Inspiration Everywhere: Walking Boston

Today, I’m excited to have a guest post from my dear friend and critique partner, Carole Lehr Johnson. We’ve had many adventures together in and out of our writing journey. She loves traveling, photography and anything to do with the U.K. including, of course, tea and scones, castles and gardens, and Mr. Darcy. :)
Please welcome, Carole, to ICFW as she shares about her inspiring walking tour of Boston, Massachusetts.

While visiting my Boston University student son several years ago, I decided to take a local tour. My hotel room had a recent issue of Where Magazine, which listed a tour company called Photo Walks (http://www.photowalks.com/).

Courtyard fountain at Boston Public Library

The owner, Saba Alhadi, was delightful. It turned out to be a slow day for her, so I was her only client. She gave me a personal tour of the Back Bay and photo lessons on how to take the best shots of the sights.

Statue at Boston Public Gardens

It was such a wonderful and inspiring tour, I booked the Beacon Hill tour for the following day. This time there were three of us touring together with Saba. We had an interesting and informative tour with photo lessons. We strolled through the cobbled streets, snapping pictures of the gorgeous architecture and amazing gardens of Boston.

Look closely to see Saba and me.

Saba is a patient, kind tour guide and gifted photographer. Next time I am in Boston, I will definitely book one of her tours.

Flowers at Boston Public Gardens

Love these historic homes

Boston Public Library

Boston, Massachusetts is such an amazing city with history that will engulf you--that is if you like to learn about the beginnings of our country. I am shocked at how little some of us actually know about where we came from. Especially regarding the religious freedom of our nation, which is unfortunately rapidly slipping through our fingers and from our thoughts. 

Reflection of Architecture during Photo Tour

Historic Architecture meets Modern.

Puritans came from England in the 1630's and began the city of Boston. It grew rapidly and became the center of New England on many levels--financial, political, educational, and religious.

Reflection of Architecture during Photo Tour

Walking through the oldest parts of Boston, taking pictures of what was, will take you back to a time when faith was such a huge part of us as a people.

If you get the opportunity, soak in the history of where ever you happen to visit--connect with the past of our ancestors. I like to think what they began is calling out to us to stay the course of why they came here and what they were trying to achieve. To make us free to worship. And to write too.

“My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.” – Psalm 17:5

Was there something in particular like my walking tour that you've found inspiring recently? I'd love to hear about it. Thank you for allowing me to be your guest!

Carole LehrJohnson

Carole Lehr Johnson lives in rural north Louisiana with her husband and their anti-social cat, Oliver. She’s a veteran travel agent of 30 plus years, now with her own home-based agency. Her only son lives in San Francisco, CA and works for a marketing firm. 

Her interests include writing, gardening, reading, photography, sewing, painting and working with her church’s local homeless ministry. She thanks her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing her with her interests, ministries and wonderful family and friends. 

Carole is published in the women’s anthology, “Becoming Women of Worth: Stores of Trauma & Triumph (Volume 2),” (http://becomingawomanofworth.com) and International Traveller Magazine and is the author of a children's book. She's also in the final stages of revision on her first novel. For more about Carole, visit her website or connect with her on Facebook or Pinterest.