Yikes, there’s a mouse in the house! No, not really, but we did have “super rat” once when we lived in Antelope. But you don’t want to hear that story. This blog post is not about mice, but about Sacramento City and our neighboring countryside. Actually it takes me about the same time to get to either from my home in Citrus Heights.

Tina challenges us, this week, to show the differences between a city and a countryside.

Let’s see Sacramento City first. Being the California Capital, Sacramento has been growing during the past years. We have more tall buildings (not skyscrapers) and restaurants drawing in city, county and state workers. Some of our downtown restaurants have been awarded a Michelin Star rating! Not bad for a former “cow town.” Most of our newer buildings are built so the glass windows show reflections.

I’ve posted about Sacramento’s annual mural festival. My examples are very different. Left is a building painted in a “tagging” style and on the right, a rather large image of Johnny Cash.

And last, there’s the Old Sacramento nightlife. This was taken from the Tower Bridge,

Now for our countryside, where I’m sure many mice live. But, we do have to cross over into Yolo County. These were taken on many different outings my photo group went on. It’s fun getting lost in the countryside when all roads are named County Road XX. Oh the stories I could tell, and not about mice. But the result is worth the extra gas.

If I had to choose, I would choose to live where I do–in the suburbs. After all, either the city or the country are 20 – 30 minutes away. Thanks Tina helping me find that I’m happy right where I am. Please link to her post when you respond to her challenge and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Last week Egidio taught us a new Portuguese word, Saudade, meaning longing. I had a lot of fun reading about your thoughts and seeing your images. Next week, guest host Joanne of Joanne Mason Photography will be challenging us. Stay tuned!

45 thoughts on “Lens Artists Challenge# 366: City Mouse/Country Mouse”

  1. I think many of us find that ‘the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence’, but the grass we live with right now is the right variety/species for us. I agree with you that living in the suburbs is a nice compromise between city and country (especially as we age in my case).

    The countryside you’re near to is pretty special though.

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  2. These are great photos of Sacramento, Anne. I like the tagging painting style. I guess that adds to a different visual experience. On the other hand, the simplicity of the countryside wins me over, especially those old rusty barns. Excellent post, Anne!

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  4. I am happy to the photos of the area where you live. Big cities with glass exterior are the thing here also. The country side looks lovely, I always seem to prefer nature photos, this time too. I happy to hear you have found the place to live where you are at home at and happy. That is the best.

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  5. You show so well the contrast between the vibrancy of town life, and the inner (though not necessarily outer) peace of country life. Both have their moments. But this town mouse has become a country mouse who still enjoys a sortie to towns – so log as there’s an escape route home!

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    1. Thanks Margaret! I like your viewpoint. But my escape is to a suburban home and my city is not that large. I can always drive a couple of hours to San Francisco. Or, better yet, take the train. That would be fun!

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  7. You make me wish we’d managed to include Sacramento in our California itinerary last year! I like that combination of interesting modern architecture and street art. And I agree, suburban life offers us the best of both worlds 🙂

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  8. Anne, your have illustrated the difference between the city and countryside beautifully with your images. The city looks so vibrant and the countryside looks so peaceful. You are lucky to be happy living in between the two places.

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  9. Lovely views of city and country, Anne! My favorites lean to the countryside images. Having grown up in Long Beach, I never thought of California as a “countryside”, but our few tours through the state in recent years showed me the error of that thought. The Mighty Redwoods, Yosemite, the drive up 101 to the coast to name but a few. As a youth, I do remember being driven through the orange groves to get to Knott;s Berry Farm. I’m sure that’s no longer the case.

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    1. Thanks John! Most people don’t know that California is an agricultural state, with a few well known cities. When we went across country in 2013, most of the produce in grocery stores were from California. Sacramento sits at the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley–farm country. And, no more orange groves in Orange County!

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  12. Loved your choices Anne and agree wholeheartedly. For me the best answer is living somewhere quiet with nearby access to a nice city. I’m happy having Charleston nearby to Kiawah and appreciate your easy to Sacramento! Your images are beautiful, especially the countryside but I do love the building reflections!

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  13. Thank you for the Yolo County tour, Anne! Your Sacramento City shots are beautiful. If we’d had a bigger home and fewer bills for basic infrastructure, we could have stayed in Rancho Cordova or moved East. Those downtown building reflections are amazing. I took a temps job in 1986 at the Emerald Tower, at that time it was the tallest building in Sac!

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