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Morning and Evening, about an hour
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Morning and Evening, about an hour
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Before we moved to the apartment, my wife and I walked for about an hour.
We walked for once a day for the last 20 years. Recently it was increased to twice a day. Like it or not, as a habit I head out the apartment when it is time. I walk with 5 pound dumbbell in both my hand. With both hands holding the dumbbell it is 10lbs. Sometimes when I swing my arm a bit too strong my body shakes because I am so light. Despite that, I feel refreshed every time I walk with my wife.
After I had moved into the apartments, I was encouraged more to walk. Most of the tenants are in their 70s and older. When they first came into the apartment, I do not know. But one thing is certain. Several of them have become uncomfortable to walking after entering this place, because they do not exercise regularly. Many of the elderly don’t have anywhere else to go. As they stay in their rooms all the time, their muscles would stiffen, and start to become weak and start to have difficulties in walking. So that is why my wife and I want to walk more.
At first I walked around Santa Clara University. After several days of walking, it would only end after about 40 minutes. I started to walk around the neighborhood to find a course that is at least an hour long. That is how I found our recently walking course. While I was walking, I found a school named after a famous nun, Clara and a church named after another nun, Clair. Santa Clara is a university while St. Clair is elementary / middle school. It is near Buchser Middle school where my children graduated. Inside the Santa Clara University is a historical church; cross a street about 200 yards is the St. Clair Catholic School, which is nearby the park next to our apartment. The church which was influenced by St. Clair, gives free brown bags containing fresh vegetable, fruits and bread, etc. around 8AM~10AM for low-income families.
In 13th century St. Clara and St. Clair were canonized, they were influenced by St. Francis of Assisi’s teachings and his life. They lived in poverty and helped those who were poor. Either because of the history or fame, all the schools have many students. When the school pledges to the flag, it can be heard from the apartment. When I leave from the entrance of the apartment, I can see the Santa Clara Court building. Few steps away are a post office. In front of this post office every Saturday holds the farmer’s market. If I walk around the Santa Clara University walls, the first major street is Santa Clara Street. Crossing into the Market Street has an old house. This city does maintain its historical buildings very well. Every historical house has a small bronze plate with small history. An example, the first pilot of this town’s house, a short way down has houses dating back to 1838, 1890, 1895, and 1905. Many houses are over a century old. What is more surprising is several houses have wooden statues, yet still maintained very well. Some houses are small, and some are very large. Several of the large houses were converted into a museum.
Another surprising thing is how all the streets were paved over 100 years ago, but still have no difficulties in travel. The civil engineering planned the city very well. I’m amazed to those who still maintain those 100 year old houses. As a result they remain as our history. All of them have love and care in city planning, that is why they are still maintained and used still to this day. About 200 feet from our apartment is the first Protestant church. This small church is painted yellow. All the windows are decorated with stained glasses of biblical characters. It’s beautiful. There is a patch of flowers attended in care.
After going around the block, I have to cross the park to get to our apartment. There is a painted white house nearby. Because I see it all the time, I had crossed the street to see what this house is like. This house is a historical site. The bronze plate says it was the first doctor’s house and was a hospital. As I enter the park, next to the library, there is a large bronze plate showing a list of historical sites in this area of neighborhood and the park’s history.
Making a mark in history is valuable. But to keep the historically important thing is important also. I think it is very important to make the next generation remember of the past. It was meaningful for me and my wife to walk around and see these historical buildings. Liberty Tower would one day also be a historical site. The entire building is made of concrete. It was built in 1970s made with exposed concrete construction which was very difficult to do back in that time. All the walls around the apartments are also made of concrete. I think the building cost was great. I think this building was designed by a famous architect. The buildings are very clean, and maintain it very well. One thing to be remembered is the Methodists who made this tower for the elderly to rest. In Winchester Boulevard there is a senior apartment that much larger than Liberty Tower. Most of the apartments are government owned or owned by the city, but one day someone will remember those Methodists who had built this place.
(April 28th, 2011)
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Morning and Evening, about an hour
Where the Young and Old crosses path.