Hanging Around L.A.

[Groucho]

There are so many things to do in Los Angeles. I will use this thread to show some of the things we Angelos do. Monday I went to the beach in Orange County about 40 minutes of driving (70% freeway) from my home. Huntington Beach is southeast of where I live which is just about 15 minutes east of downtown Los Angeles. Huntington Beach is one of my favorite beaches. They have a large section of the beach available for dogs. It is so fun to see them happy and running into waves amongst other dogs. Huntington Beach is also home to surf competition and Beach volleyball.

We southern Californians like to stay fit by surfing, swimming, playing volleyball, riding bikes, jogging, walking or skating. This first photo shows the asphalt road on the left side shared by bicyclists, runners and skaters. They also have basketball courts at some beach parking lots.

http://Huntington Beach/4@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0086.jpg

[Groucho]

Doggies share the beach. :)

http://Huntington Beach/3 @photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0082.jpg

[ELEANOR MAW]

Looks a nice clean sandy beach George, our beaches in the south east England are mostly pebbly and not very clean ( Jobbies and Rubbers etc :shocked: )

[Groucho]

Good morning Ellie. The beaches of Orange County are cleaner than those of Los Angeles County. The water temperature today was between 62 - 66 F. Surf 1 -3 foot.

[Groucho]

http://HB/dogs@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0081-1.jpg

[ELEANOR MAW]

Good morning Ellie. The beaches of Orange County are cleaner than those of Los Angeles County. The water temperature today was between 62 - 66 F. Surf 1 -3 foot.Good morning George, sounds great down at Orange County, I do a bit of surfing down in the West Country when I get the chance :D

[Troll]

Great pics

[Alex]

I love Los Angeles Is Malibi pretty close to there? That zone is awesome:D

[faithfully]

The sea water looks a good bit cleaner than what I see at my local beaches:huh:

[Groucho]

I love Los Angeles Is Malibi pretty close to there? That zone is awesome:D

Malibu is about an hour northwest of me while Huntington Beach is about 40 minutes southeast of me. Santa Monica Beach is about an hour west of me and Malibu is just about 15 minutes north. You'll see pics of those places eventually on this thread.

[goinUP]

Doggies!!!! :bounce:

[Groucho]

Doggies!!!! :bounce:

Very happy doggies. Once they're on the beach, no leash!

[Groucho]

If you have ever watched the Rose Parade the backdrop is the San Gabriel Mountains. If you have ever seen horseracing from Santa Anita or saw the movie "Seabiscuit" once again the backdrop is the San Gabriel Mountains. The Rose Parade is held in Pasadena and about 2 or 3 miles east is the city of Arcadia which is home to Santa Anita Racetrack. The next time you see the movie "Seabiscuit" or watch horseracing from Santa Anita (Breeder Cup championships will be held this year there) you may notice a line in the middle of the mountain. This is the road to Chantry Flats which winds up about 3 miles after you pass the northernmost homes of Arcadia. The following photos are all taken at Chantry Flats. This is where I spent my morning on Wednesday. Another nice place to run.

http://Wildflower@CF@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0088.jpg

[Groucho]

Chantry Flats is about a 40 minute drive north of where I live.

http://CF/2@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0093.jpg

[Groucho]

http://Sign@CF@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0101.jpg

[Troll]

More neat pics

[Groucho]

http://CF/4@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0102.jpg

[Groucho]

http://CF/6@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0104-1.jpg

[Groucho]

http://CF/7@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0105.jpg

[Groucho]

http://CF/11@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0125-1.jpg

[Troll]

More great pics

[Alex]

Malibu is about an hour northwest of me while Huntington Beach is about 40 minutes southeast of me. Santa Monica Beach is about an hour west of me and Malibu is just about 15 minutes north. You'll see pics of those places eventually on this thread.

Oh ok ok I really love Malibu beaches I hope to see pics from there:D

[Groucho]

Just a few pics from a local park about 15 minutes away. Another place I like to run.

http://LL1@photobucket.comhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0141.jpg

[Groucho]

http://LL3http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0145.jpg

[Groucho]

http://LL2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0148.jpg

[Groucho]

http://LL4http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0151.jpg

[faithfully]

http://LL2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0148.jpg

Fantastic shot;)

[faithfully]

http://LL4http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0151.jpg

:]Good camera work my friend:D

[Groucho]

Thanks Steve.

[Groucho]

Last Saturday my wife and I went to Beachwood Canyon to have lunch and visit the old neighborhood of her favorite movie star. From there we took in some of the sights of Hollywood. I won't be posting those pictures here because I am going to start a Movies/Stars Trivia Game thread in a couple of weeks and use some of the photos. I plan on taking pictures at cementaries, homes and other things to fit into the game. But here in this photo my wife shot me with the Hollywood sign in the left hand corner.

http://HW signhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0157-1.jpg

[shania-little]

I don't know much about L.A. but the song " Skies of L.A." from Celine Dion gives me the impression that's beautiful over there. And your pictures only confirm this! :up:

[Groucho]

Taryn the atmosphere has been horrible this summer due to the fires in northern California. It comes all the way down here in southern California. Because of the poor air quality I mostly run at the beach or mountains where the wind kind of airs it out. Thank you, it is nice here when the air clears.

