One square mile. Easily understood. You walk a mile, turn left, walk a mile and turn left, walk a mile and turn left, and then walk another mile right back to where you began.
The first featured square mile is a wonderful Houston hodgepodge that I’m calling “Sabine Street.” I’ve got to call these square miles something because, whether in ignorance or creativity, stuff needs to be organized. The area runs east along Washington Ave to the Post Houston (the old downtown post office), south into downtown toward the House of Blues, then west into the Fourth Ward.
I’ve dropped a reference map further below and this post only scratches the surface.
Now, on Sabine Street Bridge, on any given weekend, you can find couples and senior high kids being photographed, with Houston’s skyline as a backdrop. Here’s one of my interpretations, taken this week.
Where are the people? Why so stark? You could think that the universe knew I needed something different. Or you could correctly believe that I captured the bridge during a break between thunderstorms.
Look again. A blue bike and a red bike. Any thoughts about that?
If you presented the image to either Americans or folks in other countries, my guess is that most would not be able to “name this city.” That’s Houston?! Where are the cars and intersecting highways?
And how about all those trees? Early in my career, I represented a Japanese trade agency located in downtown Houston. “Scott-san!” one of my counterparts declared, “I had no idea that there were so many trees in Houston! I looked out the other day (from his office) and it was like broccoli everywhere!” R’s are hard on the Japanese tongue. I can still hear his voice and will share another story about him sometime.
So here’s that map… The Sabine Street bridge is located on Buffalo Bayou.
Let me show you more. About 3/4 of a mile from the bridge, you’ll see downtown Houston’s only major example of Italian Renaissance architecture. The Esperson Building has beautiful columns, urns and terraces. It was designed by John Eberson (sounds like Esperson). One structure was built for Niels Esperson, a Texas real estate and oil tycoon, and other other for his wife, Mellie. There’s a grand tempietto (I had to look that up) similar to those constructed in Rome in the 1500s.
Now we’re going to the “Interesting Homes” area per my map. I’ve walked and driven around there and have a few dream shots in mind for another day. Still, I’m pleased with what I’ve gathered.
Each of these images is worth a closer look. The one below haunts me.
Any thoughts or emotions come to mind? I see sealant foam coming from the window seal and I think of rodent prevention and insulation against the heat. The longer I look, the less I sense any judgement; We don’t know this person’s story. Now this… amazing how the paint has completely washed away in time.
There’s fabulous reconstruction work going on in the area, as well as new homes being built in a similar architectural genre.
Walking in the area gave me moments of thrill. There’s a timelessness. On one quiet street, a dove seemed to observe me. I stood watching, noting the vintage design of the street light, feeling a breeze in the shade and sensing peace. And that tree is a wow! Every day we’re alive is a gift - so often we forget or just don’t know it.
Lots more to share from the “Sabine Street Bridge” area. I’ll post again, picking it up where I left off. But let me share a few frames from a family shoot I did there.