Gateway

I have no idea how long it takes me to walk a mile because it's impossible not to stop every few feet and take a picture. If I ever want to time myself I'll have to either go without a camera or take a friend who finds my photo habit annoying. So far I don't know if I have any friends like that. Nobody's had to ask me to stop shooting yet except security guards.

Yesterday I had my camera, my solitude and my walking shoes. I walked north on Lake Avenue from Walnut Street to Belvidere Street taking pictures. I'll mine the results here on the ol' blog for a few days, in no particular order.

Let's start with Gateway Plaza at Lake and Locust, just south of the 210 Freeway. If you have an office job, Gateway looks like a decent place to work. It's convenient to the Lake Avenue Metro stop, and at least from the upper floors you have good views of the mountains, the San Gabriel Valley and the city of Pasadena. Plus, a little over a block away there's the Walnut St. branch of Lovebird's Cafe and Bakery and you can't beat that.

I think Gateway is attractive, as modern buildings go. The outdoor plaza's well done. At the lower right of the picture (you can't see it here very well) there's a little patio where employees can have their coffee (and a taste of sin from Lovebirds) with a view across the Freeway to the mountains. I was taking photos there once when the security guard asked me to stop. He said they had a policy...yadda. But he asked nicely, and I was on Gateway property. Asking nicely makes all the difference.

Lovebirds Cafe (#9 in a Quest)

I've found a good one! I feel like Neil Armstrong! Yet it appears others have been there before me.

To update you, here's my quest: I'm trying to find the best coffee shop in Pasadena in which to write. That doesn't mean it's going to be the best coffee shop in Pasadena for everyone, just the best one for me. I look for good coffee, comfortable seating, something to munch on, and (this one's paramount) quiet.

I had just stomped out of my previous favorite, which shall remain nameless for now. I'm not going to rag on it now because it had to have been a fluke. The nameless place is usually fine but they were out of change and didn't give me what I ordered, the floor, tables and chairs were filthy, and as soon as I wiped off a chair and sat down they blasted the music which they've never done before. AND I'd just fed the parking meter $2.75. I'll give the nameless place another chance when I get over my pique.

I tell you the above to show you what a relief it was to happen into Lovebirds Cafe (921 E. Colorado Blvd.). The young woman at the counter was friendly. When I couldn't decide what to order (because it all looked so good) she didn't rush me, but instead pointed out some of her favorites. After I paid she even guarded my stuff while I used the ladies' room.

The tables are the right height for a laptop. The illegal marshmallow/caramel/chocolate/nut travesty I ordered was divine. (Their website says their baked goods are made daily, from scratch.) I ordered regular coffee and it was decent. The place is big - nay, vast - and clean.

And there was no music playing. None. Have I mentioned I love that? If more establishments would play that I'd go out all the time.