[greek fanatic]

:shocked:I haven't realize that L.A. can be so beautiful,
all they show us on tv is the trashy part with all the celebrities doing foolish stuff.
amazing pics,my best friend lives now in L.A. i bet he's having a great time.;)

[Troll]

Great pics

[Groucho]

Santa Monica


http://SMhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0171.jpg

[Groucho]

Santa Monica now has a new ferris wheel on the pier. It's solar powered and has a ton of more lights. It must be really beautiful at night. I would love to go down there one night.

http://SM2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0174.jpg

[Troll]

Great pics

[Groucho]

About 25 minutes north of my home is The Huntington Library. The former estate of railroad magnate, Henry C. Huntington, has beautiful grounds including a Japanese and Chinese Garden. Thomas Gainsborough's "Blue Boy" is also housed in one of the many buildings. One building has a copy of The Magna Carta, manuscript of Chaucer's "Cantabury Tales" and a Gutenburg Bible (I think there are only 6 or 7 in the world). Sometimes they borrow exhibits from elsewhere. Once they had a Abraham Lincoln exhibit which included handwritten documents. The pics here are top - Japanese Gardens & bottom - Chinese Gardens.

http://JGhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0016-2.jpg

[Groucho]

http://CGhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0017.jpg

[Troll]

Neat pics

[faithfully]

Santa Monica now has a new ferris wheel on the pier. It's solar powered and has a ton of more lights. It must be really beautiful at night. I would love to go down there one night.

http://SM2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0174.jpg

:DCool scene;) It reminds me of 80's American movies:D

[ShaniaDushi]

Beautiful pictures, I sooo wanna go to the USA! Next year I will. :D

[Groucho]

If you do I'd be willing to help If you came to California in providing you with how to get around, etc. Janet I loved your country. I got to go to the Kerkenkoff (I know I misspelled it) near Lisse. Loved the tulips.

[Roger]

Hey George! I just discovered this thread this evening. Thank you for all the pix. California is one of our favourite places. In March we usually start near San Francisco with relatives then make our way south to Palm Springs for some desperately needed warmth and sunshine after an Ottawa winter. We took a bus tour of LA once but apart from that we have always just driven through it.

California is a world in itself. You really have a bit of everything! We haven't vacationed there in four years. Maybe we will head back there again this March.

I envy you your running. I ran for over 25 years but had to give it up 13 years ago because of a bad hip. I still miss it.

[Groucho]

Roger, I know that I am lucky to be able to run. Let me know if you do come around in March. Actually I have never been to Palm Springs. I really hate hot weather but in March I know it's a nice place to be. I have been up to nearby Mt San Gregornian (sic) which is a higher peak than Mt. Jacinto (where the tram goes up) but that's the closest I've been to Palm Springs.

[ShaniaDushi]

If you do I'd be willing to help If you came to California in providing you with how to get around, etc. Janet I loved your country. I got to go to the Kerkenkoff (I know I misspelled it) near Lisse. Loved the tulips.

Ahhh Keukenhof! That's cool, never been there myself because I don't find anything special about tulips, lol we've got lots of them in our yard, but I saw pictures of the Keukenhof and it looks pretty.. And thanks so much for your offer, I wish I was going to CA, and I sooo wanna go to FL..MIAMI..and LA..HOLLYWOOD but I'm going to NY and probably Boston, as my friend has a home there and we can visit them for free: all we have to do is pay for the tickets. I really wanna travel through the US once..I'm so amazed by it.

[Roger]

Roger, I know that I am lucky to be able to run. Let me know if you do come around in March. Actually I have never been to Palm Springs. I really hate hot weather but in March I know it's a nice place to be. I have been up to nearby Mt San Gregornian (sic) which is a higher peak than Mt. Jacinto (where the tram goes up) but that's the closest I've been to Palm Springs.

Palm Springs is the last place I would want to be in summer - as you say, too hot. In March the weather there is perfect. In four vacations there, not only have we never had rain, we have never even had a cloudy day!

We have been up Jacinto several times. There is snow up there and it is funny to watch tourists from hot parts of the world experience snow for the first time. Of course, we ask ourselves why the heck we travel thousands of miles to see snow when we can see it in our own backyard! ;)

The best time to go up is late afternoon. So we get to see the Coachella Valley in the light. Then we have dinner in the restaurant there while it goes dark. Then we get to see all the lights down in the valley at night.

[Groucho]

Roger, that sounds like a beautiful setting. It is fun to see people experiece snow for the first time. I myself used to do a lot of snow skiing until they priced me out and because of my working hours. Skiing used to be my favorite passion, more so than running. Maybe in the future I'll pick it up again as long as I can stay fit. I guess I would have to try snowboarding as well.

[Groucho]

As everyone knows L.A. had a 5.2 (5.4?) earthquake today. Having lived in southern California all my life one gets to know by the feel of an earthquake just how serious it may be. I had just got home from running and was taking my shoes off on my front porch. My wife was behind the screen door talking to me about our son's new environment. He got a job about an hour east of us and is moving there next month and the area doesn't seem to be very good. Just then we felt the ground moving beneath us. My thoughts were "it's about a 3 to 4 earthquake" and my wife said, "Oh my God we're having an earthquake." Then the earthquake was no longer building pressure but making its shift. Now I'm thinking it's in the 5+ range and I'm running off my porch away from the house where anything falling from the house can't harm me. After it stops one has to wonder if it caused any damage, death or injuries somewhere in the Los Angeles area. My wife informs me that our son is probably on the freeway right now as he was headed about an hour's drive east of us. We get on our cellphones to see if he's o.k. (without telling each other) and we both say to each other the phones are dead because everyone is calling to check up on everyone. We are told in news stories and earthquake awareness programs not to do it but it's a natural thing to make sure your loved ones are safe. Eventually he called us on our regular phone to let us know he was alright. So lucky for everyone in southern California that everyone was safe. :)

[Groucho]

Today I went running at Santa Monica again and I took this picture of a yacht cruising in the bay near the shore. I wondered who could it be. I notice a speedboat about 200 yards headed behind it. My guess on that boat - paparazzi.

HTTP://SM/yhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0271.jpg

[Groucho]

Last weekend my wife and me went to Griffith Park for a hike and on Sunday I went to Malibu Creek State Park for some running. Both places have a history of film making so I wanted to take pictures for the "Movies/TV/Stars Game" on the "Games and Fun" thread.

