Rainier Beach

Kubota Gardens were the highlight of today's 8.6 mile walk. I wish my friend and I had started there and we will probably start our next Rainier Beach walk in the gardens, taking time to really enjoy them.

The streets south of the gardens are low in the valley, lack sidewalks and curbs and are home to the Seattle City Light Creston-Nelson Substation with the accompanying transmission towers.

There is a small park on the street above the substation

and an Olympic Pipeline Company petroleum pipeline running through the area.

Higher up the hill, near St. Paul's Catholic Church and School,

the streets and views are nicer and the homes tidier. We had a great view of Lake Washington from the streets surrounding the church property but the day was so overcast that my pictures do not do it justice.

The area is residential but there is a small commercial area at the intersection of 51st and Renton Avenue S. We passed Fire Station 33, a Speed E mart and auto and insurance services facilities.

Along the way, we spotted Kubota Gardens Estates, Chief Sealth Trail,

the Kubota Gardens Foundation,

Amazing Grace Church and Christian School,

Pentecostal Covenant Church,

a palm tree decorated for the holidays,

a street-side altar,

yard art,

a vegetable garden (maybe growing leeks) and the Kubota Gardens Natural Area - Mapes Creek runs through this area and feeds the Necklace of Ponds in the gardens.

I had never visited the gardens this late in the year but they were lovely.

Another rewarding Seattle walk.