The Morning Commute, Chapter One.

(All recognition for the idea for this post goes entirely to Jamie, who started with pictures of buffalo and will hopefully continue when the weather improves!)

I have to say that I love my morning drive. I walk out the door by 6 A.M., so most days it is dark. But lately, the light has been breaking earlier, and the scenery is pleasing with a cup of coffee and a good CD. Since the dull gray of the past few mornings would not have made a very good post, I got up early on Saturday to take these pictures. My drive is about 10 miles each way, but I took so many pictures that I’ve decided to break it up.

Welcome to my street. You can’t see my house or my car in this, but you get the idea. The layout of this town is amusing. One block away from here, and you’re in the “Historic District”, where you can’t even paint your house without consulting the Board. Here, the regulations cease, and the boxy gray duplexes have been plopped down against the otherwise Victorian skyline. I can’t decide whether it’s better to live in the Victorian house and stare out at the gray box, or live in the gray box and stare at the beautiful Victorians. But I like our big old house, or at least our cut up apartment within it. So here I start, for now.

I come through town and down this hill. Not much traffic my time of the morning. In the summer they hold the Bellefonte Cruise here, and line this street with crazy hot rods and antique classic cars. Again, the Victorian town acts as interesting backdrop.

On past the park, and Spring Creek. Spring Creek is known for it’s great trout fishing. It was polluted many years ago, however, so it’s catch-and-release only. This section that runs through the park is off limits to fishing, and they stock it with some of the biggest golden and rainbow trout you will ever see! There’s a fish food dispenser for kids (and me) to use…but the ducks end up getting most of the food. This summer, after Hurricane Ivan, the water was up to the road. These people have a great collection of pictures from that flood, including this one of the same view as my own.

After passing the creek and crossing the railroad tracks, you head out from the last edge of town. Straight? Right? Actually, I can take either road, but we’ll head on up the hill since that’s the way I usually go…not much to see here.

In another 15 years, I assume this area will be developed. There are some townhouses already, and businesses up ahead…so it’s only a matter of time. For now, it’s your only chance to get around the slow guy in front of you, otherwise known as the Each Driver For Themselves Suicidal Passing Zone, Where Speed Limits Are Optional. I love those.

So there you have it. Chapter One. The cast of characters keeps growing...more soon!