The colors are really starting to pop here in New England. So I've been making the most of my weekends to head out on road trips to capture some of it to share with you! Can you smell the cool, damp air? The leaves? The grass? The wet earth and the drying trees putting on their bright Autumn coats before the bare branches of Winter arrives?

We've had a lot of rain here in the Northeast, and that's led to a lot of trees prematurely shedding their leaves. But it's led to some really interesting shapes in the trees and the reflections in the water.

Yellow leaves in front of a small pond. I love the shape of a nice Maple leaf.

Just a glimpse of color under a small bridge over Souhegan river.

Perfectly still waters make the most vividly beautiful reflections...

And you know I couldn't resist dipping my toes into the almost icy cold water.

There must be some hard working beavers nearby. There were several pieces of evidence along the lake.

And by now, you all know I'm a sucker for old 1800's barns. So I couldn't resist checking out this old farm! The smaller of the two barns was hidden from my view until I started doing a little exploring. I couldn't resist getting some shots of various parts of this first larger barn.

I love the bright green against the weathered wood. The old hinges, the staggering sized boards used for the door.

There were HUNDREDS of wasps flying in and out of the three holes in the circle at the top.

Walking up the path to see what's beyond this giant old barn. I can just imagine horse drawn carriages lumbering along the dirt path. Stopping at the barn to fill up the wagon for a trip to town. I love it when I stumble apon a place where I can feel the history and smell the life that once was there. When I feel completely engulfed in the past and make up little stories of the families that may have once inhabited the land. When I can imagine the feet of another woman walking the same path I'm on. And imagine yet another woman hundreds of years from now walking in the steps I'd once made. A connection to what was, what is, and what shall be.

I digress... This is the second, smaller outbuilding. Not a barn, but a small one room shack with a wood burning stove in the center. Commonly used as work sheds or smoking houses.

I hope you've enjoyed taking this little adventure into the past with me. I've enjoyed sharing them with you...

And taking a walk through My New England with you...

Fall foliage begins...

It's about that time of year again, where the air is crisper, and somehow smells cleaner than usual. Maybe it's the earthy smell of fallen leaves that makes me crave all of my Fall favorites. It also makes me really want to get out and enjoy nature in its finest attire.

I love the mix of varying greens, reds, oranges and yellows. I look forward to capturing the color as it progresses throughout the months. From a single red leaf on an otherwise green tree, to a forest full of color.

I feel lucky to live with such beauty all around me. Almost like I owe it to nature to capture even a snippet of the glorious scenery it offers me. To share my surroundings with those not lucky enough to have such amazing places so close by.

Have you ever seen such a perfect Autumn day? Pulled over on the side of a winding country road. One of those "Oh honey, stop right now!!" shots too perfect to drive past without snapping a shot of.

Sometimes my adventures lead off the beaten path to the most picturesque old dirt roads. I love when the trees make an archway over the road. The dappled shadows and sunny spots by the barely yellowing tree tops.

Rich, almost burgandy leaves will dress the branches of this maple tree. While bright yellow orange adorns the one next to it.

This little pre-peak foliage adventure wouldn't be complete without a visit to a quintessential New England covered bridge.

I just love covered bridges. They remind me of an era that's not been forgotten, that's being preserved for future generations. If you have any historic or scenic places, I highly suggest you seek them out!!

 Imagine yourself in a simpler place in time. With simple needs, simple joys, simple lives... 

Take a moment to catch your breath. To refill your internal cup. Take just a minute to enjoy right now. To forget about the daily stresses and just let the peaceful bubbling of a brook carry away the stress.

And watch out for turkeys!

Well it's been a little bit since I updated the blog. Had some computer issues and had to wipe and reload windows. But I wanted to share with you some photos I took over the last few weeks! We had some beautiful fog after a rainstorm that made for some really lovely country scenery. Gave everything an eery, hazy hush. I hope you enjoy!

There's something really peaceful about going for a walk in the country on a foggy afternoon. It gives places you've been to dozens of times a completely new appearance.

Reflections on a foggy day... When you go for a walk and come across a great spot to sit and reflect, to think about how far you've come on your own personal journey through life... The obstacles you've overcome, the joys you've experienced, the memories you've made and relationships you've cultivated.... It really reaffirms that you're on the right path for you.

So take a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other. Keep carving your own path....

This really is one of my favorite little spots to hang out at.

Because no matter where you go, you get another amazing perspective!

Sometimes, even when you're walking away.

But let's move on to another little footbridge up the road. The sun is starting to set, and the pinks are popping after the storm!

Another great spot for reflection. Both outwardly and inward! There are a TON of turtles who live here, although I didn't catch any this day. The spectacular sky show was far too captivating for me to look for turtles very long.

It's times like these when I'd like to make jigsaw puzzles!

But it's time to go home, the mosquitos LOVE me... And there's another adventure waiting tomorrow!

Summer roadtrips!

I love Summer in New England. Warm sunny days, the skies full of fluffy clouds, all the flowers and trees. Despite my allergies, I can't get enough of the outdoors in the warmer months. Trips to lakes, rivers, forests and long road trips with scenic drives are always my favorite activities. And of course I always have my camera with me to capture moments and memories made. So let's take a road trip, I call shotgun!

Shades: Check
Cute little Princess Leia buns: Check
So let's call up a couple of friends to join us!

Annnnnnd we're off!

There's nothing better than an adventure with friends. Exploring new places and discovering some beautiful scenery. I learn so much about local history and get some fantastic photos along the way...

Stand in my shoes for a moment. Smell the fresh cut grass and clean mountain air. Take just a moment to enjoy this peaceful afternoon with me.

I can't even express to you how amazingly beautiful New England is to me. I can only hope that I capture it in a way that shows my appreciation of it.

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What excites me about a road trip is all of the surprises along the journey. Like the perfect horse and scenery photo for my daughter who is obsessed with horses.

And giant red headed bulls.

And covered bridges over a rippling river.

We've found ourselves at the summit of Mt. Greylock and it feels like we're on top of the world!

And it looks like it too.

Don't you just want to peek inside the shack to see what's inside?

I hope you've enjoyed our road trip through parts of New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont. And before we head home, let's head to the lake to catch the sunset!

We'll sit on the dock and watch the colors change from orange to pink while we talk and laugh about road trips of the past and of the future. A big thank you to Sean, my road trip partner and the love of my life.  For choosing to take the great journey of life with me. I love you more now, after more than nine years together than I ever imagined possible.

I'm so thankful for all the memories we've made as a family and as a couple. And I'm so excited to see where our journey will take us, and the memories we'll have made in another nine years. Where my children will be in their own journeys, what I'll be doing with my photography.. We've got happily ever after written all over us. I just know it...

And now it's June...

Summer is almost here, seems like we almost didn't have a Spring here in New England this year. It went straight from snow to a couple weeks of rain, and then on to the sunny days of early Summer. I've been pretty busy lately with real life responsibilities but I wanted to share some of my recent captured moments. Forgive me if I don't stick to a theme this time, there will be a little of everything.

Hot and hazy days and thunderstorms make for some interesting shots!

And once the clouds are gone, like all New Hampshire girls.. I head to the lake!

A stop by Taylor Mill in Derry, Nh. yielded some beautiful photos. I'll share more of those another week!

Columbine... I can't resist beautiful blossoms.

Love the textures, and bits of pollen on the bottom petal.

Some sun and shade make for a lovely mood at the gazebo in Stark Park, Manchester, Nh. And you never know what might be blooming!

Come and take a trip with me. On a train, on a plane or a ship out to sea.... Let's take a trip through My New England!