And One More Walking in Visalia* Post

This is an enormous empty lot in Visalia, and I took the photo because I am astonished that it is green! It rained in September and October, something that doesn’t always happen around here. See those enormous trees in the distance? Valley oaks, quercus lobata, the largest oaks in the country (or the world? I forget). They follow waterways through town, just like they do in Three Rivers; that is Mill Creek over there.

I even spotted wildflowers in the lot—morning glories are actually an invasive weed.

Those car places aren’t always boring.

Are buildings ever built with rounded corners any more?

An alley full of succulents? Yeppers. I wonder if it is profitable. I saw it there about 6 years ago, so maybe it is.

I saw the sign for Component Coffee Lab, a place I have heard about but never knew where it was. Looks as if they rent one place to do their roasting, in another, not far away, tucked into a walking alley, is their very cool coffee shop. It was full of people on devices, with plugs available by every seat. Their logo of 3 circles is too subtle for me to understand, and their back entrance could use some landscaping, but everything else was excellent.

What is this?? I didn’t walk right up to it, but saw it when I was in the back of the coffee place on a street parallel to Main Street. What is the significance? That is where Foreign Auto Works was when I first discovered them in 1983. (More oaks along Mill Creek).

*Visalia, population 146,000, is the county seat of Tulare County, about halfway between Bakersfield and Fresno, California’s flyover country. No one knows about it, no one cares, but we feed the world. Might be more helpful to know it is about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, each about 200 miles away. But really, no one cares, and I like it that way.

More Walking in Visalia

If you’ve been hanging around here on the internet for awhile, you know that Trail Guy and I drive old vehicles. The reason that we are able to keep them running is due to Mark at Foreign Auto Works. Mark just sold his business to Frank, and we will continue going there. However, before Mark vamooses in retirement, we had him do final oil changes for us. I’m his longest customer and I will really miss him.

I dusted the odometer so you can read it more clearly.

Hence, time-kill in Visalia, which I used to go walking and exploring downtown. The first part of the walk is full of auto places: repair shops, tires, transmissions, detailing, used car lots, new car lots, smog checks. When I got through those parts, I paid attention to architecture and other details.

Remember when buildings were made pretty, just because? Compared to buildings in older cities, particularly in the East, this is probably considered a nothing-burger. But I happen to think it is classic.

This part of Main Street connects all the automotive shops to the retail shops and restaurants. For awhile, it was full of antique malls; now there are empty buildings, a gym or two, and some mysterious unknowns (I didn’t linger). Visalia has tried to keep the trees going along Main Street, and as you get closer to the retail part, there are speakers up high on the lights, playing a variety of music. I heard some classical, I heard some Neil Diamond. I wonder why they think music is important walking along the sidewalks.

I stopped in Pacific Treasures, a business that was new when I worked in downtown, 30+ years ago. Now it is one of the few I recognize, and it was a real treat to have a visit with an old friend from elementary school who has worked there for many years. Great store, full of merchandise, so full that I almost developed a twitch. Got it under control, and bought some basil olive oil. My friend said they stock it because I asked for some. Ahem. I asked 9 years ago, and haven’t stopped by since asking. (They could have called, but they probably haven’t had any trouble selling it.)

There’s an old sign. Really old, older than me, prolly older than Trail Guy. The restaurant is no longer functional. Maybe the downtown Visalia organization wants them to leave the sign for nostalgia’s sake.

I love this sort of tile detail. This would prolly cost a mint to have done on a new building.

One more walking in Visalia post ahead.

Main Gallery!

I’ve joined a new art co-operative called Main Gallery at 209 West Main Street in Visalia! (For you locals, this is in the same block as Brown’s Shoes and Pacific Treasures) Our grand opening is Friday, November 5, 6-8:30 p.m. Have a look as it was being set up on Saturday:

This is where Cross-Horlock used to be.

I don’t remember Cross-Horlock having such a beautiful atrium (not that I even knew the word back when CH was open!)

It is a wonderfully large and well-lit space with room upstairs for workshops.

Customers may enter from Main Street or through the atrium doors.

My work is on screens and is visible from the atrium.

Expatiation:

There is something to be said in favor of working in one’s home town – the convenience, the casualness of getting to work and the familiarity are just a few of the benefits. On the other hand, there are several somethings to be said in favor of working in the largest town in the county, namely Visalia. The expanded population base means increased exposure, increased visitation and increased sales. In addition, there are 22 other artists with whom to interact and from whom to learn. Granted, Sierra Subs is not next door nor is there a river out back. When I feel the loss of those 2 things, I will simply remind myself that I am here to earn a living, not have a mini get-away!