Today I trudged across the concrete wastelands of Smokey Point while waiting for some follow up service to be done on our Durango. It was expected to take half the day, so I steeled myself with a plan to kill time that kept me away from the Dodge dealership.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with Smokey Point, Washington, it’s one of those places that’s grown up over the years on either side of I-5, with numerous big-box retailers and other assorted chain establishments. Where everyone goes and few people live - though they are starting to build some big apartment complexes in the area.
Being the planner that I am, I was curious how far it would be to walk to the shopping area on the opposite side of the freeway. I pulled up Google maps and asked for walking directions between the car dealer and Michael’s…
Not too bad. And maybe I could walk the loop, just for funsies. See something a little different!
Or maybe not.
Here’s a street view shot of a particularly un-fun stretch of that road. No sidewalks and barely any shoulder on the segment of the route all the way from the Twin Lakes park to the southern I-5 overpass.
I bagged that plan. It would be the dotted route for me going both ways.
Friends, Smokey Point is pretty grim and really not pedestrian-friendly. But I love to walk around and look at things and made the most of it.
Things started out on a friendly note!
Supply chain problems are even affecting The Colonel. I wonder what supplies they’re having trouble obtaining?
I can see my destination, there in the distance! At least it was a beautiful sunny day and pleasant for walking.
Shhhhh… do not disturb.
Oh! This reminds me - I need some hangers exactly like this. I can pick them up at Target, if I ever get there.
Good god no.
First stop: Starbucks, for something to eat. Places with breakfast food are few and far between, so it will do. And hello there, Mr. I’m An Important Business Dude So The Rules Don’t Apply To Me And I’m Going To Take My More Important Than Public Health Zoom Call Without A Mask Even Though There’s A Statewide Mask Mandate Because I’m Special Man! Can I call you Mr. Jerkhead for short? It’s much easier to remember.
There was another man without a mask in the corner opposite from Mr. Jerkhead. Now that the majority of folks are masking up, it’s these guys that look like real dips. Variant incubators!
On a side note, I did see two men in the small waiting room at the car dealer wearing masks, but with their noses exposed! It will be an amazing day when people learn that their noses are connected to their respiratory systems and not just decorative bumps on their faces. An amazing day indeed.
Onward…
Hello crow.
It was so early that Costco wasn’t open! That’s a sight few people see. Look at all those bollards! And the dutiful cones, roping them in.
Oh geez, now I’m seeing a face on that shuttered entrance. It’s even wearing a jaunty Costco hat.
The sea of carts, eager and ready for duty hauling the impulse buys of today’s visitors. Capitalism’s carry-alls!
While at Michael’s I got a call that my car needed less work and would be ready sooner than expected. Time to turn around and retrace my steps!
I spotted this sign for a recent event. I’d seen in the news that it was recommended that anyone who attended the event should get tested for Covid.
Will it ever end?!!! Will I ever get there?!!! I felt like I’d been walking forever. It was starting to get really warm too. The sun beating down on the concrete and nowhere for the heat to go…
I’m happy to report that I did finally arrive back at the dealership and my car was ready just a few minutes later. Thank goodness. The suburban dystopia adventure was wearing thin. Smokey Point may have a lovely view of the Cascades, but it’s kind of a hell-hole. Last weekend we drove through here on Sunday afternoon and the four corners of the main intersection were full of anti-vax protesters. Yuck. I won’t go off on that tangent because it’s late and I’ve got a
POOL UPDATE!!!
I finally saw somebody in the pool! How can this be, you ask? Did they fill it up for one last (first) dip before the end of summer?
No, they did not. Screechy girl was trying to play basketball and she stepped over the end and into it to take a shot. Can you blame her? The thing is right in the way and messing up the basketball area.
Today they moved it, presumably to clear the basketball court.
ANY ONE OF THEM COULD WALK UP TO IT AND OPEN THE AIR VALVES. Really people, put the poor thing out of its misery. Just one simple action could end it all. They’ve been going about their business around it for nearly two months, instead of letting the air out and putting it away.
WHYYYYYYYY???
Have a good Labor Day weekend! Stay safe, please.
That walk looks like so many in America ...
I really want to put that poor pool out of its misery. Or give it to someone who might use it seeing as how it hasn't been destroyed by a cat yet!
Smokey Point is MUCH different than it was when I worked there 30 years ago. Just the one signal at 172nd Street and Smokey Point Boulevard (old two-lane Highway 99 to oldsters like me who can recall when the newer four-lane Highway 99 passed under the railroad tracks before the I-5 overpass opened in 1970).