When they closed the freeway acces road nearest my house for a year-long improvement project, I, along with a lot of other commuters, was not pleased. However, having to drive across town has presented some interesting scenery. There are whole areas of land that had previously been neighborhoods that are now vacant. Interesting. It's fun to imagine what might have happened to the homes at the tops of these staircases now going nowhere.
Reminds me of the show "Life After People."
There is a staircase under there somewhere.
What happened to this whole block? Some of the trees remain.
The other side of the street - more vacant land.
What lives were lived here? What gardens tended and dreams dreamed. Does this place still live someone's memory?
This was a particularly interesting block. In the center is one beautifully maintained home. Right next to this home is one that looks like it may have been as grand at one time but now is boarded up with "Do Not Occupy" stenciled on the boards. What caused the remainder of the 1870 - 1900 era homes to vanish?
This was a street leve concrete garage or maybe coach house, foundation? You can see the tar paper on the roof but the front is totally obscured by this Hedera helix.
Later in the day, on my way to the Vet's office, I passed this, another mystery:
Do you suppose that a new roof would help?
Are the roots of this shrub or tree growing in the seat of the truck? How long will this work for the tree?
Did this happen all at once or was there a gradual slowing down of the farm enterprise? (After the ailen abduction, Jeremiah lost interest in the family farm.) Can you come up with answers? The most creative responses win the adoration of all who read what they've written!
Update: The last three pictures were taken near Parkland, Washington and these buildings are on the national register of historic places. This was originally known as the Peter Smith Farm, a Donation Land Claim. Later, it was purchased by the Schibig family and was renamed Lakeview Dairy and was also known as the Schibig Farm. The farmhouse which is not pictured is still a private residence and in great condition. You can learn more about this site here.
