Funny, That Rainy Day is Here!

Words and music from an old Perry Como hit song hum along in my head this morning as I do laundry and get motivated to do some blog catching up. The inventory of pictures of Lake City houses/buildings is so large now that for the sake of readers I decide to break it into sections/subjects rather than lump it in all at once.

So this section once again takes us on a walk through town and features some of what we consider unique sights.

We keep in mind that the voting population here, including County residents, is a little over 700, and the winter population dwindles to something over 300. And that Hinsdale County is the most remote county in the nation with 96% of the land owned by the government. And that in some quarters, Lake City is considered an annex to Texas. One local restaurant displays a wall map of Texas that's altered to include LC & the corridor of roadway one takes to reach it from west Texas...humorous, yes, but not that much of an exaggeration!We begin this walk on the edge of the residential area adjacent to Henson Creek (our trailer sits on the opposite bank), where some buildings beg for some TLC and vacant lots have been left to grow into thigh-high grasses. We spot a deer bedded down in the shade of this building and two other family members grazing nearby.

Though we keep checking, we haven't seen the big buck deer that the gentleman next door tells us is a regular evening visitor.

This domestic scene catches my eye as I peek into backyards and sideyards from the street. Two weeks later, believe it or not, the same clothes are still, or again, hanging on the line, in the same order! I decide it's someone's idea of realistic art.

As I continue my stroll I'm struck by the many ways in which people have personalized the exterior of homes; one of the methods is COLOR. As in this very pink house and its even more pink bay window trim. Peppermint pink.

We get the message....No Vacancy!! Actually, from late June to mid-August such signs are seen all around town as vacationers from far and wide fill the town to the seams, throng into the ice cream shoppe, pack the downtown boardwalks, and hopefully fill the coffers of the local merchants as well as the county (with so little private land, sales tax is an important source of revenue).

This giant rock chimney looks for all the world to me like a giant nose on a small face. Would love to see the inside fireplace on the other side of this monster.

Isn't this just precious, the intricate wood design decorating the entryway, and a leaded glass doorpane as well?

Here's a better look at the door pane.

Winter or summer, these flower boxes make folks smile!

Again, color plays an important role in maintaining the Victorian atmosphere of the town.

Speaking of things Victorian, the white sign on the door of this building says "Toilet." Doubt that it's really in use, but it's obviously an old building that's maintained for at least a conversation piece.

I visit one of my favorite spots where the lady of the house has turned much of her property into a somewhat secluded botanical oasis, open for strollers like me to enjoy, to oooh and aaah over blooming plant selections throughout the growing season.

Aside from the ubiquitous Lone Star vehicle license plates, Texans find pleasure in identifying themselves as such in many ways....like on this residence.

This house has a very welcoming feel with its front path lined with flower boxes,

a beautiful front doorglass, polished brass hardware, and the little decorated birdhouse on the doorstep.

Hope you enjoyed our walk, there's more to come in later sections.