A cool breeze surrounds and creates an inviting envelope for the passerby resting under the tree on the north bank of the LA river on Downey Road. The air is filled with an aroma of water vegetation, such as seaweed, and truly not the usual scent of this location in the heart of a great industrial city on the banks of a placid water way.
And looking down from the top of the bridge, I could see the water rushing by and in the water I could also see a mattress, and other stuff that probably were washed down in the last storm. The water has a green hue that is probably caused by the algea that grows on the concrete bottom.
The expected smells and odors of the surrounding factories do not overwhelm so as to distract the beauty of the the spot. Yes even as we are reminded of the Farmer John Co., meat packing house on Soto Street, or the other meat packing houses along the river bend in city of Vernon. Yes, the river does bend at this juncture as it makes its’ way to the sea it meanders in a SE direction before turning back South.
Now as for the men wading in the cold shallow water, I would take an ounce of prevention and watch that I do not get swept away by the swift currents. Those men were taking cover under the bridge and bathing and washing their clothes.