I used to travel quite a bit, especially when I was coaching for a company that produced national tours of Broadway musicals. I would find myself in a new city for 3 or 4 days at a time, often without a car. No problem. I love walking around a new place, getting to know it, discovering hidden beauties, gardens, interesting architecture, parks, historic sites. I’ve been walking around Hartford lately. Though it’s a city in which I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the last two years, I have much to explore. Here are some photos from my walking tours during the past few days.

1. Presbyterian Church 2. Gardens at the Butler-McCook Homestead 3. Apartments at The Linden (love these balconies) 4. Butler-McCook House, built in 1791, gorgeous 5. Flowers at The Linden 6. Brownstones 7. Butler-McCook House 8. Flowers in the Butler-McCook gardens

1. Imposing door 2. Ornate grillwork at The Linden 3. Flowers at The Linden 4. Beautiful walkway and park

I fell in love with those apartment balconies, very reminiscent of New Orleans. And those brownstones speak to me, as do the flowers, the architecture, and all the little discoveries that awaited me during my walks. It’s such fun. Exercise and new-to-me places – that’s a good combination. I topped it all off yesterday by taking a book to the park. I plopped myself down on a bench and read for a couple of hours. It was too nice a day to stay indoors for long.

Oh, and I also walked by the library where two guys who sang and played the blues were giving a lunchtime concert! An unexpected delight. Of course, the interior of the library soon called to me and I checked out 3 books. I’m only here for 9 more days. What the heck am I thinking?

I can’t help it. Like a magnetic force, a library calls to me. Books, books and more books. Amen.

Happy Thursday.