At Home in Kirkland With the Trees

I LOVE the abundance of trees in Kirkland. Although it is an ever-growing community, as a person passes through many areas it can appear as a great forest with only a hint of civilization. For example the view eastward descending Finn Hill above the Juanita store easily takes on the appearance of a park, and yet beneath those trees rests city streets and acres of houses, stores, etc. On Finn Hill the ongoing preservation of the Juanita Woodlands is proof that I am not the only one in my neighborhood who treasures our greenery.

When I first moved here I saw a warning sign that displayed a picture of a leaping deer. I assumed it represented wildlife in general, but certainly not literally a deer itself. Any large animal would be the last thing I would expect navigating my burbs. Since then I have seen coyotes, possoms, squirrels, raccoons, and, yes, many deer. The sign did not lie. I share my home with an abundance of wildlife. Thanks to the trees.

I remeber one year when I was lucky enough to have the time and money to vacation in Las Vegas. I stayed at the Luxor -- beautiful as long as I kept to the nightlife and casinos that is. However looking out at the view from my hotel room window I saw nothing more than a desolate desert outside. I enjoyed my stay there but I must say that on the way back looking down from the jet I couldn't wait to see what has become a symbol of life and an unmistakeable feeling of home -- the trees. I later thought that flying from Vegas back to Washington state was like a journey from the moon to Earth.

Once upon visiting a relative, I was shocked to note that there was no sign of a tree anywhere in the area. Apparently the developer had taken them all away. The view from this family's home was elevated above the other houses and so I could look from their yard into each and every fenced area. There was no privacy. It seemed to me these weren't really homes.

A heavily forested community can be like a big house where each member of the family can disappear for a while from the rest, to collect one's self and recharge, to have a feeling of personal domain and safety. This is one of the values I find in Kirkland. I can truly feeling at home with the trees.