We got an early start to the day, stopped for a late breakfast at MickyD’s in Banning, and collected our last Western Madonna in Upland by mid-morning. This just leaves us the three easternmost ones left to collect – Bethesda MD, Beallsville PA, and Wheeling WV. It might be a while before we get to those.
Madonna of the Trail – Upland CA. Our 8th Madonna
Not too far from the Madonna statue was the Lazy Daze factory. When I was fulltiming, I started out in a 5th wheel but then sold it and bought a used 24’ Lazy Daze Twin/King.
My 1996 Lazy Daze at the Windsor Ruins in Alcorn MS
I’m still partial to the brand and am seriously considering the next size up for Ken & I. Just have to watch the marketplace for a good used one to pop up. Since the factory was so close to our route, I really wanted to stop by and look at the floor models. I was curious about the changes since my 1996 model. More importantly, I was eager to get Ken’s body in one and see what his reactions were. I’m afraid I was disappointed there – he was very non-committal. I’m afraid he can’t get past the cost/benefit ratio. And he’s correct there, it’s *much* cheaper to go the car/hotel route. And I’m having trouble getting past I could be on the road and still be in my own place. And we could comfortably stop for a day and do nothing. Two different viewpoints.
It was fun looking at the new models. But I really hated the kitchen revamp they did in the 24’ model. That told me right there that I would have to have a pre-2010 if we went for the small size. Ah well, I’m still wobbling on the fence – first small, then mid-size. We’ll see what crops up first.
Another fun thing was to look at one of their very first models – a 16’ 1966 class C. The description is a little hard to read because of the grungy plastic cover, but check it out.
1966 16’ Lazy Daze
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From the Lazy Daze factory, it was on to the California Science Center. Our prime attraction here was the space shuttle Endeavor. This is the one they hauled through the streets of Los Angeles, even cutting down some trees to make room. They had a time lapse film of that trip. It was very interesting to watch even though I’m totally unfamiliar with the city. And the shuttle itself is very impressive. Too bad about the hordes of people. I suppose in a couple more years the newness will have worn off and it won’t be so busy.
Space shuttle Endeavor
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And a picture just for fun. While waiting at a stop light after leaving the Science Center, I saw this sign above a very 50’s looking Chevy dealership. It really tickled me. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of the dealership before we took our left turn.
Felix the Cat at a Chevy dealorship
After finally checking into our hotel, we rested up for a bit and then headed out to Hollywood Hills to take our picture with the Hollywood sign. We found another couple there who were willing to take our picture and then we took theirs. A good trade for both.
Mary Lou and Ken “under” the Hollywood sign
This was not the location Ken remembered taking pictures from before so we drove around Hollywood Hills trying to find that mythical spot. Never did. What narrow, twisty, turny roads. This is a high price area to live but all I could imagine was the disaster a panic evacuation from there would be.
There was still a bit of daylight left so we headed down into Hollywood. We paid a pretty price to get into a parking lot near Hollywood and Vine and got out to walk around. Yep, there’re stars in the sidewalk. Some names we recognized, many we didn’t. As you can probably tell, I was underwhelmed by the whole experience. I looked up Grauman’s Theater and saw that it was over a mile away. Too far to walk tonight and we didn’t want to pay another parking fee. So we found a place for supper and waited *forever* for some OK food.
It was a long day of many, many impressions and I collapsed when we got back to the hotel.
One of Ken’s favorite liberal humorists
[written 12/23/13]
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