Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum

 Let's start with Transportation Advice.   You can reach the Nixon Library by public transportation!  From Los Angeles Union Station, take the Southbound Amtrak Surfliner to Fullerton.   Train 770 left LA at 10:10.  Amtrak 572 left at 11:10.   In Fullerton, the buses are just across the parking lot.   Bus 26 goes about every 30 minutes    Get off at Yorba Linda/Eureka and cross the street to the Library.   Be sure to tell all ticket agents and bus drivers if you are a senior - we get a break.And, there is a difference between a museum and a library.    

The library is where the presidents' archives are kept.   Researchers can go in and learn just about everything about a president.    The museum is where the fun stuff is on display:   Nancy's red campaign dress, the diamond encrusted dagger from the sultan of Wherever.   Eisenhower's two facilities are across the plaza.   Johnson's archives are all around the perimeter of the big building.   Often, the Library is part of a university.

Presidential Libraries store all of the president's papers, tapes, books, notes, etc.   All of that stuff belongs to the National Archives, despite the opinion of a certain former president.   Virtually all of President Obama's archives are digital, he will not have a physical library; researchers will log-in to a computer and search away.    Prior to Mr Nixon, a president's papers, notes, etc, were his property.   He could keep them, sell them or destroy them.   The National Archives administers all libraries from Hoover to George W, but the president's "friends" are the ones who pay to build the building,

Anyways, let's talk about President Nixon.   Set aside Watergate for just a moment, the man actually did quite a lot.   The Nixon Library and Museum is at the site of the Nixon birthplace.   This is a very restful and dignified facility.   I took a walk through the garden where I saw displays of all of Nixon's environmental accomplishments!  The Environmental Protection Agency and the Endangered Species Act were created under his watch.  The Santa Barbara oil spill affected him a lot.

Title IX was also his.

There is a very fine exhibit on the ancient world, now known as the Middle East.   There is a great quote of his: "We must not allow the cradle of civilization to become its grave.  That is what is at stake in the Mideast."   Think about that.   

I saw a moon rock and some really cool models of the House, Senate, Supreme Court, and part of Washington DC.

                                                             Moon rock (pebble, really)

The Senate   (Isn't that cool!   Never seen it that way before.   Lego go nothing on the National Archives

Larry, a friend of mine in San Angelo had asked me to look for some bricks from the Hanoi Hilton.   He had secured them from a friend several years ago, and after sharing some with former POWs, offered some of the actual bricks from the infamous Hanoi POE camp, to the Nixon Library.   I saw a very fine exhibit on the POWs, but saw no bricks.   I asked Marsha, a very helpful volunteer if she could help me.  She took my information and promised to get back to me.   She did before I got back on the bus!   Yes, the bricks had been part of a 4 month special exhibit called "CAPTURED."  There is a good chance they could become part of a traveling exhibit that goes to other museums.  

I thought the museum did a good job discussing Watergate and all of the shenanigans.   The firs note said that the National Archives had assembled a committee to build as objective an offering as possible.   A note on Watergate:   My father told me many years ago that James McCord, one of the "plumbers" had attended my first church, and actually held the little baby Dan.   All Dad knew about Mr McCord was that he "worked for the government" so Dad suspected it was not the Navy.  Before you archive that and put this in your doctoral thesis, know that some of what my Dad told was was "embellished!"    

My practice for the past year is to buy a coffee mug and fridge magnet from each presidential library, museum, plantation, etc.   "Nixon's the One" and other sayings did not float my boat, and I already have a magnet of Elvis meeting Nixon, and then I saw a picture at the end that I had never seen before, and the mug is new!   Nixon Bowling!    The caption in the museum was "The Big Lebowski!"  Perfect!

It fortunate that I have this practice, as the presidential Christmas ornament can top $45.00!   My granddaughter put her foot down!   She says our tree is already too full!   And She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed is right!

Amtrak Part 2

 I am jumping around, as I think of something, and also as I can wrest pictures out of my phone and computer.

Efron was our porter on the Sunset Limited.   As such, he catered to my whims and converted my little roomette from two-seated compartment, to a closet with bed.

Esther says with that shirt, I look like a tourist.    I am a tourist!  But I finally downloaded something from my phone.   This is me outside my car.

Crossing the Rio Grande just outside El Paso.    Also note this recent ugly structure!

