Thursday, February 19, 2009

Altadena Departure

Walking through a residential part of Altadena, the "town of extremes" as the Altadena Hiker put it, we came upon this flight of stairs leading to a modern home. Just to show you how extreme Altadena can be, I turned from the spot where I shot yesterday's photo and shot this one looking in the opposite direction. They're just a few steps apart. Karin and I guessed they're on the same property.

I wasn't going to post this one. I had two more, one for today and one for Friday, then it was going to be "au revoir, Altadena." But there's something about this picture I like. I think it's because it's a departure for me. Not my usual.

So we'll have our Friday Altadena shot and save the kittycombs for Saturday. Then it will indeed be "Altadena, au revoir."

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Noooooooooo!!! sorry, I got carried away.

Julie said...

Sorry to be such a big dope: what does the alta and the pasa add to the meaning of dena?

Anonymous said...

The extremes are not permitted in so many places but are consolidated on one side of town -- have you noticed that?

I think it is better like this.

Abraham Lincoln
Brookville Daily Photo

Dina said...

Glad you gave us this one after all. You know, I like anything with stones and earth.
I'm curious what your kittycombs are. Like small catacombs?

The Sage of Altadena said...

Don't Say goodbye, Petrea! We think there's enough Altadena wonderment to support several photogs!

Anonymous said...

don't go! You have yet to see the best place ever. Or that's: The best place. Ever.

Margaret said...

I like these stairs. Very (fill in the metaphor of your choice).

My word is pretri...It's almost you!

Anonymous said...

Ooh, nice- whoever lives in the trailer gets to come down those steps when they come home. What a great way to end your day.

And Julie, you're not a dope! Both Altadena and Pasadena are essentially made-up names. That's why you can't figure out where they come from. :-)

'Pasadena' comes from early white settlers taking part of a Chippewa (Ojibwe) phrase for "crown of the valley" and running with it. 'Altadena' is a pun based off that. Alta = high/upper, and 'dena' doesn't mean anything; it just refers to Pasadena. So Altadena basically means "above Pasadena".

There is an interesting little blurb about this at
http://www.altadenatowncouncil.org/atcAltadenaHistory.html

Christie said...

I love steps to go up to a house. There are several in this area as there are many hills, but alas, I do not live on one of them. Glad you're having a great time in Altadena!

Petrea Burchard said...

Well, I'll talk to Debbi about it. When I started this blog I didn't realize Ben was already doing Pasadena and he's been a perfect gentleman all along (a sweetheart is more like it, what a guy!). When Laurie started doing South Pas I stopped South Pas of my own accord, and thus it's the same with Debbi. I don't suppose anyone minds. These blogs are such personal perspectives. We shall see. Plus I hate to pass up the best place. Ever.

Julie, I see Elizabeth gave you your answer. Thanks, Elizabeth. Although the photo doesn't show it I think it's the other way around. I don't believe anyone lives in the trailer, but whoever lives in the house passes the trailer and goes up the stairs to get home.

Anonymous said...

It's Evar! Get it right.

Petrea Burchard said...

Oh. I thought it was Uvurr.

Ms M said...

Really like this photo of a stairway into the sky.

Cafe Observer said...

I can see you've departed Altadena. But, these ruins aren't enuf of a clue to know where you went.

Laurie Allee said...

I love this.