L.A. "It's A Wrap"

On a day trip to Santa Barbara, California, we visited the Ronald Reagan Ranch Center and the Santa Barbara Zoo.

There were exhibits here, but the actual 688 acre private
ranch, Rancho del Cielo, is located about 25 miles away.

This black-crowned night heron seemed
to follow us around throughout the zoo.

Baby Chad was born March 26, 2016
He was 6'6" and 191 pounds at birth. 

The small Channel Island Fox are extremely endangered.

On another day we visited Mission Hill and Sylmar. Mission San Fernando Rey de España was founded in 1797. This is one of 21 Catholic missions founded along the coast of California.

Old Mission Church

This is a replica of the church that was
built here in 1804

This 400 year old altar was hand made in Spain.

The Bob Hope Memorial Garden is located just outside
the old mission church. 
Bob and his wife, Dolores, were buried here in 2005.

The Nethercutt Collection and Museum were outstanding. J.B. Nethercutt, co-founder of Merle Norman Cosmetics and his wife, Dorothy, loved to collect beautiful things, functional objects. J.B. and Dorothy set up a trust so the public can enjoy their collection free of charge. The collections includes over 250 antique and classic luxury automobiles, a restored 1937 steam locomotive, tender and Pullman car, musical instruments, Reproducing Pianos, Nickelodeons, Disc Music Boxes, Orchestrions and jewelry.

1912 Pullman Palace Car
This luxurious suite could be considered the
equivalent of owning a private jet today.

The 81 foot long railcar had its own kitchen and
dining room with electric chandeliers.

Master bedroom with adjoining bathroom,
two guest rooms and servants quarters.

1937 Pierce Arrow pulling a matching Travelodge Trailer

Where is the AC and the slide-outs?

Ford Model "T" and Model "A"

1937 Cord

1934 Duesenberg

The Grand Salon is a replica of what a dealership
showroom looked like in the 1910’s, 20 and 30’s.
There is a marble floor, crystal chandeliers,
and painted ceilings that make
up this beautiful room that is filled with
the finest automobiles of that era.

George Gershwin played Rhapsody in Blue on this Reproducing Piano.
His performance was replayed for our enjoyment.

We were entertained with this beautiful sounding
5,000-Pipe Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ

These beautiful "Jacaranda" trees were blooming
all over L.A. County