President's Day February 21st

We decided, what better day than President's Day to visit a Presidential Museum/Library.

I am a non-political creature.  I don't like to discuss politics with anyone.  Too often I hear things like "I'm right, therefore you must be anti-American"...Now as Presidents go, I tend to rank them using the comedian's scale and list them by their entertainment value.  Having said that, we are off today to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Museum and Air Force One Exhibit.  Ronnie, in my estimation, ranks about fourth or fifth on the entertainment scale.  Bill was a solid second place, but paled in comparison to Dubbya! 

Anyway, my true objective here was to see the retired Air Force One which served from 1971 to 1993 and transported Presidents from Nixon to Clinton.  Also included in this display are a Presidential motorcade and the Marine One helicopter.

The Regan Library is located in Simi Valley, California, about 35 minutes from our Ventura location.  The drive there is spectacular and the area around the complex has some of the most beautiful vistas in these parts.

Upon reaching Presidential Drive, there was a line of stopped cars about a block long in each direction.  The officers directing traffic shuffled us off to the alternate parking area.  Seems President's Day is a big deal at a Presidential Library.  About a mile away we found the parking lot where there were full shuttle buses were already leaving for the attraction.  We got in line with the other folks and passed the half hour wait with pleasant chatter.

Once on the bus, we were transported to the front entrance, where we were directed to a line.  I suddenly felt like I was at Disneyland on the Fourth of July as the line crawled forward.  Later we learned that the line was to get a number that would get you in another line to buy a ticket.  It was at that point we decided to try again tomorrow when we hoped the holiday crowds would be gone.

While there we took the opportunity to visit the gift shop (can't have a museum with out one) and the cafe'.  We each enjoyed a surprisingly good bowl of chili and a salad.  Even more surprising was the $32.00 tab!

Undaunted, we will attempt to revisit tomorrow where we will hopefully find easier access and have photos to share.  Oh!...and we will definitely eat before we go!