Tuesday February 22nd

Our last full day in the beautiful city of San Buenaventura A.K.A. Ventura, California.  Since yesterday's attempt to visit the Regan Library was unsuccessful we headed out this morning to try again.

Arriving at the entrance we immediately knew it was going to be a better experience than our previous one.  We parked near the entrance and as we entered the courtyard there were no lines.  One of the first things that strike you is the setting.  Located in the Simi Valley, the museum has huge glass walls looking down into the valley floor.  The grounds are landscaped to replicate the White House south lawn and blooming cherry trees dot the hillside.

We walked right up to the counter, purchased our tickets and started the tour.  Although not a huge fan of the Reagans, I must admit that the museum was much more interesting and moving than I anticipated.  As you moved through the exhibits, you were reminded, through artifacts and video, of historical events that took place during the Reagan years.  The fall of the Berlin Wall, the Grenada War, the Lybian bombing, the end of the "Cold War" and the assination attempt.  One room was an exact replica of the Oval Office and another was filled with Nancy's famous gowns.  Several sections covered Reagan's years growing up on a farm and later as a sports broadcaster, actor and Governor of California      

The exhibit I was most interested in seeing was the Air Force One and Marine One displays.  An impressive sight, the Boeing 707 was gleaming in the sunlight as it sat on it's pedestal.  Having flown seven Presidents from Nixon to G.W. Bush, she was retired in 2001.  it took Boeing workers nine weeks to disassemble the plane for transport to the exhibit and ten weeks to reassemble inside the partially completed building that would house it.  Once inside the structure, the remaining wall and roof were completed around the jet. 

Photos are allowed of the exterior, but not permitted inside the aircraft.  Walking through the cabin, everything is as it was for use by it's passengers.  The flight deck held five crew members.  The flying "Situation Room", the President's private quarters, the conference table, and media section were all ready for use.  The reporters, by the way, had to purchase tickets to fly with the President.  A practice that is supposed to prevent accusations that providing free transportation and meals would influence the reporters.

The entire visit took us about three hours, but you could easily spend the entire day if you wanted to examine each detail.  Regardless of one's politics, it is truly a worthwhile experience.

Since this was our last evening in Ventura, we took a ride down to the beach to watch the sun set on the California coast just one more time.  It is easy to see why this area has attracted so many.  It's beauty and excitement are enormous.