Nature Play at Eaton Cayon

You don't have to amble far to have a lot of fun outdoors. Case in point: our recent visit to Eaton Canyon. While waiting for our friends to arrive, we sauntered around the Junior Nature Trail, near the nature center. (You can pick up a free interpretive guide inside the nature center. Stop at the numbered posts and read the explanation in the pamphlet.) We listened to frogs in the pond, admired the showy penstemon (below),

watched a towhee hopping along the ground, saw a ground squirrel dash into his burrow, and snuck up on this cottontail:

The yuccas (Yucca whipplei) were in bloom. This plant is also known as "Our Lord's Candle" because when it flowers, its tall stock is topped with a large, flame-shaped cluster of creamy blossoms. In late day light, they seem to glow.

Inside the nature center, our son was fascinated by the snakes. Mom got giddy over the darling California and Pacific Tree Frogs. We both liked the tadpoles and Western Toad.

When our friends from Ramshackle Solid arrived, we hit the trail. We didn't get far, but it didn't matter. The boys had loads of fun climbing tree stumps, perching in the crotch of an old oak, balancing on rocks, digging in the dirt, and running wildly down the trail.

We plan to return to sample one of Family Nature Walks. They're free and happen every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Eventually, I want to join one of the California Native Plant Society Walks that occur monthly, September through May.

More on hiking Eaton Canyon.

In the Garden

Don't Be A DeadheaderSome of my wildflowers (annuals) are blooming out. But I wouldn't dream of yanking or deadheading them. I love the birds that swoop in and gobble up the seed. My front yard is mostly packed with California native plants. But I've also planted others that can adapt to a low-water regime. That includes the humble cornflower (or bachelor's button, as some call it). Goldfinches go gah-gah over them. Which brings the birds to a nice height for my toddler to see them. If I leave the plants alone, they'll reseed themselves (no effort on my part).

Other birds appreciate my deliberately sloppy gardening, too: mourning doves gobble up seed that falls on the ground. My son tries to coax them closer. "Come and play with me," he says. Sages are one of the best plants for attracting wildlife to your garden, according to Louise Gonzales, nursery manager of the Theodore Payne Foundation. "The humming birds adore the flowers," she says, "and then the seeds are high in protein so there’s a lot of different bird species that eat the seeds. So if you don’t deadhead them, you’re feeding alot of birds." One of my favorites sages is a cultivar called 'Winifred Gilman.' It has deep blue flowers and a maroon tint to its stems. Bushtits (pictured above on 'Winifred') love to perch on them, gobbling up insects they find.

This next photo is of a bushtit perched on my Englemann Oak. Bushtits are fairly easy to identify. They're tiny and move through your yard in small flocks.

Interested in native plants? Check out these stories on local chaparral and coastal sage scrub habitat.

Ride the Arroyo Seco

FAMILY BIKING IN LOS ANGELES

To quote our two-year-old: "Yeah! I did it!" Our family rode in the First Tour de Arroyo cycling fest last weekend. Later in this post, I'll tell you about an easy, off-road, mini version of this trip. The Tour de Arroyo was organized by the Arroyo Seco Foundation to celebrate the late bicycling advocate Dennis Crowley and promote a green belt of open space along the Arroyo Seco. The Arroyo is a major tributary of the Los Angeles River; it's headwaters are the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena.

For the Tour, cyclists gathered at Memorial Park in Pasadena. It was fun to check out the variety of bicycles. 

We rode city streets until we arrived at Arroyo Seco Park, bordering South Pasadena and the LA enclave of Hermon. We road downhill, along the Arroyo--paralleling the 110 Freeway--for a couple miles.

We hit the streets again in Montecito Heights, crossed the LA River--

and pedaled, victorious, into Los Angeles State Historic Park (Cornfields). From there, our son was thrilled to be able to take the Goldline back to Memorial Park. It was an exciting day for all of us. We don't normally ride on such busy city streets, but biking with a group allowed our son to get a new view. 

FAMILY RIDE ALONG--AND IN--THE ARROYO

Here's how you can bike a portion of this ride, without worrying about street traffic. You can reverse these directions if you live in the Pasadena area. You can also walk the trail, playing or picnicking at Arroyo Seco Park. It's a good choice for older kids, or little ones riding in strollers. (Not so great for toddler who'll want to get in the water or climb the concrete channel.) Look for red tailed hawks perched atop the sycamore trees, or circling overhead.

Start At

Montecito Heights Recreation Center

4545 Homer Street

Los Angeles, CA 90031

213-485-5148

Drive to the Montecito Heights Recreation Center. Heading east on the 110 Freeway, exit at Avenue 43.  Travel two blocks to Homer Street, turn left on Homer. Park in lot. Cross park and head toward the Arroyo (alongside the freeway). You'll see the bike path running next to the channelized streambed.

This path runs two miles north up to Arroyo Seco Park in Hermon/South Pasadena. The path soon ducks into the Arroyo, so be aware of the weather. During and after rain, large amounts of water race down LA's channelized waterways and make them dangerous. Even on dry days, water flow here can be quick, so keep small children away from it. When you arrive at Arroyo Seco Park, look for the horse stables.

Got more time? Combine this with a trip to nearby Debs Park. Got a favorite (family friendly) bike ride? Please let us know.