Reflection: Walk #32, Yr 2, Saturday morning, May 21, 2016, 8 a.m., five walkers met at Valley Oak Elementary on the corner of Champlain and Friant in northeast Fresno and walked around Woodward Lake neighborhoods and up and around Fort Washington Country Club.
Church bells tolled at 8 a.m. and walkers were greeted with the cool spray from the large water fountain at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.
Sights: large homes, man made lake, spotless trash bin area, manicured lawns, walls more than fences, landscaped walkways and yards, huge mature trees, row of mature shade trees, dogs on leashes being walked, dogs as pets, one cat, house with Japanese landscaping, boats on the lake, paddle boats, kid on lake, man fishing, walkers with earphones, walker with Starbucks cup, tops of houses over rooftops, numerous garage sales, country club for Woodward lakes, blue and grey house with bright red door, exercisers, women wearing yoga pants, un-fenced, open and beautifully landscaped Valley Oak Elementary school, walkers pushing strollers, bird with worm, new model cars, older cars cruising garage sales, political campaign signs, gardener truck and trailers, painted rock-art at VO school, Margaret Hudson figures/art, clubhouse with tennis, pool, and dock. Fort Washington country club and golf course, rolling hills of golf course, complementary dog poop bags, cyclists with cycle gear and outfit. Walkers noticed one older loud Mercedes with dents, which stood out from the primarily new and well maintained cars.
Sounds: church bells tolling, church water fountain, lawn mowers, sprinklers, yard features and fountains, fish line reeling in, men talk while golfing, few dogs barking, big tires on road, lawn blowers, very quiet, peaceful, cars driving by, garage sale conversation, wind in the trees, music from ear phones, car alarm going off.
smells: fresh grass, sharp clean air.
Feeling: some walkers expressed feeling awkward because of the too perfect environment. Walker expressed feeling out of place. Residents out walking and exercising were fashionable and well groomed. Did we look out of place? Walking only this neighborhood one would never know that Fresno is one of the poorest cities in America.
Walkers met Lisa who is a regular walker here. She likes to walk the 2.2 miles around the lake. Lisa says she likes to walk the route because she doesn’t have to think, she just walks the circle. She usually walks with weights in the morning before work. Today she’s talking a vacation and walking with Starbucks and her phone.
One walker stopped and talked to a woman named Dori gathered with a few other people. Dori had organized for neighbors to meet at the corner of Sheldrake and Westside on the 3rd Saturday of each month in a grassy area with trees. They bring chairs and sit around and chat to catch up. Dori is president of the Woodward Lake association. She maintains a map and newsletter.
These are our brothers and sisters in Fresno. All of our lives and futures are tied together.
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