Between the creek (Santiago Creek, Orange County) and houses is a small tract of land with no houses. Why it’s left empty I’ve never been able to determine. There is a berm, a small but well-kept channel for water, then a fence, and several signs warning you to stay out. A true liminal, in-between, space. Houses are further separated from the area by both cinder block walls and a line of trees. Despite this, the most obvious visual marker is the path leading right through all of the obstacles. The land is measured, marked, and labeled. But no one pays attention. There are places to go and in summer it’s best to take the shortest route.