If you're looking for something to do on a Saturday (and you're checking in here early, before 8:30 a.m.), head on down to Lower Arroyo Park and let the Pasadena Roving Archers show you a thing or two.You're going to be shooting arrows, so there are requirements. Like minimum age 10 years, proper attire (a t-shirt would work), tie your hair back (because ouch! you don't want it getting caught in the bow, I remember that from high school), and bring some water (it gets hot down there). Read all the requirements here.
What is not required: money. Beginning classes are free of charge.
I met three Roving Archers in the Arroyo last week; pictured here is Robert Storts, retrieving his arrows. Ernie Lateer and Ramon Oceguera are two more of the expert archers you'll meet, and they were friendly (and really, really good shots). You can stop by and speak with members and/or club officers on Saturday or Sunday mornings.
The archers rove throughout the southwest side of Lower Arroyo Park, where you'll see different targets peering out from the brush. It's a case for keeping that other Rover on a leash.
Update: While we're on the subject of the Arroyo, I've just updated this post (about the fluffy white tree north of the dam), thanks to information Ann Erdman was able to find.
15 comments:
Now that's something I've never thought of doing on a Saturday, Petrea! I'd feel rather 'Lord of the Rings'-like. Legolas must have tucked his hair behind his ear, out of harm's way!
How fascinating. I suppose the area would be bared to visitors else they'd be caught in the cross fire?
J. has a friend who even makes his own bows. He lives a little further away and shoots with a different group, though. So Shell, I guess we have several LOTR types around here!
The area is open to visitors, Jilly. It's set off the path and the targets are aimed away from hikers, but it's an open area, believe it or not. Even in litigious America.
I competed, briefly, in high school. It's a bigger sport in the midwest than out here.
Intriguing... I believe that if I lived out there, I would definitely go. I could scare up a T-shirt, no money, and I already have no hair...
^_^
I think my son is going to have to try this one...
Why do all fun things are 8 am on a Saturday? No love for us lazy night owls.
Hiker, I'll bet you were good. I was surprised to find a big range in the Sepulveda basin, and the Pasadena Roving Archers have lots of activities. You might want to check them out and give them a run for their money.
Ted! You could start your own!
Perfect, Loren. They're down there every week.
Vanda, I'll bet they'd do privates for a few bucks at a more reasonable hour.
Sounds fun. I fear I would hurt an innocent bystander. I am really that bad (I tried it a few years ago with my Girl Scouts).
Rancho Park in west L.A. also is set up for archery, though the site is not nearly as romantic as the one for the roving archers.
Margaret, we have you and the Hiker for the ends of our spectrum.
Jean, the one in the Sepulveda basin is pretty; it's set next to a wildlife sanctuary. But I like ours the best because it's a little bit wild.
Thanks for posting this. The archery range and the casting pond are among the many great features of our beautiful Lower Arroyo Park, not to mention great trails!
Nice post, Petrea. (And wonderful picture, too!) We archers appreciate mention of our sport from time to time. While I make my wooden arrows, there are folks who meet there on a semi-regular basis who make their own primitive bows. They have a link online under 'PaleoPlanet.'
Something I've been told about the range in Arroyo Seco is that there were some scenes in the 1939 Errol Flynn 'Robin Hood' (THE version!) shot thereabouts. True? Haven't verified, but there are folks who insist is it. How apt izzat!?
Hi Greg. How nice of you to visit! (Greg is John's friend I mentioned.)
Here's the link:
http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/
Looks cool.
I googled "Robin Hood Arroyo Seco) and came up with a few hits. Looks like you may be right!
"Friend," and interlocutor. But it's not like I can trust him—armed as he so often is. Just picture me as Emilia, in Othello, crabbing about the arroyo, creaking "Toxophily! Toxophily!"
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