That's me up on the higher level of the observatory with my two arms stretched out.

http://GP/o/d/1http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0200.jpg

[Groucho]

The observatory is one of my favorite places to go on the cheap in L.A. They have a marvelous show in the Planetium Theater that puts you in perspective with how you relate to the entire universe and is a good history lesson in the process. It is also like a ride at Disneyland or Universal Studios. They also have a lot of interesting exhibits and have the telescope focused on some planet, group of stars or moons. Quite a place.

http://GP/o/d2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0204.jpg

[Groucho]

This view is with your back to the observatory looking north. You see the hills of Griffith Park with Mt. Lee perhaps being the tallest peak at just 1600 feet. To the right in the distance you see the San Gabriel Mountain Range.

http://GP/o/d3http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0209.jpg

[Groucho]

http://GP/o/d4http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0210.jpg

[Groucho]

Just next to the parking lot is this path at the Berlin Forest which takes you into the hiking trail of Griffith Park.

http://GP/d5http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0211.jpg

[Groucho]

Usually once a week I join my friends for a 2 hour night hike at Griffith Park. The program is a Sierra Club sponsored event. This shot was taken this last week. That is Mount Lee with the Hollywood sign just to lower left of the peak.

http://GP/n1http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0246.jpg

[Groucho]

One night I had a similar view but with a wildfire from more than 100 miles away near Santa Barbara in the distance. But no camera that night.

http://GP/n3http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0256.jpg

[Groucho]

Saturday my wife and me went out to dinner and had a visit to a location where a movie was filmed. Here is a plaque displayed on one of the lower steps of a very long set of stairs. The film won an oscar for best short comedy in 1932. The stairs had 10 landings with about 8 steps between landings and in the film "Music Box" Stan and Ollie carried a piano up the steps.

http://LH/1http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0259.jpg

[Troll]

Awesome pics

[Navi]

so good stuff George!! I love the pictures of The observatory:) it seems a great place to relax watching the stars ;)

[ravshania]

luvd dem:)

:) luvshania :) ravshania :)

[DollyShania]

never been to the west coast but it looks cool

[Groucho]

Malibu Creek at Malibu Creek State Park

http://MCSP/1http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0225.jpg

[Groucho]

Storage container was used to store explosives used when filming. Inactive since it is now a state park. You may want to join me at the Games & Fun thread for the "Movie/TV/Stars Question Game" to view scenes from movies and television.

http://MCSP/2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0236.jpg

[Groucho]

Lilly pods on a lake at Malibu State Park.

http://MCSP/4http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0231.jpg

[Groucho]

Burned hillside from the last Malibu fire.

http://MCSP/5http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0238.jpg

[StarryShania]

Wow, really nice pictures. L.A looks like a beautiful place. ;)

[Groucho]

Thank you Alicia. You must live in a beautiful place if Shania likes it. Shania has a home in Switzerland and I was able to visit the area of Interlaken, Thun, Grindewald as a hitchhiking serviceman. So I know how beautiful that country is and I know Canada is also very beautiful. By the end of the month if things go as plan hopefully I'll be bringing back some photos from some of the backcountry of Yosemite.

[Troll]

More cool pics

[Groucho]

Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Hollywood Boulevard is where you can see handprints, footprints, quotes and names of popular stars and directors. You will find some of them on the "Movie/TV/Star Question Game" thread as the answers to some questions are correctly guessed after a 24 hour period.

http://GCTresizehttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0338-1.jpg

[Groucho]

The Kodak Theatre, home to the Academy Awards is just east of Gauman's Chinese Theater.

http://rotatedKhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0339-1.jpg

[Troll]

Cool pics

[Groucho]

Thanks Andrew

[Groucho]

On post 58 on commented on the Laurel & Hardy movie. He is a view from the 8th of 10 landings of the steps where Laurel & Hardy carried up a piano. My wife, if you can see her is at street level.

http://resizeLHhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0261-1.jpg

[Groucho]

I'm on the 3rd landing in this photo. When you get up to the 10th landing you can see a small street. It's been awhile since I saw that movie but I think Stanley Laurel doesn't tell Oliver Hardy about the street until they get up there with the piano. Perhaps he tried to tell him but Ollie may have kept interrupting him because he thought he knew better. I can't wait to see that movie again.

http://me/LHhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0269-1.jpg

[Navi]

:great: great work George!!

[Troll]

Neat pics

[faithfully]

Are those the famous steps people use to keep fit ?:D

[Groucho]

No, Stevie. The most famous steps I think are at Santa Monica. They're called the 4th Street Stairs. The weather is much cooler in Santa Monica and the stairs there are harder because there are 189 steps with maybe 4 landings. I was going to post them but I kept getting them turned sideways even though at photobucket they were straight. I now know my error. I was replacing the rotated picture instead of making a second copy and saving it.

[Groucho]

Here's a view of the 4th Street Stairs from the bottom. The bottom of the stairs that is. I sometimes run these at the end of my run (maybe 4 or 5 miles) to make me run stronger at the end of a race. It's especially helpful for my backpacking trip next week when you're climbing high attitude trails (9,000 - 10,000 feet) with a pack on. The lovely women bodies also give you inspiration.:devil:

http://4th st/bhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0176-1.jpg

[Groucho]

I think this is about 178 steps up.

http://4th st/thttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0178-1.jpg

[Groucho]

Johnny Depp was here. From the Grauman's Chinese Theater. Bibi correctly guessed the answer at the "Movie/TV/Star Question Game" thread at Games And Fun.

http://Johnny Depphttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0299.jpg

[StarryShania]

That's so cool.

[Groucho]

This is grainy but anyway this was taken last night at Griffith Park.

http://sunset gphttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0351-1.jpg

[Troll]

More neat pics

[Groucho]

Thanks Andrew & Alicia.

[faithfully]

I have now been inspired by the bodies of those women:D:p

[Groucho]

I have now been inspired by the bodies of those women:D:p

And he's off to the gym!! :)

[Groucho]

Another Hollywood tribute:

http://Doris Day/starhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0329.jpg

[Groucho]

http://Doris Day/starhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0158.jpg

[Troll]

:great:

[StarryShania]

Neat. :great:
Thanks for sharing.

