Thursday I went to the park again with my friend DragonRider. I'm using the name he picked to join OS and comment on my post "not alone." He's the friend that took the pictures of Judy and I.  this time I grabbed my camera. I tried to pretend I was a photographer and look to see what they see in the little tiny window. Tuesday it took 6 hours to walk 3 miles or something like that.

Thursday I think we walked through 3 parks, it's hard to know because I don't pay enough attention to those things.  According to DR we walked about the same distance but took 8 hours because there was so much to see. Kathryn Albertson Park is named after the wife of Joe Albertson, (it's his supermarket but the produce department belongs to some guy singing in the commercials). The 41 acres was designed for wildlife and waterfowl. Julia Davis Park is 89 acres and contains the Zoo, Art Museum, Historical Museum, formal Rose Garden and more. Thomas Davis donated 43 of the acres as a memorial to his late wife. The 153 acres in Ann Morrison Park was purchased and by the founder of Morrison-Knudsen Company and built by its employes in honor of his late wife.

All along the greenbelt there is the river, I was so enamoured I often forgot to use the camera. No use trying to take pictures as we walked through tunnels and culverts and under the overpasses. We just walked and let it happen to us so maybe when you look you'll let it just happen to you.

I think where we started was part of Julia Davis Park, maybe ... just enjoy.

DR at the first landing we came to on the greenbelt

We stopped at a typical spot for Lunch

DR after lunch

A pond by a cafe

Old railroad bridge (MK or Morrison-Knudsen) built in 1923 by the American Bridge Company.

View from old railroad bridge

Geese swimming toward us hopefully

 Geese swimming closer

  Geese swimming away disappointed

 Me noticing my picture was being taken while I was sneaking up on geese

 Another pond, each one different with different plantings

 Geese eating by yet another pond

 Hopeful goose that grunted lightly at me

Geese still eating as we walk away 

Worlds largest (or oldest, I forgot) ponderosa pine according to plaque. Photo of slab of what was once worlds largest ponderosa pine. If you look closely you still won't be able to see all the little markers at 10 o'clock showing what year each ring grew. I think it was 376 years old, maybe. There were a lot historical facts on plaques on either side, including the name of the person responsible for this slab of what was once the worlds largest or oldest PP. I forgot the information and his name.

All benches (possibly hundreds) provided by the Boise Noon Optimists club. I'm not sure what they do to at noon or what they're optimistic about. I am grateful for the benches.

Lovely structure built around the slab of WLPP 

 Turtle interrupted while basking, I had to be very quiet and move slowly to get close enough. This was the fourth shot as I got closer, he disappeared seconds later. Silently.

 DR under a lovely maple, the leaves reminded me of a lace tablecloth

 Reflection of trees in a different pond, yellow iris not yet blooming

 (Imagine fabulous photo of me standing in front of tree with pretty red hairy stuff. Random OS message file too large... 2MB, ask administator, etc... )

 Me standing on rock saying c'mon and take the picture

(Imagine fabulous photo of me sitting on same rock. Random OS message file too large... 2MB, ask administator, etc... )

Rock water sculture behind photo of me (that you imagined seeing)

Doe at dinner, interruped 

Tree with strange branches

Another pond with water lilies and a few yellow irises blooming

Still another pond, a single water lily bud has opened

DR smiling at me while waiting to have his photo taken

DR smiling at the camera for photo (hahaha, different smiles)

Another park with geese, people too

Fountain with assorted children

Photo of fountain interrupted by seagull showering

Photo of tired old broad grabbing a shower

 DR standing at launch pad for tube floaters. Note the railing is almost covered in water. Wait until the snow starts to melt in the mountains.    Not good!

Two adorable teen girls clowning with a camera phone on bridge

(Imagine fabulous photo here of DR and me taken by adorable teen girls. Random OS message file too large... 2MB, ask administator, etc... ) 

Last chance to sit down, this is the landing where we started but the sun was gone...

 Duck resting while other ducks swim, we sit and watch, resting too

Back near the cars at the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial something I didn't notice before.

A poem by Maya Angelou

Here root yourselves beside me.

I am that Tree planted by the River,

Which will not be moved,

I, the Rock, the River, I, the Tree

I am yours - your passages have been paid.

Lift up your faces, you have a piercing need

For this bright morning dawning for you.

History, despite its wrenching pain,

Cannot be unlived, but if faced

With courage, need not be lived again.

Maybe no one else ever notices it either.

This poem I understand.