Sierra Madre

I went to Sierra Madre a couple days ago.  I used to live there about thirty years ago and still drive through whenever I can.  I just like it.  It’s a small town (population about 10,000) nestled right up against the San Gabriel Mountains and just to the east of Pasadena.  I suppose one would call it quaint with its cottages and bungalows and its picket fences.

There are a lot of tree as well as you can see by the above photo.  Coming from the Midwest, I missed trees.  Perhaps that’s why I really enjoy the drive into down.  As soon as one leaves the freeway and starts to drive up Baldwin Avenue, there’s a bower of trees waiting in Sierra Madre.

On this day I traveled with my loyal dog Jem and we were heartened to find so many people up at dawn and out and about with their pets.  It certainly appeared to be a dog friendly town.  Many people stopped to chat and their dogs were very interested in the treats I had with me.  I suppose this statue in an alcove for some tiny shops says it all.

We wandered around the shopping area but I must confess  there is really only one tiny business area, the center of town.  Actually this is a somewhat famous intersection.  Little did I know way back then that I had moved into Santa Mira, the town in the 1950s movie, Invasion of the Body Snatchers!   At this corner of town the trucks rolled up and the pods were dropped off.!

The town is also known for its wisteria.  Alas I just missed the Wisteria Festival because I was out of down elsewhere.  One house in particular has a massive vine.  Maybe next year I’ll make it over to the festival.  But there are other events taking place.  Signs in the square announce an upcoming fishing derby and a trail race a month later.  It’s full of community spirit and often has something going on.  It even has a Rose Parade Float Association.  The town’s entry in the parade is one of few that’s still done on an all-volunteer basis.

I wandered up into the canyon and nearly got lost in the warren of tiny lanes that meander along the hillside.  I wanted so to stop and photograph the jumble of architecture and setting but was worried I would block traffic.  As it was I met cars coming up and we had something of a face off as each of us tried to maneuver around the other.

My last stop was the pioneer cemetery.  This too made it into a film, Alfred Hitchcock’s Family Plot.  The cemetery is small but still used by residents.  The stones are old, the kind one no longer sees.  So many modern cemeteries have flat stones.  I like these better.

I also liked the churches along Sierra Madre Boulevard.  Okay I’ll admit it.  I just like wandering around the place.  It’s a relaxing way to spend the morning.