In my exploring around Los Angeles, I've come to find that in every neighborhood, from the tired to the tony, I'll always see two things - beautiful flowers (especially now!) and a brand new car parked in someone's driveway (after all, LA is all about cars). Today, as I set off walking south from Pasadena, I realized I can add one more constant among all neighborhoods, Christmas decorations up all year! I found this is in the very exclusive San Marino.




My route continued into Alhambra where I ran across a community garden. I've been surprised at how many community gardens I've walked by since starting this venture. I expect them to be in a downtown urban environment (like downtown Boston, where I used to live) and not in a neighborhood of houses. Of course, there are plenty of apartment buildings in Alhambra.




I've tried unsuccessfully to understand why someone felt the need to make an abreviation of Alhambra for their concrete stamp! It's not like there isn't plenty of room for the full word!




These folks obviously have a policy of no shoes in the house and live in an honest neighborhood (or replace a lot of shoes).




I crossed over the 10 Freeway on my way into Monterey Park. Counting both directions, there are 8 driving lanes, 2 carpool lanes, 2 breakdown lanes AND a train track. It's a superhighway by any definition...and a parking lot during rush hour.




After travelling through Montebello, I was in the City of Commerce. When I was looking at the map before coming out today, I saw a bunch of railroad tracks. I assumed it was a switching yard. I was wrong. It is actually an area of warehouses and distribution centers with railways running along the back of the buildings. I sensed a lot of commerce goes on there.




I also sensed that someone doesn't like the L.A. Machinist Benefit Trust and Baker's Local 37. This was their front window!




Because of all that commerce, there are a lot of trucks in the area. I even walked by a dealership. Now, if we have out-of-town guests who want to have their Kenworth serviced, I'll know right where to send them!




Soon I was back in Montebello and stumbed across this memorial to the Battle of the Rio San Gabriel back in 1847. In fact, the memorial dates from 1944. The battle, apparently, was a key battle in the Mexican-American War. I wasn't expecting to run across a 150 year old canon!



The memorial is on the bank of the Rio Hondo Coastal Basin Spreading Grounds. I saw all the blue in my Thomas Guide but I had no idea what it was. Now I know that these spreading grounds are used to help recharge the aquifer to the tune of 150,000 acre-feet every year. If you're interested, you can find out more about it here. I know most of the rainwater still ends up going out to the ocean, but this certainly helps keep some of it around.




A little further up, there were horse stables down in the valley as well as chickens. I took this picture to the constant background din of hundreds of chickens and roosters. In fact, I think the boy on the left might be carrying one. (It sure is a rural looking scene taken in the middle of the city!)




I turned around and headed back north. I stopped by the San Gabriel Mission (dating from 1771). I've learned that the Mission was originally located near the Spreading Grounds in Montebello. They moved it to this spot in 1776 after it was damaged in a flood.




I had actually been to the Mission before to attend a friend's wedding. Midway through the ceremony, everything came to a grinding halt while a train passed. A train track runs right by the Mission and there are two street crossings nearby. As you know, every crossing requires a lot of train horn activity. I got the same treatment today!




A little further up, I came across a birthday party that San Gabriel was throwing for itself. There was even a carnival.



Soon I was back at my car. It had been a 27 mile loop and I was tired!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Labels: East Los Angeles, Pasadena, Training Walk