Walkies at Work

What exactly does a city farmer do when she can't farm? I'm sure you've all wondered this from time to time, but it's clear that our little urban acreage can't be sustained without the day job. When I'm away from the chickens and the veggies, I spend my time in a fancy office building in downtown Seattle. I won't bore you with the details (plus we currently have a policy against blogging about work), but the highlights of my day are fair game!

Do you get to ride a train or bus to your destinations? Five days a week I roll down the hill to the Everett Station to catch the Sounder train into town. The route follows the coastline of Puget Sound, one of the largest etuaries in North America. Mornings are a great time to spot wildlife. Common sights are great blue herons, bald eagles, and frolicking harbor seals. From my cozy seat by the window, I can watch the clouds drift over the Olympic mountain range, ferries trekking between islands and peninsulas, and the occasional nude body on the beach... The ride home isn't nearly as entertaining, but it's a great time to study, read, or nap. And, as far as carbon footprints go, trains give you the most bang for your diesel buck.

(If you squint, you can see a bald eagle flying in the left side of this photo.)

(Yes indeed. Shipwrecks. There are at least five wrecked ships all in this one little area. Private property. No trespassing.)

Once I'm at work, I look for any excuse to get up and away from my desk. Morning and afternoon walkies are just the thing!

I head down to the waterfront first. This is one of the great perks of working in Seattle. Ferries from Coleman Dock depart to Vashon Island, Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, and Victoria, BC. This place is busy all day long.

The viaduct, a massive structure of concrete built on (you guessed it) sand, is on its last legs. It'll soon be torn down to make way for a chunnel *under* the waterfront. Highway 99 carries heavy loads of commuting traffic, so this city will be thrown into chaos once the final stage of demolition and construction begins. Until then, this famous icon of Seattle provides one of the best views of the downtown waterfront that you can get at 50 mph.

Behind and underneath the viaduct is the edge of Pioneer Square, one of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods. Brick and ivy are tangled as far as the eye can see. This is a great place to find a pint of beer, shop for retro toys, get a tattoo, see the Underground Tour, or buy a Utilikilt. I love old architecture.

Occidental Park is paved in a latticework of old and new brick, and it sports totem poles and other art throughout the year. In the summer, there are lunchtime concerts here and elsewhere in the city. Art shops abound, as do coffee shops. Could it be Seattle without?

Working under flourescent lights is a tough job, but escaping for a few minutes helps me relax and focus on the things that really matter: fresh air, a little exercise, and city views that make me smile to call this place a part of my home.

Do you go for walkies when you're at work?