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland
Image credits: Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro Before the coronavirus pandemic caused everyone to shelter in place, the Vermont Jazz Center was planning the fourth annual Solo Jazz Piano Festival in Brattleboro. Instead of cancelling the event this year, they decided to move it online. On Friday and Saturday, April 24-25, join well-known and rising … Continue reading Stream Vermont Jazz Center’s 4th Annual Solo Jazz Piano Festival April 24-25
Street musicians perform on Bourbon Street in New Orleans (photo by Cheryl Landes) The show must go on despite the COVID-19 pandemic! International Jazz Day swings into a location near you on Thursday, April 30. Many of the concerts and celebrations are moving online. Go to jazzday.com/events for the latest schedule and updates listed alphabetically … Continue reading International Jazz Day arriving April 30
Photos by Cheryl Landes Hendricks Park, Eugene's oldest park, is a beautiful retreat at the northern end of the 12-mile Ridgeline Trail near the heart of the city and the University of Oregon campus. This 80-acre forest of Douglas fir trees contains world-renowned rhodendron and native plant gardens. Trails wind through the gardens, attracting walkers … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden in Eugene
Photos by Cheryl Landes Art is everywhere and can be created anywhere. Take the beach. The sand is like one giant canvas waiting for someone to create. It could be a human drawing an image, someone writing a message, or a dog making a trail or other patterns with her paws as she runs and … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Circles in the Sand
Photos by Cheryl Landes Mingus Park is a beautiful escape in downtown Coos Bay, Oregon. A 0.6-mile footpath winds around the lake in the park's center and meanders through the Choshi Garden on the west side. In the spring, rhododendrons bloom in an arboretum on the northwest corner of the park, and two playgrounds keep … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A stroll on the Mingus Park footpath
Photos by Cheryl Landes I never tire of walks through Shore Acres State Park four miles south of Charleston on the Oregon Coast. The beautiful botanical garden, ocean views, and sunsets are a treat any time of year. There's always something different to see. The park is the historic estate of North Bend timber baron … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Spring at Shore Acres State Park
A pancake shaped like a ram's head at the Davenport Maple Farm Restaurant in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts Photos by Cheryl Landes Vermont is the best known for maple syrup production in the U.S., but it isn't the only state in New England in the industry. In fact, every state in the region has maple farms. … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Maple sugar farm restaurants in Massachusetts
Photo and coloring by Cheryl Landes Traditional Easter egg hunts are cancelled nationwide this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Iowa Egg Council created a virtual version. Here's how it works: Download this Easter egg. Print out the egg. Color the egg. Place the egg in a window for everyone to see. Also … Continue reading Go on a virtual Easter egg hunt
Tabby Cat's Pawprints 