PART 2: Big Fun in Santa Anita

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley

Edited by Jennifer Gill

Welcome back to Part 2 of Big Santa Anita Fun.  

When we left off, the Bob Mobile had transported our slobbery friends into a wildlife wonderland.  Rocket had found his inner balance through the sound of the running stream and his Thai Chi poses.  King was overcome by the peace and joy he experienced with the natural beauty and had broken out singing "Thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!"  And Bob, being always amicable, took joy in discovering this hike was downhill. 

Joy.  Joy.  Happiness. 

UNTIL!  Stream separation!  Bob and Rocket over there and King and myself over there.  And we all wanted to be right here.

 

 

King repeatedly had fun showing Rocket and Bob how to cross the stream.  It was borderline smugness.  However I felt he was trying to help out so we could get back to the hike.  

Rocket had determination and was able to find a route he was comfortable with using.  King, Rocket and I kept encouraging Bob.  And just like the time in Escondido Canyon when he was faced with some mild rock climbing, Bob reached his limit.  With a heavy breath out, Bob turned around from the wet obstacle, and began to head back to his car in a huff.  

My eyes penetrated every section of  the trail across the way,  I was hoping to see where Bob had sprung off to.   Then I noticed that he hadn't left at all but was hiding behind some shrubs watching the three of us.  Peculiar.  My eyes scanned the shore to find a shallow, calm part in the water or several large flat rocks that Bob would feel comfortable crossing.  However when Bob realized we had not come running back across after him, he came out of his hiding place and walked back up towards the daunting shore.

With a newfound determination and focus, Bob picked his course.  And sure enough--he made it!  Yay Bobbie!  We were all happy with the outcome.  Like us all, Bob just need to do it on his own time and in his own way.  

I suggested we continue on, but then King didn't need my encouragement, he had already started back down the new section of the trail.  He had been patient long enough.  Now for some serious hiking fun!  

And Rocket was still in awe that he was even with us all that he happily trotted alongside us.

 

Just up a piece to our left were some cabins.  One cabin had a nasty hole in it because a tree had fallen on it.  The other cabin had two people standing on a bottom stone step just outside of it.  They were returning from their morning hike.  They enjoyed seeing the dogs and mentioned their dog was too old to come down the trail.  I introduced everyone to our new friends.  Bob was happy to see some friendly faces.  He liked meeting them so much that he headed up their stone stairs, ready to visit, get some breakfast and stay awhile.  We all laughed and then King, Rocket, and I waved good-bye and called for Bob to join us.  Bob begrudgingly left the friendly couple and continued down the trail.  Even though Bob had to leave a possibility of breakfast and relaxation, he was still amicable and happy we weren't hiking uphill.  

King would just pause and soak up all the brilliance around him.   

 

Rocket is showing how magnificent Hermit's Falls truly is.  We had reached our destination.

Um, there was mention earlier this morning that Rocket might get a little dirty.  Hmm.  Perhaps that was not phrased accurately.  A  little dirty?  Being a dog, if having fun is equivalent to dirty, well I would say Rocket topped the fun charts!

 

Returning the way we came, we saw the beauty of the scene that the back of our heads were fortunate enough to behold on the way down. 

 

Two things happened which showed us it was time to finish up our experience in Big Santa Anita Canyon.  Number one:  we ran into our first group of tourists on the trail.  And where there is one tourist group, more tourist groups are sure to follow.  And number two: Bob realized we were now hiking uphill. 

 

Here we are back in Chantry Flats.  The irate squirrel had left, and the tourists had arrived.  The morning mist was replaced with a bright sun shining through the leaves of the trees and the clock in our minds began to reactivate.  

I had thoughts pertaining to traffic and upcoming appointments.  Bob's thoughts were simple: breakfast.  King was subdued and looking forward to sleep.  And Rocket?  I am sure his day took a different turn than he ever could have imagined.  So much so that time seemingly stood still or at least shifted him in an alternate universe.  

