Water Flows Not So Free

Los Angeles is in the middle of another water shortage. We Angelinos are asked to only water our lawns twice a week, sweep our driveways instead of using the hose and avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Yeah, right!

LA doesn't have too many natural streams like in the old days. There are a few near natural streams like the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena. Most of our water resources come from our mountains both near and far. Anyone read Cadillac Desert? Despite the lack of water, there are some secret spots here in LA that still flow with cool, sparkling water--even in the dog days of summer. Of course it's harnessed and directed by man, but it's still water.

Splash!

Valyermo, CA -- Kids jump off a high dive at camp, landing in what's known as a "cannon ball." The object is to make the biggest splash. One youngster achieved his goal, which paid off in dividends.

Pearblossom Highway

Valyermo, CA--As much as I champion Pasadena and all it's diversity, sometimes I drive up and over our mountains and wander the Pearblossom Highway through Vayermo. With gas prices down, the two-hour tour into LA's high desert no longer costs a day's wages.

By Googling Pearblossom Hwy, you can catch a glimpse of this scenic highway and all the quirky towns. My favorite time to visit is in the late afternoon when long shadows sweep across the desert floor and every abandond shack looks like a subject out of National Geographic.