On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
ljt
WaterGirl asked for some soothing photos as we prepare and persevere through election and beyond.
This is a random collection of photos I’ve come back to time and again, each of which brings me joy.
I hope they bring you a moment or two of calm. Presented in no particular order, except to start with sunrise and end with a solstice moon.
If I had the energy and inclination to get up before dawn, I could see the sunrise over the beach every day. This is one of the prettiest I’ve been there for. I love the way the light catches the clouds above.
This was taken on a stretch of shore separated from Edisto Beach by an inlet that can be waded across only at low tide. This pier was visible for a few months but is now covered completely by sand. I wonder who built it and when, and how often it has been revealed and buried again. It amazes me how much the beach varies, not just with daily tides, but with accretion or erosion after each major storm.
Took this while sitting on the beach. I love the fuzzy haziness, especially the chimney. I think the house looks more like a painting than a photo.
This was taken at sunset, on the sound-side of Edisto. I thought the clouds looked like waves, and I loved the silhouette of the palmetto against the sky.
I loved the Paris After Dark series, and I hope we can add a series on Rome in the future. My daughter spent a semester there in 2011, and we were fortunate to be able to visit for a week (which was nowhere near enough time). I wish I could tell you what this building is–just one of many fascinating sites we encountered walking around the city. This has been the background image on my iPad for 9 years, and I never tire of seeing it. I don’t know why exactly, but I just love this photo.
All of the restaurants in Rome set out welcoming displays in their doorways every day. This was one of the simplest, but I found it oddly appealing.
We celebrated my 50th and my Dad’s 72nd birthdays with dinner at the Sunset Terrace restaurant at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. This was our view.
Cody (left) and Lucy (right), engaged in what I called ‘synchronized dog.’ We lost Cody shortly after this was taken, but while he was with us Lucy stuck to him like glue and would mimic his every position. He mostly tolerated her. As I know all jackals appreciate, I miss him every day.
This was taken on a stiflingly hot, windless day, on a friend’s boat, on one of the creeks that feed into St. Helena sound. I think this is my all-time favorite of all photos I’ve ever taken (so far).
Taken with an iPhone, so not the best quality. This was a summer solstice full moon, the first in the Northern Hemisphere since 1967 (according to the internets). Wishing you all peace and tranquility.
Mary G
Love them all, and the fuzzy chimney one looks like an Edward Hopper painting.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
/sigh/
I was supposed to go to Rome last month. I was just starting to look at planes and accommodations when all hell broke loose.
/deeper sigh/
Albatrossity
Wonderful images of a great, and underappreciated, part of the world!
Thanks!
JanieM
These really did immediatelly, physically calm me down.
Before I even read that bit, I was going to say it looks a bit like a Jamie Wyeth painting.
These are stunning.
Barbara
Those are lovely. I too like the chimney by the shore.
Lapassionara
Wonderful. We spent a lovely thanksgiving at Edisto once, so I really appreciate these photos. The one of Rome is engaging, for the patterns and the light off the marble.
thank you
JanieM
Also, the artichokes are making me hungry.
Dagaetch
Lovely images. There’s something about simple beach pictures that just always make me slow down and smile.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
my one semester of Italian in college, the text book was called “Carciofo”, artichoke. I don’t know why that has stayed with me. And now I want a steamed artichoke with melted butter for dipping.
Wolvesvalley
Wonderful respite photos. The ninth reminds me of the closing lines of W. H. Auden’s “On This Island” —
And the full view
Indeed may enter
And move in memory as now these clouds do,
That pass the harbour mirror
And all the summer through the water saunter.
WaterGirl
These are so very lovely. I really could feel my breathing start to slow by the time I got to the second picture.
I love so many of these, with the first two and the last four all being my favorite. :-)
eclare
Lovely photos
KSinMA
It’s heartening to know that other people besides me spend their time gazing at clouds.
Beautiful photos. Thanks!
susanna
Everyone has used up all the descriptions that came to mind as I viewed these photos!
So visually interesting and captivating. Loved them all.
J R in WV
Great restful photos! wonderful scenes well interpreted.
Thanks for sharing!
Palindrome
Beautiful! Thank you so much.
cope
These pictures are all beautiful and the absolutely perfect way for me to start today. Clouds form on waves of air so you’re not wrong there. Interesting that a hot, windless, uncomfortable day (can I assume there were lots of bugs?) can lead to such beauty. Nature’s funny that way.
Thank you for your contribution to our collective well-being.
The Golux
Here’s another vote for a Rome series. Rome was the first city we visited in Europe, and it blew my mind. I still think about it often, even though it was 24 years ago.
Dan B
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: I’ve been to Rome twice. The first time I visited a friend in the UW architecture program at the Pallazzo Pio on the Campo dei Fiori. I had very little money and it was just okay, fascinating in the sense of antiquity was ever present. The second visit was with a friend who spoke fluent Italian and had money. It was great. We stayed in a little hotel at the top of the Spanish Steps and gossiping with the locals. There are many delights in Italia: Verona, L’Aquila, Umbria, and more.
way2blue
As a ‘west coaster’ it’s so fun to see a sunrise over water, rather than a sunset.