Active Rain Photoblogger Contest- Does Little Red Riding Hood Live Here?

I checked. Neither Little Red Riding Hood nor her grandmother is listed in the tax records as owning this house. Still, as I took this shot I half expected her to come skipping out the front door carrying her wicker basket and offer me a slice of Mother's homemade bread. Yummm.

A walking tour of our West Urbana community is certain to reveal surprises and delights, even to a resident such as myself who's walked these sidewalks many times before. Today was no exception. This remarkable dwelling caught my eye and out came the camera.

What makes this neighborhood special, perhaps even magical, is its rich history combined with the fervent dedication of its residents to preserve its unique qualities. Many of the homes in West Urbana are nearing or have gracefully surpassed a hundred years old, and unlike in planned neighborhoods of today, the homes here come in many shapes, colors, styles, trends, and lineages. To some, the lack of continuity may seem distasteful, but I believe it only adds to the allure. What's fun is to find a neighbor who has lived in this neighborhood her entire life (these types are not difficult to track down) and ask about the histories and previous residents of the various homes. Oh, the stories you'll hear...

Then there are the trees; the towering, majestic trees lining the streets and blanketing our homes. It's truly breathtaking, no matter the season. In case the picture above doesn't offer enough evidence of this fact, we have no homeowner's association meaning residents are free to do with their lawns as they please. Some yards are more...umm...creative than others, but I wouldn't have it any other way (my own yard is probably one of the more "interesting" ones). In any case, West Urbana is about as green as it gets.

Did I mention the location? This community is situated right between the University of Illinois and downtown Urbana. No matter where you live in this neighborhood, we're small enough that you'll be walking distance to both. It's just one of many reasons for loving West Urbana.

So the answer is "no," Little Red Riding Hood does not live here- not to my knowledge, anyway. Nor do any other fairy tale characters. But even so, there remains something magical about West Urbana...