Love affair with my neighborhood

I was recently inspired by this post on The Daily Post @ WordPress.com.  I’m not one that generally participates in photo challenges, but this one caught my eye.  The point was to take a walk with your camera phone, and take one or more photos of your neighborhood that you feel really capture the essence of the place. I had a lot of fun looking at what people came up with and decided I wanted to do something similar.

Yesterday was pretty chilly but it was sunny and the sky was brilliantly blue, so I decided to take on the challenge!  I usually walk through our hood at night and it’s usually a fast pace, to get some exercise.  I didn’t want to go without a dog, so I named Sake as the chosen one for the day.  I grabbed my keys, iphone, poodle, a root beer barrel, a poop-bag, and was off.  I was enthusiastic to see my neighborhood in a different light–literally and figuratively.

It is spring break now, and the town has emptied and the neighborhood has quieted down quite a bit.  I only saw about three other people out for a stroll, which made it that much more peaceful.

We were all ready to go!

I adore going for long evening walks with Matt and all the dogs, but there is something special about a solo walk.  No talking, except with myself and occasionally to Sake, stopping when and where I see fit, making my own pace…

My first stop, a few blocks from my house, was Cooper Dog Park…Or as the locals call “Pooper Park.”

This is an off-leash area that Sake finds to be simply irresistible!

It sits in the heart of the historic district of Bozeman.

There are several benches and tables, and big trees to picnic under (gotta check for land mines first!).  In the center of the park there is a little brick patch with names of dogs who’ve passed on beneath a lovely antique drinking fountain.

On the other side of Cooper Park is where the really cool historic district begins.  This is one of my favorite places to walk through.  There are so many neat, storybook type homes.  #wanttoliveheresomeday

I call this photo, “la vue de Sake.”

I tried to talk him into peeing on this ancient fire-hydrant, but he was offended.

More gorgeous homes than one could shake a stick at, seriously.

Reluctantly, I took a turn back toward home, and walked through Montana State University Campus, which is also only a few blocks from our house.

I call this photo, “Wendy I can fly!”

I passed a sculpture of “Black Elk” hinting at Montana’s rich Native American History.

As I walked through campus, I realized how much I miss being an undergrad student with few cares or commitments, just homework, coffee shops and plenty of free time.  Ah, the good ol’ days.

Montana Hall is the most iconic building on campus.  And for good reason!  It’s beautiful!

Another cool hall.  I had several classes in this one.

I never noticed this winding tree before though I’ve walked past it on my way to class hundreds of times.  It pays to look up every once in a while.  Maybe that’s a plus to not being 22 anymore–I notice more of the small, precious things in life. Just one of the many positives to getting older, mind you.

A lady with an iphone and her poodle.

This court is usually snow-covered and empty all winter, but the sun and warmth have melted it off.  There was a game of basketball on one side and soccer on the other.

I’m almost home by now.  Down the street, the neighbors proudly display the American Flag and the MSU Bobcat flag.

It’s hard to forget that I live in a primarily college-aged neighborhood, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

After the walk, Sake and I both curled up for a quick snooze.  I think this means we are getting old.

I recommend that you do this!  I want to see your neighborhood–not in a creepy way, although I am a bit of a creep, so I wouldn’t mind some pictures of the inside of your house!  Seriously though, I challenge anyone who’s interested to take a walk with your camera phone and try to capture the essence of your hood.  I had a great time and it gave me more of an appreciation than I had before.

XO, Tobi