Clatsop and the Coast

Oregon Coast, USA

On my way to a Swiss Chics reunion at Lindsay's wedding, I explored Olympia and the Portland coast with two of my favorite people, Arwen and Karla.



On our way to Oregon, Arwen and I stopped to walk at the Nisqually nature reserve. The next day, when I spotted the sign for Fort Clatsop, I to mentioned that I'd adored Sacagawea in elementary school and read everything I could find about her, so we amended Karla's plan and went there first. Then we went to the coast.

Like Central Park, But Smaller

Wright Park, Tacoma, WA

From Tacoma

This beautiful park is just up the street from Arwen's house in Tacoma. It's a beautiful, rolling landscape of old trees, flower gardens and wide green lawn.

Apparently, the designer of the park chose the random placement of the trees across the park by spreading out a map of the space and scattering a handful of seeds across it, then putting a tree at each location. The tree species come from all across North America and Europe.

There's a lovely little lake, sculptures scattered around the lawn, and lots of families out with their kids.

Also, there were ducklings!

From Tacoma

Rainforest City

Tacoma, WA, USA

From Tacoma

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood...! I should have taken my good camera, not just my phone, but I managed to get a couple good shots on my after-school walk with my Peace Corps friend and excellent hostess, Arwen.

There were rhododendrons blooming everywhere, in impressive size and colors.

Wednesday, I'm looking forward to joining her in her classroom for early elementary students with autism.

Neighborhood Beautification

Brooklyn, NY, USA

Yesterday, I was trying to fathom why there was a legion of Bobcats in my street digging up chunks of sidewalk.

From Beautification

This morning, when I looked out my window, not only were they at it again, but it became clear why. Between these trees going in, and the bike racks appearing all over the neighborhood in the last couple months, you can see the City hard at work here in East Williamsburg.

I'm a little conflicted about this. I know that trees and bikes are good for the environment, that providing these amenities may bring people, like hipsters, to the neighborhood who sign petitions about sustainability and outdoor spaces. All of those are good things. On the other hand, it's one more sign of gentrification in my neighborhood that the city is now paying for all these things, and while the fact that I live here is probably also evidence of gentrification, it wasn't so obvious when I first moved in.

From Beautification

When I first walked this neighborhood, I felt like the only non-Spanish-speaking resident in a neighborhood of young immigrant families with small children. Even at the Chinese owned and operated Chinese restaurant down the street, they speak better Spanish than English. It's part of the charm of New York City for me. And while progress is inevitable and in this case, at least, bears some desirable fruit, it leaves me surprisingly ambivalent.

Also, impressed. It's noon, and they've already completed one whole side of the street!