Cooper Point Appreciative Inquiry Project
Interview with Rick &
Sue Anderson
Conducted by Rachel Williams
March 8, 2006
Sue began by talking about a time she went kayaking with some friends in
the late fall. They put in on the inlet, and paddled up towards McLane
Creek. The salmon were running, and she said at one point the water around
her kayak was just roiling with fish. There was an immature bald eagle
circling overhead, waiting to feed on the salmon. Sue said that it was an
amazing experience and she was very aware of being in a truly remarkable
place.
Rick explained that they really liked being outdoors, but that with three
busy kids, it was hard to find time for camping trips. He described a time a
few years ago when the whole family went on a walk together, leaving from
their house. They walked to Evergreen, partly along the McLane Elementary
Trail, that parallels Evergreen Parkway. They walked down the trail to the
organic farm, then along the road to the beach, along the beach, and back up
the trails by the Olympia Community School, and back to their house. The
hike lasted about three hours, and most of the time they were walking
through forest or along the beach. Rick said that they really appreciated
being able to take that kind of a walk leaving from and returning to their
house.
Sue said that that they use the trails in the area on a daily basis,
walking or running, together, or with friends, or alone with their dogs. The
trails are something that makes her smile.
They have a fire pit in their yard, and every so often they invite
neighbors over to drink beer and roast marshmallows. These are times when
they enjoy a strong sense of community.
Sue said that a few years ago, they had a CSA subscription from Common
Ground Farm, and going there to pick up their vegetables always made her
smile.
They value having the evergreen campus near by. Rick said that they would
meet other families there to play pick-up games of soccer. Sue recalled that
when their kids were younger they would make rules to handicap the adults so
the kids would get to play more and have more fun. Now, she said, there are
no special rules, and the adults can barely keep up.
Sue said she appreciates that drivers slow down and move over to give her
plenty of room when she is walking or running on the roads.
Rick cherishes the trails and the open space, and having access to the
water. They would like for there to be better public boat access. They also
value not having too much traffic on the roads, although the amount of
traffic is increasing.
Rick told the story of how they got involved in stopping a development
next door to their property shortly after they moved in. The development had
been grandfathered in to growth management plan, but the developers didn’t
file their paperwork on time. The developers kept asked the county for
extensions, but the neighbors organized and put pressure on the county to
stick to the regulations and not allow the development. Rick worked with an
attorney on the issue, and Sue testified at a hearing. They weren’t the
leaders of the effort, but they both called neighbors to help organize
opposition to the development. The development was stopped, and the people
who own the land now have a big garden and are great neighbors.
Sue said, “I feel lucky that we are in a spot that is very rural in
nature, but close to the things we need to do.” Rick added that it is having
so much open space, while still being close to a city, which makes the area
special.
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