Peace Pole

I'm thinking of not telling you where this is. Some people will know, of course. But this is the sort of urban art the authorities love to remove, and I think it's kind of nice. It's human. Anyone can make one.

Bellis and I think there's something to it. She led me there, and there is where both of our dogs got confused. They suddenly couldn't hear us. I think Boz was faking, but maybe not.

Zen Monday: #174

Zen Monday's the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the picture's about. There's no competition, no right or wrong. We're here to have fun. (Some Zen Mondays are more fun than others.)

I look for something worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. All of the above, if I'm lucky.



From the PIO:

A compilation of all information about last week’s windstorm and subsequent recovery can be found at this new page on the city of Pasadena website:

www.cityofpasadena.net/Windstorm_2011


Ann Erdman
Public Information Officer
City of Pasadena
Public Affairs Office
100 N. Garfield Ave., Room S228
Pasadena CA  91109
(626) 744-4755
Cell: (626) 375-2742
www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs
Facebook:  Pasadena PIO
Twitter:  pasadenapio
 

Bee Bath

The bees were lovin' this leaky outdoor plumbing when I came across it in one of Pasadena's city parks.

We have an abundance of parks. Abundance is good any time, especially in this time of shortages.

It must take a lot of effort to keep all that plumbing in good shape.

We have a budget shortage, so perhaps that's why the leak hasn't been fixed.

Or maybe no one's noticed.

We have a shortage of water, so maybe I should report it.

Then again, maybe I shouldn't. It pleases the bees, and we also have a shortage of bees. 

For a fanciful and funny take on beekeeping and bees, visit this recent post by Shell Sherree. 
I just posted a photo of a huge wasps' nest on Overdog.

Pasadena Casting

Until I got onto Google this morning, I thought the Casting Pond in the Lower Arroyo Park was unique to Pasadena. Nope. It's the location of the Pasadena Casting Club, a founding charter member of the Federation of Fly Fishers, "a 43 year old international non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing through Conservation, Restoration and Education."

Our local club was established in 1947 with 33 members. Now there are 300, but I've never seen anyone casting there. Don't tell the fishermen, but the only people I've seen using this pond are dogs chasing sticks.

I must not have been there on a Sunday. The website says, "The Clubhouse is open Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., under the supervision of a Board Member. This is the time and place to sit around and talk fishing, to practice casting in the Club's Casting Pool or to browse in the Library with its large collection of fishing related books and videotapes available for members use."

It can't be easy to be a fisherman/person in Pasadena. It's not like we're the land of many lakes. But we've got a casting pond, and Sunday's the day.

It's noon and I just remembered: Father's Day! I remember it late, with a pang. I've made no plans with my father today, who is long gone. The casting pond would be a good place to go with a dad, I think.

Arroyo Skate-o

Lower Arroyo Park was a beautiful place to be as the sun was sinking yesterday. We headed further south than we usually do, beyond the San Rafael Avenue bridge, past the stables and into the northwestern reaches of South Pasadena.

We were soon stymied by a bridge (San Pascual Avenue, maybe?). We could have continued, but we needed to cross the Arroyo and it's all cement there, so we turned back. There are places where people with decent shoes can climb it, but probably not dogs with stitches (see yesterday's post).

A long-term effort is underway to get rid of all that cement and restore the Arroyo Seco to its natural state. Some of that has already been achieved, but there's still a long way to go. In the meantime, some folks manage to make do.

Blair Witch Exercise Project

Just south of Devil's Gate Dam is a military-looking exercise area. I've never seen the "Blair Witch Project" because I don't like scary movies, but my husband John said this looked like something out of the movie. It looks like climbing this device would require serious muscle.

I call this an exercise area, but I've never seen anyone using it. I'm kind of interested in trying the swings, though.

La Loma Rehab

La Loma Bridge has arched over Lower Arroyo Park since before it was a park. It's a lovely old thing. You can walk a path right up under it and look into its upper parts. Though lately I'm thinking that's not a good idea.

