In the San Fernando Valley sits a refuge for wildlife.
The Segundo Water Basin is where treated water from Los Angeles
is dumped for a final work-over by nature
before being released into the Los Angeles River system.
Even though it is surrounded by miles of the megalopolis
that we consider part of the Greater Los Angeles Area,
here is a serene little oasis of purity and nature,
like a family alter in which to meditate.
A duck takes off, disturbed at my approach.
This waterlands is the waypoint for thousands of migratory waterfowl
which travel up and down the Pacific Airways on their regular travel routes.
~Till it shines~
Bob Seger
Take away my inhibitions
Take away my solitude
Fire me up with your resistance
Put me in the mood
Storm the walls around this prison
Leave the inmates
Free the guards
Deal me up another future
From some brand new deck of cards
Take the chip off of my shoulder
Smooth out all the lines
Take me out among the rustling pines
Till it shines
Like an echo down a canyon
Never coming back as clear
Lately I just judge the distance
Not the words I hear
I've been too long on these islands
I've been far too long alone
I've been too long without summer
In this winter home
Still if we can make the effort
If we take the time
Maybe we can leave this much behind
Till it shines
See the rich man lost and lonely
Watch him as he dines
Sitting there just testing all the wines
Till it shines
The Los Angeles River Project is a huge and massive Public Works
Project that helps reduce flooding and erosion.
For a very detailed but interesting website with photos of the concrete structures that
make up the river, go to:
