Tag: suburbs

Fourth of July Fun in South Snohomish County

Carl Setzer
Shots from a fireworks show

Though fireworks are illegal in a good portion of the county, there are plenty of events to enjoy. Far more than just fireworks!

What are you most looking forward to? I also enjoy the fun in Edmonds.

I hope you have a safe and fun Fourth!

A few thoughts on cycling this Saturday morning 

Carl Setzer

Was just reading through a bunch of articles about cycling, all centered in the Pacific NorthWest. Urban cycling, bicycle touring, city planning, healthy living and how cycling fits into a sustainable culture; filling my brain with ideas. A big thing: I need to get out and ride more. Of course, it’s been been quite chilly here around Puget Sound. And such things challenge my desire to ride. 

I’ve become much more of a fair weathered cyclist. At one point, the notion of being such horrified me. I was committed to riding, bike commuting, cycling as urban transport. A few accidents with cars (with broken bones and other fun) and myriad close calls, my tolerance for urban riding waned. Plus, moving back home to Seattle’s suburbs threw me deep into car culture. Riding became a weekend hobby. I hate this. 

The desire to return to deep immersion into bike culture hits me regularly. It rebounds off of the suburban car culture, but bounces back. The overcommitted life, which is only manageable with a car, my 20 mile commute, the geographic spread of suburban life all factor in. 

I’m also weary of the challenge of getting exercise. I need to block time to get to the gym, versus just walking/riding all the time. There’s a community around cycling that’s pretty amazing. So many benefits to the cycle-centric life, and I miss them. 

No Lions, No Tigers, But Bears, Oh My!

Carl Setzer
Lynnwood Bear
Lynnwood Bear

 

Well, we’ve had, yet again, some bears make their way through my fair suburban city. Two bears, a momma and cub were spotted over by Lowe’s off of 196th. I heard about it from a friend who got to see them, before they scurried off (the police are still trying to locate them).

So, you probably noticed the phrase “yet again”. This isn’t the first round with bears in my rather non-rural own. The next most recent episode was back in 2011, where we had a bear running through yards by our local elementary school. That one didn’t end so well for the bear, sadly.

I also remember a bear being captured down in Edmonds back in 2006.  Also, there’s this one from 2009 and in Shoreline.

Anyway, hope the bears can be captured and returned to a wilder place, safer for both us and them.

A Flicker On My Roof

Carl Setzer

There’s a very distinctive rattle that woodpeckers make. I find it pleasant for the most part. Except when coming from my roof in the early morning. 

Bearing no malice, and actually feeling rather amused, I grabbed a handful of fir cones. Several throws later, I finally communicated my desire for it to find a tree to peck upon. 

Hard to sleep with that racket. Plus, holes in my roofing are undesirable. 

Walking in Lynnwood

Carl Setzer

I love walking; decent exercise and good for maintaining connection to the neighborhood. Yes magazine featured their Most Walkable Suburb, and we have much to learn from Arlington, VA. I’d like to see businesses better integrate into neighborhoods. This would feature some really basic notions, like sidewalks in parking lots and better flow design. The good folks at America Walks created a great resource for making communities walkable.

The gardens and trees I see delight me, as do the brief chats with neighbors. Signs of construction and repair are easily seen, too. Lynnwood had become much more walkable over the past few years. The city is taking it seriously, adding sidewalks and such. We’re not perfect and have a long way to go, but we’re moving the right way. I see more people walking, which reinforces my view, and makes me happy.