We all went to Hollywood today. We stayed long enough to look at the footprints, hand prints and signatures in front of Graumann's Chinese Theater, the stars on the Walk of Fame and the Kodak Theater, almost next door, where the Oscar ceremonies are held.
We continued to Warner Brothers Studio where we had a VIP tour. We had the most charming man to welcome us and very good guides for our tram tour of the back lot and sound stages. We were amazed at the fact that there are 10,000 people who work at the studio, building sets, painting, working with props, etc. They don't seem to throw anything away, as sets from the 1920s-30s are still around. Things just get recycled and used again. We were on the set of 2 1/2 Men where they were repainting a floor for use as another room. We were on the set from Friends, the one from ER, we visited a museum with clothes that John Wayne and other stars had worn in different movies, and we walked through a prop area full of furniture, paintings and smaller items that could be used for different movies or TV shows. Even lunch at the cafe was fun because so many employees also ate there. Sadly, we saw no one that we recognized as
being famous.
Our afternoon was spent at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The setting at the top of a high hill was impressive with green valleys and avocado groves surrounding the 100 acres. The museum had excellent displays on both President Reagan and Nancy. We were able to walk through a retired Air Force One plane which was a thrill. After having seen President Reagan's funeral on television, it was meaningful to view his burial site on the grounds.
Friday afternoon traffic was again five lanes as we drove to Ventura for the evening. But the valley drive brought us miles of strawberry fields. Also grown in the area is celery, nursery stock, lemons, oranges and walnuts. Our hotel tonight is within walking distance of the ocean.
Laurel Johnson, Tour Director
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