[Groucho]

More from Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

http://Mel Gibsonhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0313.jpg

[Groucho]

http://NWhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0294-1.jpg

[Groucho]

From Griffith Park Observatory where they filmed "Rebel Without A Cause" starring Natalie Wood and James Dean.

http://JD2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0199-1.jpg

[Troll]

Neat pics

[Groucho]

Thanks Andrew. Here's James Stewart prints and Hollywood Walk of Fame Star.

http://James Stewarthttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0296.jpg

[Groucho]

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0166.jpg

[Shania1627]

love the pics!

[Groucho]

Thanks Alli.

[Navi]

Great stars and handprints George :)

[Troll]

A very awesome actor

[Groucho]

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0297.jpg

[Troll]

Neat pics

[Groucho]

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0305.jpg

[Groucho]

Neat pics

Andrew, you can join us at the "Movie/TV Star Question" game thread at the "Fun and Games" section. We still have 43 questions to go. :eek: :D

[Groucho]

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0289.jpg

[Groucho]

Today I went for a run in a park that I had never been at before. This is in the city of Monrovia. It may seem similar to Chantry Flats because it is around 3 miles east of Chantry Flats.

http://Mon parkhttp://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0558-1.jpg

[Troll]

Cool waterfall

[greek fanatic]

Nice stuff:D
Glad to know you and your wife had a good time:)

i love wide open spaces,they make you feel free:]

[Groucho]

Sorry I erased it Tina. My wife and I went to Laguna Beach last week. Laguna Beach was my favorite beach to go when I was in my teens and 20's. We ate lunch and then walked to the beach. The waves were huge to to a storm from Mexico. Orange County beaches had waves from 5 to 12 feet high. I took a picture but I deleted it because the sun was so bright. Then I took off on a 85 minute run while my wife looked around the shops. I ran from downtown to the outskirts of town to a so-called wilderness area. I don't consider it wilderness area when I can hear and see cars. But I did see about 6 people riding bikes. An excellent place for riding hills.

http://lg1http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0580-1.jpg

But both signs let you know it is wilderness for other reasons. My favorite sign when I'm running alone. :nervous:

http://lg2http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0579-1.jpg

I found this hole in a rock (not a bear dump) interesting. I wondered if the hole was man-made or a natural process.

http://lg3http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0577.jpg

A view from a fire road.

http://lg4http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0578.jpg

Next time I go I plan to be dropped off before going downtown so that perhaps I may run far enough to get a view of the ocean from up in the hills. ;)

[Troll]

Great pics

[Groucho]

Yesterday my wife and I spent some of our day at Culver City. One of my wife's grandmothers lived in Culver City so she knows the area better than me. This first photo is the Culver City Hotel which is where the actors who played the characters of the Munchkins in "The Wizard of Oz" stayed.
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0609.jpg

Theatre named in honor of Kirk Douglas, forever remembered as "Spartacus" and father of Michael Douglas.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0585-1.jpg

We went to Sony Pictures Studios (formerly MGM Studios) and I hung out with Spiderman. As you can see by his hands he wasn't impressed by my silly jokes and decided I couldn't USE HIM as a friend.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0593-1.jpg

We looked at the exhibits on display.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0592.jpg


http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0588-1.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0589.jpg

The answer to what movies these exhibits are from can be found on the "Movies/TV/Star Game" thread on "Games and Fun." More exhibits to come on that thread. After finding out that the tour was for two hours we decided it was time to head home. On the way back while in the car my wife pointed out the names of the movies on the yellow pieces of wood wrapped around the trees. Lucky we had a red light and time for me to shoot these last two photos.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0610-1.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0611-1.jpg

[Troll]

More neat pics

[Groucho]

Thank you Andrew.

[Groucho]

Yesterday I went running in Pasadena. I had heard of good running places there and had never ran in those running areas. I also wanted to go to an old church and the public library to take pictures for the "Movie/TV Stars Question Game" thread. This first photo is Pasadena City Hall taken from the church. Pasadena is located about 25 - 30 minutes north of my home.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0614.jpg

These next two are of the church and the grounds.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0616.jpg

http://p3http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0617.jpg

Beautiful Pumpkin Patch across the street.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0625.jpg

The Pasadena Public Library.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0626.jpg

The Rose Bowl is a place where people like to ride their bikes, walk or jog. They hold a flea market there at least once a month and of course have many events inside the stadium. I have never seen a football game there but did see Pink Floyd at one concert and a concert in which The Red Hot Chili Peppers was the warmup band to The Rolling Stones.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0630.jpg

Jogging south of The Rose Bowl will get you to the Arroyo Seco area where the trails permit only horses and hikers. This may be the Colorado Boulevard bridge which would be not far west from where the Rose Parade begins.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0631-1.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0634-1.jpg

[Troll]

More awesome pics.

[Groucho]

Hey Andrew, that's a cool avatar. Thanks for enjoying the pics and visiting this thread.

[Troll]

Thanks George

[Navi]

Great photos George :D I haven't seen before pumpkins so big! :)

[Reenee]

Hey! George thanks for showing us the sights of, southern California. I feel so rested and relaxed from my trek through your area. I love the architecture and of course the natural beauty that you have captured. Very nice!:D

[Groucho]

Thank you Andrew, Bibi and Renee.

Wednesday my wife and I returned to Sony Picture Productions and took the tour. IMO it was disappointing but for anyone who has never been on a studio tour, it would have been interesting.

