What I See Almost Every Day
I love Huntsville. I initially wrote a long several paragraphs about why I love Huntsville, and then I realized that would probably bore everyone but me, so I deleted it. One of the places I love the most is Jones Valley. It is a part of Southeast Huntsville that stayed undeveloped for quite some time. It started being built up in chunks about the time we moved here and it has created this gorgeous dichotomy of rural and commercial. When I took this picture – my favorite shopping center in town was at my back. The city planners placed ordinances in place before this area was developed so that everything is covered in brick and signs don’t stand above roofs. In other words – it’s the things I need (Super Target, Ross, Barnes & Noble, etc.) successfully hidden within some of the most beautiful rural landscape ON THE PLANET.
For Mother’s Day, I asked that MrZ get up with NikkiZ so I could head out early to take pictures of the area in the post-storm sunrise.
Imagine facing all of these scenes, enjoying the beauty, and then turning around and being able to buy a latte at Starbucks. I LOVE THIS CITY.
NikkiZ looks for the cows in the pastures every time we go grocery shopping. If she can’t see them by the road, she’ll propose several options: They’re sleeping, They’re at the Sarm (Farm), or They’re hiding from the rain. She says that most often when it’s completely sunny. Because she’s insane.
See? Peaceful. Calm. Serene. GORGEOUS. And at my back? Longhorn Steakhouse. Anyone else find that juxtaposition – with the pasture across the street from the steakhouse – a little uncomfortable?
I can not live too far from Super Target. I’ll admit that. It’s my grocery store, my lunch stop, and my therapy all in one place. But it feels nice knowing that the district I’m a slave to (There’s also a Hobby Lobby! And a Movie Theater!) is adjacent to such a gorgeous view. It makes it easier when I’m pushing $150 worth of groceries to my car.
Those pictures are so gorgeous, and I must admit, I’m jealous of the Super Target with a View!!!
wow…that is beautiful!! That would be kinda nice coming out of the stores….at least you appreciate it, think of the people that don’t!!
A post on why you love Huntsville would not bore me! I grew up here and am so happy to be back. I never thought I would think or say that, but it’s true. I’m pregnant with my first, and I’m glad she’s going to grow up in such a great place.
Sure is gorgeous! Hope you’re not busy when I come to the US one day and decide I MUST visit Huntsville because it’s damn beautiful. We can go shopping at Target, too if you like
Thought: I don’t think we have Super Targets over here…are we missing out on a lot?
These are some of the most beautiful photographs you have taken to date.
The steakhouse across from the pasture is a little sick. It is about as sick as the moron who built an assisted living building for the elderly across the street from a cemetery.
Such gorgeous photos! I love them all, but esp. that last one of that little stone building. I want to go exploring in Huntsville!
Beautiful photos and I have to admit that I miss Target but then again Ikea makes up for it.
I was born & lived in Huntsvulle until I was 12. I have great memories of my Mom taking us out for a ride through Jones Valley just to see the cows, horses, & great views.
It’s a little sad to hear that Jones Valley has been opened to development, but I’m glad to hear that ordinances have been put in place so the development doesn’t impact the area too quickly or too hard.
We lived in West Huntsville on Newby Rd, just off Bob Wallace. When I was a kid & before we moved (about ’70 to ’74), Jones Valley was WAY out of town. There wasn’t much on South Parkway past Haysland Square until you hit Gasoline Alley. I remember feeling sorry for the kids who lived so far from town in Jones Valley & Mountain Gap. I didn’t know I’d be in the same situation when we moved to Vina.
Huntsville still has the #1 place in my heart with my currecnt home (Seattle) a very close #2. Thanks for bringing back some nice memories of my home town.
Beautiful! (Both the pictures and the juxtaposition.) My nearest Target is near the river. Which sounds nice until you’ve been there, and all you can see is giant rusty ships.
Precisely the reason Huntsville is on my short list of places to move when we retire from the Air Force. I love the mix of rural/urban civilization there. (And now that I know there is a Longhorn’s? Well, dang… that just makes it even better.)
It also doesn’t hurt that my sister lives in NE Huntsville…
I know the exact spot you photographed
I love being able to just look out the door (well, when I work the express lane on the grocery end) and see that huge mountain which looks like it’s practically right outside the door.
Target Corporation has a similar rule about building, regardless of where they’re at. They are very adamant about building in the same style as the rest of local architecture wherever they’re at, and keeping things as low-key as possible.
Thank you for getting up early to take these shots and for sharing them with us. Just beautiful!
Wow, that’s some beautiful country you live in! I’m insanely jealous of all the green you still have – all our hills are ugly brown already!
I love Jones Valley, too. I also love the drive out to my parents house in Harvest. Capshaw and Sam Thomas have some amazing scenery.
Beautiful images!
While I’m afraid that the pasture might ruin the steak experience for me, I still think it’s lovely that you have some green to look at! I live in a semi-arid desert, and sometimes I think my soul just thirsts for a bit of green!
Wow! What beautiful photos. I don’t know if they’d be enough to convince me to move to Huntsville, but a visit might be nice someday.
Only a few more days before BabyZ arrives!! Eeeeeeek!!!!