I love our new home in Battle Ground! However, I am still a little unsure about living in Battle Ground. Battle Ground itself seems nice, just a bit further out than I ever imagined I would live. Six months ago we had a cute little NE Portland home, where we could walk to Breakside Brewery or Podnah's BBQ Pit. There were multiple parks close by and despite the energy of the city we had a peaceful backyard retreat to relax in.
Now, it may seem strange, but having a 20-25 minute commute seems like an eternity for me. Not since our first year of marriage have I had to commute more than 15 minutes. It was the trek across Lake Washington from West Seattle to Kirkland that made me vow to always have a short commute. While I do not mind the extra time to make phone calls or listen to some talk radio, I can't decide if the drive is peaceful and relaxing or just a slog to and from the country. I imagine it will turn out to be the former, but currently everything I see on the drive just reminds me of how far away from Portland we have moved.
I took the liberty of taking a few snapshots on my phone, to show what I mean. I promise I was perfectly safe and paying attention to the road while I did this. After-all it isn't like I was texting and driving. You'll have to decide for yourself, would the sights on the drive be relaxing or just a reminder of the distance from the city.
Zooming while driving is not recommended, but the sign is for a custom meat shop. A fitting start to our journey to the country.
The first of many barns on the way to Battle Ground. My Dad has a notorious habit of stopping to take pictures of old barns; luckily for mom most of the barns on the way are structurally sound.
A nice country fence, and pasture land.
Another fine looking red barn. Once Nathan get's a bit older perhaps he will make the connection to one of his favorite books, "The Big Red Barn."
Finally, some livestock. Llamas, or alpaca's I'm not sure which.
Wait for it. . . .More red barns coming up. Really, is that the only color you are allowed to paint a barn? There must be a story behind this. . . . And not the one Nathan reads each day.
No drive to the country would be complete without a John Deere dealership. There is another Tractor dealer later in the drive, but they do not appear so sell the iconic green and yellow tractors, their tractors are all orange.
More barns, and they both appear to be red. The final one appears to have a cow in front of it, and to be of questionable structural integrity. Dad might just stop for a photo-opp.
And some nice peaceful fields to gaze out at. There are also several swamps or retaining ponds, depending on your point of view, but I didn't seem to get any photos of them. I must've have been focusing on my driving.
Any trip to the country would not be complete without a gun shop with a large sign, bars on the windows and an always full parking lot.
So there you have it, my drive to Battle Ground in iPhone photos. You decide. Should I be relaxed and peaceful, or anxious that we have left the city, our friends, the diversity and energy that we loved?
Now, it may seem strange, but having a 20-25 minute commute seems like an eternity for me. Not since our first year of marriage have I had to commute more than 15 minutes. It was the trek across Lake Washington from West Seattle to Kirkland that made me vow to always have a short commute. While I do not mind the extra time to make phone calls or listen to some talk radio, I can't decide if the drive is peaceful and relaxing or just a slog to and from the country. I imagine it will turn out to be the former, but currently everything I see on the drive just reminds me of how far away from Portland we have moved.
I took the liberty of taking a few snapshots on my phone, to show what I mean. I promise I was perfectly safe and paying attention to the road while I did this. After-all it isn't like I was texting and driving. You'll have to decide for yourself, would the sights on the drive be relaxing or just a reminder of the distance from the city.
Zooming while driving is not recommended, but the sign is for a custom meat shop. A fitting start to our journey to the country.
The first of many barns on the way to Battle Ground. My Dad has a notorious habit of stopping to take pictures of old barns; luckily for mom most of the barns on the way are structurally sound.
A nice country fence, and pasture land.
Another fine looking red barn. Once Nathan get's a bit older perhaps he will make the connection to one of his favorite books, "The Big Red Barn."
Finally, some livestock. Llamas, or alpaca's I'm not sure which.
Wait for it. . . .More red barns coming up. Really, is that the only color you are allowed to paint a barn? There must be a story behind this. . . . And not the one Nathan reads each day.
No drive to the country would be complete without a John Deere dealership. There is another Tractor dealer later in the drive, but they do not appear so sell the iconic green and yellow tractors, their tractors are all orange.
More barns, and they both appear to be red. The final one appears to have a cow in front of it, and to be of questionable structural integrity. Dad might just stop for a photo-opp.
And some nice peaceful fields to gaze out at. There are also several swamps or retaining ponds, depending on your point of view, but I didn't seem to get any photos of them. I must've have been focusing on my driving.
Any trip to the country would not be complete without a gun shop with a large sign, bars on the windows and an always full parking lot.
So there you have it, my drive to Battle Ground in iPhone photos. You decide. Should I be relaxed and peaceful, or anxious that we have left the city, our friends, the diversity and energy that we loved?
It cracks me up that you see these things on your drive! A meat shop, red barns AND a gun shop? Too much! Personally, all those things are a part of our life so they wouldn't bother me at all (I'm praying we can afford a red barn soon!) but I think you will come to find hidden pockets of joy there also. You will find some places to pick berries this summer, a neat farm for Nathan to visit, and some pretty ponds to take him fishing as well. Always look for the silver lining in those dark clouds!
ReplyDeleteJeff, I am totally jealous. It looks like your commute is very relaxing and peaceful. I love the fact that you can buy a gun, shoot something on the farm, and drop it off at the meat shop all on your way to work. (You could probably pick it up on your way home - cut and wrapped!)
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I noticed that some of your photographs were a little blurry, still driving as you took the photo I assume?!
Mark
I have to drive 5 minutes out of my way to go to all my favorite gun stores. I am so Jealous. So you listening to Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hanity on the Radio. If so you really gone Native. Next you will be Voting Republican.
ReplyDeleteCousin Dave