Sunday, January 20
Greg took a sunrise picture and we have our fruit and cereal before heading out.
We will stay on major highways all the way to the Reagan Library, and traffic really isn’t too bad! We are going round the northern part of LA. Of course this is early on a Sunday morning, and I'm not the one driving. When I comment that it isn't bad, Greg rolls his eyes, so......We agree that we wouldn't want to do it on a weekday!
We go through dozens of communities and see all the national chain stores at the exits. Gas is high, but we filled up near the casino as we left. Some familiar names like Ventura Highway, Pasadena, etc. I feel like we should be listening to the Beach Boys! I had heard of the "Hollywood Hills" of course, but didn't realize this whole area is very hilly - I understand the mudslide issue more now.
We arrive at the Library at 9:50 and there is a short line for tickets which go on sale at 10:00. Beautiful grounds with lots of flowers, some, like bouganviella are just beginning to show color. Lovely views...
There are 13 Presidential libraries and Reagan’s is the largest, opening in 1991. He was active in planning and putting it together. The winding road in is lined with banners for each of the presidents.
Reagan was born February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. He began his career in radio, sportscasting and other shows. A friend got him an audition when he was visiting California and when he was asked to sign a contract, he became a Californian.
We begin with a hologram of Reagan giving a speech. I suppose it was amazing technology when the library opened, but seems a little hokey now...
He made training films during WWII and starred in quite a few films after that. He
Was known as “the great communicator” for his agility with words and excellent presentation.
He soon was asked to be President of the Screen Actors Guild, during a difficult time with blacklisting and political pressures. He had a brief first marriage and met Nancy Davis when she came for advise because another actress with her name had been blacklisted… He seemed adept at handling difficult situations and was liked by most everyone. This set the stage for his run for California governor.
As Governor from 1967-1975, he reformed welfare, cut taxes and shrunk the size of the government and was proud of protecting the environment and supporting .education. In 1976 he narrowly missed the Republican presidential nomination to Gerald Ford, but in 1980 it was his, and he won the presidency quite handily. (Note his slogan!)
In his first 70 days he froze Federal Hiring in the Executive Branch, ended many price and wage controls and introduced an economic plan to cut the Federal Budget, give tax cuts and increase defense spending.
On March 30, 1981 he survived an assassination attempt by John Hinckley with one bullet that ricocheted off the car and landed very near his heart.
There is a whole area devoted to his relationships with other world leaders, particularly a close friendship with Margaret Thatcher and Russia’s Gorbachev, including a part of the Berlin wall next to his “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” speech.
Another display traces the history of the Secret Service, established by Abraham Lincoln to deal with Confederate Currency, adding Presidental Protection in 1901 by Teddy Roosevelt. We didn’t know there were attempts on the live of Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Harry Truman, before the successful assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy.. Presidential protection has expanded to presidential candidates and well as family members.
This is a replica of the oval office, with a duplicate of the Hays desk, used by Kennedy, Reagan and some other presidents and now in use by Mr. Trump. It was a gift from Great Britain, made from the wood from a ship called the HMS Resolute that was discovered and returned to the queen of England as a gift from the US.
As President, Reagan kept a daily diary for over 8 years, which provides an incredible amount of history and insight. He and Nancy were extremely devoted to one another and after they announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she spent the next ten years caring for him. The saddest part, she says, was not having anyone to share all the wonderful memories they made together.
Also at the library was Air Force One, which we were able to walk through. The President’s desk there featured a jar of jelly beans and the galley had a chocolate cake – President Reagan’s favorite, always on board for anyone’s celebration.
He and Nancy are buried at a spot he chose. I like the fact that he was positive, respectful and kind.
Another area of the library features changing exhibits. There we saw the current exhibit – Pompei. This was an excellent exhibit featuring items and history of Pompei which was covered by the ash from Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD and only re-discovered in the 1740’s. Jewelry, statues, pottery and other artifacts were on display. It too began with a film showing a recreation of the event.
It ended with the amazing display of full bodies as they were found at the site displayed next to photos of the area where they were found. Kind of creepy but utterly amazing to see these lives as they were snuffed out! Only a small portion of Pompei has been excavated thus far.
By the time we left, parking was at a premium. We went up the coast a bit and found a county park – Foster Park Red Mountain Campground – run by Ventura county. Nice and quiet if a bit run down...the recent fires reached the edges of this park, with some of the huge oak trees showing scorching. We took a walk and had a quiet night.
This was supposed to be a launching point for the Channel Islands boat trip tomorrow, but when I talked to them they said Monday and Tuesday would be cancelled due to rough seas…. Time for plan B!
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