The last two days we’ve enjoyed some really nice city walks taking us through some of the nicer parts of Pasadena including a favourite, Bungalow Heaven, presently in overdrive preparing for Halloween in a few days.
They take things seriously down here!
We’ve also enjoyed a nice walk up to the foot of the mountains and had a look at the impressive storm debris holding areas which might have been in use during the storm Tuesday that rolled through and caused flooding north of here. There have been so many serious fires the past few years that the removal of the vegetation has resulted in flash floods and debris flows in many locations.
We have travelled south for the birth of our second grandchild, first grandson, and also first child for Erin and Seth. How wonderful to have two grandchildren to help carry us through the long days of the pandemic! We are in a soft isolation for 5 days given the imminent due date and we’ve been toughing it out in a small bungalow in back of a larger bungalow.
Yes, there’s a pool, but if it makes you feel any better, it’s ice cold!! Just tried it up to my knees. Darn cold!!
The past couple of days we’ve been trying to figure out some of the mountain trails above us. Last night we decided some climbing would be in order so this morning on a beautiful warm day we headed off up the road towards the trailheads. The road up from our place if a nice 8% slope. I know this because as we walked down later in the day a road sign at the top warned motorists that the slope was indeed 8%. Seth had told us that by the time we walked up to the mountains we’d likely find this to be enough of a climb. Clearly he needs to get to know us a bit better: )
Following a little reading yesterday, the route we selected was the Sam Merrill Trail which crosses the old Las Flores Ranch. It has some interesting local history that goes back to the early 1900’s.
The route took us up a very dry trail, even after the steady rain a couple of days ago. Southern California is officially in a drought, so no surprise. The trail is very doable, with a steady climb all the way up. Steeper in some sections with switchbacks, but overall just a really decent climb.
The views of Pasadena and LA County where 8 million soles reside, became more and more lovely as we climbed.
I recognized these from the many travels around the Mediterranean, particularly in southern Spain, Sicily and Turkey. Beginning to feel like we are on a bit of a vacation! Can a distance walk in Europe be very far away?
In some places the trail was literally cobbled together. It’s tough to maintain a trail like this in a really arid climate on steep slopes.
At the top we found the sight of the glamorous home and the rail bed that passed through here. You didn’t think they hauled all the materials and people up here on our trail did you?
Apparently complete with tennis courts no less!
An abrupt rail head!
Arrived home about 1:30 pretty hungry. So a sit by the pool to eat and write a little is a pretty nice way to finish a day. Feels a little caminoish today! Our BC Government announced yesterday that vaccine booster shots will be available to everyone by the end of February. I’m confidently thinking that it’s only a matter of months now before another Camino can become a reality. The new guides for the Via Francigena arrived from the UK just before we left. I’m doing a little reading these days!
No idea who this is.
