My photo walk of 2 July 2010

2 July 2010

56 minute walk.

Tonight my BG level was a bit up so I embarked on a short walk. Besides, I wanted to drop off some red bean paste buns I had picked up for my daughter Margaret. After leaving her house I headed to the Mason city center, site of the impressive county courthouse where a movie crew had gathered to shoot some scenes for an upcoming movie "Real Steel", starring Hugh Jackman (who played Wolverine in the popular X-men movies). I noted the big trucks arriving on Wednesday, and they closed off some streets and restricted parking in the downtown area on Thursday and today (Friday) for the movie work. By the time I arrived downtown on this walk everyone was gone except for some workers clearing up the equipment and loading the last trucks. I took a few photos of the downtown area and headed to the Mason Elevator Company, where I joined the Hayhoe Riverwalk.

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Some of the trucks being loaded with the filmmakers' equipment. The Ingham County Courthouse should make an impressive background for the movie.

Move views of the trucks and one of the posters in a window facing the courthouse welcoming the cast and crew for the movie "Read Steel"

I was walking north on Rogers Street (marking the east side of the town square). I passed the First United Methodist Church and their attractive alcove (first two shots above). The north boundary of the square holds the First Presbyterian Church with its nice stone building and stained glass.

Next to the First Presbyterian Church is the Ingham County C. Ross Hilliard Building. A few blocks west along Maple Street I noted this attractive old Mason house. Mason is full of interesting and attractive houses.

This red sidewalk marks the continuation of the Hayhoe Riverwalk path as it continues through town away from the water. I found the yellow fleet of vehicles of the Servicemaster company of Mason eyecatching. There are some pretty flowers next to the Hayhoe walk path as it approaches a bridge over Sycamore Creek.

A short distance from the Maple Grove Cemetary, where the path rejoins Sycamore Creek, I spotted this eyecatching scene with the rocking horse in the shadows against the background of a brightly sunlit house wall. A few steps away was this attractive flower bed new to the red surface of the sidewalk.

Walking with a camera invites extra scrutiny of details normally overlooked. I liked this view of a brick wall with a reflection of sunlight from a nearby vehicle. The Mason Elevator Company is full of photogenic views.

The Mason Depot has been converted from a train station to a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. Nearby is the Mason Antique District.

More views of the Mason Elevator Company above, along with a view a bit further south along the railroad tracks. I often take a turn when I come to the tracks and walk along the tracks, sometimes on the tracks and sometimes just to the side.

Here the railroad tracks cross Sycamore Creek. Nearby is the colorful buildings of the Benedict Auto Body company. The stone above has a plaque for the Hayhoe Riverwalk.

Passing the plack the path runs downhill past some playground equipment. There's a nice bridge where Ash Street crosses Sycamore Creek. A bit further along the path I came to my favorite climax to a walk. The steep Elm Street hill leading east to Jefferson Street is a fitting way to finish a walk with its 15% or so incline.