North Delridge

Today's 6.2 mile walk in the North Delridge neighborhood filled in streets I had missed on prior walks and included an area tucked in bedween Delridge Way, the West Seattle bridge and the West Duwamish Greenbelt.

Like many neighborhoods with dead-end streets and no reason to enter unless one lives or is visiting there, the area bounded by SW Genesee, Delridge Way and 19th Avenue SW has quiet streets. In this case, each has its own personality. Many homes show pride of ownership - a few do not.

I observed older homes

directly across from new construction (with more under construction),

views of the Seattle skyline and the cranes on Harbor Island (one house had named itself  Steel View), American flags, aproposed and use action sign (along Delridge), a notice that City Light will be disposing of surplus property at 21st and Andover (the community meeting was last week)

and the ample grounds of Pathfinder K-8 School.

Delridge Playfield (it looked as if a soccer camp were under way) and Community Center are west of Delridge Way

as are Southwest Youth and Family Services and South West Plumbing.

A pedestrian overpass took me across Delridge to the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in the old Frank B. Cooper Elementary School.

While I was in the neighborhood, I decided to head over to West Marginal Way to see if I could find 18th Avenue SW and walk another street near there that I had missed on a prior walk. I was successful in finding 18th (hidden behind Global Diving and Salvage off Charlestown).

Next I climber one of the many, many staircases along this walk to get back up to 19th Avenue SW. It would not surprise me if this staircase attracts those looking for a place to sleep.

Back at Delridge and Andover, I saw a small strip mall.

Along the way, a passed painted utility boxes,

Secret Studio (Recording)

and Pigeon Point.

Another walk offering a good workout with lots of hills to climb.

North Delridge, North Admiral, Genesee and Fairmount Park

The Longfellow Creek Watershed dragonfly sculpture at 28th Avenue SW just south of Dakota Street was the highlight of today's 8.6 mile walk in West Seattle. The area I walked surrounds the West Seattle Bridge exit and encompasses streets in the North Delridge, North Admiral, Genesee and Fairmount Park neighborhoods.

There were real differences among the neighborhoods, largely determined by dead-end streets and proximity to this West Seattle Bridge approach.

The area northwest of the bridge approach (Genesee and North Admiral) was hilly with lots of dead-end streets and views of Harbor Island and the Seattle skyline.

It was residential with staircases and one really rural-feeling street.

I spotted what looked like an overloaded utility pole.

This area bordered on the old Luna Park location, home to the Luna Park Cafe and an art glass shop.

The area immediately south and east of the bridge approach (Fairmount Park) had a lot of building proposed and in progress. It was a mix of newer townhomes, single family homes and older garden apartments

but I did see a nice garden tucked in right next to the bridge approach.

The area east of Avalon Way SW (North Delridge) borders on the West Seattle Golf Course, the Longfellow Creek Legacy Trail and the Delridge Skatepark.

This area is a real mix of new and old residential and business park. A large apartment complex

is across the street from a vacant lot and a log home.

It looked as if utilities were underground for the apartment complex and required reinforcement where they resurfaced.

This area is home to All Star Fitness Center and a few business parks including the West Seattle Corporate Center, home of Bartell Drugs Corporate Offices, the Northwest Kidney Center and the Department of Social and Health Services.

Along the way, I spotted a welcoming bench,

a bridge approach overpass

with a few warnings,

Longfellow Creek

and a bike box (with a warning sign).

This varied walk was a real workout.

Fauntleroy Neighborhood of west Seattle

It was bright and clear today as my husband and I took a 4.8 mile stroll in the Fauntleroy neighborhood. We walked along quiet, residential streets northeast of Fauntleroy Park.

The area was neat and tidy with some nice gardens and great views near the western edge. 35th Avenue SW on the eastern edge was busier and included a bakery, fish and chips shop, a beauty salon and Bird on a Wire coffee/pastries/wine/small plates shop.

Along the way, we spotted some pretty tall corn stalks,

a steep staircase,

a mural, Peace Lutheran Church, a Christian Science Church and Fauntleroy Park (all pictured in prior posts).

It was a beautiful day to finish the Fauntleroy neighborhood and, after the walk, we spent some time sitting on a log by the water at Lincoln Park.

North Admiral Neighborhood of West Seattle

Today's 8.3 mile walk filled in all the streets I had missed in the lovely North Admiral neighborhood. I started the walk near Bonair Drive SW where I enjoyed great sound views and country-like streets.

Luckily, I came across a staircase that saved me from having to retrace too many steps in this hilly area. I passed the Duwamish Head Greenspace

and some scenic gardens. The neighborhood had many ornamental gates which I wish I had photographed.

Along Admiral Way, I passed the former Life Care Center of West Seattle (the building is now for sale) and Alki Mail and Dispatch (pictured in a prior post). At Ferry Avenue near 45th and Walker, I spotted Fire Station No 29.

At California and Hill, I passed the Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ (pictured in a prior post) and the tiny California Place Park. The church buildings appearerd to house a Sylvan Learning Center and a Y Summer Camp.

I admired some unique gardens,

a tree house,

apple-laden trees,

tree-lined streets (where there was no view to impact),

impressive tree trunks

and a sprinkling of tree swings.

This neighborhood has Sound views along its western edge, tree-lined streets in the middle and condos along California. I don't know if if it is due to the condos or to the Park West Skilled Nursing Center (pictured in a prior post) but there did appear to be some parking issues on the streets just west of California and along 44th Avenue. Other than that, this presents itself as an idyllic neighborhood and I'm almost sorry to have completed my walks here.