Jaunt Around The Block
Hello. Here we are continuing our day in Snohomish, Washington.
By two o'clock, the sun's rays were intense. We left the antique shops and took a quick jaunt through the residential district. Quite, tree-lined streets offer a variety of architectural style homes. Unfortunately, we were pressed for time due to other plans slated for Seattle. So it was walking and shooting quickly.
We ventured around what was to be a mere three block radius. All the while I tried my best to be as discreet as possible when taking photographs. Arriving at one corner of a street, we discovered something extraordinary. It was one of the most magnificent trees I'd seen in a long time. Wish you could experience in person. (See photo above. There is a boy in the background who swings from a rope swing hanging from one of the tree's massive branches). Immense and absolutely gorgeous. Leaves overhanging the sidewalk, I touched their soft supple textures. The desire to lie beneath the cool green canopy was tempting. For some reason this tree recalled to mind my teen years in California. There was something familiar yet mysterious about it.
This gift of wonder grows on the property where the historic Judge W.P. Bell home (seen in photo above) resides. The current owner was in the front yard with her children. I politely asked what type of tree and how old. And she replied, "It's a chestnut. Probably planted in the early 1900's." And then she proceeded with a curt attitude, "I don't appreciate people always asking questions about it." Hmn, I got the hint. Granted, she was probably tired having to tend to several children and preparing to mow the front lawn. Walking onward I thought to myself that perhaps it might be a good idea if she placed a small sign near the tree telling it's age and other pertinent information. Brilliant! No more people bothering her.
Minor incident, I continued taking photographs of more subjects. Yet doing so caused a particular distraction. It was across the street a few houses down from the Judge's home. Behold the couple who stood staring at us through their living room window. The man appeared large. He stood firmly with his fists on his hips as if an angry parent ready to discipline a child. And myself with camera in hand, felt very uneasy as if I were paparazzi come to invade the neighborhood. Rather then celebrities, I admittedly was in pursuit of houses. Understandably people get suspicious. Or perhaps I was just being paranoid. It reminded me of an incident I encountered a few years ago while creating paintings outdoors. But that's a story told on my other blog. Anyway, photo venture grew unnerving. Although in the end, results were worth it.
If interested in viewing more homes and the only friendly creature I encountered on our walk click HERE