Yes, it was a Bob & King world where the Bob Mobile takes one on the grandest of adventures!

PART 1: Big Fun in Santa Anita

Story and Photos by Christine Cawley

Edited by Jennifer Gill

Big Fun in Santa Anita Day was a huge success!  

Wait!  Before I get ahead of myself, I would like to welcome, my friends, Bob and King, to our special day.  

I met Bob (above left) several years ago.  He is well rounded and a lot of fun - in fact, I have nicknamed him "Amicable Bob" because he's always friendly and up for anything!  A few months ago, Bob's Mom and Dad decided to adopt King (above right), and he's been a welcome addition to the family.  

Bob and King may look tough, but I had every confidence that Rocket could hang with the big guys.  Rocket was surprised when he saw Bob and King in the car, but it did not deter him from an opportunity to go hiking, so in the "Bob Mobile" he went! 

The ride was beautiful to Chantry Flats.  The morning moisture never completely blankets an area but places a light veil just to the side wherever your gaze should fall. 

 

Bob and I had been to Big Santa Anita Canyon previously and enjoyed learning all about the pioneer lifestyle in the Chantry Flats area.  This canyon is full of history, in the 1850's gold was discovered and the first cabin (no longer there) was built in the 1890's, William Sturtevant continued the trail up further and several cabins were built (81 of 350 still stand -- the oldest from 1898).  To this very day the only way to haul anything in is by pack mule.

When the Bob Mobile was parked, we heard an odd sound in the trees.  It was a rather irate squirrel yelling at us!  My understanding of squirrel is weak, but I could comprehend the tone.  The gist was that the squirrel was upset that a carload of dogs had arrived!  What the squirrel did not appertain was he was only encouraging the distasteful situation because any dog would only be pleased to be greeted by a squirrel in that manner.  With a morning greeting like that, King especially was eager to begin this hike.

King's head was pointed up towards the trees in hopes of meeting more irate, squirrel cousins.  

This hike is no place to be on the weekends and even early morning due to popularity, so we all decided to stray from the usual attraction (Sturtevant waterfalls) and head in the opposite direction where we could enjoy the area in solitude.

Rocket was very hip with all of us from the start and let the big guys warm up to him.  Though he would continually run back up to me and give me a friendly tail wag and smile before turning back around to follow behind Bob once again.  And there can be no finer way to begin a journey than to have a King lead your way.

This is what they call an upside down hike.  Down and down we trekked and the sound of a strong stream grew louder.  Soon we would return and trek up and up. 

With cousin squirrels showing up, all of the smells of nature, and the water calling us, our excitement mounted and so did our speed!
  

This is known as the "First Waterfall."   Rocket was awe inspired by the stream.  Rocket found an inner tranquility and began performing some Thai Chi moves.  He was proficient in the "White Crane Spreads Wings." 

 

 

King, Bob, Rocket and I had fun exploring along the shore.

Rocket took a moment to just plunk right down in the water to cool off.
 

King's joy for life just exudes to new heights when I see him outdoors.  This is a wonderland worth experiencing.

 

Rocket and Bob were great field trip buddies.  They helped one another along the way.  Well until both of them encountered a conundrum.  You see, to continue on the trail that lead to Hermit's Falls you have to cross the stream.  

King was hopping across like an high-spirited salmon spawning in the stream, but Bob and Rocket were another story.  Rocket had the determination to try to figure it out.  Bob on the other hand became more and more frustrated. 

 

Rocket had thought he had figured it out, but no he was stumped as to what his next rock should be.  Meanwhile Bob was on the bank watching King and me on the other side and Rocket was the pickle in the middle.  

Was Rocket going to find the next rock to lead him to the other side?  Will Bob have what it takes to stick with solving this conundrum? Were Rocket and Bob ever going to be reunited with King and myself?  Stay tuned to Part 2 of Big Fun in Santa Anita Canyon....