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Lens-Artists Challenge #345 – My Go-To Places

The Red River at Orchard Glen Park.

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space
-Carole King / Gerry Goffin (Lyrics)

Recently, I heard one of my favorite songs by the Drifters. The song Up On the Roof was released by at least three artists: Carole King, James Taylor, and the Drifters mentioned above. The lyrics got me thinking about where I go when the “world starts getting me down.” My favorite places to visit locally are the nearby parks. I can’t pick a favorite local park, but two draw me in when we are home in Fargo, North Dakota, and my camera is a must-have.

The opening photo features a view of the Red River at Orchard Glen in south Fargo. This small park has several views of the Red River and a forest to wander through. I can lose myself in photographing them both.

The Forest at Orchard Glen
The forest in Spring.

When the snow is finally gone and warm Spring days beckon, I like to walk in the forest when the trees are only beginning to show their summer attire. I enjoy walking the trail throughout the summer and waiting for the Fall colors to appear.

Reflections
The Red River at Lindenwood Park.

Lindenwood is a much larger park in Fargo. Despite being much closer, it’s always busy and lacks the solitude of a forest. I always enjoy the river views in Autumn, even though the colors might be beyond their peak, as in this photo.

Granite Falls Trail-1
Skyline Park View.

Since we retired, we have spent most of the winters in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, so the parks differ from Fargo’s. For over a decade, we found our winter selves in Buckeye, just west of Phoenix. Skyline Park was only ten minutes from our house and a favorite hiking location.

Brittlebush and Hedgehog
Springtime in White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

Another favorite spot was the White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddell, about a 20-minute drive from Buckeye. When the rains are plentiful in the Sonoran Desert, the desert becomes a flower garden. It’s easy to forget your worries when there is so much color to capture.

South Mountain Park
South Mountain Park.

Though it’s about an hour’s drive from Buckeye, we enjoyed the hikes on South Mountain. One of our favorite hikes had us walking through a rock tunnel, sliding down sloped rocks, and squeezing between boulders that barely allowed my fat stomach to squeeze through.

Boyce Thompson-1
Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

Since selling our home in Buckeye, we’ve spent our winters traveling and staying in multiple locations nationwide. In early 2024, we almost completely crossed the country from an island off North Carolina to Scottsdale, Arizona. We discovered the Boyce Thompson Arboretum for the first time since spending winters in Arizona.

Sundance Sunset-1
Skyline Park Sunset.

Arizona is known for its colorful sunsets. We spent many evenings in a parking area along the road going to Skyline Park, waiting for the sun to disappear behind the mountains.

If I’m feeling down and don’t have a park to visit, I’ll spend many an hour working on processing photos of the many places we’ve visited over the years. Even though I don’t leave home, I get lost in my editing and can spend more time than I should in front of my computer screen. I’ve shared my Go-To places; now it’s time for you to share where you go or what you do to help lift those spirits when this old world starts getting you down.

I’ve posted these photos on my Flickr site here for those who like pixel-peeping, checking out the metadata, or viewing them as a slide show.

Last week, Anne brought us the “Abandoned” challenge. Next week, Sofia will host. Be sure to follow her here so you don’t miss her post, which will go live next Saturday at noon Eastern time. If you’d like to join in with your own challenge responses, but aren’t sure how to get started, check here.

John Steiner

132 comments

  2. This is a wonderful selection of places and photos John. You are lucky to have so many beautiful places nearby and along your travels. I can relate to finding joy in reviewing photos and I’d like to get out on more adventures.

    Reply

    • There are so many beautiful parks in the country, but it takes time to develop favorites, for sure. Fargo alone features many local parks. Google Maps lists 40 parks, many of them on small parcels that are not conducive to residential or commercial use, especially along the Red River. With all the variety, I still choose from my two favorites when I want to get away.

      Reply

  6. John, all of your go to places look so peaceful and serene. I love that you started with the two parks closest to your home. Sometimes we forget to enjoy what’s close to us. The Arizona desert flowers are beautiful. What a difference from North Dakota!

    Reply

  7. Great theme, great great photos. Excellent. One of my favorite songs, too. “When this old world starts getting me down” we’re gonna need a bigger bunker!!! 😉🤷‍♂️

    Reply

  11. Spectacular images of your go-to places, John. I love that certain songs inspire our photography. The Sonoran desert has so much unexpected beauty, something I’m coming to appreciate the more we visit.

    My Sunday Stills theme is related to Earth Day this week, which publishes on Monday because of Easter. I’m sharing many of my favorite and go-to places. I’ll join you Monday with my link.

    Reply

  13. What a wonderful challenge John. Beautiful descriptive text and wonderful images. You are having us revisit places where we found relaxation, joy and hope. Now I have to concentrate on finding mine! I know I’ll be getting relaxed as I go through my archives.

    Reply

  15. Beautiful places, John. One can get lost with your thoughts them, or just take refuge. I can see why they’re your “go to.”
    And I like that song, the JT is my go to version. Wonderful theme.

    Reply

  21. Wonderful places to visit and photograph at any time of the year.

    You also reveal how wonderful our planet truly is despite the weird weather and conflict within our shores.

    Reply

      • Thank you, John, I’ve just read your kind comment. – Yes, nature provides us with such an abundance of wonderful places, that it was a tough choice for me too to select only a few pictures. In every new destination, there starts another quest for a quiet and peaceful Go-To place, and often it is a park as in your selection, a viewpoint or a spot close to the sea.

  30. John, what a beautiful journey through your go-to places—each one feels like a page from a peaceful storybook. From Fargo forests to Arizona sunsets, your camera clearly has the best seat in the house.
    Love how nature and photos help lift the weight of the world—what a magic!

    Reply

  32. An especially beautiful post John – and what a great idea for the week. Loved all of your uber-peaceful images as well as the idea that we can escape the issues of our every-day world by delving into our own images. Well done!

    Reply

  44. You have some wonderful landscapes close to your home! I can see why these parks would be go-to places for you 🙂

    I had to think about this one! I have a local suburban park I enjoy and often share, and during Covid it was definitely my go-to place, but these days it’s mostly just the walking route to the shops etc! Then I realised I have a travel go-to, so here it is: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-celebrating-the-spirit-of-paris/

    Reply

  48. A lovely challenge, John, and your breathtakingly beautiful photos complete the loveliness. Not difficult to see why these are your go-to places! I would find comfort and strenght there too. Love the desert flowers and the sunset especially.

    Reply

  50. Your photos brought a smile to my face when you got to Arizona. I will miss our meetups, for sure. I’ve never been to some of the places you highlighted, so if I get back, I’m definitely going. The North Dakota pictures are every bit as lovely. Great post, John. I’ll have mine tomorrow. 🙂 xxx to you and Lynn

    Reply

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