Saturday we visited the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.  It sits high on a ridge overlooking mountains and valleys.  What a beautiful location.  We sat for quite awhile on the terrace just enjoying the view. (Click on photos to see more detail.)

Whether or not you liked Reagan you come out of his library thinking that he had some pretty rational ideas.  One in particular feels like it’s still appropriate today:

The economy, when he began his first term, sounds a lot like the way things are now.  Unemployment, uncertainty, people unhappy with the way government was working.  I remember those days like they were yesterday.  In some ways I guess they were yesterday.  It felt a bit uncomfortable looking at history that I’ve actually lived and it made me feel old to watch parents explaining to their children the importance of Reagan’s agreement with Russia.

We walked through the oval office replica, and through Air Force One which was smaller than I thought it would be, yet huge inside it’s very own glass hanger.

We paid our respects at Reagan’s final resting place too.  Once again I felt old as a young girl stopped, read the marker and exclaimed “He was born in 1911??” then twirled away down the sidewalk as another little girl said “I was just a baby when he died.”

Can you see what it says?  Let me read it for you:  “I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will always eventually triumph and there is purpose and worth to each and every life.”

True Mr. President.  True.

We left Simi Valley and headed north, the late afternoon sun making the hillsides glow.  Another perfect day

I don’t know where we’re going tomorrow — that’s the best part about this vacation.  No deadlines, no commitments, we just look at the map every evening and head out when the sun comes up.

Perfect.