will rogers and other stars
After brunch this morning, we took a little trip to Will Rogers State Historical Park (only in California, eh?) so Leah could recharge her tired spirit by taking in some natural beauty. I like natural beauty too, of course, but I haven't been in LA as long so I don't need it as desperately. It was really nice up there on the former estate of the famed cowboy actor (at least, I think that's what he is: I had to look him up on Google), and even though we only got to spend about 20 minutes up there (and $5 dollars, which I happily donate to the State of California's park system) because we (both of us) had to go to work, we were quite refreshed and delighted.
And for all the Will Rogers business and 'visit a real movie star's home' hype, the scene was pretty much like you'd expect at any state park anywhere in the country, with suitable adjustments for climate and disgusting overdevelopment of truly marginal canyon land. Which is, when you get down to it, what LA is like all over: it's different from New England, sure, but not cause there's a star on every corner. Far from it! Most of Los Angeles, I'd even venture to say, is less glamorous than an average neighborhood in Bangor Maine. Well... that might be going a bit too far. But still, it I'd say that the folks who read things like that seeing-stars website and come out here with a desire to see nothing but 'movie stuff' are in for a considerable disappointment.
Though, what do I know? Maybe there really are stars all over the place, and I just haven't noticed! After all, I'm probably the least-qualified star-spotter you could find, so the place could be crawling with famous names and I wouldn't even notice! And, now that I think about it, Leah is like best buddies with David Duchovney, and she (and this week I as well) work with Michelle Harrison, star of stage and screen--I mean, star of movie screen and tv screen--so perhaps I'm a bit too hasty in dismissing the allure LA ought to hold to celebrity-seekers. And now I'm qualified to help them in their quest! Available now, for a limited time only: maps to the grounds of Will Roger's old house, and Michelle Harrison's appartment!