When I was doing the walking tour of Flagstaff's Southside neighborhood I noticed several different things. One the in particular was the utilization of Malpais Basalt in construction. It is a dark brown rock, slightly poreous. Basalt which is very hard on the hardness scale making it very hardy against the Flagstaff weather, especially the wind which is very effective in breaking down rock. And melting salt, which erodes most things over time. I really like the masonry on the building I saw, it is really a craft.
Wow they much paint this church everyday. It is a shocking. almost glowing white, very surprising because we are in the middle of a faux mud season in January, and claymud gets EVERYWHERE. I wonder who does all the upkeep on this church? but kudos to whoever it is. this is the whitest, cleanest church i have ever seen. This pastor who works here is very nice always says hi to me on Sunday mornings when I am undoubtedly walking across Flagstaff to retrieve my car from the previous night. I think he may live next door because when I was walking around I saw him BBQing next door with a bunch of Auntys and kids. Maybe he is the one who does all the upkeep. There are many little kids running around chasing each other with sticks, they are mostly of Hispanic, or Native American decent, alluding to the ethnic demographic of this area. I would love to live down here, but I live pretty close so its cool. I like this street in the Fall when all the colors on the big trees are changing.
I really enjoyed your post especially about what materials were used on the houses along the Southside neighborhood. Also I never really considered the basalts playing such a key role in providing shelter from Flagstaffs harsh winters. Your insight about church being so clean and up to par was another interesting point about what Hispanic culture means to that part of the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHasley, I like your personal experience with the pastor. It adds to the post and makes it more personable. I would have to agree though, that church is very well kept in relation to the rest of the neighborhood!
ReplyDelete