The Sunset Limited arrived early to LA.  Rather than schlep my luggage to the hotel and then walk back to the station, I went to baggage claim to ask about leaving pieces with them.   I discovered that as a first class passenger (I had a closet for a room!) I could go down the hall to the First Class Lounge, have complimentary coffee, a snack, type some, and leave my stuff with them.   So, I did,

Took Amtrak to Simi Valley.   Used my Uber App for the first time!   It worked.   Took Uber to the Ronald Reagan Library, on a hilltop in the western Simi Valley.   Interestingly, my driver had no idea what the Reagan Library was, nor where it was!    But she followed her GPS.

Probably the most remarkable thing about the Reagan, is the view!   Southern California has these things called "Hills" and they are everywhere!    There is one across the way with orchards, and you can just enjoy seeing so much from the library.

Once Reagan became a well-known movie star, he became quite a spokesman for General Electric, hosting it's TV show for years, and touring the country, visiting GE plants everywhere,   He got great insights from the workers and incredible exposure.   This part of the tour was very interesting.

At the other end of the Library is Air Force One!    The Boing 707 is inside the building!    This magnificent bird seems to float in the middle of the hanger.   We tourists came in at the third level, so were were on level with the wing and fuselage.    Only by walking around to the other side does the elevator and ramp to the plane became visible.   The entire front of the hanger is glass, showing that wonderful view of the hills.  Reagan used this plane more than the other presidents.

I took a wrong turn and found myself outside, unable to get back in.   I walked back around to the entrance and presented myself to the nice security man (Coach) who had checked my backpack upon my entrance.    He walked me back around to a side door and let me back into the exhibits.   Good thing, as the second half of the tour was the best.

Lots of info about Reagan vs Communism.   Somewhat propaganda, but he was a driving force in the 80s.   Reagan and Gorbachev clicked like no other US/USSR leaders before or since.   Lots of the Berlin Wall. 

The current temporary exhibit is "Star Wars".   The children were getting their pictures taken holding light sabers in the Millennium Falcon.   Lots of culture on this epic movie, but then they tied it to Reagan and his Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) which has always been called Star Wars.   Cool!

I think I actually came for the gift shop.   I made it my habit to try to limit myself to a coffee mug and fridge magnet.   Good personal policy, as the Presidential Christmas ornaments are only getting more and more expensive!    I also looked at a Star Wars Advent Calendar since Susie and I have often sent our son Advent calendars, but I didn't think it was $40.00 worth of cute!

Metrolink back to Union Station where no fewer than two Amtrak ladies fussed at me about my plan to walk to the hotel with three bags.   Everyone has a mother, I seem to have hundred!   I caved in and took Uber a whole half mile up the street!

I almost joined up with a Japanese tour group at the hotel, but they were not impressed with my wit, so I went my own way.

Just up the way from the hotel is the Angel Flight Railway.   This is an old funicular that climbs up the hill.   Very touristy, and also a piece of railroad trivia.  It claims to be the shortest incorporated railroad in the world, at about 350 feet! $1.00 each way!  This area has much culture, including art museums and the Walt Disney Center.    They are building a food court of chains, but the interesting one is the food court of local dives that looks like something out of the third world!

I keep getting confused by the time zones.   My body is still on Central Time, but my schedule and my iPhone are on Pacific Time.   My laptop, however, is still in Houston (time-wise) and it startles me when I think I may be late to my next train.

OK, I think I have made friends with moving images from phone to email to blogspot.   I'm sure there is a better way, but this way works!

I am on my way to the Nixon Library.   I have my Amtrak tickets, and know to get off at Fullerton, and take bus 26 to Yorba Linda.    Should be quite a bit cheaper than Uber!  

By the way, blogging is supposed to be social media, so be sociable!   Leave comments below.   At least let me know this thing is being read.

Riding Amtrak West from Houston

 I am finally on my way!   Chris took me to the Houston Amtrak Station, located on Washington Ave, just West of the Gulf Freeway and just South of I-10.  Chris did not know it existed.   Not much there, but it did the job.

The Sunset Limited, Amtrak train # 1, consists of two engines, a baggage car, a sleeper (my new home!) the dining car (meals come with my roomette), an observation lounge, and a coach car.

Next stop (I hope) is San Antonio.   Here we will pick up a few cars from the Texas Eagle, inbound from Chicago.

When I rebooked this trip, I was unable to get a roomette on the upper level of the sleeper.   The view downstairs is not as good, but I just got a voucher for about $250.00!    Guess I will be spending more time in the observation lounge with its super wide windows and wonderful view.   Good or bad, that also means I will be meeting new people, some of whom may actually talk more than me!

