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"Some men see things as they are and ask 'why?' I dream of things that never were and say 'why not?'" -- Robert Frost

171--California: Pasadena's Tournament of Roses Parade @ CherieSpotting     Jan 04 2004 - 19:02 PST cherie writes: The Pasadena Rose Parade has been a southern California tradition for 115 years. An estimated 1 million people cram the streets to cheer the 2 hour and 10 minute parade on New Years Day. This year, I decided to skip the crowds so I could marvel at the floats the next day in the “Post-Parade: A Showcase of Floats.” I like to admire the floats up close, and so I can truly appreciate stop and smell the flowers. Also, it’s so hard to take photos at a parade. It drives me nuts when the floats wiz by and just when I’m about to snap “the perfect photo”, some guy stands up to stretch. I end up with one great shot of “the mystery man’s” bald-spot and a lot of blurry flower photos. The Tournament of Roses Parade floats were lined up in Pasadena on Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevard. For a measly $7, visitors could get up close and personal to the 47 magnificently decorated masterpieces. We got a lot more than I ever expected. I met "Abraham Lincoln", danced with a band of cactus and even tickled a tiger. Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 6181    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   It didn't hurt. Cherie's favorite float nips her in the arm. This entry was from the city of Torrance. Lady Liberty is adorned with 17 distinct shades of different seeds and rice. Greg really shouldn't pick other people's noses. China airline hosts this float with a 21-foot tall bride and groom. This lobster is partially made of kumquats. That's the answer! Make the bird paddle! Cherie finds Lincoln in front of "Let Freedom Sing." This lion is on top of the world. Appropriately, this float was presented by the Lions Club International. Now that's one pretty hot-rod. Flowers of fire are ready to tear down the street. Singing in the shower, we all love to do it...even floats. Greg finally finds a speaker that is big enough to satisfy his sound needs. Too bad it's made of flowers. "In Tune With L.A." was presented by the city of Los Angeles. Let's be serious here. That guitar is way too complicated for a dandelion to play. Look close: the fish scales are bits of pineapple. Cherie likes the three over-sized singing Saguaros. The Big Bird's float theme is: "Children Learn and Grow with Music." Zebra's be warned...don't exceed 35 miles-per-hour. A public bath? That looks fun! Try to see the world through rose-covered glasses. Lenscrafters made this float to inspire folks to donate their old spectacles to less fortunate people in disadvantaged countries. You are here. The Tournament of Roses Parade is at the rose. Norm and the lion (composed of cordon puffs, pampas grass, wheat stalks and seeds.) Norm is composed of blood and various organs. We had a whale of a good time looking at the floats. "Underwater melody" was a float donated by the city of Long Beach. Cherie and Libby (college room-mate.) The float by Boeing is outta this world. Roses, in detail. This was Trader Joe's float: "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena." Roto-Rooter Plumbers brought "Troubled Waters" to the parade. The spinning toilet is made of crushed and powdered white rice. The splashing water is composed of blue and white iris and gypsophilia. Cherie's favorite float is "Wild Vacation" by AAA of Southern California. The elephant is decorated with herbs, moss and seeds. His tusks are made of rice. The guy next door. Norm used to be my neighbor in college. The eagle has landed. Optimist International brought us this eagle composed of magnolia leaves, palm fiber, sahved coconut and carnations. San Francisco visits Los Angeles. Daring and bold--Cherie tickles the tiger. Farmers Insurance Group presented this 75-foot animated dragon float. Detail of the dragon's eye. Dragon's breath, not captured on film. Miles of Southern California residents come out to view the parade floats even days after the actual Tournament of Roses Parade. Floats lined up in a row. Nice kitty. College buddies--Cherie, Norm and Libby. Blowfish band. Greg and Cherie hanging out in front of Uncle Sam. You have to be a big man to wear a suit of white and red carnations. Just in case you were wondering what type of bird that is...it's a Grey Crested Crane from Kenya. Cherie and Norm. Gateway to California. Everyone wants to see the colorful floats. Baboon. Cherie and Chris get dressed up to celebrate New Year's Eve! Poor Lisa is sick, and can't come to the party. One last hug for Lisa. We were good friends, and drank her share of champagne (in her honor, of course.) A few ladies ready for a nite on the town--Laurie, Chris and Cherie. A few friends...Karl, Paqui and Aaron. Looks like it is going to be a great New Year! Karl and Laurie. This is how the ladies appeared to a sober person. This is how we look if you've had one too many drinks! See what beer-googles do! *Photo distorted by Abe.