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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Winter Walk-Off

A few days ago, Les from A Tidewater Gardener posted a winter walk-off challenge with the following rules:
 
On your own two feet, leave the house and share what can be seen within walking (or biking) distance of your home (if you want to drive to your walk that's OK too). Your post does not have to be about gardening or a travelogue, unless you want it to be. Maybe instead you will find some unusual patterns, interesting shadows, signs of spring, a favorite restaurant or shop, questionable landscaping or local eyesores. Whatever, just keep your eyes and mind open, be creative and have fun, but don't show anything from your own garden
 
So, one day I set out on foot to share what I might find along the way.  I thought I'd look mostly for blooms and found  a few but also noticed that there are a lot of interesting buildings in my hood so I decided to share a few of those.
 
This Rhododendron in front of a nearby church has been blooming since just before Valentine's Day.  Perfect!

Parish Hall of Christ Episcopal Church.
One of several older monkey puzzle trees in the neighborhood.  These were quite popular here in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
There are a lot of  beautiful old churches close to where I live.  Here is the lovely limestone First Congregational Church.
A Christian Science Church.


This is the tower of Tacoma First Presbyterain Church built in the early 1920's.
This place is as beautiful inside as it is out.  I've had the pleasure of attending several concerts in this venue. 



If you look closeley at the far right and behind the church you can see another building.
That building is the Bible Presbyterain Church, built right behind the brick church shortly after a theological split took place seventy years ago. 
Remember when drug stores used to look like this? 
 
In the back of someone's truck parked on the street were some signs of gardening.  Is this the kind of mixed bed gardeners are always talking about? 

Who doesn't have a high school in his or her neighborhood that looks like this? 
Originally built  to house a hotel, fire gutted the building before it was completely finished and it was never used for its intended purpose.  You may recognize this as the school in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.
The stadium after which the school was named was originally much larger and could seat 32,000. 
To learn more interesting things about Stadium High School's history, click here or here.
This is one huge old rhododendron trimmed up to allow pedestrians to pass on the sidewalk beneath.
I enjoy the many styles of older homes represented in this part of town.

Camellia blooming near the front door of an apartment building.
And this Edgeworthia chrysantha looking downright delicate.  The grounds of this building were designed and planted by Calendula Nursery back when they were more of a retail nursery. 

A double house whose interesting open corbels make me smile.
This house and the one directly to it's left are mirror images of each other.  This one recently got a nifty new paint job.
 
There you go, a short walk in one part of my neighborhood.  Thanks, Les, for the walk-off challenge, it was a lot of  fun.  Maybe I'll take a few more walks with my camera in hand.
 
For more Winter Walk-Off fun, check out Les's blog at the link at the top of this post!


26 comments:

  1. Wonderful architecture in your hood; I enjoyed your walk around. Cheers, Jenni

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    1. While I dream of living in the country, there are some benefits of living in this old part of town!

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  2. I was hoping you'd include a couple shots of Stadium High. A good friend of mine lived in a gorgeous old apartment building nearby and I loved seeing that building. Been in that drug store too!

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    1. I remember you talking about visiting your friend during that time. Many of the old buildings in this area are way cool (if you like Victorian stuff.) I'll have to go walking in a different direction next time and focus on more old houses.

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  3. What a cool school! I loved seeing all the old houses and churches.

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    1. Kind of like one of those cute Christmas villages only without the snow. Come on over sometime and we can walk around the hood!

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  4. What a beautiful area you live in. The old buildings are so cool. Stadium High has to be the most beautiful high school I've ever seen. And that stadium, who would want to watch the game? I'd be sidetracked watching the boat traffic. Beautiful Edgeworthia too. I have to laugh at the physical results of the theological split. That second building has got to be one of the most stoic, austere buildings ever. Gee, were they trying to make a statement? "Here we are. We're not going anywhere and if you don't like it, tough!" Or something like that. Too funny. Great post!

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    1. Stadium H.S. is a Tacoma landmark! The stadium does allow parents who might not be the least interested in football to be supportive of their children while watching the boat traffic! On an historical walk we went on once, it was explained that the Bible Presbyterian Building was part of an Egyptian-influenced architectural movement at the time and was thought to be quite modern and fabulous. It is, though an extremely stark contrast to the other building. It's always fun to walk with you, Grace!

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  5. What a nice walk! Love those older homes. And the camellia and edgeworthia were so pretty. I had to look hard to make sure that wasn't my truck bed filled with those plants! ;)

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    1. It's a fun neighborhood for a saunter! Isn't that what truck beds are for?

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  6. Doesn't it look like that Rhododendron is about to eat the house?

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  7. Although I don't love church, I love church architecture, and from the looks of things you have some fabulous examples where you live. I must say that for a denomination known for restraint, Tacoma Presbyterian Church has to be the most elaborate I have ever seen. I can see why there may have been a split. Thank you so much for sharing!

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    1. That Presby church also has a lot of celtic knot motifs in panels interspersed with the brick. Inside the woodwork with a distnctve celtic theme is truly beautfully carved. I too love church architecture and when traveling, I sometimes have attended a church service just to see the interior of a building. Thanks for hosting this fun challenge!

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  8. There are many beautiful churches and houses in your hood, Peter. You live in a beautiful region.

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    1. Thank you Satu. I like the new name of your Blog!

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  9. Pretty neighborhood and it has so much interesting architecture. An area with character is one of the advantages of living in town.

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    1. It almost makes up for the many drawbacks of living in town:)

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  10. Wow, you have a lot of gorgeous architecture in your area...so jealous!

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    1. We are lucky to live where we do. Mostly. Well, sometimes.

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  11. Extraordinary variety of church architecture you have there, and some wonderful houses, but that school takes the biscuit, to use an English saying. Amazing.

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    1. That school was originally built to be a hotel but a fire prevented that use. It is a wonderful building!

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  12. I live just down the road in Seattle and have not been to Tacoma often enough. There is so much to see. I really enjoyed the walk through your city, the photos and information was fun and enjoyable.

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    1. Thanks Charlie! I feel the same way about Seattle; when I go, it's for a specific event or to visit nurseris, etc. There is so much to see there but I never go, park and explore. Maybe this summer.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.