My roomette is very small, but I am finding that it makes me a first class passenger!

The train was an hour earlyWe spent 3 1/2 hours in San Antonio!   2 !/2 was on the schedule.   Good news, we were on time.   Bad news, is I can't sleep.

I'm going to jump around, because I want to go catch a metro train to Simi Valley.   The train was an hour early into LA.   When I asked about storing my bags while being a tourist, the nice lady pointed out that as an Amtrak passenger with a roomette, I am first class, and can avail myself of the upstairs lounge (where I sit right now!) which includes the priviledge of storing bags for the day!   Did not know that.

So, I will tell you more about the ride later, and also about the Reagan Library.   For now, I am off to see the world!

Trip Postponed

 I got notified this afternoon, July 12, that my Amtrak for Saturday evening has been cancelled!   With some hysterics, I have moved my Los Angeles trip back one week.   Now, I will depart Houston July 20 at 6:55pm, arrive Los Angeles Monday July 22, early and will fly home July 26.    Next, I need to go through PriceLine to change room reservations.    That could be fun.

So, stay tuned.     The cancellation was weather related, which I think means Amtrak is stuck in San Antonio, as they offered to let me pick up Amtrak in San Antonio at 2:00am sunday!    Gee, I don't think so.

Many of my friends are still without power after Hurricane Beryl, but I am doing fine.

Next Adventure: Travel to Los Angeles

 I know it's been a year since I blogged, but I am going to Los Angeles to visit the Nixon and Reagan Libraries!  I will board Amtrak's Sunset Limited in Houston, July 13, and will spend two nights in a roomette, arriving in Los Angeles Monday morning.    While in Los Angeles, I will use all public transportation possible.    I have asked my granddaughter to show me how to use the apps for Uber and Lyft, as that is how I will travel the last few miles to the Reagan Library.

I have been watching YouTube videos on Amtrak, so that I won't act like a total dweeb on the train!   The best piece of advice so far:  The train will not be on time!    Accept it, and enjoy the adventure.   The cost of the roomette (quite expensive) includes all meals in the dining car, and visits to the Observation Lounge Car.

I bought the N scale trains with my jury duty pay.   I earned it, I'm gonna have fun with it.   The above train is a pretty faithful model of the Sunset Limited as it goes through Houston.    From right to left (don't ask) coach, observation lounge, dining car, sleeper (I have a roomette) and the baggage car.  I currently have two Santa Fe engines attached.    I have my eyes on two Amtrak engines on EBay, but that priority has not come up yet! 

I will stay in downtown LA for four nights.   Two days are for presidential libraries and the train rides it will take to get there.    The other two days are unscripted, but could include a train ride along the Pacific Coast, and maybe a visit to the Getty Center.    They have a train that rides on a cushion of air to take us from the parking lot, to the world-class art exhibits on top of a hill.

I am really hoping I like riding Amtrak.   I have never taken Amtrak in all these years!   If I like it, I can see myself taking Amtrak from Houston to Boston (three different trains and three different classes) in order to visit a number of presidential sites, museums, etc all over New England, and Eastern New York.   I really don't want to drive, as it is a 28 hour drive to Boston!   At my current pace, we would be talking about 4 travel days in the car before the vacation really starts.   My days of driving straight through are long over.

So sit back, and check back about July 14 for my next entry.    

Picture Rocks National Lakeshore

 

We went to Munising, Michigan on Wednesday, July 19.   This area is about 45 minutes East of Marquette.   We stopped at Alger waterfall, and I walked the trail.   My sisters swore I was going to slip, and I was about to agree with them, but the mud was only about 1/4" deep, and a young man decided I needed help.   Small falls, but beautiful.

A staple of the upper penninsula is pasties, pronounced with a short "a" like apple.   This is a ball of meat, potato and vegies, baked into a ball of bread.   It was eaten by the miners and is noted for it's not-spicy taste.   Very filling!

We went into Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and took a 600 foot trail to Munising Falls.   A good view was possible from an accessible paved trail, or you could climb quite a few wooden steps for another excellent view.

We boarded a 75 foot tourist boat for a two hour cruise along the Superior coast, to see how nature has colored the cliffs above the lake.   I took a lot of pictures, but I am losing an argument with both my iPhone, and my laptop, so here is what I could download.  Spring-fed water over the years has flowed over the limestone cliffs, leaving some interesting colors and patterns

The Michigan Upper Peninsula, or UP, is home to fun-loving people who call themselves "Yoopers"  Their dialect reminds me of the Mackenzie brothers from TV!   This is beautiful country, and the temperature is about 68 today. 

