Every park bench has a story to tell and when I see one, I can’t help dreaming up a history; a first date, a stolen kiss perhaps, an argument, tearful goodbyes, old friends laughing, children feeding birds or a couple sharing a picnic. Here are a few benches with stories to tell.
Walking through the University of Washington campus in Seattle, I spotted this great stone bench against a bloom-filled hedge, with a drift of fallen cherry blossom on the ground. What an idyllic spot to cram for finals.
A bench with a view at the Snug Harbor Botanical Gardens on Staten Island, overlooking the Healing Garden; a living memorial to the Staten Islanders lost on 9/11.
Manhattan‘s Battery Park wins my vote for the comfiest and most beautiful benches I’ve found to date. I’ve whiled away many a happy hour here, watching the world go by.
I was stopped in my tracks along the Jersey Shore by this startlingly beautiful wreath and dedication on a bench looking out to sea.
These are my favourite benches in Central Park. There’s something so elegant about their simplicity, and a dusting of snow makes them look even lovelier.
I usually try to find an empty bench I can have all to myself, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. This little guy didn’t even bother wiping the remains of his lunch off his whiskers before getting all up in my personal space.
Now it’s your turn while I take a back seat. If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Benches
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see what you come up with!
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
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I love your first bench 🙂 wanna see mine??
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Great images! Love the row of benches in Central Park. Here is a recent capture: http://picproj2722.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/travel-theme-benches/
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Your benches are very cool,Ailsa. I’d rest on any one of them, any day. 🙂
Here’s my entry. Thanks for hosting.
Not exactly a bench, but seating that definitely tells a story!
http://brokenlightcollective.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/will-you-still-need-me-when-im-64/
Here’s my entry.
http://pictureperfectmemoriesforlife.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/travel-theme-benches/
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The Battery Park bench is my favorite. Here’s my bench from a trip to Russia:
http://margaretsmiscellany.com/2013/04/14/travel-theme-benches-from-the-photo-archives-russia-1989/
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Hi Ailsa! Here’s my entry for this week’s challenge. Thank you! 🙂
http://mylifeafterglow.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/travel-theme-benches/
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thanks for the suggestion! Just posted my pic for this week!
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Great theme again Ailsa, I have taken time to record all the seats in our garden. Here they are…
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I love the photo with the wreath.
Here is my single bench with a few errant occupants.
http://christopheryardin.com/2013/04/15/travel-theme-benches/
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You’ve captured some great benches!
Here are mine – http://wp.me/pRM20-1y3
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Hi Ailsa! Hope you don’t mind but I’ve added a plea in here for Jakesprinter? He seems to have gone missing from the blogosphere, and he’s a good guy. http://restlessjo.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/benches/
Pingback: Travel Theme: Benches | eljaygee
you’ve some gorgeous places on your travels Ailsa –
http://eljaygee.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/travel-theme-benches/
Beautiful images! Love the diversity, and of course, the inclusion of the squirrel. 🙂 Here are mine: http://wp.me/p3b2yv-4k Hope you enjoy them, too!
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I couldn’t resist posting one of my favorite pictures, thanks for the excuse! Love your photos…
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That’s one of the best squirrel photos I’ve seen.
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Great pictures! This is mine: http://ingriddendievel.blogspot.be/2013/04/travel-theme-benches.html
lovely post!!
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Benches. Same but more. Today.
http://wtofly.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/travel-theme-benches-2/
And some very interesting benches here! Ducks love them 🙂
http://wtofly.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/travel-theme-benches-3/
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Pingback: London’s benches, in all their different guises | Travel with Intent
I liked this week’s theme so much I had to have another go: http://travelwithintent.com/2013/04/15/londons-benches-in-all-their-different-guises/
Does a subway bench count? 🙂
http://brokenlightcollective.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/when-did-i-become-the-crazy-one/
Pingback: When a bench is not just a bench… | Chronicles of Illusions
I can understand why those benches with the snow are a favourite Ailsa…but I do love the wee squirrel
Beautiful shots of benches.