The Arroyo Seco - A Slow Meander Dec. 28, 2012

The Arroyo Seco is a concrete tamed waterway. It can be a green trickle, or a roaring flash flood. The arroyo's watershed,  from the nearby San Gabriel Mountains and surrounding city storm drains provides ample square miles of run-off to fill the channel for it's eventual exit to the Pacific as it cuts through Altadena, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Highland Park, Lincoln Park and finally the artery links to the Los Angeles River. 

I walked for a couple of dawdling hours with my camera,  a section of the Arroyo between the Mission St. Bridge and Ave. 60 Bridge that is open to the public when the water is not above a couple of feet. A raised concrete service road at the bottom of the concrete river channel is accessed by a string of park land along the creek's crest. The Pasadena Freeway follows the course of the Arroyo here, and is never quite out of mind and sight despite the greenery between waterway and freeway. This is an urban creek -  no doubt about it.  The raised road down along the water has been painted to indicate bicycle right-a-way. Walker, walkers with dogs, runners, runners with dogs,  joggers, vandals and graffiti "artists" share this stretch of the Arroyo. 

To the camera, this winding thing can be lush or stark. I played it a both ends.

Jim Staub ~ Dec. 29, 2012

Train and Subway Riders - Pasadena to LA

I take the train into Los Angeles when I have doctor appointments or various other purposes.  Usually have a camera and snap a few pictures to and from.  Here are some examples from about the last two years.   Jim Staub ~ November, 2012

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Zion... finally made it to Zion

During September, 2011 my wife Terry and I made our first venture into Zion National Park.  How was this overlooked for so long?  This visit was another, "inspection" for future returns.  Like Bryce Canyon on this same trip,  we played tourists not backcountry hikers, hopped on the shuttle bus and made the loop through the magnificent Virgin Canyon that is the heart of Zion.   

Jim Staub ~ Sept. 2012

Selections from Bryce Canyon National Park

My first visit to Bryce Canyon was made a year ago,  2011,  in early September.  It was an overview look at  Bryce and Zion National Parks with my wife, Terry.  Limited time - a few short trail walks in a 4 day vacation. At Bryce we remained at the Rim Trail level, looking out and down into the convolutions and colors, a hiker or horseback rider might be detected in the formations below,  inching along it appeared.  The brief time there fostered a desire to return for a better look, to be one of those day hikers below the Rim Trail spectators.   Jim Staub - September, 2012