This first photo is the front of the Sony Pictures Plaza. Inside is where you'll find the memorabilia display cases that you have seen on this thread and where you purchase the tickets for the tour.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0662_p2.jpg

The tour began by watching an excellent film about some of the movies made on the lot . The tour continued across the street and our tour guide told us we would be going into a building in which Columbia Productions (now with Sony) used for signing contracts with actors. It currently serves the same purpose and we were told it was possible that a celebrity could walk past us. But inside what we saw but were forbidden to take photos were the actual oscars for best picture that Columbia has won. Twelve of them but I will not mention them here as these will be used on the "Movies/TV/Stars Question Game" thread.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0656_p2.jpg

This is in front of the Columbia building and we were told was sometimes used in the "King of Queens" series because it could look like Central Park New York. Sometimes they would put snow on the grounds to look like it was New York.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0661_p2-1.jpg

Before entering the main street we are greeted with a reminder of one of the great movies made by Columbia.


http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0658_p2-1.jpg

Main Street.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0660_p3.jpg

This building doubles as the security office and can be used as a police precinct in a television series or movie.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0659_p2.jpg

From this point on we were not allowed to use our cameras. We went to the back lots and saw the buildings which used to be apartment suites for such movie greats as Katherine Hepburn and Judy Garland. We were able to see backdrops and were in the stage which housed the swimming pool in which Ester Williams did her famous water scenes. The pool was covered with a regular wood floor. We were later taken to sit in the audience seats for the television game show "Wheel of Fortune." As our tour guide told us about "Wheel of Fortune" and the hosts, we watched studio people in the background work on putting together props for the show which would be filmed the next day. We returned to the Sony Picture Plaza building where I took more pictures of movie related items.

[Navi]

wow Sony Pictures is so big! :D

[Troll]

More interesting pics

[Reenee]

It never ceases to amaze me how large the movie industry is. Thanks for the pics George.:)

[Groucho]

I was disappointed in the tour because I had read a book that said the "yellow brick road" from "The Wizard of Oz" was there. The book was a little old. The first time we visited the Sony Pictures Plaza I went to the security desk and asked where I could find the "yellow brick road" from "The Wizard of Oz." The security woman told me that I would have to take the tour to see it and directed me where to get tickets for the tour. She told me that I would be disappointed because she heard the yellow bricks were now black. So when I came back the next time for the tour I was hoping to see it.

[Groucho]

Sorry, I was interrupted while posting . So I was surprised when our tour guide took us to a room with “The Wizard of Oz” memorabilia and told us that many people come expecting to see the yellow brick road but it no longer exists. He did add that the trap door that the witch used to disappear with the smoke is in one of the stages but that particular stage was presently being used for some production. From my view it appears that the young tour guide who said he had only been working a few weeks didn’t realize that the trap door was actually part of the yellow brick road stage. It appears some other production having the rights to the stage they were using may have painted over the historic yellow brick road

After the tour my wife and I had an early dinner. Downtown Culver City has many interesting and different restaurants to choose. When we finished our meal we headed across the street to the Culver City Hotel. As previously stated this is where the munchkins stayed during the filming of "The Wizard of Oz." Here is the previously viewed photo of the hotel.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0609.jpg

The hotel windows had photos of stars that I assume stayed there as well as little scenes from "The Wizard of Oz" Marilyn Monroe and Elvis were photos in the windows that I saw but didn't take a picture. Here are some of things inside the windows displays.
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0692_p4.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0691_p3.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0690_p2.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0687_p2.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0696_p5.jpg

You may recognize Lucy and Desi in the above photo. They might not have been guests but frequent regulars at their restaurant inside the hotel because the Desilu Studios is just about a 100 yard walk from the hotel.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0699_p2.jpg
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0700_p3.jpg

It is now called Culver Studios and is currently home to "The Bonnie Hunt Show." Before Lucy & Desi bought it, others owned it. It was a workplace for Cecil B. De Mille and Steven Spielberg. Among the televisions shows produced here were "The Andy Griffith Show", "Deal Or No Deal", "Lassie" and "Mad About You." Among the movies "King Kong" (the original), "Gone With the Wind", "Citizen Kane", "Rebecca" and "E.T. the Extra-Terrestial." My wife informs me that the front of the building as you see was used in "Gone With the Wind." Either Tara or Ashley's place Twelve Oaks. It is said that when the burning of Atlanta scene was filmed the Culver City Fire Department kept getting lots of calls about a huge fire.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0698_p4.jpg

The next morning when I went outside to get the newspaper for my mother-in-law this is what I saw from in front of her house.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0701.jpg

[ravshania]

d lst photo is Awesum!!! Grge...:boogie:
i likd d othr as wel...bt luvd d lst 1...:]
wat a vw...:)
thnx 4 shrin...:up:

:) luvshania :) ravshania :)

[Navi]

amazing photos George :D And in one of those there's a little pic of Audrey Hepburn!!! :)
http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0696_p5.jpg

[Groucho]

I thought about you Bibi when I was taking that picture.

[Troll]

Great stuff George.

[Reenee]

George the sunrise is wonderful.:D

[Navi]

I thought about you Bibi when I was taking that picture.

:D :p

[Groucho]

Last week I went running in the mountains above Altadena which is the city just above Pasadena. I always wanted to see Millard Falls so here are a few photos I took that day.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0707.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0702-1.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0706-1.jpg

While poison oak may be undesirable to us humans it is food for deer and in this case pleasing to the eyes.


http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0710.jpg

[Groucho]

Today I went running on the same trail as the last photo. The trail is different the first three to Millard Falls. There used to be a tram that used to go up the mountain around the turn of the 20th century.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0713.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0717-1.jpg

This is looking west. I hope to be up there on a clear day whenever that may be.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0718.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0730.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0722.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0733.jpg

[Navi]

amazing place George :)

[Troll]

More awesome pics.

[Reenee]

George I enjoy your photos very much. Keep them coming.

[Roger]

Yes, thank you for the photos, George. I love California and enjoy seeing all your photos.

I envy you, not because you live in California though. I envy you because you can still run. I had to quit running 13 years ago due to a bad hip. I had surgery this year on my hip but it didn't work. Now I can't even stay on my feet longer than half an hour. The surgeon tells me I will probably need a complete replacement next year but he wants to wait another six months to be sure. I used to enjoy running not only here but wherever we travelled. So I have run in such diverse places as Hawaii, Barbados, Bermuda, Ireland, England, New Zealand, etc. I would love to run in California but that will never be possible for me now. We used to do hikes in the Palm Springs area. Hiking is the best I can hope for now, I'm afraid, but one day would like to hike again in California, maybe in some of the places you have shown us.

[Groucho]

Yes, thank you for the photos, George. I love California and enjoy seeing all your photos.

