Pasadena Freeway bridge Arroyo Seco
Pasadena

Poison Oak, California Poppies, Mustard and Mallards in the Arroyo Seco Pasadena

by carollightwood
Every day thousands of cars speed across the Colorado Street bridge and the 210 bridge that span the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena
Every day thousands of cars speed across the Colorado Street bridge and the 210 freeway bridge, beyond it, both spanning the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena.

While the drought is definitely not over in Southern California, enough rain fell in the last few months to transform the Arroyo Seco into a verdant haven. Arroyo Seco means ‘dry ravine’ and most of the year this long, narrow city park lives up to its name.

One thing that struck me as I walked along the trails on a warm Saturday morning, was the abundance of mustard plants growing wild.

Mustard plants blooming in Arroyo Seco
Mustard, blooming yellow, grows all over the state of California.

While California Poppies, the official state flower, grew where planted in a drought-tolerant garden by the Casting Club, the mustard flourished everywhere.

The legend is that the first Padres who came to California (when it was still claimed by Spain) left a trail of mustard seeds behind them–a la Hansel and Gretel’s bread crumbs–so they could follow their own path on the return journey south to San Diego, the site of the original Spanish settlement in what is now California. True or not, mustard now  grows from one end of the state to the other with no help from mankind. Perhaps it should be the real official California State Flower! Poison oak also flourishes.  It, too is ubiquitous, but was here before the Spanish settlers.

Path in Arroyo Seco Pasadena
A shady path down in the Arroyo Seco.
Poison oak leaves Arroyo Seco
Poison oak — leaves of three, let it be!
Mallard Swiming in Arroyo Seco
Mallards are in this pool in the Arroyo Seco pretty much year ’round.
A house in the Arroyo Seco
Only one house remains in the Arroyo. A century ago there were many houses, but they kept being swept away in winter floods so the city banned building homes in the Arroyo and turned the area into a park. A dam was built further up the Arroyo to help control winter rainfall. SURPRISE! I just received a message to the effect that Habitat for Humanity is building several homes in the Arroyo with the City’s blessing.
Pasadena Casting Club
Two members of the Casting Club. It was the first time I’d seen more than one or two people at the casting pool. A meeting was going on inside this clubhouse.
The Pasadena as
Fishing poles used by members of the Pasadena Casting Club were lined up outside their clubhouse in the Arroyo Seco.
California Poppies Arroyo Seco Pasadena
It is Poppy blooming season! These are planted by the casting pool .
Man at casting pool Arroyo Seco Pasadena
A large shallow casting pool is located in the Arroyo Seco park. It is open to the public. No fees.
Archery class in Arroyo Seco.
On the other side of the Arroyo from the casting pool, dozens of people were at the archery range. The Roving Archers offer free classes every Saturday morning. A lot of young girls want to be Katniss Everdeen of ‘Hunger Games’ fame.

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