More disasters

Mixed assortment of disasters

Why life is valuable, including down to the moment.

Deukmajian Park

Pics of this place. An old winery stands here (1860s). There are various tables and water. Great views of north Glendale and the Crescenta alluvial plain. 20 or more miles of hiking trail up the canyon and around Mt. Lukens. These pix from late June.

Rim of Valley Trail

Occasionally I'll share hikes done during the year. This one off an older digital camera. This hike done on 7/22/08. At one time graves may have been taken up here for the service and down into the Parsons street cemetery (the same one that flooded away in the 1978 rains). This trail can be accessed two ways. One can go to the mouth of Big Tujunga canyon just north east of the baseball fields. Trail starts on the right side. It traverses maybe a good 7-8 miles along the Lukens ridge into Haines Canyon. Then, one takes the fire road up to the first sign at 3400 feet and goes down into Cooks canyon and loops over into Deukmajian Park. This is a rather dry, dusty area. But, there's a couple of side canyons laden with pacific oak, willow, sycamore, bay tree and a trickle of water most of the year. Most of this is fire road but some trail also. Just south of the Big Tujunga canyon entrance is the "zig zag" trail which is a good place for meditation. One could probably do a little cross country steeply and access Mt Lukens from the west ridge. Then a number of trails could be taken down hill. Here's a pic of the sign and the local Mt. Mckinley (elevation 4900). This hike day was pleasant and mild...temps to the mid 80s and lower humidity. Slight breeze. Very clear.

Smokers Pix

Some emphysema patients.

Volcanoes

Some of the world's hottest places

Hot Weather II

More examples: the sides of the electrical box may have peeled off, over time, due to intense heat. Some drought pics. Recent Spanish drought.

Hot Weather

Some examples: best to avoid dehydration and go in the shade take "shade breaks." One can even drink 3 gallons water/day. Take salt tablets.

Remembering events of 8/8 and 8/10/1969

Pics of the Spahn ranch and Tate and La Bianca residences. Included the hideaway ranch in Death Valley (Barker Ranch). This Barker photo from 2006.

Vampire Bats revisit

Pics of Desmodus Rotundus (common vampire bat); Diphylla Ecaudata (hairy) ; and Diaemus Youngi (white winged).