Thanksgiving dinner has always been my favorite holiday meal to prepare. I enjoy trying new recipes and making changes to traditional favorites to add a new twist. Sharing the meal with friends and family is the best part; the more the merrier. So it was hard not to get sad and discouraged as it became…
Author: Travels Through My Lens
I love to travel, take photos and discover new places, and to share my photos and stories with others.
Whidbey Island, WA
Whidbey Island, located in Puget Sound about 30 miles north of Seattle is the largest island in Washington State. It was named for Joseph Whidbey, one of the explorers on Captain George Vancouver’s team who, along with Peter Puget, mapped the island in the late 1700s. It is home to several state parks, including my…
Crichton Castle, Scotland
Located in Midlothian, on a bluff overlooking the River Tyne are the ruins of Crichton Castle. Built in the 1300s, it was originally the home of, as the name implies, the Crichtons, but over the years passed through the hands of various families including James Hepburn, the third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. It…
Lyon, France
Lyon, known as France’s second city, is located in the central-eastern part of the country, at the confluence of the Saone and Rhone rivers. Also known as the gastronomic center of France, it has well over a dozen Michelin rated restaurants. Wandering through the tree-lined streets, visiting the stunning cathedrals, sitting in an outdoor cafe…
San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy
San Gimignano is a walled village in Tuscany that is famous for its medieval architecture and tower houses, which are stunningly evident in the skyline. It was three years ago this week when we visited this beautiful village and we were instantly charmed by its unique character and warmth. There are many things to do…
Something a Little Different
I love taking photos of signs where the meaning has been lost in translation, and just about any other sign that I find amusing. Translating from one language to another is very difficult, so I am certainly not poking fun at any one culture or translator. Rather I just want to share a few photos…
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Like many people, autumn is my favorite time of year, not only for the cooler weather and the spectacular colors, but because it represents a new beginning. And who can resist stepping on crunchy leaves?! I love this quote from one of my favorite books, Where the Crawdads Sing: “Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly….
Lake Quinault, WA
Lake Quinault located in the southern part of the Olympic National Park in northwestern Washington State makes for a peaceful and relaxing get away almost anytime of year. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, the current lodge was built in the 1920s by the same architect who built Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park. It…
L’Espoir du Hibou, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is a huge city with a wide variety of restaurants and street vendors selling all sorts of regional delicacies, and when we visited last year, we enjoyed many of the traditional dishes while dining out. One highlight in particular was an evening spent with our niece and her family (who live in Seoul) at…
