| I rolled off my mattress the next morning,
ready for the day. We were to set out at 8:30 with our first stop
being Vasquez Rocks. Again, I was in Ginger's car, and I think I
was designated the navigator again as well... (Hey, no
comments, we got to Olvera Street okay.) After a bit of delay
arranging for everyone to get a ride, we took off. The day was bright and shiny and promising to be somewhat hot. (Kathy G. had said how cool it was, 'bring a jacket' were her words before we all came out. I forgot one, froze the first day, bought one very reasonably near the hotel... hmm, did I use the words 'near the hotel' and 'reasonably' in the same sentence? Needless to say, I never used it again until I flew home on my 11:00 p.m. Comair shuttle to Nashville). We drove the freeways without incident until we met up with the caravan near the rocks. It was immediately apparent we were at the right place before we even parked. Those are the most distinctively shaped rocks in all of Zorro fandom. I was amazed at the actors' and stunt doubles' courage to be able to run, jump and climb all over those steep rocks. They are sandstone for the most part, but in some places there are no easy hand or foot holds. As for me, no guts, no glory, but in this case, I was a gutless wonder; I wanted to live to see the rest of the tour. I was amazed at the Italian ladies climbing to the top in skirts. Fearless, right with all the others who climbed up there. I went a little way up and filmed the others who ventured up further. There was equipment for a crew filming a TV show called 24 (or something like that), and the security person was a bit worried about our numbers. Kathy G. assured her that we would only be there for an hour. One's mind kept seeing the scenes in the show where Zorro is helping Anita and dodging thrown rocks. Amazing feeling. I continued to wonder how they did it up in those rocks. Next, we headed for the Regan museum. It was a bit of a drive, since Vasquez rocks were a ways north from Los Angeles. The museum is towards Simi Valley, further south and west from the city, I believe and it took a little more time. Most of us got there at almost the same time, and we paid and made a bee line for--the SUIT. Oh, my, it was just gorgeous. I was ecstatic when we were told that we could take pictures if we didn't use a flash. Out came the video camera and that suit was panned, nice and slow, top to bottom. Then it turned out there was some kind of miscommunication and we were not allowed to film. Gee, whiz. What was I to do? I had that marvelous suit on tape. Then I realized that the camera was running while it was pointing at Garcia's costume. Whoops!! Gosh, guess I'll have to keep them both. I do wish I could have taped Keliana Baker's reaction to seeing that lovely dark blue suit with its gold braid, though. Her face was classic; shock mingled with awe, touched with a slight case of 'am I going to faint now or later.' It was to die for. The suit accentuated the shoulders, the slim waist, the long legs, the tall, oh, so slim body of the man who wore it... oh, sorry, digressing.... Someone said they, (again discreetly), touched the hat. Lucky person!! Anyway, like I said before, Reagan? Reagan, who? All eyes were riveted on just one object. I wasn't able to get the mask and other things in the separate case videotaped, but it was interesting that there was at least one one-piece mask/bandana used in WD Zorro. I had thought that to be a trademark of the NW Zorro. Anyway, next it was off to Corriganville. Getting to Corriganville was where we got a bit turned around. (Okay, I hear you.... yes, I was the navigator.) "The map? Let's see.... Did you say San Susanna expressway.... oh, whoops.... we should have gotten off before Topanga." Around we turned and got there about the same time that Marian Yee and Tony arrived, as well as Ans and Erik. A nice long walk down a dry path and we were at the site of our lunch. Kathy Clements, (what a gal!) had set up our lunch all alone. There was one line for us and one line for the bees. The bees had no class, they kept cutting in line. Funny thing is, they seemed to just want the luncheon meats, ignoring the watermelon and other fruit. Modern bees-- they'd rather eat junk food. Kathy just kept serving as though it was perfectly normal to share the cafeteria with insects. Pat kept saying... "bees are clean, bees are clean." I was so hungry by that time, I didn't care. Just so long as a bee didn't get between the two pieces of bread. Someone else made reference to the Donald Duck cartoon where he ate a couple of bees. Hmm, that only made me look briefly a second time before slapping the mayonnaise, mustard and cheese on. It was a wonderful interlude to an already busy day and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thank you, Kathy Clements for going to all this work. A powerhouse if I ever saw one. And kudos to Kathy G. and all the others who arranged all this as well. After we ate, it was exploration time. This was the site where many of the chase scenes were filmed. It was also where the Magdelena scene from "The Sweet Face of Danger" (the one by the pond) was filmed, too. There just happened to be no water. It was a 'cement pond' as Granny in the Beverly Hillbillies used to say. At certain times of the year there is some water and the 'ponds' are filled to the height they are needed. It was funny to go around and try to find the tree. I thought I had found it, but after seeing "Sweet Face of Danger" at Rita's house the next day, I'm not sure anymore. Corriganville was a very peaceful place, especially if one ignored the freeway up the slope almost overhead. I had great conversations with Sue Shuck, Penina, SueZZZ, Keliana and others. The sound of speculatory tree hunting floated in the light breeze, making it seem very cozy and close. As Kathy G. gathered us up, (just like a mama hen, she was), and we walked out of the park, I could see where some of the chases took place down that main path. Again, just like at Vasquez Rocks, I could replay the scenes in my head, feeling the ambience of the place. Too soon, we had piled into our cars and were heading toward the Iverson Ranch. |
Vasquez Rocks, rugged, stark and oh, so recognizable.
This shot of the Vasquez rocks shows some of the filming equipment. It also shows how very dry and desert-like it appears.
Another shot of the rocks, one that is not as well recognized, but certainly it shows the rugged beauty of the place.
Our intrepid explorers bravely going where Anita and Zorro have gone before. Me? I'm just glad I had a nice telephoto lens.
A small part of the group in front of the Reagan Museum. Penina Spinka, Wendell, and Ginger. Kathy G. is to the far right. Too bad I don't have a picture of that exquisite suit.
A trail in Corriganville Park. I can visualize a few chase scenes here. A very lovely park, a wonderful time.
A group of us at Corriganville. SueZZZ, Elise, Kathy Clements, Lise, Kathy G. and me.
More of Corriganville. It is hard to see from these pictures just how many trails, shaded paths, and scenes from the series one could find in this small area.
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