Melissa Murphy (photomelissa)

The Grotto (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:00:50 -0800

When I visited Katie in Portland, she took me to The Grotto. More formally, it’s the National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, a Catholic shrine carved into a 110-foot cliff where outdoor Mass is held, & a botanical garden that sits atop the cliff. We took the outdoor elevator up to the clifftop gardens (which was it’s own little adventure) & spent a couple of hours walking through the trees & breathing the fresh air. We both talked & walked in silence, appreciating the quietness of the place. Don’t let the fact that it’s run by a specific religious denomination prevent you from going. The Grotto is a beautiful space that’s open to everyone. I was a little intimidated at first, as I’m not religious, but in my opinion it’s an excellent place to visit, with or without friends, when you need to collect your thoughts. My favorite section of the garden was an open grassy space where, if you stood in the center & looked up, you could see the sky peeking through thousands of red leaves.

Family (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:14:10 -0800

Taken in Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Jump (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:16:02 -0800

Skater by Grant's Tomb in NYC.

Path (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:34:39 -0800

Pedestrian path on the Manhattan Bridge.

Coney Island (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:53:47 -0800

After a snow storm.

Pink (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:18:43 -0800

Flower in my aunt's garden in Woodstock, NY.

The bridge. (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:26:08 -0800

The Brooklyn Bridge on a cold April night in 2010.

To the lake. (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:21:11 -0800

Walking through Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Heart (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:50:52 -0800

Found in the sand on a rainy day in Asbury. August 2009.

Trees (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:34:32 -0800

These birch trees were outside the Tate Modern...wonder if they still are. I need to go back to London. London, March 2010.

9th Avenue (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:08:13 -0800

Shot from my friend's roof on 9th Avenue, in NYC.

Floating. (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:48:16 -0800

Jellyfish at the NY Aquarium - January 2012.

Sand, sea, sky (For Sale)

Melissa Murphy (photomelissa) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:45:40 -0800

Taken on the beach in Coney Island in January 2012.