Altitude Adjustment

Everything's pleasant when you have the right attitude. It's a simple notion, but I had to discover it for myself by trial and error. Try taking a bad attitude out into the world and it's striking how many errors you can make.

Not that I'm always aware I have a choice. Sometimes the world looks so bleak that's all I can see. Then I find out all I have to do to shine it up is clean my glasses.

Wasn't it nice of these people to pose under a tree? And wasn't it helpful of that branch to curve out above the path and frame the shot? Lucky me, the world was out to do me a favor that day.

Eaton Canyon Trails

It's easy to find adventure and solitude in Eaton Canyon, even if you stay on the trails. That's because there are so many trails to choose from.

I'd say the helicopter rescues in the Canyon have been a dime a dozen lately but I don't have any idea how much they cost. (Helicopter maintenance, gas, crew, training, gas, ropes, aggravation, gas, gas...) Tuesday there were three rescues in Eaton Canyon in just over 24 hours. My friend said she hoped the rescuees were being charged for these efforts. If these people are going off the trails, I agree. Send 'em a bill.

I think most hikers cost their fellow taxpayers a bit of trail maintenance. Take me. I am so predictable. Boring, even. See that heavily-trodden part down the middle? Me.

And still, I make discoveries.

Sandals of Yucca

Before 1769, California was populated by native tribes. A huge area, from Riverside County to the coast, including the southern Channel Islands and the San Gabriel Valley, was dominated by people we now call the Tongva, also known as the Gabrielino.

I've been reading up on the Tongva for a series of articles for South Pasadena Patch. The first article posted a few days ago; it's about Tongva life before the Spanish came to build Mission San Gabriel. An Altadena version of the same piece posted on Altadena Patch today. I hope you'll read one or the other (feel free to read both). Your comments are welcome. Even if you don't comment (I realize it takes time and effort), I hope you'll read and think, and perhaps seek out further information about our Native American predecessors.

I can hardly explore the Dena anymore without an awareness of the presence of those who lived here before me. This is part of the joy of a place. The more I know about its history the more deeply I experience it.

Mare Tranquillitatis

The main trails at Eaton Canyon were crowded yesterday. Although a few small signs warned of the possibility of flash floods, moms, dads, babies, uncles, grandmas, dogs and ripe old relatives crowded the fast-moving stream in the wash, enjoying a sunny day out.

John, Boz and I found quiet trails that most others missed. Lucky us.

Compostiltskin

A bench outside Eaton Canyon Nature Center

What could get me to a workshop at 9:00 on a Saturday morning when I have an appointment at 11:30, another one at 1:30, another one at 5:00 and another one at 7:00, and somewhere in there I have to make two pies?

A $50 compost bin.

Last Saturday morning I got up early for the City of Pasadena Public Works Composting Workshop at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. Gabriel Silva and Mike Lara, two delightful guys who work extremely hard and love their jobs, led a casual workshop about composting. They even brought worms, so you can imagine how fun it was. I left knowing everything I need to know to get started. I don't even have to use worms if I don't want to, so I am totally down with composting.

You can spend as much as $500 on a fancy compost bin. You can spend a lot less for a crappy one, but if you live in the City of Pasadena you can get a pretty decent one from your city for $50
AND they will deliver it to your door
AND the bin actually costs the City $52 so this is a deal.

Compost bins are delivered Mondays and Wednesdays following the receipt of your check, which you make out to the City of Pasadena and mail to:

City of Pasadena
Public Works/Recycling
P.O. Box 7115
Pasadena, CA  91109

Include your street address so they know where to deliver the bin, and indicate the drop-off location you prefer (front porch, driveway, etc.). I suggest you also put in a note saying the check is for a compost bin, and ask them to bring you a copy of their nifty little booklet, Pasadena Recycling Resources, while they're at it.

The City wants you to compost because composting can diminish your contribution to the garbage dump by as much as one half. If enough of us do it, we can decrease the rate at which we fill our landfill. Composting cuts pollution and saves the City money. And you know who the City is--it is Us.

John asked me why I got so excited (I'm really excited) about my compost bin. Well, I do love a bargain, and it's not only the compost bin. It's FREE DIRT and I make it myself! It's not your, uh, garden variety dirt, either, but nutritious, black dirt that plants particularly enjoy. Let Rumpelstiltskin turn straw into gold. I'll make my gold from garbage.


Composting information: smartgardening.com
Pasadena Public Works: 626-744-4721 or 626-744-4087.

UPDATE: for those interested, I just received email notice that a meeting of the Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee will take place tonight at 6:00PM at City Hall, in Training Room SO-18 (in the basement). For ADA accessibility, use ramps to access City Hall elevator. Metered street parking is free beginning at 6:00PM. Public comment is early on the agenda (limit your comments to 3 minutes), so be on time.

Big Weekend

Need something to do this weekend?

Check out BigSunday.org and lend a hand on a local project of your choosing. Or participate as a customer: you can shop at a flea market, get your nails done or buy a glass of lemonade at a volunteer-operated booth. Your money goes to a good cause.

Activities are all over the Southland. I didn't find any in Pasadena, though there are lemonade stands in Glendale and La Crescenta. But the list of BigSunday's beneficiaries is long and includes groups with offices here (Ability First, for example, and Rebuilding Together Pasadena).

Sounds to me like a worthy cause, even if all the money goes to Burbank!

Below is a look at this giant tree trunk from the other side. It's near the entrance to the trails at Eaton Canyon in Altadena.

Eaton Walk

At Eaton Canyon you park near the Nature Center, cross the wash and turn left to hike the many paths. At least it seems that's what most people do. The hike to Henninger Flats is especially popular. Or this time of year folks can walk in the wash itself. Later, after we have more rain (please), they can splash in the water.

If, however, you turn right past the wash, you cross under this archway. Pretty soon you'll find your way to a sign marking the entrance to Moist Canyon.

Boz and I like Moist Canyon, which right now is a name more than a description. I understand part of the canyon's near a Pasadena Police Department firing range but so far, we've found it to be quiet. And it's very good for sniffing.

Eaton Canyon Path

What is it about a path that's so enticing? Why am I most interested in paths that lead to ends I can't see?

I'm also drawn to photos of pathways, and when I'm out with the camera I can't resist trying to get the shot. Eaton Canyon Natural Area's got a million of 'em, and their Earth Day Festival is today.