Limousine tour to Pacific Ocean and Picnic


We had a day before the parade so Leigh arranged a limousine guided tour to the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica. I slept like a log but Caro was up early and had breakfast and was dressed before I woke.

I think she learned this expression from her Grandmother. At least it makes me think of Jessie.

While waiting for Leigh to call and say they had all their stuff in order and were almost ready I looked out the window.


I realized why I had felt quietly disturbed. The mountains visible from the hotel reminded me so much of the mountains of Oregon where I spent the formative years before school. Also we used to visit relatives in Los Angeles and I suppose I was remembering the San Gabriel mountain range.

After several starts and stops the Texas Expeditionary Force made its way to the front lobby where the limousine was to pick us up. The driver and vehicle was not prepared for the electric scooter. And true to hired hands everywhere the driver insisted on disassembling the scooter and lifting in into the trunk. I knew it was only a matter of time before the driver would have a problem.

We had not been on the move long before Case decided he was absolutely going to die without watching “Shrek”. Wayne had a portable DVD player but had left the DVD in their room. So Leigh had a conference with the driver and changed our route to go to a “Blockbuster”. There they bought a couple of video tapes and a “Shrek” DVD. Leigh realized her plans made in Houston needed to be changed so she discussed the route with the driver.


The new itinerary was to Griffith Park then Universal City then to Santa Monica pier with a picnic in the park

The LA basis was very foggy and cold. The temperature surprised me. I had always though LA was warm. After a long twisty ride we were at the Griffith Park Observatory. At the time I did not know why Leigh wanted to see the place. Then I saw a plinth with a bust of James Dean in front of the observatory.


James dean was a frequent visitor to the park and observatory. I think a movie with him was partially shot at the park. I climbed to the top of the main observatory to look around and discovered just how foggy the valley was. Here I am pointing out to the cameraman where to take the next shot. The shirt adds 40 pounds, honest.

I, the cameraman, stepped aside and took several pictures of downtown Los Angeles. Only one turned out to show enough of LA so that one can see a hint of a city through the fog. That is the famous smog that has caused California institute to formulate such rigorous vehicles emission requirements.

I looked down and saw dozens of young female joggers, kinda like eye-candy, all around the park. I found one that seemed to be a composite and snapped a picture. My contribution to the myth of the California girl.

I watched her do stretching exercises that would have broken off my limbs. Looked like she was made of “Silly Putty”. I was getting tired of the cold and fog so I headed down to set in the limo until all were ready to go. Leigh called and I looked up and saw 3 angels. I don’t know why God saw fit to bless me with beautiful daughter and granddaughters but there they are.

They were waving and smiling and didn’t even know it was wet and cold. At the foot of the stairs was a lovely blooming azealea bush. January and the azeleas are blooming. They don’t bloom in Houston until May.

The observatory is nonfunctional but must at one time been a working observatory. In front is a statue of tribute to great astronomers like Gallileo. The picture does not do the statue justice. You really need to make a trip to the Griffith Park Observatory to see it for yourself.




I guess I was raised funny for a male but I notice flowers. I was especially impressed by the Azealas blooming here at the Observatory. They don’t normally bloom in Houston until late March or early April.

Well this page is getting too long so I am going to break here and tell about the rest of the tour on the next page.

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