I envy you, not because you live in California though. I envy you because you can still run. I had to quit running 13 years ago due to a bad hip. I had surgery this year on my hip but it didn't work. Now I can't even stay on my feet longer than half an hour. The surgeon tells me I will probably need a complete replacement next year but he wants to wait another six months to be sure. I used to enjoy running not only here but wherever we travelled. So I have run in such diverse places as Hawaii, Barbados, Bermuda, Ireland, England, New Zealand, etc. I would love to run in California but that will never be possible for me now. We used to do hikes in the Palm Springs area. Hiking is the best I can hope for now, I'm afraid, but one day would like to hike again in California, maybe in some of the places you have shown us.

Yes I remember you telling me how you used to run. That would be sad for me so I understand. But you do have wonderful memories of the places you ran. My only memories outside of California running are when I used to run from Kaiserslauten to Landstuhl while I served in the Army. Just a short run.
My favorite running memory would be in Yosemite while I was running to my right a small herd of deer, maybe about 8 were startled by me and started to run. What was great was that they ran in the same direction I was headed and I ran along side of them though they were about 50 yards to my right. I also enjoyed the Big Sur Marathon. The scenery, the fun of running amongst fellow runners experiencing the same was quite memorable.

Thank you, Andrew, Bibi and Renee for dropping in. :)

[Navi]

Thank you, Andrew, Bibi and Renee for dropping in. :)
you're welcome George:D and the "thank you" are for you to post all these great photos. I'm learning so much here ;)

[Reenee]

Thank you Georgie:D

[Troll]

Any new pics?

[Groucho]

Andrew I was having problems pasting but now I know how to get around to it.

The following photos are from the city I live, Montebello. The site is historic because this was the last battle fought between the Californians of the Mexican Army and U.S forces before California became a United States territory. The "Battle of the River San Gabriel" resulted in three or less people killed. Today this part of the river is called the Rio Hondo River. But in those days there wasn't any flood control and sometimes the San Gabriel River, about 3 miles east of this site would over flow to this point.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0739.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0740.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0741.jpg

[Navi]

wow :shocked:

[Troll]

Great pics

[Reenee]

Hey George, I see that you are back at it again. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them.:D

[Groucho]

Thanks Bibi, Andrew & Rene

Yesterday I had to take my car in for some body work so I went running from the location. I visited the nearby San Gabriel Mission. One of the 27 missions in California.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0742.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0743-1.jpg

Check out those bells.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0746-1.jpg

It is noted that this is the 2nd location. The first location was about 3 miles north of the photo of the cannons from the "Battle of the San Gabriel River." It was just on the northeast corner of Montebello. There is a small marker located there and I bet a lot of local people don't know about it. I only know it from a book and from having run by it one day. It's located on a corner across the street from a large shopping mall and lots of cars whiz by there all the time. It's just that the side of the road it is on is wild and home to rabbits. It was moved because it was flooded by the San Gabriel River.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0748-1.jpg

[Groucho]

The previous pictures were from the south side of the mission. This picture is at the east end of the mission. The scaffolds to the right of the mission are probably used for repairing due to damage in an earthquake a number of years back.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0750.jpg

The cemetery is just north of the mission. (below)

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0751.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0753.jpg

I guess I should have gone to manual focus on that last one. Oh well, but the colors are still nice.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0754.jpg

Looking north towards a cemetery with more recent residents. Each little white cross represents the nearly one and half million abortions a year worldwide.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0755.jpg

I peeked over the fence and took this interesting photo. Interesting because I don't know what it is. There were about four or five of these. The other ones were enclosed. Perhaps they were used for storing grain. At the Santa Barbara Mission they have an area where one can see where they used to do the laundry. I took pictures of it when I first started this thread but because I was unfamiliar with my camera at the time, I accidently erased it. I don't know when I'll be going there again as Santa Barbara is over 100 miles away.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0756.jpg

[Reenee]

George, I love your latest additions to your thread. The architecture and the different types of growing things is wonderful. I like the second, fourth and sixth photos very much.

[Troll]

Cool stuff

[Groucho]

Having talked about the San Gabriel Mission and the San Gabriel River I decided to spend my run yesterday running near my home. These photos today may be boring but I know that some people may find these interesting if their flood control system is different or non-existence. Los Angeles area rivers are really just ugly cement control systems. We don't have the beautiful rivers like other cities but we don't have any flood problems. That could also be because it hardly rains here. :) "This photo is about 2 - 3 miles "upstream" from the "Battle of the San Gabriel River." You can see the markings for measuring the dept of the water. This branch of the San Gabriel River is called the Rio Hondo River.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0757.jpg

O.K. maybe you can't. But the white painted area is a "measuring stick."

The riverbed is used as a jogging/walking area as well as bicycling. To the left of the riverbed is a horse trail. The bikepath veers to the left at the dam and the small white spot you see on the sloping path above the green shubbery and below the round group of brush is a bicyclist.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0758.jpg

This is the view on top of the dam. After a couple of days of rain the area below is covered in water. The gates leading to the riverbed are locked. With plenty of rain the area is green and the mountains are covered with snow. The mountains are clearer after a storm. The day of this photo was considered good air quality. To the left you can see a sloping hill. The area in the distance where the hill merges with the distance trees is where the original San Gabriel Mission was located. Hence, the reason I took these photos.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0759.jpg

Although the hill is dotted with oil rigs they are hard to see in this photo. One can be seen on the hill right above the area with no brush to the left (light green colored) and to the right the same color as the dirt (looks like a T on its side). One of the three high schools in Montebello has the mascot of "The Oilers."

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0761.jpg

Those are all family homes. No apartments or condos in this area of Montebello. In the distance the gold-colored top of a building is the roof of an Armenian Church. It's the same church in the photo of the "Movie/TV Star Question Game" thread. It was used in the movie "Sideways." It's in the center of the photo. In the distance it's hard to tell it is gold-colored.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0762.jpg[/IMG

The house between the telephone poles is actually an old adobe home that was built in 1845. It is about 1/2 mile south of where the San Gabriel Mission was located.

