Wait for it… wait for it… wait for it…
Every time we cross the Center Avenue bridge just past 14th Street NE on the way towards the State Hospital someone says it. I say it, Adam says it, we both say it:
“Salem is really kinda cute, isn’t it?”
For a while we thought it was the adorable early 20th century cottages that line the road, one after each other, like little candy hearts on a LIFE gameboard. Then we thought maybe it was the bucolic streamscapes on both side of the bridge, which make you feel like you are someplace other than Salem.
Finally, after maybe a 143 trips across the bridge, we figured it out.
It’s the duck crossing sign.
So here’s an idea: Maybe Salem doesn’t need a really great dessert place, or a few less existential signs, or the lawn police to get people to remove all the junk from the front of their yards (blue tarps are not the answer, people).
Salem needs more adorable signs.
I have never seen a duck crossing this road — and judging by the speed at which commuters pass over this bridge, I am guessing I never will.
But I’m pretty sure that simply seeing a warning that there may be a duck family living around here changed the way I feel about this city intersection.
That is my all time favorite kid’s book. I’m pretty sure my mom would still like to read it to us kids if we would let her, too!
go down state street there is always ducks and geese crossing the road never any chickens though lol
There is nothing better than enjoying a 10-minute break in your car while the geese cross the road at State Street, near Airport Road. It’s the cutest thing! (A few impatient drivers don’t seem to enjoy the impromptu nature program as much as I do!) But I, too, have never seen ducks near that Center Street sign. A mystery!