Built in 1914 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, La Loma's lived life to the fullest. She's pretty from a distance but close up, her wrinkles show. Time for rehab.

The La Loma Bridge Project is scheduled to begin this summer and be completed by September. Seems a short time for rehab, but what do I know? I'm just glad the bridge will be brought up to date to meet current seismic standards. As pretty as La Loma is, I wouldn't want to be under it during an earthquake.

Of course I wouldn't want to be under a house of cards during an earthquake, but that's just me.

Update on the Sierra Madre fire: Huge progress. 59% containment this morning, 700 people (out of 1000 evacuated) have been allowed to return safely to their homes. No homes lost, though a few came close to getting scorched. Public schools open today. Cheers to the firefighters!

Eaton Canyon Path

What is it about a path that's so enticing? Why am I most interested in paths that lead to ends I can't see?

I'm also drawn to photos of pathways, and when I'm out with the camera I can't resist trying to get the shot. Eaton Canyon Natural Area's got a million of 'em, and their Earth Day Festival is today.

Thank You, Virginia

Yesterday's photo was taken at the Cobb Estate, 107 acres at the top of Lake Avenue in Altadena. The land sits across Las Flores Canyon from the beginnings of the Sam Merrill Trail. The best information I've found about the estate is in a book called Altadena's Golden Years, compiled by Robert H. Peterson. You can get it at Webster's, and some online sellers.

There were once gold mines in Las Flores canyon, but by the time Charles H. Cobb came along they'd been "worked out." Cobb purchased the estate 1916, built his home there the following year and raised a family. He was a Mason, and contributed to the building fund for the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Pasadena. When he died in 1939, the home was converted to a Masonic Home. Later the Sisters of St. Joseph used the house as a retreat. The Marx Brothers (yes, honk honk!), Groucho, Harpo and Gummo (Chico was busy?), acquired the property in the late 1950's, but soon vandals ravaged the house and it was torn down in 1959.

Eventually developers got the bright idea that 107 unused wooded acres would look just fabulous once they were paved and covered with houses. The community was up in arms, but who had the money to stop the development? After a fundraising campaign involving conservation clubs, citizens and schools, it was philanthropist Virginia Steele Scott who swooped in late in 1971 and made it possible for the Cobb Estate to become a wildlife sanctuary (see wildlife in yesterday's post).

I wonder if these steps led to the front door of the Cobb house. Perhaps they're modest kitchen steps, or they led to an outbuilding. As you wander the paths and roadways of the estate, you come across several ruins peeking from the weeds, and wonder what they might have been.

Fauna

Proof positive that our young people are not only good looking, they also grow on trees.

More on the Cobb Estate tomorrow.

Theme Day: Water

Water's a big deal in southern California, and getting bigger. Or should I say smaller? We're in the midst of a drought, and the stuff's getting harder to come by. Pasadena's City Council is projecting a water shortage and has implemented a plan. Well—we're all implementing the plan. At least, we'd better be.

The flood control basins at Hahamongna Watershed Park did their job this spring. Above, ducks enjoy the mountain run-off in a basin south of JPL in a photo I took January 11th.

I took the photo below on March 8th. Easy come, easy go.
178 City Daily Photo blogs are participating in theme day this month. Click on a few and have an adventure!

theme day id=13

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Gordio, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Hugo Reid Adobe

I think it'd be nice to mosey across this porch and have a sit-down after a long day's ride. I'd kick the dust from my boots, politely ask the lady of the house for a glass of iced tea and drink it under the wisteria.

When this adobe was built in 1839, the lady might not have had ice. Then again she might have, because that particular lady, Victoria Bartolomea Reid, was pretty well off, seeing as she and her husband owned the 13,319-acre Rancho Santa Anita.

Right now the Hugo Reid Adobe is closed so you can't poke around inside, but you can mosey across the porch. The house is one of several historic buildings on the property of the Los Angeles County Arboretum, which totals 127 acres. Doesn't sound like much compared to the whole Rancho, but believe me, it's plenty good for a day's mosey.

