Over the Fence at Sunset

Roof tops, palm trees, some power lines, a few oaks and a January sky at sunset.

Sierra Madre Villa Metro Station

Sunrise from the bridge over the 210 to the Sierra Madre Villa Metro Station.

Friday morning I decided to take the Metro to Civic Center in downtown Los Angeles. It's a short drive to the Sierra Madre Villa Metro Station. The station, of course, is named after Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, which is named after the old Sierra Madre Villa Hotel.

Looking southeast from the station's platform.

The whole thing was very easy. Short drive to the station. Easy parking. Three bucks round trip. Transfer at Union Station from Gold Line to Red Line was really easy -- just follow the crowd of people. Saved $20 in parking. I'll do this more often.

2011 Rose Parade Presented by Honda - Business Big and Small

Here's the Honda float entry parked for post parade viewing at the intersection of Washington and Sierra Madre Blvds. Pasadena's dominant scenic asset, The San Gabriel Mountains, provide the majestic backdrop.

This was the first year of parade sponsorship. The official name of the parade and parade logo now include the name Honda. Though part of me recoils at the thought of more giant corporate sponsorship of anything, I suppose I can't really fault the venerable Tournament -- I'm sure Honda forked over a pretty penny for all that advertising.

And, after all, the Rose Parade is big business.

According to a USC Biz School study, Tournament of Roses events positively impact the economy to the tune of $178 million.

But, the Rose Parade is also small business.

The parade gives many local folks the chance to make a few extra bucks in their front yard. This table was set up in front of a house on Sierra Madre Blvd. where tens of thousands of people stroll by viewing the floats after the parade. Other people were selling stuff in front of their homes too -- water, juice, warm weather clothing, food. Parking you see everywhere. It is not unusual to see front yards packed with cars parked for a ten or twenty dollar bill.

This house on the corner of Sierra Madre Blvd. and Paloma (right at the end of the parade) turned their front yard into an outdoor restaurant.

Makes me want to go back for some homemade tamales.

By day's end, crowds of people were still walking on Sierra Madre Blvd. near the float viewing. New Years day in Pasadena is a long and fun day for visitors and locals alike.

This was the first time in many years I did not go to the parade. I was among the many locals working (kind of) during the parade and post parade. My son and I were out this morning helping our boy scout troop raise funds by parking cars. So, this year I saw the flyover (why was the B2 flying so high this year?) and watched a little of Bob and Stephanie on Channel 5. But, I didn't get to do the photos and commentary I enjoyed doing for the 2010 and 2009 parades. Late today, I made up for missing the parade by walking along Sierra Madre Blvd. to view the floats.