The war on cars

From our kitchen window and deck we can see a massive crane two blocks away, where they tore down the beloved PCC grocery store to build the new four-story Luna Apartment complex.  Actually this crane is visible for miles around-- the largest we've ever seen in West Seattle. I think it's kind of a grim, industrial view in what once was a quiet little neighborhood.  But there's no sign of the building boom slowing down, and Seattle keeps hitting new highs for cost of living.

I've heard Seattle referred to lately as a "car hostile" city.  This is true. Developers are cutting deals to build apartment buildings without spaces for residents, they are ripping up busy streets to create bike lanes only a faction of people use, downtown surface streets will be tolled in a few years (to say nothing of the tunnel) and parking lots (incredibly expensive if you can find one) are going away to build more condos and apartments. All of this wouldn't be so bad of we had enough mass transportation, but most people don't have any choice except drive to work.

OK, end of rant.  Here's some good news-- we're going to hit 80 today, the warmest day of the year so far.   It is absolutely beautiful outside. My ebay dahlia bulb came in just two days, and is already planted in the warm ground.  Why drive to the nursery?  Why drive anywhere for that matter, when you can get just about anything delivered? I can't even remember the last time I went downtown shopping. $30 to park for the day.