New year's day is a big deal here in Pasadena. The Tournament of Roses Parade. The Rose Bowl Game. Just three more days.
I might see one myself some day, though I haven't done so yet. Crowds, noise and cold are not my cup of tea.
Alas, I blaspheme.
At least for the next few days I live in "the other Pasadena"--the one seeking a route to the grocery store without bumping into a parade float, hiking in the mountains north of town on game day, and looking for a restaurant so far from Colorado Blvd. that only the locals know about it.
And that's fine. In fact, it's downright fabulous. I want everyone to have a wonderful time! I look forward to the pictures!
26 comments:
I am surprised u haven't seen a Rose Parade up close!. My husband always held out hope for an invite from a contractor who worked in the norton simon building!.. but it never happened!. Would of been a prime spot. We did go and see the floats afterwards, that was crowded as all hades... EMTs were there for folks who either couldn't handle the hilly walk or the body heat from the crowd...
IS this on your lovely street P? Love the shadows cast by the pickets.
I don't blame you about the crowds. Steer clear. Watch it on TV like I will!
V
I thoroughly enjoyed watching last year's Parade on the interweb, thanks to the link you sent, Petrea. Any chance of posting a link for this year's, so your fans around the world can join in?
I've been to the parade a couple of times, but you couldn't pay me to spend the night out there on the sidewalk! Brrrrr!
I will say though, that back in my misspent youth I spent many a New Year's Eve Night cruising the parade route with a carload of friends in my 1966 Mustang, along with a bazillion other cars, while parade-goers along the route threw marshmallows and tortillas at us. It was great fun. It took about two hours to drive from Orange Grove to Sierra Madre Blvd, due to the enormous amount of traffic. Good times.
Things were much different in the good old days, less security and very few problems.
Most up here won't go south of the freeway until the 2nd.
Nice image! I love the shadows.
KBF, if I could watch the parade from one of the offices or shops along Colorado Blvd., I'd jump at the chance. To see it live, indoors, away from the crowds and noise--I'd love that.
Not my street, Virginia. I don't remember which street it is, frankly. I was walking in northwest Pasadena.
Dive, I'll find you a link. Shouldn't be too difficult.
Leslie, I, too, would have done that in my sordid youth. Can't beat it.
Hiker, I know you're talking about Altadena but I also think of where I live as "up here." We have grocery stores, restaurants, and almost everything else we need north of the freeway. I hope nobody needs to go to the hospital.
Hi Linda! Thanks for visiting!
It's raining and cold here right now (46 degrees F). Predictions for New Year's day are better: partly cloudy, no rain, and it should get into the low 60's.
It's one of our family's traditions to drive the route, and gawk at the people and their sofas, card tables, portable grills and heaters that line the boulevard.
@Petrea: right now its 39 degrees in my valley!.... yuck, I want Spring/Summer!
I'm with you on this, Petrea! I just stay on my side of the Arroyo until Jan. 2...
I remember going as a kid with a bunch of extended family. I think my Uncle was in it.
The family went again the year my daughter was in The Band. After driving her to practice every Sunday and waiting there for her I wasn't going to miss the actual march.
and yes Petrea, I did do lots of reading :-)
I felt the same way until the first year I saw The Parade from grandstands changed the experience. One of the few perks we City Commissioners get are a couple of tickets to sit in the grand stands. Being as short as I am it makes a world of difference as far was sight lines go. I also love walking on Colorado Blvd., following the end of the parade, with no cars on the street.
I used to enjoy going as a kid. Enjoyed walking the route 12/31 many years as a teen. I watch on TV, but truthfully, feel like I could get a better show at any Disney resort, that's what it has turned into. Sad, really. You used to be able to tour floatmaking for free, get up, touch the floats, look at the process and volunteers. Now it is all high tech, protected and so produced, it takes away from the hometown feel it once had. I'm sure the original Valley Hunt Club members would gasp at what ToR has become. The only thing I really would go for would be to feel the drum beat rumble through my chest as the kids march by---nothing, no high-end sound system---can ever replace that feeling.
Happy hiking and doing anything but going near the crowds. I'm with you on the crowds---not my bag of tea at all!
I've been to the parade twice...enough for me unless that office building over looking the route or a grand stand ticket comes my way!!! Otherwise...I prefer channel 5 where I can see it any time of the day!!! (dayam!!! no Channel 5 in Mammoth!!!) Don't know how we'll get it this time!!!
While I would enjoy seeing some of the floats up close, I prefer to watch the parade from the comfort of my couch with a pot of coffee nearby.
I think a pair of grandstand tickets might change my mind, too. You have a place to sit, and you can see everything. But I really would love to watch from a big picture window in a second or third floor office on Colorado Blvd.!
Many people say the same about Speedway and the races. I walk to the track and walk home afterwards, to see cars parked in the neighborhoods from states as far away as Washington and, on one occasion, even Alaska. The town becomes an island on race day because the police have designed traffic lanes to get people out of town. One can't drive out of the area, or get into the town for many hours. So we stay put. But, one can walk to the store, if one hasn't become so glued to the bucket seats of their SUV they've forgotten what feet are for.
I'm gonna risk saying I'd rather live near the Rose Parade than the Indy 500, Speedway! Plus I can walk to Roma Market in less than ten minutes.
Latino, I felt the same way! I grew up in SoCal and didn't understand all the fuss--until I went to my first parade. Now I write about it year 'round! I've never had a problem on the street, people are pretty nice and let shorties like me stand in front of them.
However, as someone who dislikes both mornings and the cold, every year I ask myself why I am doing this--until I get to Colorado Blvd.
Chieftess, I think Channel 5 streams it on the web.
I get so excited about the Parade that I view the freshly beflowered floats at midnight and am up again at 6 am to see the bands and horses arrive. The horse troopers ride in along the 710 freeway stub to the Del Mar offramp, which is really, really cool to see. The marching band members, mainly schoolkids, have to stand in the cold morning air for 2 hours before the start of the parade, so they warm up by going through their repertoire. Imagine the sound of lots of different bands playing along Del Mar, all tunes intermingling! I'm lucky in that I live near California and Orange Grove, at the start of the Parade - the best place to be. The performers are fresh and eager to wave and smile, even before their floats turn the difficult corner from Orange Grove to Colorado.
I have parking space in my garden if anyone wants to use my place as a base for walking up to Orange Grove to catch the start. Petrea, this is the year for you and John to do it. Like the others have said, you'll never look back.
Laura, I thought of you! This is your bailiwick, as they say.
Bellis, you have the best vantage point. It would be terrible if you didn't like it, wouldn't it? I don't know about John, but I think I'll do it in a warmer year.
I have to admit that while I've heard about the parade (or should that be 'Parade'?) I've never seen it. It isn't televised in the UK. I should try to catch a glimpse on the internet.
Sounds a bit like the Edinburgh Festival for us - something to escape if at all possible.
That looks like my street! Southwest corner of El Molino and Elizabeth looking west down Elizabeth.
You know, it's funny - I must've walked by here hundreds of times during my 40+ years of living here, but I never stopped and noticed the shadows made by the fence.
As always, thanks for the eye-opener.
- Steve
Linda, I'm sure I'd love the Edinburgh festival, but of course I'd be a tourist on your territory.
Steve, that's it exactly. Good eye! I'm glad you like it. Elizabeth Street is lovely around those parts.
Thanks for the tip about channel 5 Laura!!!
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