Mysterious Statue of Knives

We started off at my home, then went to the post office and public library for various errands. Afterward we wondered through Oakland Chinatown, close to the Social Security building.

Electrical Supply

I nosed around the back parking lot area of a supply store that I'd never noticed before.

Electrical Supply 2

Electrical Supply 3

Electrical Supply 4

Lone Pay Phone

I love taking pictures of payphones, because they are usually in complete states of disrepair. This one still functioned. We passed a donut corner store, the Lake Merritt BART and walked toward Laney College.

RIP Grandpa

I actually used to work in this neighborhood as a Census enumerator, and might have knocked on this door. The house is kinda typical of a lot of units in this neighborhood. Buildings that might have been shops or offices one hundred years early are now owned by slumlords who lease said spaces after awkwardly dividing the interior spaces into multi-unit housing.

Mysterious Motel

I never noticed this motel, even though I lived like two blocks away. From this side it looks like a beautiful European hostel, or something.

No Longer Mysterious Motel

But when we turned the corner we discovered it was a stupid off the highway motor lodge with a big parking lot that looked like every other hotel in America.

Lonely Highway

We decided to follow this fence around the back of Laney College.

Fence Corset

This piece of rope prevented us from running onto the highway.

Construction Pile

Roasting Porta-potties

These toilets were locked up. They smelled absolutely wonderful, by the way.

No Photo!

My colleague declined to be photographed.

Your narrator

Estuary Gate

As we approached the estuary we noticed a single life-saver caught in the gate, no doubt indicating melancholy circumstances, and foreshadowing hopelessness.

Estuary Park View Toward Bay

We decided to walk closer to the Bay.

Poorly Attended Public Art

A fine specimen of Amercian minimalist sculpture.

Secret Path Leads Us Astry

It led us back toward the construction site.

Sneaking

Construction Platform

We could've walked through the construction zone toward the Marina, but we decided against it, since there was a lone worker and not much that attracted our attention on the other side.

Construction Zone 2

Construction Zone 3

One may note the Oakland Fire Departments training complex.

Under the Bridge

We walked back, toward civilization.

Stagnant Piss Hole

Even human excretion must be subjected to our cataloging and scrutiny.

View from the Garden

We had a brief sit down in Laney College's wee garden terrace before we continued.

Bridge

We crossed a bridge over the estuary. In desperation, gulls grab mussels and other shellfish from the water and drop them on concrete to smash them open when their native diet of pizza and old Cheetos is scarce.

Laney College's Secret Garden

Turtle Sunbathing on Rock

Girl's laughter scares away turtles seeking quiet reflection and meditation.

Grocery Store

We walked to East Oakland. Our thirst and hunger led us to this Vietnamese grocery store, where I could barely prevent myself from buying every pudding in sight.

Grocery 2

Grocery 3

The Open Door

We passed an open door and a red staircase leading to ...?

Snack Attack

Luckily, there was a park across the street. Once in this very same park I was offered "two fingers" of pot for $15. I respectfully declined, but since that day I've been haunted. How much is two fingers anyway? $15 seems like such a deal. And what grade of pot can you buy in Oakland in a public park?

Ladder

We walked back toward the lake in no particular hurry and admired many buildings along the way.

Charming Old Timey Liquor Store

Impromptu Dance in Blue

The seahorse, dustpan and decorative mushroom delicately levitate in a wordless ballet of chance.

Lake Merritt

A scenic view of the lake, unfortunately this photo doesn't capture the lake's distinct perfume of open sewer and fart.

Lake Merritt

Be impressed.

The Path Around Lake Merritt

More meaningless scenic corners.

Little Birdies

As we headed homeward, by now totally exhausted, we passed 5,000 goose turds and the bird sanctuary. The tiny baby birds in this birdhouse hid, quite smartly as I tried to stuff my camera lens in their glory hole.

Pigeon and Squirrel BFFs

Close to the shore of Lake Merritt we encountered a zany pair hiding in the shade. You decide, sworn enemies or bros for life?

Squirrel and Pidgeon

By this time, my companion and I were totally pooped and intent on heading home. I'd totally underestimated the size of the Lake and forgotten that it was more of a T shape than an ellipse.