A Day For Exploring

A confession of sorts: I lived in Pasadena for two years before I took a walk in Lower Arroyo Park and saw this view of the San Rafael Bridge. I walked in other parks, my regular places.

We have routines, the roads we always take. But the search for unique photos has gotten me out of that particular rut, at least. If you always walk in the Arroyo, I suggest you walk in Eaton Canyon today, or Hahamongna Watershed Park. Or get ambitions and try the Sam Merrill Trail.

If you can't tear yourself away from the computer (and I know how that is), I have another suggestion. Click on Pasadena Heritage and follow their instructions to send a letter to the City Council and the State Historical Resources Commission. (The deadline is March 15th.) Help put the Arroyo on the National Register of Historic Places and secure its future.

Defenders Parkway

If I want new shots on the blog, I can't take the same route home every day. I'll run out of things to photograph, and everyone in the blogosphere will know where I live.

So I meant to turn left and turned right instead. I parked when I saw what looked like a gravestone next to a condo building at a busy intersection. That's just not right.

But it isn't a grave. On City Hall's website, this marker is described thusly: "Granite Monument - Unknown who placed it or when it was erected." Very mysterious. Maybe "the mothers of the defenders of the flag" felt that was identification enough. We can narrow down the placement date to sometime after 1917 and before, say, 1945, or I daresay there'd be another date etched into the stone.

The Parkway, a cement footpath, starts at the southwest corner of Colorado and Orange Grove Blvds. and takes you to the Colorado Street Bridge. If you enlarge the photo below, you can see the globes of the Bridge lamps in the distance.

There Is No Whining in Baseball

Boz is a trustworthy dog. I can let him off his leash in the early hours, when no one's around. He doesn't bother folks (unless they want him to). He avoids fights and rarely barks. In fact he doesn't make much noise at all.

Except the occasional whine.

When I stopped to take a picture of the baseball diamond at Washington Park, he waited patiently. For about a minute. Then he let me know it was time to move on.

Artistic Nature

Someone at Hahamongna Watershed Park can't help being creative, and I know who.

Every time Boz and I walk there we find a new, precarious structure that delights us—well, they delight me. Boz has other uses for these temporary works of art. And anyway, pretty much everything at Hahamongna delights him.

Chess in the Park

A perfect day for a book and a fireplace.

This checkerboard table and chairs sits in the Lower Arroyo Park, across the wash from the parking lot.

I didn't take the photo today. I'd say I didn't want to get my camera wet, but the truth is I didn't want to get me wet. I haven't seen rain like that in a long time! Good for us!

Mars Rover Testing Grounds?

The rain returned this evening, but we had a sunny reprieve today so I took Boz for a run at Hahamongna Watershed Park. We shared the trails with other stir-crazy Pasadenans in need of a dose of sun (double-click on the photo to see a couple of bikers on the left). NASA's (or is it Cal Tech's?) Jet Propulsion Lab positively glistened. Snow topped the highest peaks of the San Gabriels.

I've heard the JPL guys tested the Mars Rover here. Maybe on this very terrain, maybe not. I haven't verified the story. This is one of the catch-basins that occasionally floods when we have rain. Today the water flowed further west (toward the left of this photo), in a river running fast toward the Devil's Gate Dam.

There will be no water at Hahamongna this summer. Nor will there be green. We enjoy it while we can.

Water Everywhere

Tucked up above Devil's Gate Dam and below NASA's (or, as we like to think, Pasadena's) Jet Propulsion Lab, is a hiking/biking/dog walking heaven called Hahamongna Watershed Park. Most of the time you'd be hard pressed to find much water there. But after a weekend of rain, boy howdy! Devil's Gate Dam was doing it's job, and the watershed basin lived up to its purpose.

Where did they get that name, Hahamongna? Try saying it five times fast. I shouldn't complain. People have trouble pronouncing my name all the time.

Those river rocks I mentioned before--I believe they're manufactured in places like this.