De La Vina Street
I like walking in a straight line
or a zigzag
across De La Vina Street,
past parks with bright flowers,
and circle the large oaks
and eucalyptus trees.
I enjoy its wide avenue
with swaying palms,
a warming sun, a mandolin playing,
and the scent of lavender
wafting in the ocean breeze.
I like to hear bluebirds chirping,
see the sparrows splashing
in a marble birdbath,
and watch the gulls soar in single
file
like jet fighters overhead.
I like to walk mindfully,
noticing my breath,
the length of my step,
and how my hip feels
with each rotation.
Whether I see the swirling colors
up in the sky
or the mountains covered in a marine
layer,
I feel connected
To the street, I love the most,
past Spanish-style homes,
creameries with shakes and splits,
taquerias with bean burritos,
silver-coated Labradors on studded
leashes
and purring cats on windowsills.
De la Vina is a street in Santa Barbara, California. In 1851 when land surveyor Salisbury Haley designed the town's street grid, he misaligned the streets and thus creating doglegs at certain intersections. The town center was established just north of Ortega Street, between Santa Barbara and Chapala Streets, encompassing most of the existing Spanish core; new business development expanded along State Street south of Ortega Street, and residential streets rose on both the east and west sides of Santa Barbara and Chapala Streets. De la Vina was developed by merchants, bankers, businessmen, and capitalists from 1870-1910 and was especially popular due to its proximity to State Street shops and the electric street railway. Many old homes are still occupied, especially Folk Victorian residences, similar to the contemporary Queen Anne style but less elaborate and with more regular floor plans.
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