View from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

This is the famous view from the Lincoln Memorial - the area was filled with people when Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech in August 1963 - before I was born!

Hotel health warning

Virtually every hotel I have stayed in has displayed this sign at the entrance, didn't know quite what to make of it and people thought I was very strange to be photographing the sign!

Crossing the road

After five weeks in the US, I think the hardest thing I have found is crossing the road in cities. For those that haven't been in the US, the number nine means that you have nine seconds left to cross the road. The vehicles are obviously on the other side of the road, when I was in Davis the students, hundreds of them were riding bicycles on the other side of the road and I was having to dodge across the road resembling I am sure a female version of Mr Bean. Some places drivers beckon you across even when the red hand for crossing is visible others try and cross the crossing when the numbers are still counting down. For someone as uncoordinated as I am it has been a very tricky experience and I am sure a great spectator sport.

Arroyo Seco

In the midst of Pasadena is a large gorge called the Arroyo Seco. The watershed stretches from the San Gabriel Mountains to Los Angeles. On the day I walked through the gorge the concrete channel that carries the water was virtually dry. The photograph on the Arroyo Seco website shows how much water passes through the channel at full flow. You can also read about the work that is being undertaken to safeguard this vital resource.

Pasadena

I spent a few days with some dear friends in Pasadena. I went to Huntingdon Gardens and marvelled at the plants and ecosystems. I was especially pleased to see how they engaged the children in learning about plants, flowers and science in such a fun, hands-on way. I posted a picture of a bonsai tree on Green garden chat
I also loved the bamboo forest which was so cool in the Californian heat.

River Sacramento

This is the River Sacramento, which forms a major part of the water systems that ultimately supply water to most of the population of California. I have been studying this river system as part of my Nuffield Study on water supply security.

Sacramento Capital

I have been spending time visiting officials and policy makers in Sacramento discussing water issues. The central political building is the Capital and in the park that surrounds it there is an arboretum with palms, redwoods, native oaks to name just a few. A very beautiful space.