Street-Smart Geologist

David Williams, the guy who wrote one of the most interesting books about Seattle we've ever read, emailed lately to let us know that what promises to be the absolute most interesting book we've ever read about stone (in a class by itself, actually) is coming in the summer. Where Street-Smart Naturalist explored the plants and animals around Seattle--and not "around Seattle" like just outside Seattle in the Cascades, but "around Seattle" like right there on the sidewalk in front of you--with just a chapter on the stone that can be found in Seattle, this time he's returning to his geologist roots and sticking with rock the whole way through. The book will be titled Stories in Stone.

A recent blog post of his talks about some of the cobblestone streets around Seattle:

According to the last official survey I could find, conducted in 1993, only 93 of these historic streets remain in Seattle; most have been paved over, their stories lost to drivers who don't want the jarring ride. I do not mind them. I like the connection to the past and consider it a privilege to drive over the ancient cobbles and rustic bricks, although I try to take these roads when no else is in the car with me.

Seattlest's old Saab used to have a maximum speed of about two mph in front of the Market due to these historic wonders.