Getting an early start this morning. Starting out on the ocean side of the Santa Monica mountains. I’ll be hiking up the same canyon as yesterday, keeping a sharp lookout for that big rattler that buzzed me a warning. I’m carrying a load of surveying equipment, plenty of water, everything thing I need to get the job done.
My goal is to locate a good point on the ridge line and establish ground control for an aerial survey. The L.A. County Engineering Department wants to make a topical map.
When done, I hike over to and through the 20th Century Fox Ranch, to be picked up late in the afternoon. I go into an area where often some movie is being filmed. I need to be alert and quiet as I approach. Having not seen or heard another person all day, I’m surprised to see two dismounted horse riders in the oak- and sycamore-filled canyon.
I yell to them, “Hey, Buddy, do you know what time it is?”
Somewhat startled, the man responds, “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
As I approach, I see it is Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy!
I explain why I am here, telling them I had started out this morning from the Pacific Coast Highway area and was hiking through to my pickup point. Reagan’s original warm greeting and smile now turns to a scowl and marked displeasure. Questions and comments ensue: “Why does the county need a road here?” “You’re just going to interfere and mess up all the good equestrian trails by building a road that is not needed and nobody wants.” “All you guys want to do is pave over everything.” And, “It will never happen if I have anything to say about it.”
