By John Murphy
The quarantine blues envelops me, so I cross the wash and head for south Redlands. The old part. I park on stately Olive Avenue — my favorite street in the city.
I believe it’s known as the Smiley Park Historic District. Many of the homes are built with American Craftsman designs, but some are larger.
Heading on foot toward Olive Avenue Market, it’s a pleasant walk with birds chirping and brightly colored flowers and American flags everywhere. One house I admire near Smiley Park has Chinese lanterns.
Soon I arrive in front of a large, white house that’s two stories and has four columns. It reminds me of “Animal House” and I imagine a toga-wearing John Belushi in front, downing a bottle of booze in one gulp. But there’s no Belushi so I take a selfie and then move on.
Making me smile, also, is a tented home for sale with a sign saying “Free pizza with home purchase.” I make a mental note to tell my brother, a Bay Area real estate agent. Sounds like a ploy he hasn’t tried.
Before I know it, I’m in front of the historic Olive Avenue Market. At one point it was one of 15 in town, but most are gone now. Ideal place to suck down a vintage soda, but it’s closed due to the pandemic, so I move on.
Gazing across the street I see the McKinley School with its painted collection of smudge pots out front. My daughter-in-law, Felicia Lopez, went here. She’s out of state now and I thought she might like a photo, so I cross the street.
“March 16-27 Spring Break. March 30 back to school,” the message board says. Except we all know the kids never made it back, thanks to the danged pandemic. So sad.
The last landmark on my trek is a large house set back from the road behind a chartreuse hedge of flowers. The barrier protects a sizable orange grove in a city once known for them.
“PICKING PROHIBITED,” the sign says. “This is a city of Redlands heritage grove … costs of upkeep are supported through sale of fruit through a local packing house …”
Well, no packing house needed. There’s oranges right here! Mine for the taking at just $5 a bag.
I reach for my wallet … but forgot it on this day. A good excuse to come back tomorrow.
Main Street Dog 