I moved downtown three years ago and found that I really had no use for a second car so I sold one car and kept the other. I now find myself using the R-line or walking around downtown during the week for dinner or just going to the bank and post office……………..I know very urban of me. It really is amazing how much you notice while walking versus zooming around in a car. The past several months, I’ve been walking down to Glenwood South for dinner or walking toward Fayetteville Street for the banks and post office. On my walks I’m always amazed what I see and most of the time I think “hmmmm, why did that happen” or “hmmmm, who would ever have thought about doing that” or “hmmmm, I’ve never noticed that before”.
Have you ever wondered why people park on the sidewalks and you, the pedestrian, now have to walk in the street to get around to the other side? The other day while walking I had to walk around three motorcycles parked on the sidewalk. The best part, two parking lots are directly across the street. Are they really that cheap they don’t wont to pay the $3 bucks for parking? How about the fire trucks from station #1 on Dawson Street? I was walking to Fayetteville Street and heard the fire trucks in the distance and the sirens got closer and closer and I found myself holding my ears while they passed me. Don’t get me wrong; I understand why they use the sirens. What I don’t understand is why all of the fire trucks went out on a call and before I reached Fayetteville Street on my walk I saw all three coming down the road……..no sirens and back in 5 minutes. Have you ever walked down Fayetteville Street and noticed the detailed architecture? My favorite building is the old Briggs Hardware, which houses the Raleigh City Museum. Did you know that Raleigh has its own museum on Fayetteville Street? Take a look <www.raleighcitymuseum.org>. One thing that I enjoy the most about Fayetteville Street is walking at night and taking in the views from the Capital to the Progress Energy Performing Arts building.
So park that car and take a stroll downtown. I think you will also be amazed how many hmmm’s you will find while making that hike to dinner or just running errands. Look forward to hearing more hmmmm stories.
I walk to work and am always amazed by the amount of litter…when I’ve left myself enough time, I try to clean up some of it. In spite of that, I do enjoy wandering downtown Raleigh.
I’ve noticed the litter too but I’ve also noticed that there is a lot less of it now that the economy has tanked. I guess Billy Bob and Miguel’s trash is blowing out the back of their pickup trucks somewhere else.