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....