[IMG]http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0763-1.jpg

The site of the original San Gabriel Mission was suppose to be in Santa Ana which is about 45 minutes by freeway east of this location. But Spanish missionaires picked this location instead in 1771. When a flash flood destroyed the crops it was moved about 5 miles north to the present location. I mentioned earlier that a shopping mall was across the street from this site. I was wrong. Wrong corner.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0769.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0771-1.jpg

Two photos back you may have notice this and thought perhaps it were a lamp. Actually there is suppose to be a bell but apparently it has been stolen. These poles can be found throughout California. They mark the old trails from mission to mission. If I had gone east from the San Gabriel Mission I probably would have found these because that would be the direction of the famous "Santa Fe Trail" which was an old trade route between New Mexico and California. If you drive on the 101 freeway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara you will see these on the side of the road. The freeway is the old trail between the San Fernando Mission and the Santa Barbara Mission.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0773-1.jpg

I took this photo of the Rio Hondo River from a bridge. From this location it's actually a free river for a short distance.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0774.jpg

From the spot I took the photo of the River you can see in the distance the "Bell Pole" where the mission once stood. (Not counting the light pole on the left but counting the ones where you can see the top of light pole it would be just to the right of the 2nd pole) Imagine the distance between the mission and the river filled with crops. It's hard to imagine a flashflood destroying everything with such a small river.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0777.jpg

About 2 miles east of the Rio Hondo River is what's left of the San Gabriel River. Behind the dam lies a golf course. Over 20 miles from this point the San Gabriel ends at the ocean.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0782.jpg

[Troll]

Great pics

[Reenee]

Thanks George for the interesting photos and the educational comments.

[Groucho]

Thanks Andrew and Rene. The Rio Hondo River flows into the Los Angeles River but the San Gabriel River goes all the way to the ocean. These 3 photos are at the mouth of the river. It ends at Seal Beach. Many surfers like this area because of the waves and warm waters. Jellyfish also like the warm waters and it is said that Seal Beach is the Jellyfish capitol of the world.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0823.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0803.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0824.jpg

This photo is to the left of the jetty. In the last photo you may have notice behind the layer of smog, mountains in the ocean. That is Palos Verdes peninsula Seal Beach is the first beach south of Los Angeles County, thus being the the northern most Orange County Beach. Long Beach is north of Seal Beach and that is why you see the freighters on their way to the port of Long Beach.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0825.jpg

Upstream it was recently reported that an endangered Green Turtle was rescued and after some care released back in this area of the river. There is a large group of the sea turtles who eventually go back 1000 miles to islands off of Mexico to nest. Quite surprising to find them in such an urban area. It appears they may like the warmth of the water, the industrial plant in the background somehow further warms the water. The particular Green Turtle rescued was about the size of a trash can lid. It was relatively young. They can grow to be 5 feet long and weigh 500 pounds.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0813.jpg

A couple of pelicans "hanging around in L.A." Actually Orange county, perhaps one is an "Orange County Housewife?"

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0816.jpg

Here's the Seal Beach Pier.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0797.jpg

From the pier a view of the city of Long Beach. The Spruce Goose used to be there before moving up to Portland (?) and Long Beach is the home of the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Long Beach Grand Prix.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0796.jpg

That's someone on a paddle board. There is a race that goes to Santa Catalina Island, approximately 25 miles from here. It's closer to 26 miles from Newport Beach if you're familiar with the song "26 Miles Across the Sea, Santa Catalina is awaiting for me, Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance...." Good thing I'm not singing. :funny: That is Santa Catalina Island in the midst of the smog layer. It's a very nice place to go. Sadly it is also where the actress Natalie Wood drowned.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0798.jpg

By the Seal Beach Library is a "Red Car." This used to be great transportation that would go from Los Angeles south to Long beach or east to Santa Monica. You could go north and get left off at the base of the Mount Lowe Railway (post 135). It also went as far southeast as Orange county. It extended east as far as San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. It covered over 1000 miles. It ended in 1961.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0826-1.jpg

This is not a passenger car but perhaps a mail car?

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0827.jpg

[Troll]

More neat pics

[Groucho]

Thanks Andrew.

[Reenee]

George, love the water, the beach, the sky and the pelicans. The train car looks a little lonely all by itself, a very unexpected thing to see. Thanks for letting us see your photos.;)

[faithfully]

Fascinating photos and stories George, thanks:great:

[Groucho]

Thank you Rene & Steve.

Any shooting fans out there? Perhaps about 1/4 mile from the spot where I took the photo from the bridge is a shooting range. This is home to two time Olympic Gold Medalist in Double Trap Champion, Kimberly Rhode. Too bad they didn't allow Women's Double Trap at Beijing. The shooting range is actually across the street from Legg Lake the park I sometimes run.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0846.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0847.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0849.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0842.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0843.jpg

[Troll]

Cool stuff

[Groucho]

Post 152 has many photos and one is of an old adobe built in 1845, the one between two telephone poles. Anyway I went by there last week and drove around to the site and took these pictures.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0868.jpg

West side of the adobe.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0869.jpg



It's rather strange that I walked up these steps to take a look back at history and when I looked down I saw more history. This adobe is in the north part of Montebello. In the southwest part of Montebello was an area of red clay. From that site the local Simons brick company was made. Simons had 4 or 5 brickyards. The one in Montebello is only a memory. Simons sent their bricks all over and these are the same bricks that San Francisco was built after the earthquake, at least says my wife. :dunno:

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0870.jpg




http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0871.jpg


This old cart of the era has wooden wheels. Yeah, you better put a rod iron fence around it or else some homeless guy will grab it and push it around town with all his goods.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0873.jpg

North side of the adobe.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0874.jpg

South side of the adobe. It appears this adobe had the luxury of a well nearby. Funny how we can easily take things for granted. I have a faucet in my kitchen. :D

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0875.jpg

[Troll]

More great pics. Are those wildfires anywhere near you?

