A Spring Afternoon in Paso Robles, California

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What Do People Do on a Spring Day in the Paso Robles Riverbank Tract?

I spend a good part of my free time at the house I inherited from my mom in the Riverbank Tract in Paso Robles. This is bordered by the Walmart Center on the north side, the Salinas River on the west side, South River Rd on the East, and a drainage ditch on the south, which separates it from a more agricultural area that was there first.There is a family-oriented life style here, and you will see children playing in the streets, often with their parents. Larry Moore Park separates the tract from the Salinas River.

Today, April 5, 2009, I decided to see how people in my neighborhood were spending this lovely spring day. We so often take what's around us for granted that we often don't even notice what we pass everyday. Thus we can miss its beauty. I went for a walk to see what I could observe my neighbors doing and to evaluate the pros and cons of living here. I invite you to follow me on my walk as I share the sights and my thoughts about them.

Beginning My Walk 

What People are Doing

As I began my walk, it was mid-afternoon. The first thing I noticed was the giant oak tree across the street from my house. It's pictured in the introduction module. A few months ago there was a beehive way up in the tree, and for some reason that made me happy. I was sad that the owner felt his children would be safer if the bees were removed.

Two houses down, I saw the first person working in the yard, planting flowers.

Another Gardener 

This seems to be a group effort.

This one is mulching. That's a very good idea in Paso Robles. The city is telling us we need to cut water usage by 25% this year because this is the third year of drought. We will only be able to water our landscapes three days a week, on a schedule so that everyone in the city does not water on the same day. Many people are also using drip irrigation in their gardens and flower beds.

Biking is big in San Luis Obispo County 

It's also big in my Riverbank neighborhood.

As I walked the streets of Riverbank both adults and children were riding by me. In this picture, a father is out with his children while they are riding. It's evident in this neighborhood that parents enjoy spending time with their children.

People were also washing their vehicles today. 

I saw a couple of young men washing this.

You can see the water running down the driveway if you look carefully. But there isn't a lot, so we can assume they are following the instructions to not leave the hose running -- another water conservation tip. I passed two others who were washing their cars.

Children were playing in some yards. 

Like these.

Their dad is watering and the girls were dancing around him and just generally horsing around. He occasionally aimed the hose in their direction, just to make it more fun. I asked the girls to turn away from the camera, since I didn't want to show the faces of minors in a way that could identify them. They also stopped moving so much. I guess seeing a camera made them somewhat inhibited. What I liked was that this was another parent / child interaction, even though Dad wasn't doing anything particularly exciting. Even everyday activities can be enjoyed together. At least these girls were out in the sunshine instead of huddled around computers or video games, and that's a healthy sign.

In the distant background of this picture you can see part of Larry Moore Park, and high above it is Highway 101. You can almost forget it exists, since it's hidden just below the hills.

Now I'm about to enter Larry Moore Park 

This is the closest entrance to my home.

It's a two block walk for me. This trail can lead me two ways. It can lead me on a trail that goes past Kohl's with only a wall between the trail and the shopping center. The trail then goes under the Niblick Bridge, which crosses the Salinas River, and up the other side past the Albertson's Center. Then it proceeds past some woods that can make you think you are in the middle of nowhere for a few minutes. But I did not choose that path today. I've done it before until it ended at a sidewalk in another housing tract. I will write about it another time.

Today I am choosing the walk that leads down to the river itself, and then along the river.

Now I'm in the park. 

One of the first things that always catches my attention is this giant oak tree.

I also got a picture of it showing the picnic table under it, but it didn't show off the tree quite as well. This park has a lot of oak trees. These furnish two types of habitats for wildlife -- the oak woodland and the oak savanna. I haven't observed much of the wildlife on my walks, but I can sometimes hear it moving near me. Usually all I see are birds. You will see the savanna between the street and the river trail. Near the river you see the oak woodland.

I'm still watching people to see what they are doing in the park, but I'm also enjoying the scenery. I will share both.

Jogger in Larry Moore Park
The first person I saw was jogging west on the trail to the river.

One family was having a birthday party in the park.
The next people I saw were having a birthday party for a child.

Children at Playground
The next people I saw were at the playground. I took the picture from a distance, so you might not see them too clearly. They are climbing the slide. Again, I was just happy that children were out enjoying the fresh air and sunshine with their families.

