Trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

This past Saturday my wife suggested we take a drive out to Simi Valley, and go the the Reagan Library. She knows ever since the arrival of Air Force One I have been wanting to go again, so I took a shower, got dressed, and off we went.

Simi isn't far from where we live in Ventura, so even though we left after lunch we were still able to get there before 1:00pm. When we arrived I noticed a bus off to one side of the visitor parking area. After we parked and started towards the entrance of the library we saw a gaggle of geriatrics that were all gathering together for a group tour. We quickly made our way to the cashier to purchase our tickets so that we wouldn't get caught up with the older set. Overall, however, we got lucky as far as the crowd goes. There wasn't a lot of people there that day, so we were able to wander through the exhibits at our own pace, and unencumbered by other bodies.

We have only been to the library once before when there was an exhibit on the life and times of Walt Disney. That was a great exhibit, but by the time we finished with it my wife and I wanted to go home, and so I never did get to see the permanent, Ronald Reagan exhibit. This time we were there mostly to see Air Force One, but we went on the self guided tour through the Ronald Reagan exhibit anyway, and I am glad we did, but I think we both sort of hurried through so we could get to the main attraction.

As soon as we entered the pavilion, we were greeted with a grand view of Air Force One, and a panoramic view of the surrounding valley. I had made sure before we left to set up my camera for taking indoor shots without a flash. I anticipated correctly that the library doesn't allow any flash photography anywhere within the buildings of the library. Unfortunately, I didn't realize my flash was still on, and I took three pictures of Air Force One before I realized my mistake. My wife was the one who pointed it out, and the only reason she knew was because a man who appeared to be ex secret service was yelling at me from a desk that there are "no flash pictures!" When I finally caught on, I turned and looked at him, meekly waved and thanked him. (Why I thanked him I will never know.)

From there we walked along the balcony to the path that leads to the boarding platform of the plane. You can have your picture taken boarding the plane, but we opted not to. I was going to take a few pictures inside of the plane, but you are not allowed to take any pictures for security reasons. I swear that is what they said! Any schmuck can tour the plane, but you can't take pictures because of security risks. I guess they are afraid some Ruskie might time travel here from the 1980s and figure out all of our military secrets by taking pictures of the contents of the plane, and then returning to the old Soviet Republic.

The plane was very cool. Visitors enter the door nearest the nose of the aircraft, and the first thing you see is the cockpit, which is much smaller than I imagined, and full of switches and dials. Next on the tour is the area where "the football" was kept. There are period laptops on a small desk, and what appeared to be a complex communications system. In other words, more switches and dials. What was also interesting was the three clocks that kept the exact times for the current location of Air Force One, Washington time, and the time of the next destination.

From there you walked down a narrow corridor to the president's state room, which is hardly more than a desk with a few chairs, telephones, and an old television and VCR. Aft of that is accommodations for the president's staff, the media, and a galley. It really isn't very luxurious, and I wondered as I walked through it how Reagan must of walked through the plane hunched over as I did since he was about the same height as I am, as you can see in the next picture. (He was 6'1", I am 6'2".)

My wife insisted on this shot, OK?

After we left the plane, we walked down and took a look at Marine One, the helicopter Reagan used, and the Limo he used to cruise around in.

The view of this aircraft must be fantastic at night. There are lights embedded in the floor that are directed at the underbelly of the plane. I would really like to visit one night when the plane is fully illuminated.

That's a lot of plane up there.

My back and neck won't allow me to walk around much like that, so we made a beeline for the little souvenir shops because we just can't leave a place like this without shopping. It was in one of these shops that I finally had to sit down because I was starting to feel the pain, but I did leave with a nice shirt.

After the Air Force One exhibit you can check in on a replica of the Oval Office.

I had just enough left to go out and see the section of the Berlin Wall that is out in the garden area, and just down from there is where Reagan is interred. It is a really nice spot. The view is magnificent, but the pictures I took certainly don't do it justice.

Section of the Berlin Wall. The library once used to sell small pieces of the wall. I can't remember the price, but I thought it was too high for a piece of broken concrete. He's down in there somewhere. The view is much nicer than this. I should have taken more shots, but I wanted to sit down.

I always enjoy going to the Reagan Library, and I hope to return soon. My wife is not as enthusiastic about going, but she is gracious enough to go with me once in a while. As I mentioned before, this trip was her idea and that means more to me than I can tell you.

I have not ever been a very politically active person, but I understand why some people think Reagan was the greatest president of our time, but I also understand why others feel he left a lot to be desired. My main interest in such places as the Reagan Library is the history that can be found there. For instance, not only did Air Force One 27000 ferry around Reagan, but it began service under Nixon, and was also used by presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush until it was replaced by a pair of 747s in 1990.

That is why I find the Library to be such an exciting place. The history to be found there is just fantastic. It is for that reason I hope to one day visit Washington DC.

I have twice been to Georgia, and have seen many of the Civil War sites there, and the feeling that comes over me is indescribable. I somehow connect with historic objects, as if I can see in my mind like a movie the events and people that once took place at a historical site, or around a historical item. While on Air Force One I was very aware that I was walking where once seven of our presidents had walked, (George W. Bush also once flew in SAM 27000,) and was touching items they had once touched. That sort of thing is rather thrilling for me.

Posted by Jeff at May 7, 2007 7:45 AM