The L.A. Landscape

Once again, Los Angeles is on fire. You might see this on your nightly news program. Anytime the strong Santa Ana winds kick up one tiny spark can burn thousands of acres. Considering that it's only rained maybe twice in the past nine months we were expecting this. It is all part of a natural process where the fires burn the brush, and the ashes fertilize the soil for new plant life. There is even a plant out here that thrives on fires. In fact, the seed pods only open after a fire.

The land out here is still quite foreign to me. The soil is very dusty and dry compared to the fertile soils in Missouri. After living here almost five years I've only recently gotten used to things like: being aware of rattlesnakes when hiking, mountains (who'd have thought they'd be in the middle of the city?), dry & brittle brush and virtually no streams. In fact, our apartment is next to the L.A. River, which is basically a cement drainage ditch. Brian and I are amazed to see the ducks who live there playing in the water that is only there because of the run-off from people watering their lawns.

Here are some facts about Los Angeles County:

--Los Angeles County covers 4,084 square miles.

--The population is 10,331,939.

--Los Angeles County is 44% Hispanic, 31% Caucasian, 12% Asian, 9% African American.

--54% of the population speak a language other than English at home.

--70% of the population have a high school diploma.

--25% of the population have a bachelor's degree or higher.

--16.7% of the poplulation of Los Angeles County is below the poverty line.

--The median household income for 2004 was $43,518.

--The median home price is $464,333.

--In 2005 there were 7,514,916 registered vehicles.

This is a very different place than where I was raised!

The L.A. River near the downtown area...

Stockton Lake in Missouri...