Children Playing
These children were playing without using the playground, just riding their bikes and being kids outside.

Shooting baskets
These young men had been shooting baskets, taking advantage of this interesting circular court.


Near the center of this picture, if you look carefully, you will see a couple sitting alone, away from anyone else, simply enjoying being together. The park is spacious enough to allow this privacy.


It looks as though this is a day no bike rider can resist. Here come some more, riding on the river trail.


The last person I see as I walk the path is a man sitting on my favorite bench, looking out into the Salinas River.

The "Mighty" Salinas River 

Don't bring your jet ski, motorboats, or canoes.

As you might have surmised from the title, the Salinas River is normally dry in Paso Robles. These pictures were taken as I walked along the dry riverbed.

As you might have surmised from the title, the Salinas River is normally dry in Paso Robles. These pictures were taken as I walked along the dry riverbed.

As you might have surmised from the title, the Salinas River is normally dry in Paso Robles. These pictures were taken as I walked along the dry riverbed.
This is from about the middle of the river.
The river is divided by plants in many places as the river had to go around the plant "islands."
Far in the distance, at about the center over the brush, you can see the top of the Niblick Bridge the main access over the river and the 101 freeway to the southeast side of Paso Robles.
I took this shortly after entering the river. I turned and looked back at the park and the Riverbank tract.
This is some of the brush that the river flows around, when it actually has water. I have seen this river full during very rainy winters. This rainy season (2008-2009), when there has been water, it has been gone within a day or two.
This is another view that can be seen from within the riverbed.
This is one of the access-exit points to the riverbed seen as I am about to leave and go back to the park.

What is your experience with Paso Robles? 

I'd like to know what people knew about Paso Robles before visiting this lens.

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Happenings in Paso Robles 

And other things people like to do.

Every community does things together that make it special. Paso Robles also has events that show the flavor of what means to live here
The Public Observance of the National Day of Prayer, March 7, 2009
Our community has many people whose faith is important to them. One of the signs of this is the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. It was held in 2009 in the City Park at 6 PM, which allowed me to go this year. This is my account of the event.
Annual Olive Festival: More and more folks are growing olives in their backyards.
For several years Paso Robles has been hosting an annual Olive Festival. Yesterday, August 23, was the Sixth Annual Olive Festival which was held in the Downtown City Park. Growers brought samples of their products and provided recipes. They also have demonstratons, art, and music to add to the festive atmosphere. Unfortunately, I had to stay home yesterday to work in my own yard, but the weather was just right for an outdoor event.

I have friends who grow olives in their yard and make their own olive oil. Unfortunately, most of the hobbyists in this area no longer have a wine press they can go to for processing. They aren't quite sure what they will do next year.
Pioneer Day
Probably the biggest annual event in Paso Robles is Pioneer Day. In 2009 it will be on October 10. This day has been set aside for Paso Roblans to celebrate their history and the early pioneers who built the city. It has a lot of events leading up to it, such as choosing the royal court and a pre-Pioneer Day Dance. One of the most unique things about our Pioneer Day is that all events are free to the public.

Pioneer Day itself has many activities. They begin in the city park at 7 AM with the cooking of huge pots of beans. The two biggest events are the parade at 10 AM and the Bean Feed in the city park at noon. The bean feed has always been free. One Pioneer Day motto is "Leave your pocketbook at home." The businesses in the downtown section stay closed on Pioneer Day -- at least until after the parade, and many businesses stay closed all day so their employees can celebrate with their families

The link above is to the Pioneer Day web site. It will land you on a page of photos taken on Pioneer Day in 2008. Navigation links at the top will show you this year's schedule of events, the home page that explains the history of Pioneer Day, and more.

Want to Know More About Your Own Region? 

Look for books you may not have known existed.

Americana Category Search at tomfolio.com
No matter where you live in America, there's probably information on it you didn't know was there. Tomfolio's category system will show you what's available about your part of the country in books and Ephemera -- those pamphlets and documents that are hard to find these days. Tomfolio is a cooperative of used books sellers from many countries. They subscribe to a high code of ethics and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Many of our sellers also list their books on other sites you may be more familiar with and charge more because of the extra commissions those sites charge. They often give their tomfolio customers a better deal because their costs are less. Most of our sellers are also very happy to help you find other books that may not even be listed yet in your area of interest. No voice mail jail. We are like a mall of hundreds of used book stores you can search through in one place, but if you want to ask questions of the individual booksellers by phone or email, you can.

