You can never have enough joy, and travel has given me that and more. Small towns and villages and even large cities scattered through North America are as wonderfully magical as those anywhere on earth. Whether with friends or with travel groups, it’s been amazing to have experienced the loveliness firsthand.
1975 – Balboa, California
One of California’s prettiest little towns is Balboa, where the sunshine never seems to end and every little street is strewn with flower-filled hanging baskets. Small boutiques and restaurants line the cobblestones, which lead to the edge of a scenic harbor.
2016 – Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains is the small (three blocks) mountain town of Blowing Rock. This delightful town of small shops and cobblestone paths, restaurants and pubs – whether seen in the dappled sun, shade or twilight -is a haven of peace and tranquility.
2021 – 2023 – Boston, Massachusetts
Everyone knows about Boston – it’s not a small town, but I love it; it has so many delightful streets dotted with churches, museums, restaurants and fascinating architecture. We found La Voile on this enchanting street, and loved sitting outside, drinking in the beauty.
And it’s such fun visiting Cheers!
2002 – Camden, Maine
We began our Maine hike in Camden, which is a wonderful place. The quintessential New England town, its narrow streets, delightful shops, galleries, inns and houses are very akin to those on Martha’s Vineyard, another favorite getaway. It’s situated on the Atlantic coast, at the base of the mountains, so you can sit on the dock of the bay and look out to the sailboats gliding gently across the deep blue waters. The village green, designed by Frederick Law Olsted, Jr., one of America’s most prominent landscape architects, is a simple green swathe of lawn, trees, gardens and shrubs…just a beautiful place to sit and let your mind drift.
2012 and 1975 – Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel is beautiful when it’s lit by the sun, and mysterious and magical when it’s foggy and quiet. Its beaches are dotted with windswept cedars bowing to the waves, and once we ate at Clint Eastwood’s Hogs Breath Inn, which I think is now gone.
2021 – Chilmark and Menemsha, Martha’s Vineyard
Chilmark and Menemsha are two tiny fishing villages, with small gray clapboard houses. “Jaws” was filmed at Menemsha, and just across the inlet, the remains of the “Orca” can be seen on the tiny beach.
2018 – Couer d’Alene, Idaho
Coeur d’Alene is a lovely name for a beautiful town. We hiked one of its trails, not terrifically difficult but nonetheless uphill and rocky…it circled Lake Coeur d’Alene with misty views of far-off mountains, fir and pine forests, and beautiful blue clear water. The trail itself for the most part was paved in pine needles, so soft underfoot. The sun shone through the pines, and the scented air smelled of pine resin. We had dinner at a floating restaurant bathed in the sunset…the beauty of the view was enchanting.
2016 – The Dalles, Oregon
I called The Dalles the “back-of-beyond” – which I absolutely loved. Somewhere further from New York or even Houston is hard to imagine. ..so you feel very relaxed and isolated – all in all, not a bad way to feel on vacation. The Baldwin Saloon is an old restaurant with the aura of time-gone-by – delicious food – terrific waiters. Fabulous dinner: Halibut Parmesan, preceded by oysters on the halfshell… It was a two-beer night, so a good time was had by all!
2004 – Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
How lovely Edgartown is, like something from a wonderful picture book. We stayed at The Charlotte Inn, a step back in time.
The houses are pristine, painted white-white, and flowers bloom everywhere: the biggest rhododendrons in scarlets, pinks and white, lilies of the valley hedging a white picket fence, hawthorn, lilacs and wisteria, buttercups and daisies. The beaches are not far away, and neither is the On Time Ferry for Chappaquiddick. Seated on the balcony of The Sand Bar restaurant when the air is bell-clear, a fresh breeze blows and the sky a brilliant blue is one of life’s pure delights.
2016 – Mukilteo, Washington State
The little town of Mukilteo, located a short distance from Seattle, is absolutely charming. The landscape is hilly, the flowers bloom recklessly – roses, daisies, pansies, phlox, hollyhox, snapdragons, hydrangeas – and it overlooks the blue blue blue of Puget Sound. The wooded hills are sewn with redcedar, firs, hemlocks and undergrowth, with salmon streams running through the underbrush.. The architecture throughout is very varied, from small cottages on up to larger stately homes, with green and colorful landscapes.
2005– New York, New York
I love New York! I need say no more.
2004 – Panguitch, Utah
The little town of Panguitch (meaning “water” -pop. 2000) is host to Bob’s Cowboy Diner, where we were serenaded through lunch by two cowboys singing “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” “Call the Wind Mariah,” “Cool Water,” and “Ghostriders in the Sky.” Fantastic! I feel as if I’ve wandered way back in time into the Old West – and I don’t want to return to the present!
1975 – Sausalito, California
Sausalito – a sunny little town on the edge of the water, filled with boutiques, art galleries, hippies, cafes and the sea endlessly lapping at the town’s edge. A mime was taking a break in a sheltered corner, and he seemed to embody the spirit of this quintessentially California town. I heard “California Dreamin’” on the radio somewhere.
2016 – Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a completely delightful New England skiing town at the base of Mt. Mansfield (and which also leads to the Von Trapp Family Inn some miles up the road.) In the autumn, Stowe is enchanting. We loved sitting outside amidst the glorious trees, all orange, red and gold…watching the world go by.
2019 – Taos, New Mexico
Taos, a historic small New Mexican town known for its skiing in winter, is close to the magnificent Rio Grande Gorge (where we walked across its bridge in bitter weather.) Tiny shops, restaurants, inns and art galleries are dotted throughout the tiny town, and its views take your breath away.
On the way into Taos, we found this wonderful tiny Black Mesa Winery, tucked beneath the mountains.
1985 – Wellesley, Connecticut
Three hundred and fifty years ago, Wellesley was actually called “Contentment” as the area in which it began was so beautiful. Wellesley College, a private liberal arts college for women and a member of the Seven Sisters Colleges, is here. The town is green to its heart, with woodlands, gardens and parks everywhere you look.
2016 – Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada
We arrived in Victoria towards the end of the day as dusk began to settle, a perfect time for a first view of this beguiling town. We strolled around the harbor and watched a mime performing in the twilight (I’m entranced by mimes) and the lights coming on at the Governor’s Mansion. A highlight the following day was High Tea at the historically grand old Empress Hotel.
A toast to the wonders of travel…it’s lovely to know the world is still full of enchantment!
Carpe diem 