Glimpses of South Pasadena: Fantasyland

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Fantasyland

Reason #1025 Why People Dream of Moving to Southern California: to drive a vintage car with the top down on a January afternoon...

18 comments:

TheChieftess said...: Definitely the best time of year to drive with the top down!!!; January 6, 2010 at 1:12 AM
dbdubya said...: That's a '59 Mercedes Benz 220S convertible that's owned by a local resident. It can be seen each year at the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses 'Cruizin' for Roses" Classic Car Show.

These cars, known as "Pontons," are tanks. I owned a '58 4 door and it was a great car to drive. After the war when Mercedes went back to producing cars, they focused on engineering, not style. Their cars were technologically advanced for the time, but the body styles resembled cars that were 10 years older. That helps to make them desireable classics. Because of their reliability and availability of parts, there are still many thousands of them on the road throughout the world.; January 6, 2010 at 5:05 AM
Brenda's Arizona said...: Sweet. Trees with leaves in January... aren't we lucky!; January 6, 2010 at 6:31 AM
Mister Earl said...: I think that's a scene from The Sound of Music (monochrome version). The Captain is driving home and is about to come upon the children hanging in the trees.; January 6, 2010 at 6:45 AM
Dixie Jane said...: We, here in Central Texas, know the beauty of a wildflower strewn vista in the Spring. Absolutely a feast for the eyes. We also know a month's worth of 100 degree plus days come summer. The stars at night are big and bright, the way of life is friendly. The cost of living is cheaper. But there are periods we face, like tomorrow, when we have to worry about broken pipes and icy roads due to 20-degree (and less) weather barrelling down from Siberia. Hit the store, stock up on supplies and hope for the best. We rarely have snow, sometimes have sleet and a lot of days for driving with the top down. But not usually in January even though the temperature is irratic and can fluctuate 50 degrees within hours. So yes, I know why people want to live in Southern California: Snow capped mountains and a trip to the beach on the same day. And all the while the flowers are blooming. Every day is a Rose Parade.

So we hope the homeless find shelter tonight and our homes are spared the ravages of icy cold.

Enjoy Southern California and its pleasantries, but don't forget us.; January 6, 2010 at 6:49 AM
Yakpate said...: Drive, yes, but... where? Straight back into the fifties? Where, Ms. La, did you find this time-travel portal, and can we drive through it too?; January 6, 2010 at 7:44 AM
Leslie Saeta said...: I am not sure if 79 degrees in January is my favorite temperature but it was nice to see we had the highest temperature in the 48 states yesterday! Love this photo, love our town!; January 6, 2010 at 8:01 AM
Pasadena Adjacent said...: I think I just learned a bunch about Mercedes. Could the driver be Santo Clause?

(makes sense if you enlarge the photo and look at the plates); January 6, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Vanda said...: My first thought looking at the picture was that it's like a scene from an old movie.; January 6, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Anonymous said...: Laurie,
Been following your blog, off an on for a bit now, great photos!...I am a South Pasadenian too....(I came via Leslie Saeta's blog originally). Anyway, love today's photo.... I am going to email you for permission to paint it (I am watercolor artist and have a daily painting blog...so always looking for inspiration...and adore the local!); January 6, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Virginia said...: Vintage through and through. Perfect monochrome shot. I've freezing here in Cincinnati!!!
V; January 6, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Hi gang,

Thanks for all of the lovely comments.

Welcome Julie! Feel free to paint any of the images you like. I have enjoyed seeing Leslie Saeta's work painted from my photos.

Virg, stay warm! It's a price to pay as you go off to Paris, oui? Dixie Mom, I'm sorry that your cold spell doesn't involve travel to Europe!

PA, still chuckling over Santo Clause.

And DB... I bow before your car knowledge. I'm lucky I have you and Judy to fill in all the details of these great vintage cars.

Until tomorrow, everyone...; January 7, 2010 at 12:03 AM
Judy Williams said...: I can't believe I didn't check the blog yesterday. That photo is a classic. You can hear Route 66 playing on that vintage radio. :)

Love it, LA!!; January 7, 2010 at 5:37 AM
Laurie Allee said...: Thanks, Jude. I thought you might dig this one.; January 7, 2010 at 8:43 AM
Tash said...: You've got it, baby!
What a great street, and a great photo.; January 7, 2010 at 4:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Laurie, do you remember what street this was????; January 8, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Julie, it was Garfield, near Oneonta Church. :-); January 8, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Thats hilarious!!! i literally looked at this forever trying to place it because "I knew it" and to think this is right around the corner from my house and I "see" this scene about Hmmm at least four time a day!!!

Thats a gift, when you can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary!; January 9, 2010 at 6:41 AM