Door, 5

You'll find this doorway on/in Electric Drive/Alley, just north of Holly Street in Old Town/Old Pasadena. I took the photo a while ago so it might have been painted since then, but Google maps has it looking the same.

Electric Alley was named for the Pacific Electric Railway Company. "The now-vanished Pacific Alley intersected Electric Alley at mid-block," says the historical marker. "Owned by Henry E. Huntington, the Pacific Electric System was the largest electric railway in the world, covering southern California with over 1,100 miles of track. By 1906, Pasadena was served by three interurban routes of the Pacific Electric."

The building just north of this door looks like a private home. It might well be and if it is, its location is unique, to say the least.

A couple of commenters have emailed to tell me the proper term for Old Town is Old Pasadena. It certainly is the proper term, but until I got those emails I had never heard the area referred to that way in day-to-day conversation. What do you think? Long-time Pasadena residents know this one better than I do. Set me straight, will ya? What do locals really say? I mean really?

Theme day: Passageway

This is one of my favorite passageways in town. It's at the Huntington Library and Gardens, so hidden from the main part of the gardens that for several years I didn't even know it was there. On either side of this alleyway are some of the oldest original orange groves in the San Gabriel Valley, part of the ranch acquired by Henry Huntington over 100 years ago. Not for tourist eating!

Later this week I'll show you where the passageway leads. In the meantime, tomorrow we'll attend to Zen Tuesday.

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Boz Loves the Beach

Last weekend, to get away from the smoke, Boz and I went to Huntington Dog Beach. Maybe it wasn't the best idea I've ever had; the weekend is chaotic at the dog beach because everyone else has the same not-their-best-idea at the same time. So if the weekend is the only time you can go and your dog isn't under excellent voice command, I recommend a leash. But if your constant companion has been pent up in the house because you're trying not to inhale the smoke--oh hell, just go! Head on out and get yourself and your pal some negative ions. Pooch will think it's the greatest idea of all time.

But go on a weekday if you can.

(In case you were wondering, yes indeedy, the name Huntington Beach is tied up in history with that of Pasadena's own--okay, California's own--Henry Huntington.)

Don't carry too much. Poo bags, drinking water, your dog's bowl. We were there for two and a half hours and Boz stopped moving only long enough to have a treat and a drink, and he's no spring chicken. Although he would be happy to have a spring chicken, bones and all.

Update: Altadena needs a party and tonight is it! Head up to North Lake Avenue at 5pm for the Altadena Arts Coalition Project: Altadena Open House!