2015 Rose Parade float road test #3-(another) food road trip.

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food.  So many events lead us to food.  Today's post is about one of those days.  Cathy is writing; Kirk and Ed(from Yuma) are reading.

Saturday, we woke up around 3:30 and let the dogs out, made coffee, threw some laundry and dishes into their respective cleaning machines and by 4:50, The Mister and I were headed North in the cool darkness of the early morning. (Other 2015 road test posts here and here.

Our first stop was Cream Pan, six minutes after it had opened. We picked up a ham and cheese croissant, orange chocolate pastry and a loaf of walnut bread, all still slightly warm, from the filled shelving displays.

Cream Pan Japonaise Bakery 602 El Camino Real Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 665-8239  

Back on the freeway soon enough; arrived in Pasadena and the Phoenix Decorating Company barn, just before 7 a.m..  

A few 2015 Tournament of Roses  parade floats were lined up on Raymond Street, ready for mechanical and maneuverability testing.

The American Armenian Rose Float Association, from Pasadena, is sponsoring this very large, beautiful float this year. It's the first time an Armenian float will participate in the parade, 100 years after an Armenian (M.S. Pashgian) was chosen as Grand Marshal for the 1915 Tournament of Roses Parade. The various details of this 'Cradle of Civilization' titled float symbolize the 'Inspiring Stories' of the American Armenian community. (Theme of the 2015 parade is 'Inspiring Stories').Here's the 'Observer' seated in the City of Hope 2015 float. He doesn't control anything, but speaks to the driver (seated more toward the center) telling him how and when to turn, steer and if the speed needs to be increased or decreased.  Here's a full length view of the City of Hope 2015 Rose Parade float- it will have various beakers and flasks, a DNA strand, and 'wishes' printed on the tags, all attached to hot air balloons. Seeing the bare outline now is as interesting as seeing the finished product. (The driver sits next to the red fuel tanks).The Shriners Hospitals for Children float, "A Million Stories of Hope and Healing", was also tested that morning. The Shriner Bear rocks from left to right and is just so cute! See the small rectangle cutout at the base of the green bookmark?  That's for the Observer on this float. 

When we were finished with the testing, we walked to cross the Metro tracks and this time stopped to check out the public art decorating the Fillmore Metro Station.The spire (top and bottom details in the above photos) is part of the entire work at the station and titled Geologica 42. (Link to a very detailed description)(Link to a less detailed description).  There is symbolism in all of it, from the baseball (at the very top), weather vane, anemometer, Bell X1 rocket ( which first broke the sound barrier, designed at CalTech and tested at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; locals), the number 42 (Jackie Robinson was a Pasadena Resident) ...

...as well as the five bronze steamer trunks which are seats at the Gold Line stop (Harry Houdini was born in Pasadena). We walked over the tracks, to Arroyo Parkway and one block North, to Lucky Boy, for a quick breakfast. 

This 24/7, drive in, walk up, American breakfast, burger and burrito joint has been here for decades and prepares quality, hearty food for a good price (without tip jars on the counter). Above, the bacon and egg platter ($6.80): 3 eggs, hash browns toast and...bacon(!) and  my usual, an egg sandwich on rye ($3.35) with the included fixings of lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Served with the fresh made tomatillo based salsa, this was a great meal. Lucky Boy 640 S. Arroyo Parkway Pasadena 91105 (616) 793-0120 Website
 We drove five miles East, to the parking lot of Pasadena High School on Sierra Madre Boulevard and stopped at the Pasadena Certified Farmers Market, which was already buzzing.

We try to only shop at Certified Farmers Markets and this one is particularly interesting, being in such a central location to attract local farmers. Pasadena Certified Farmers Market 2900 North Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena Website

Back on the road, headed East to the 15, I wanted some coffee and yet another snack (or three) and we stopped at the Chino Hills location of 85C (a location is being built in San Diego on Clairmont Mesa at Genesee, but seems to be taking forever).  This typical (grab a tray, line with paper, grab tongs and serve yourself, take to the cashier who individually bags each item for you) Taiwanese bakery chain is named because 85 degrees Centigrade is the perfect temperature for brewing coffee. There are two sets of cash registers, one dedicated to beverages (but you can order beverages from the other register also).  Our snacks, a mini apple pie (puff pastry crust) ($2), Cheese bread (filled with a sweet ricotta cream cheese blend)($1.50) and a Calamari stick (which was round, filled with cheese and topped with garlic)($1).

Sea salt beverages are available here.  Above an iced sea salt coffee ($3)and an iced sea salt (mountain green) tea ($2.75). There was no sugar added and each tasted wonderful, with the brewed beverage topped with a dollop of chilled steamed milk with sea salt crystals on the bottom, slightly blended in (swirling the  container helps). The flavor meshing is amazing. 85C Bakery Cafe 12959 Peyton Drive Chino Hills 91709 website 

We were home by noon.  Hoping you have an interesting weekend!

Comments

[Soo H.]

Thanks for the cool parade float update! :-)

[Ed (from Yuma)]

I have been amazed over the years learning from you how elaborate the preparations are. Interesting about driver and observer - reminds me of some stories of driving grandpas being told where to go by the grandkids. Always interesting.

[caninecologne]

I didn't know the bear moved! Very cool! Liked seeing the progress of the floats. The chocolate orange pastry is my new fave at Cream Pan. I hope to have that soon during our upcoming road trip to SF. You and your husband were able to accomplish a lot that morning.

[Cathy]

I enjoy sharing, Soo. Next time I may get the fried zucchini at Lucky Boy...just so you can see it and think about trying on a road trip.
The new President of the Tournament is decided years in advance (the one for 2020 is Laura Farber, the first Latina) and theme of the next parade was announced around January 16 this year. Ed....the Grand Marshal was announced May 9 (which is good, since he died in July and at least got to know about it) and so much of the Tournament is well organized. Mister and I always enjoyed learning about 'how things work' and try to share...I've mentioned observer/driver in other posts, but the photos haven't been as clear as the ones this time; it's a claustrophobic job.
The Shriner bear looks like a happy child, with no other moving parts and cute, not all technical. We always do try to get something new at Cream Pan and I understand your liking the chocolate orange...it was so very good...a bit crispy too. Last time we got a large piece of cheese-melted and crispy.

[Soo H]

How is the fried zucchini at Lucky boy? My fav is Ritchie's Diner fried zucchini but that is a major road trip...

[Cathy]

The style at Lucky Boy is similar to the fried zucchini at Greek Style Chicken, not Beef N Bun, Soo. The zucchini 'fries' go very well with the pastrami... You think Temecula is a major road trip?...

[Soo]

Yup. It's a long drive for an appetizer. I'm use to getting my food 3 exits down the freeway.