[Navi]

amazing photos George ;) I like so much the red Street Car or train (I don't know how you name that):D

[Reenee]

George, you have again managed to show me things that I have not seen before and in the process educated me. Thank you.;)

[Groucho]

More great pics. Are those wildfires anywhere near you?

According to mapquest I am about 35 miles away from Granada Hills. It's northwest from where I live. I do have extended family in the Sylmar area.

I'm watching the local news as I type. 500 firefighters. Granada Hills and Sylmar are cities in the San Fernando Valley. It gets hot there and they expect 100 degree (F) today. I live in what is called the San Gabriel Valley which also gets hot. Although Montebello, where I live, is considered part of the San Gabriel Valley I actually consider it part of the L.A. Basin because there is a large hill at the northern part of Montebello and when you look north from the brim of the hill you look down into the San Gabriel Valley.

Montecito is about 100 miles west of me. Actor Christopher Lloyd lost his (a) home in that fire. Over 100 homes lost in Montecito and close to 200 in Santa Barbara.

[Groucho]

amazing photos George ;) I like so much the red Street Car or train (I don't know how you name that):D

Thank you Bibi. I would call them street cars. I was too young to remember them but my wife is a little older than me and she remembers riding them with her grandmother or an aunt.

George, you have again managed to show me things that I have not seen before and in the process educated me. Thank you.;)

Thank you Rene. I'm learning too! :D

[Troll]

According to mapquest I am about 35 miles away from Granada Hills. It's northwest from where I live. I do have extended family in the Sylmar area.

I'm watching the local news as I type. 500 firefighters. Granada Hills and Sylmar are cities in the San Fernando Valley. It gets hot there and they expect 100 degree (F) today. I live in what is called the San Gabriel Valley which also gets hot. Although Montebello, where I live, is considered part of the San Gabriel Valley I actually consider it part of the L.A. Basin because there is a large hill at the northern part of Montebello and when you look north from the brim of the hill you look down into the San Gabriel Valley.

Montecito is about 100 miles west of me. Actor Christopher Lloyd lost his (a) home in that fire. Over 100 homes lost in Montecito and close to 200 in Santa Barbara.

Thanks for the info

[Reenee]

Fire has such a voracious appetite, the things that I see on the news are frightening. Stay safe George.

[Groucho]

Fire has such a voracious appetite, the things that I see on the news are frightening. Stay safe George.

The fire in Orange County was probably less than 3 miles away from one of my friends, less than 1/2 mile from the road closure to another, still a third friend (my wife's) the fire was probably less than 2 miles. The Yorba Linda, Brea (Triangle fire) was in the middle of the three of them. (Respectively they live in Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and Brea) It was so sad to see so many people suffer.

[Troll]

The fire in Orange County was probably less than 3 miles away from one of my friends, less than 1/2 mile from the road closure to another, still a third friend (my wife's) the fire was probably less than 2 miles. The Yorba Linda, Brea (Triangle fire) was in the middle of the three of them. (Respectively they live in Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and Brea) It was so sad to see so many people suffer.

Thanks for the info

[Reenee]

The fire in Orange County was probably less than 3 miles away from one of my friends, less than 1/2 mile from the road closure to another, still a third friend (my wife's) the fire was probably less than 2 miles. The Yorba Linda, Brea (Triangle fire) was in the middle of the three of them. (Respectively they live in Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and Brea) It was so sad to see so many people suffer.
The fires in your area affect so many people, in California and all over the US, those that have friends and relatives living in So. California are hoping and preying that the fires will be out soon and the destruction will end. It is so sad to see the aftermath of a fire. Hope that all the folks that you hold dear George, stay safe through this.

[Groucho]

South of the shooting range is a training center for sport dogs. North are baseball and softball diamonds as well as an area for flying model airplanes. To the west is the area pictured in posts 23 - 26. One can jog in a circumference about 3 to 4 miles. The paths crisscross in many angles where you can do figure 8's. People use the man-made lakes to race model speedboats. West of this area lies playgrounds and an area for disc golf. I wonder if others play disc golf in other countries or other states in the United States. You use a Frisbee to play. Anyway here is a photo of a hole.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0850.jpg

The whole area is known as the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. Just southeast of the disc golf area we continue to follow the San Gabriel Riverbed north.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0853.jpg

While the previous photo may appear to be a free running river this next photo shows the flood control. You can see this photo is just to the right of the previous photo. The block of cement may not have been notice much in he previous photo.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0854.jpg

While horseback riding may be common along the riverbed, signs of the time point sadly to these horses.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0857.jpg

This part of the riverbed has been drained. In the late Spring near this area the riverbed was drained and many ducklings met their death to complaints of animal lovers. The Flood Control defended their action with the protection of human life but in the end they plan to be less careless in the future and help protect the wildlife.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0858.jpg

These numbers on the bike path indicate you are 24 miles from the ocean at this point. (First 3 photos of post 155)

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0861.jpg

This photo was taken about a week before the southland fires.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0863.jpg

A little further north is the city of Irwindale. This is the city where Al Davis was planning to build a football stadium for the Oakland Raiders. Just west of the riverbed is the Toyota Speedway. We also have a racetrack in Pomona which would be about a 45 minute drive southeast from this point (mostly east).

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0884-1.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0885-1.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0888.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0891.jpg

Someone training for a race. Double click to hear and see car.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/th_IMGP0892.jpg (http://s335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/?action=view&current=IMGP0892.flv)

Up the riverbed is this informative display. It says not only is the riverbed used as flood control but the ground water is used for over 1,300,000 people (including me). From the Cogswell Dam (still upstream) to the ocean is a distance of about 58 miles.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0880.jpg

Across the street is the Santa Fe Dam.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0879.jpg

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0896.jpg

On top of the dam looking north.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0893.jpg

Looking northwest from on top of the dam. The white line across the lower part of the mountains is the road to Chantry Flats. (Posts 13-15, 17-20)

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0894.jpg

Looking south from the dam. The Toyota Racetrack is just to the right of the power line towers.

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m466/yosemitegeorge/IMGP0895.jpg

[Troll]

Neat pics

[Groucho]

Thanks Andrew.