Pearl Street Mall Boulder

So, we have been back in the USA, and back in my hometown of Boulder for four days now.  It feels almost like an alternate universe.  So much has changed, that it doesn't quite feel like the "right" place, but then just when you think you recognize nothing, something pops out that is the same all over again.  I think Marika has heard "that is where such and such used to be" so much that she is tuning me out now.

Tonight we went down to the downtown area, to visit Pearl Street Mall.  This is my old stomping grounds, and thankfully hasn't changed too much since my first visits as a wide eyed seven year old from rural East Texas  for whom Boulder might as well have been the new planet that Mork from Ork experienced it to be.

I am not really sure, but I believe Pearl Street Mall is one of the oldest "pedestrian zones" in the US.  It was going strong already by 1980, when we moved to Boulder--an outdoor shopping venue, modeled on similar areas in France, Germany and other parts of Europe.  And it DOES feel much like walking the Pedestrian Zone in Heidelberg.  Shorter, and clearly more planned--but much of the magic is captured.

If you are ever visiting Boulder, or even Denver, make sure to plan an afternoon and evening to get down on the mall and experience some of the best atmosphere that Colorado  has to offer.  You will find four shady blocks of brick lined walkways through a large variety of shops, with lots of lovely landscaping in the spring and summer.

Most weekends and summer evenings you will find lots of live entertainment, like this old English dance troop (Morris dancing) that we saw this evening:

Or this excellent guitar player, who we listened to for a while, just enjoying the mellow music nad people watching:

Two of my favourite play areas as a child were the little stone animals on the east end block and the rocks to climb on the the west end.  Both are still there, though the top off "the big rock" has been cut off (presumably for liability reasons) and only about half of the animals remain.

The old courthouse lawn is an excellent place to have a picnic or just relax for a while on the grass with views of some interesting art deco architecture:

There are plenty of great places to get a bite to eat, and of course lots of shopping.  There are some chain stores, but also quite a few local places--with a big focus on handmade items and imports.  Into the Wind, probably the nation's premier kite shop is also located right on the mall.  They have a huge selection of all kinds of kites--as well as a fabulous assortment of some of the most fun and interesting games, wind up toys, and other unique entertainments that one could ever hope to find.  This store is just plain FUN for all ages---prepare to get lost, and lose your kids, for half an hour at least.

I'll end my post with a shot of the iconic "Hearts on a Swing" sculpture which went up on the mall sometime around the time I was in 4th or 5th grade.

Happy Wednesday!

--Hadley