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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Beautiful bench pics, Ailsa. Think I must go and try out the benches in Battery Park one day. 🙂
Here’s my contribution to the challenge:
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Cool benches, Ailsa! These are my benches by the beach : )
http://judylesko.com/2013/04/16/travel-theme-benches/
Here are some of benches
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Beautiful benches! Love the first one. Here is mine http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=20438&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
Hopefully, this link will work?
http://shareandconnect.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/travel-theme-bench-2/
It’s a lovely post, have a look 🙂
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That squirrel is quite the little character!
Here is my bench that is “wrong”
Thanks for visiting!
Cheers!
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I love Jersey Shore and the squirrel. Here are my benches – http://jkatwilson.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/travel-theme-benches/
Lovely! From one bench=lover to another! Mine is up now too.
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Your bench collection is impressive! Here is my take, on creating benches no matter where you may be.
Hi Ailsa,
Thanks for another interesting challenge. “Benchmarks” is my response: http://naomibaltuck.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/benchmarks/
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Hi Ailsa and travel theme friends
My second entry for this weeks theme is a bench with still a more peculiar visitor in a strange little station in the south of Belgium.
http://dauwpics.blogspot.be/2013/04/bankje-ll-in-een-klein-stationnetje-op.html
Tomorow I’ll post a last contribution for this theme =]
Hope you ‘ll enjoy them …
Have a nice day!
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I love your benches more! Here is my entry, just made it!
http://scsurfbutler.com/2013/04/18/travel-theme-benches/
Until next week!
Nice theme!
Here are my benches (:
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Am I late? http://rainbowbakery.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/travel-theme-benches/
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Just sneaking in under the wire, Ailsa 🙂
Have a lovely weekend!
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Beautiful shots of various benches! I love trying to photograph benches also… I always wonder what they’d say if they could talk or tell of stories past! 😀
Ow Ailsa I posted a last one for this theme yesterday but forgot to put the link here…
Far to late, I know, but here it is anyway.
http://dauwpics.blogspot.com/2013/04/bankje-lll-ergens-in-de-stad.html
Have a fantastic weekend Ailsa and all you friends of this blog =]
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I love your pictures and the way this whole Travel Theme Challenge brings bloggers that much closer virtually. Hats off! xx
-Sindhu.