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

Photos by Cheryl Landes In mid- to late April and sometimes early May, dainty blue and white flowers with yellow stamens bloom at Lacamas Regional Park in Camas, Washington. These tiny flowers are called Camas lilies, the town's namesake. The lilies are scattered throughout the park, but the biggest concentration is in a field at … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The Camas lilies of Lacamas Regional Park

Photos by Cheryl Landes Bulb planter outside the Channel Lodge Hotel in La Conner, Washington In March and April, Washington State's Skagit Valley springs alive with bright colors. The daffodils arrive first, quickly followed by acres of tulips. Throughout April, towns in the valley celebrate the season with the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Some farms … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Skagit Valley Tulips

Photos by Cheryl Landes Oregon's Hood River Valley is among the Pacific Northwest's largest fruit producers. It's best known for cherries and pears, but some farms also grow apples, nectarines, and peaches. A great way to see the farms is to take a drive on the 35-mile Fruit Loop. It's a beautiful drive any time … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Hood River Fruit Loop

Photos by Cheryl Landes When the fruit trees are in bloom every April in the Hood River Valley, the Mount Hood Railroad hosts scenic train tours through the valley. The 17-mile round-trip tour on the century-old, short-line railroad crosses forests and passes orchards and vineyards with snow-capped Mount Hood in the background. The trip departs … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The Fruit Blossom Special on the Mount Hood Railroad

Photos by Cheryl Landes In April, when the tulips bloom at the Holland America Flower Gardens in Woodland, Washington, the fields are a carpet of bright colors. The flowers are in plain sight from the road. When the gardens are open, park and walk through designated fields and take pictures. It's a nice place to … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Holland America Flower Gardens in Woodland

Photos by Cheryl Landes From mid-March until early April at the University of Washington Quad in Seattle, pink and white blossoms burst from 29 Somei Yoshino (Yoshino cherry) trees. From a distance, the blooming trees look like rows of giant fans waving at the many visitors and photographers admiring their beauty. It's also a popular … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A cherry blossom walk at the University of Washington

Photos by Cheryl Landes Every year from late March through early April, 100 Akebono cherry trees bloom at the Japanese American Historical Plaza in Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland. A group from the Japanese Grain Importers Association gave the trees to the city in 1990. This is one of my favorite local walks … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A cherry blossom walk at Portland’s Waterfront Park