Strolling along the sidewalk of E. 7 Street between Pine Street and Woodland Avenue at sunset is like walking through a peaceful dream. The street is quiet and the light is soft and warm, even in the middle of October. There is a quality of light unique to Chico, which exists only in this town and it’s more pronounced here than anywhere else. I love this street.
I’ve lived in Chico a long time, and ridden to and from the park along this street in all seasons. I’ve passed down this street in the middle of a rain storm, at the crack of dawn and stumblingly drunk, but it’s never as beautiful as it is when the sun sets in October.
I’d like to buy a house here some day. The houses are all so different, and yet they are similar. They are warm and inviting, even from the outside. This is a quintessential middleclass Chico neighborhood. There are a lot of Obama signs in front of houses and in yards. I think I’d probably fit right in.
I imagine that over the years many of the University’s professors have lived here. Maybe some city councilors, elementary school teachers, grocery clerks or mechanics. It doesn’t really matter who lives here, as long as they know they’re lucky.
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