The wrought iron railing adds charm to the brick and keeps dogs off of the lawn.

Petunias add a spark of color to the surrounding foliage.

Brick planters edge the sidewalk, defining the flowerbeds in some cases. A step up landing eases the entry into the lovely old homes, lining the street.

The fencing in the back ground of this open lawn compliment the brick and tile work leading into the adjoining home. It also conceals backyard actives, allowing a little privacy from the street.

Different brick adds accent to yet another sidewalk flowerbed,complimenting the home beyond.

Passing the local Temple, the stairs going down to the basement caught my eye. So, snap,snap.

This lovely little example of landscape architecture beckoned from across the street.

… so I crossed the street and caught a different angle.

Rounding the corner, the contrast in brickwork demanded my attention, so what could I do, but comply with its demand?

Brick stairs, with wide ledges, invite guests into this old home. An attached arch marks the alley entrance for those who choose to bypass the house.

Some of the alleys between the homes aren’t wide enough to allow reasonable access. Here is one solution to that problem, when the alley is of little use.

A courtyard to the side of this lovely old home boasts some simple landscaping for passersby.

Here a nice little patio serves as the front yard. No doubt a nice place for friends to gather informally on a beautiful day.

Blue Hydrangeas are the focal point of entry for this handsome home.

Walking down the street, a little further, the occupant’s of this home decided natural brick was not for them, so they added a splash of color to their sturdy home. The porch railings set this home apart from its neighbors as well.

The owners of this home decided to use a living ornament to welcome guests into their home. This friendly fellow curiously watched me as I snapped his portrait.

These steps didn’t leave much room for landscaping with plants, but a pot here and there compensated for the lack of yard.

Heading back to the car, I passed the Temple again. Looking down, this is an alternate, but interesting view. A wee bit different from the shot I presented earlier.

As I headed up the sidewalk, basement windows edged the sidewalk.

Tucked back, from the corner extrusion, stairs leading into a side wing of the Temple presented themselves. These stairs look like they are meant to carry heavy traffic for years to come.

And finally, on the way back to the car, here are those colorful little Petunias again, as shown from a different point of view. The edgings along the sidewalk tie the residences to each other beautifully. Because of our abundant clay soil, brick is a popular building material in our most of our Virginia cities.