 

Presidential Libraries

 One of the goals on this trip is to experience Presidential Libraries.    There are many museums and "libraries" dedicated to our nation's presidents, but 13 of them are associated with the National Archives, meaning the former president, and his supporters raised millions $$$ to build the library/museum, and then turned it over to the National Archives, who own and maintain the documents and artifacts.   I think building upkeep and much of the operations is still the responsibility of the former presidents' foundation.

There are other museums/libraries devoted to presidents, and I will explore that topic another time.

Some facilities differentiate between "library", the place where the documents are housed, and "museum" where artifacts and displays detailing the life and works can be found.   For the most part, researchers visit the library, and we tourists hit the museum.

I visited the Johnson and Bush (43) libraries prior to this trip.   Johnson's library is in Austin at UT,   My connection to this place is that I got thrown out of the LBJ Library by the Secret Service when the place was brand new!   Seems Lady Bird was filming her special in the library, so the TV trucks were out front, and the place was locked down tight.    Well, maybe not that tight, as I was able to go next door and into the basement, and came up the elevator in the middle of the LBJ Library, inside the security perimeter!   The agent was not amused, but I went quietly, after I got to see Mrs Johnson being filmed.   So, when I tell you I have been thrown out of better places, I am seriouis!

My first library on this trip was George W. Bush, on the campus of SMU in Dallas.   A notable feature here is that most displays were backed by enormous photos of the president, the family, or the White House.   The central hall is airy and runs a technical video show along the upper walls.   Very captivating.  Imposing structure, have to go through security,  There are interactive stations where you get to try to second-guess presidential decisions.

I did not travel alone, Flat Stanley was with me.   We emailed his Preschool every couple of days.

The Eisenhower Library has separate buildings for museum and library.   This is in the little town of Abilene, Kansas, right next to Ike's boyhood home!    The home has not moved, but apparently a swath of the town was moved to make room for the museum, library, and a very restful chapel where Mr and Mrs Eisenhower are buried.    This museum is rather low key, but showcases his military career, the war, and his presidential days.   The displays showcase the many postings and mentors that Eisenhower had, so that by the time World War II broke out, Ike was the perfect choice to take over operation of the European Theater.

The Harry S. Truman Library, in Independence, Missouri, is just East of Kansas City.    The library is located less than 1/2 mile from Truman's Victorian home.   President Truman kept an office in the back of the center, and worked there and welcomed visitors there, until his passing.    There is a very nice courtyard that includes the graves of the former president, and his wife.    The library shows how Truman came to local fame as commander of a national guard artillery battery.   He was known as strict but was an excellent leader.    A notable fact is that his battery, made up of Missourians,  never lost a man.   A local political boss gave Truman his start in politics, made remarkable because there was never any evidence of corruption on the part of Harry Truman.   There is a very good section on the dropping of the atomic bombs, with viewpoints covering several sides of what is still very controversial. 

The Herbert Hoover Library is in West Branch, Iowa and I'll bet you can't find that on a map!  I stayed in Iowa City.   A cool feature of the displays is the use of terra cotta figures throughout the library.    Hoover, as well as Eisenhower and Truman, did not grow up wealthy, but Hoover quickly became rich as an international mining engineer.   He rapidly became world renowned for leading relief efforts in Europe and the rest of the world.   A map in the floor as you leave shows over 50 countries where Hoover made a big difference with disaster relief.   He did not hold elected office until he ran for president.   I believe he was the only Secretary of Commerce to become president.     

Local resident of the Hoover Native Prairie.

I do not have a favorite library.   I thought they are all very well laid out and presented.  The Hoover Library does lay out programs he could not get through congress, some of which came to fruition long after he left office (like the Saint Lawrence Seaway).

I have a "Presidential Passport" with short descriptions and a a place to get my passport stamped at each library.   I have limited myself to a coffee mug and a refrigerator magnet  from each place.   My granddaughter and I agreed that there would be NO Christmas ornaments as the tree is already packed!  (there are some beautiful brass ornaments!)  As it is, any new magnets will require that some of the lesser magnets (usually on the bottom) be retired.

I will cover more libraries on the way back South.

I am at about the halfway mark of my vacation.   My 2023 Kia Niro is less than a month old and has 2213 miles on the odometer.   This trip has taken me 1988 miles, so far, and I have to get back to Texas from Marquette, Michigan.    Stay tuned to this station for further news.