28 County Parks – part 1 of 5
The arbitrary mission I assigned myself was to pack lunches, snacks, water, and kids into a car and visit, or revisit, each of the 28 Santa Clara County Parks within a few days. I don’t know how arbitrary missions and the accomplishment of them can be so satisfying, but it was a wonderful adventure.
Santa Teresa County Park
Coyote Creek County Park
Motorcycle County Park
Field Sports County Park
Anderson Lake County Park
Coyote Lake Harvey Bear County Park
West Santa Clara St. Mural
I could stare at this downtown San Jose mural every day. I am enamored with this. I adore it. Created by San Jose artist Lacey Bryant.
I love the art of it, the movies my mind creates inspired by it, the fantasy, the San Jose references within the work, the flow of emotions and thoughts I come to when staring at it.
San Jose Buildings
Here are a few buildings that I was admiring on a walk.
Murals off of St. John Street
Purple Flower in San Jose
Happy Place on 4th Street
Being introduced to this place this year pleased me beyond all expectations. If I found this place anywhere in any town on any road trip, I would have been so completely proud and happy with myself. So, to be taken here, right in San Jose, on 4th street, where I had never been… well, it blew me away.
First, I should say that I find Diners and Coffee Shops to be one of humanity’s special places. And, I love to enjoy them, to eat, drink coffee, and basque in the humanity and time within them.
This one, right in San Jose at 4th Street Bowl, is quite special. Let me share some of the beautiful highlights about this coffee shop. Plenty of energy with customers and staff. Lots of windows. A looooong counter and a bunch of booths. A big menu. A glass door and windows that connect and look into the bowling alley. The alley is not updated. There is a cocktail lounge, a pool hall, a few video games, and of course, the coffee shop, all connected to the alley. Despite the simplicity of my words, the reality is a poetry of place and presence. It is a block of time and a splash of nostalgia whipped with distraction and covered in coffee. It is a treasure.