Union Station (Los Angeles) - Interior

Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles has always fascinated and mystified me. I completely understand our nation's lack of interest in trains as a method of travel. Amtrak is horrendous in terms of on-time arrivals and even worse in terms of locations that they travel to. However, with both the Red and Gold Lines going directly to Union Station, as well as the Metrolink trains, I am hoping that Union Station will again be a central hub within the city.

It's interesting to think of life in Los Angeles in the 1930's, when "Old Chinatown" existed where Union Station sits today. The scenario of eminent domain must have played out much differently then, in the way that "Old Chinatown" was destroyed to make way for Union Station.

Today's photo is of the interior of Union Station, of one wing which is closed off to the public. It is still pretty accessible to the photographer, though, as you can see.

More Water - Union Station, Los Angeles

Keeping in the water theme from yesterday, here's some more water, this in a fountain adjacent to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles.

My Own Boat (PCH, Northern California)

Another of my titled photographs, "My Own Boat" was shot in Northern California along the Pacific Coast Highway in April 2004, while Julie and I were driving up to Portland. He's a little difficult to make out, but there is a rather large bird on the roof of the boat, hence the title.

Lincoln Graveyard

I don't usually title my photos, but this one just seemed too easy. This "Lincoln Graveyard" is not Abraham Lincoln's graveyard. And it's not in a city called Lincoln, either. But I found this series of old cars near the side of the contemporary version of the Lincoln Highway in Nebraska on my way to Omaha in 2002. (I'm not really a car guy, so I can't say if they happen to be Lincolns. I kind of doubt it, though.)

Filling Station (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)

In keeping with the last photo's theme, I thought this shot of the old filling station in Rancho Cucamonga along Route 66 would be a logical next choice. This station - although still standing - sits vacant near the northwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Archibald Avenue. Directly across the street is "The Deli," which is a pretty awesome sandwich joint. On its walls are photos of the area that date back at least 60 years.

Rancho Cucamonga itself is a city that I have a love-hate relationship with in terms of Route 66. I love this station and "The Deli." I love the older-feeling western end of town. But the development and box housing that have sprung up along Foothill Boulevard near I-15 are almost enough to send me into convulsions. Don't get me wrong. I understand that preservation here was not really an option. After all, there wasn't much to preserve. And at least RC did decide that they wanted to recognize Route 66's importance to the area. But it's still hard on MY eyes. (I really couldn't find anything online regarding Rancho Cucamonga's Master Plan and their development of the Foothill Boulevard corridor. Apparently, since it is complete, all mention of it has been removed from even the city's own website!)

Toward Death Valley (Keeler, CA)

This photo was taken on our way from Death Valley back to Lone Pine on the same trip. This place was in Keeler, just off the highway (190) that leads into Death Valley from the west. This shot was taken at night, using the headlights of my car as the light source that created the shadows.

Burning Man

In honor of having just bought my Burning Man tickets for this year on Tuesday, and needing to get back to posting some photographs, here is a great shot I took from the man in 2005, when I was last there.

More from Tahoe Desolation Wilderness

Three more from the backpacking trip, two from Half Moon Lake and one from Gilmore Lake.

More on the Outdoors (Tahoe Desolation Wilderness)

As much as I loved my recent hikes to the Bridge to Nowhere, I have to say that they do not compare to camping or, better still, backpacking.

Back in August, I had the pleasure to go backpacking in the Tahoe Desolation Wilderness of the Eldorado National Forest with my wife and a couple of friends. Beginning at about noon on Thursday and going until about noon on Sunday, we covered just shy of 30 miles. Not much, I know, compared to what some people cover in that same time frame. But it was our first time out, however, so I'm pretty pleased with it.

We learned a lot that trip, about what to prepare for next time and how to be better prepared for a longer stay. But, overall, we did really well in terms of meals and water (fortunately there are plenty of lakes out there, such as Susie Lake, seen here). The biggest down side was that some of our gear was not as sturdy as it could have been, but we will improve upon that before our next trip.

The Final Word on the Bridge

I'll go back sometime, but not sure when. Until I do, here are my last two photos. Hopefully next week I'll move on to the Rose Parade. Look for more in the next few days, though.