Up early, but took longer to be on my way, about 0730hrs, than had hoped for. Texted to my long distance travel contact, Christine
Bentley-Johnston, and couple of other people. Drove down via I 5. One thing
that always gets me is how mountainous Southern California is and lots of
houses on the mountainsides. Sure main part of LA is in valley, but so much in
foothills and further into the mountains.
Arrived at first
stop, Mountain View Cemetery Altadena, about 1400hrs. There were a couple of
gentlemen at the gate to direct people to a funeral and were able to provided
me the map and info I needed to find the Rice plots.
The map has ‘street names’, there are however no street
signs. One must follow the curves of street and count intersections. I found
the plots for the Rice family in two different rows. Virgil and Eleanor are
feet to feet, not next to each other. I was a little stiff from driving and
couldn’t clean off the markers very
well. I took some pictures of just the markers and then wider views of the
area. There are trees nearby, so they are in shaded area. Went back to front
gate area and took pictures there, before leaving for next stop.
There was some traffic on last part of drive through the
pass and increased as got closer to more populated area. It was interesting
finding Glendale Forest Lawn, there was more traffic and I was less sure of the
exact way to get there.
It was even more interesting trying to
find the Lloyd plots. Glendale Forest Lawn is bigger than Mountain View
cemetery. I was given two maps, one of the whole place and a section map with just
the section with plot location. The small section map had no context on it, no
street name or anything, just the way the road curved. There are no clear
markers on the grounds to see where the sections are. There are no street name
signs, just signs pointing out where this/that statue/stained glass window is.
When finally figured out where the map was directing me and got there – it did
not fit with my memory at all. Getting old and it was 1995, but still not close
to memory. Looked more closely at the map and the plot number was different
from what I had given the lady at the gate, one number was switched.
There was an exhibit of Disney art in the museum, so I
thought I would try to find the museum before going back to front gate to get
map with correct plot number. The museum did show up on the direction signs at
two intersections. However, I never did find it; perhaps the museum building
does not have a sign in front and I just drove pass without realizing it. I was
really getting frustrated. I know how to use maps. I rarely get lost. I was
having difficult time at Glendale Forest Lawn with their maps. It was getting
late and I wanted to get to hotel before dark which comes too early at this time
of year. I found my way to the front gate and went inside and got correct plot
number map. She turned her computer screen around so I could see the context.
There was still some difficulty locating the correct area without clearly
visible section markers. Finally found the two plots while wearing the wrong
shoes to be walking on a hill. Got my pictures and headed out to find the
hotel.
I made the mistake of letting my local contact know I was
at Glendale Forest Lawn when I first got there, that started exchange of texts
about meeting up that evening. After all the frustration of locating plots, I
was reluctant to agree, just wanted to get to room and kinda crash. While
driving to hotel my roommate texted that she was there and we had a wonderful
view.
The traffic was getting worse with people leaving work.
The street maps I had did not cover the area from cemetery to hotel. I had to
kind of put it together from the bigger area maps. Stress rising. Traffic
getting heavier and less forgiving of tourist that doesn’t know where she is
exactly or exactly how to get to where she needs to be. Trying to get to hotel
when said I would. Did I mention the TRAFFIC? And still getting texts about
meeting up with folks…I did not read while driving only when stopped at lights.
They don’t have protected left turns…how backwards is this strange place? I
managed to retain enough cool and not tell the coordinator to jump off a bridge
and just let me get to hotel before asking anything more from me. My sense of
direction and filling in the missing part of map had returned and I found the
hotel. Only to realize I had not checked map or hotel info on where entrance
was. Drove one block past and made left turns until found entrance. I would
have been happy dancing if not so tired.
At the time this was nearing overwhelming stress, but I
did see some humor in the situation as well, even more of that now as looking
back. I hope that humor comes through in my words at least a little bit.
Valet parking, no option, horrors! doing without easy and
immediate access to my car! Got stuff needed unloaded and got checked in. Room
did have a great view – Chinese Theater across the street. Nice to see Sharon
again. Got a text that Jack Morrissey had arrived with some FTF folks. Went down and got
my catalogs from him as I opted to save shipping cost. Greeted the FTF folks.
Invited to dinner, opted out – didn’t want to drive, couldn’t wait that long
for food, wanted less expensive option. The wait that long was prime
consideration, felt needed food and rather soon. Took about 30 minutes to get
settled a little in room and Sharon and I went out on foot to hunt for
food. Headed toward a McDonald’s but saw
Mel’s Diner down half a block. We both had a nice dinner
there. We caught up, talked about the upcoming auction and what we wanted. Back to
room and bed early.
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