Things We Like to Do Near Riverbank 

China Gourmet Resaurant -- Three blocks from Riverbank
We love good Chinese food, and we haven't found any better in the North County than the China Gourmet in the Albertson's Center in Paso Robles. I think we've been steady customers since they opened, even though there are plenty of other Chinese Restaurants close by. We've tried a few, but we don't anymore because we think the food, the atmosphere and the value are best here.

It's hard to find a restaurant we can afford these days that has the ambiance of this one. The decor is calming, which aids digestion. The soft background music that's conducive to having conversations is hard to find anymore. When we go to China Gourmet in Paso Robles, we know we will enjoy the experience as well as the food.

Even the aquarium is relaxing to watch. I think my husband keeps track of every fish and checks to see if any are missing on every visit. The aquarium is the first thing you see when you come in, and we usually sit at a table where we get a good view.

Best of all, you get good value for the money you spend here and the service is great. I will put some pictures of China Gourmet in the next segment. They aren't as good as the ones on the official China Gourmet page that gives you location , menu, and more. But they show some of what we especially like.

What We Like About China Gourmet Restaurant Near Riverbank 

We think it has the best Chinese food in the North County

As you walk in the door, the first thing you will notice is the huge aquarium.It was hard to do justice to it because of the dim lighting, but you can see it very well when you are there. It's very relaxing to watch the fish swim as you eat. I think my husband is personally interested in every one of the fish. We see them quite often. I think the fish were fascinated by the camera. They all swam right to the end here when they saw it. When you come in the door, you'd be seeing the side of the tank, not the end. But that was hard to photograph.

As you walk in the door, the first thing you will notice is the huge aquarium.It was hard to do justice to it because of the dim lighting, but you can see it very well when you are there. It's very relaxing to watch the fish swim as you eat. I think my husband is personally interested in every one of the fish. We see them quite often. I think the fish were fascinated by the camera. They all swam right to the end here when they saw it. When you come in the door, you'd be seeing the side of the tank, not the end. But that was hard to photograph.

As you walk in the door, the first thing you will notice is the huge aquarium.It was hard to do justice to it because of the dim lighting, but you can see it very well when you are there. It's very relaxing to watch the fish swim as you eat. I think my husband is personally interested in every one of the fish. We see them quite often. I think the fish were fascinated by the camera. They all swam right to the end here when they saw it. When you come in the door, you'd be seeing the side of the tank, not the end. But that was hard to photograph.
This is the young lady who will probably be serving you at least some of the time. She is very helpful, and we especially appreciate her smile. She always makes us feel very welcome. She even knows by now what we always order.
This was shot from across the room. We love the screen prints on the walls. Like everything else, they have a calming effect. Wherever you are in the restaurant, you can see some of them. As you can also see, you can sit at a table or a booth. It was very handy to have tables during the time my husband was hardly able to walk before and after his hip replacement surgery. Some people like the booths better. All are comfortable.
Today was Mother's Day and we ordered the Happy Family Dinner from the Special Dinner Menu. (You can see the menu in the link above this module) The two of us ate until we were full, and what you see here is what was left over to take home. That's what I mean about this being a good value. Usually we have lunch, and I usually get more with that than I can eat at one sitting, too. The specials always feature enough dishes so that everyone in the party will get something he enjoys. And there's usually something included in your meal that's not in the menu -- an added value.
The gentleman in the blue shirt also helped serve us. I think he was bashful about having his picture taken, but he's not bashful when he is serving you. He's quite attentive. I believe the man in the blue apron is the chef who makes everything taste so good. I'm not sure of that because we rarely see him. He's usually in the kitchen.
I was disappointed at first that Jack Chen, the owner, wasn't there when we first came in. I did want to get his picture, because without him, China Gourmet wouldn't be what it is. I was happy that he came in just as we were about to leave. I think his picture on his own web site for the restaurant is better than this one I took, but either way, you will now recognize him when you come in to eat. When you do, say hello to him and tell him you saw this page. Be sure to visit the China Gourmet web site and see all the great pictures of the food, check out the menu and read the "About Us" section.

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Thanks,

Barb

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by BarbRad

In my life I've been student, public library clerk, English teacher in public school, elementary teacher in private schools,card buyer for Logos Books... (more)

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