California Here We Are

Today we woke to cold but crystal blue skies yet again.  We wondered what to expect at the Agricultural Inspection Station at the California border, but we were waved through without stopping.  Scenes like the one above soon became common as we passed through the mountain ranges before reaching the Mohave Desert.  It was a delightful warm 50 degrees at the Mohave area rest stop.  The southern sun simply has a way of warming the body even if the thermometer says otherwise.

As we traveled the LA freeways we soon saw this truck transporting oranges.  Further evidence we were in California.

One thing we have always marveled about the LA freeways, is the extent to which the roadsides are landscaped with flowers, plants and even trees.  Being December now, there are few blossoming flowers but the landscaping is still green and plush.

We were invited to help decorate the City of Downey Rose Bowl Parade float.  As of 9:00 PM, there is much work remaining to be completed before the judges arrive at 8:00 AM to judge this entry!

In the above photo, single flower blossoms are being glued to each tear drop shaped petal. Silver Dollar flowers surrounding the single blossoms will be glued on later. 

Workers above are applying chopped up yellow straw flowers to freshly appied white glue.  This is the task we were asked to do later.  We did this for only about 30 minutes.  It was back breaking work because there was nothing to lean on while reaching over to apply the glue and straw flowers because all of the green painted surfaces were wet paint!  Every square inch of Rose Bowl Parade floats are required to covered by organic substances.  Paint is used to indicate the color that surface will later be covered with.  The green in this photo will be covered with evergreen branches.