Sparkletts

I've grown up with Sparkletts being a local institution.  I have seen this building since childhood when I used to ride my bike past it on the way to school. I remember one day, back when the big bottles were made of glass,  I saw a truck take a turn too fast in their parking lot and all the bottles flew out and crashed to the ground!
A few year ago this building was opened up for an architectural tour that the L.A. Conservancy put on. I got to check out the insides, and learned that most of the big building is offices and bottling.  The "source" of the water is actually a small shack in the middle of their parking lot!

Misplaced Flower

While exploring the old building at the Yosemite Park I noticed this detail high up on an exterior wall.  The building is a simple stucco structure,  if anything with some spanish influences.  So what is this Tudor Rose doing on it?? 

Eagle Rock Fire Station

This is another childhood landmark for me, and it hasn't changed a bit!  I remember fondly going to the open houses every year and being able to climb on the fire trucks.  The first thing I ever wanted to be was a fireman,  that is, until I saw the Apollo Astronauts,  but that is another story!   When my boys were little I took them to this same fire station for the open house. A great tradition.  It is so nice to have little kids be able to interact with real heros!    

Shiny Nose

This big old American hunk o' metal was sitting alone on a shady street,  just waiting to have it's picture taken!  I love the green paint job!

Light Speed

As the sun set I thought I would try to capture the silhouettes of the palm trees,  what I ended up with is some cool light streaks from the passing cars!

Capri - Old vs. New

When my kids were little, this is where we took them! It was homey, funky,  and familiar. The food was good and plentiful.  I hadn't been back in a few years when I heard that the Capri was "made over" on a reality show.  The menu and the interior have been revamped, but luckily the old neon sign and the little pizza man remain the same! Has anyone been there since the change?

A Wider Perspective

Most of my photos or Eagle Rock have focused in on the details,  so I thought i would offer a different view of my home town.  This is a view from the mountains north of Eagle Rock Valley,  looking south to Downtown Los Angeles.  The 134 freeway is seen below, and in the middle of the picture is OXY Hill.  One of the things about Eagle Rock that makes it so interesting is the way it is nestled into the rolling hills of Northeast Los Angeles.  Every way you look you have a hill or mountain in the background!