La Brea Tar Pits - August 1969

I've had today's scans on my computer for a long time. It's high time I used them! One of Los Angeles's more unusual features is the La Brea Tarpits. For one thing - they are tar pits. For another - they are right on Wilshire Boulevard, along the "Miracle Mile". Next door to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and (now) across the street from the Petersen Automotive Museum.

The tar pits (it's actually asphaltum) are located in a pretty parklike setting - there are larger pits (or pools) or tar that have been there for a long time, but sometimes you'll find a small seep oozing out of the ground. One time I saw a poor (and dead) squirrel trapped in one, just like the Smilodons (aka "sabertooth cats") of 15,000 years ago. In this view, the massive Park LaBrea apartments loom over the scene - one of my good friends used to live there, he had amazing views of the city from his windows.

Guides and smart-alecks love to tell you that "La Brea Tar Pits" translates to The Tar Tar Pits. You should see the looks on their faces when they drop that bomb on people! They are very pleased. Beyond this sign you can see the large "Lake Pit", and past that, the Museum of Art. With so much oily glop everywhere, it surprises me that some plants still seem to thrive.

There's the Lake Pit again, which is over 3,000 feet (1,000 meters) long. Inhale the heady methane fumes as large bubbles bloop to the surface. It's fun! I don't remember that "island" in the middle, but I would like to build a home there. The tall buildings are across Wilshire Blvd. I would assume that measure need to be taken whenever construction takes place in that vicinity in order to deal with asphaltum in the ground.

Some people have claimed that this is the most interesting and exciting photo to ever appear in the Internet. Far be it from me to argue with them.

I don't remember ever seeing this sculpture of a mama smilodon and two cubs before, though it's possible it was there when I was a child. I'm pretty sure this is long-gone now.

Still present today is this sculpture of a Columbian Mammoth (from the Pleistocene era), caught in the sticky goo. It's not going to end well. I've mentioned it before, but this mammoth actually floats on a submerged "raft", and it will drift around in the wind.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to The Tar Tar Pits!