I love living in the Rainier Valley.  It is amazing how when I was little, I was always told to never go to Rainier Ave because it had such a negative history.  I must say, that just isn’t the case anymore, and I’m grateful.  Saturday afternoon, I went walking with a friend.  We were actually out hunting for gardens for the 2011 Rainier Valley Garden Tour.

The neighborhood is so alive.  We started in the southeast corner of Columbia City and worked our way to the northwest and then back.  Every street we walked down, there were people out and about:  walking, working in the yard, sitting on the porch…you name it.  I was really impressed by some of the work that our neighbors were tackling.  One resident had just replaced his colapsing driveway wall with a beautiful rockery.  Another was in the process of building portable raised beds for vegetable gardening.  Others were doing the standard work:  maintaining.

Everybody we came across was so talkative and ready to share what projects they’ve got going on.  It was inspiring.  Below you’ll find some pictures from around the neighborhood.  You can see why I feel so fortunate to live here.