Rose Bowl Parade and More...

Day One
We boarded our private chartered bus, sat back and relaxed as we left on our exciting, long weekend.

Along the way we took a spin to the top of the 10,804 feet high San Jacinto Mountain near Palm Springs on the world's largest rotating tram car. We had an early dinner at the Top of the Tram Restaurant while enjoying spectacular views of the city below.

Early in the evening we arrived at the Courtyard Hotel in San Gabriel Valley, Baldwin Park -- our home for the next four nights.

Day Two
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel we had a guided tour of the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Rather than duplicate traditional designs, the Cathedral is a new and vibrant expression of the 21st century. A dynamic contemporary cathedral, it reflects the diversity of all people. With virtually no right angles, the Cathedral has a feeling of mystery and an aura of majesty.

In the afternoon we visited Huntington Museum and Botanical Garden. The gallery is the original Huntington residence. The collection contains one of the country's most comprehensive collections of 18th and 19th century British and French art. It is the home of Gainsborough's Blue Boy and Lawrence's Pinkie. A special exhibit tracing The Bible and the People, explores the ways the Bible was adapted to the needs of a variety of readers from the Middle Ages to the present day. Included in the exhibition are medieval manuscript Bibles, the Gutenberg Bible, the Native American Kitto Bible, and reproductions of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Henry Huntington began developing the Botanical Gardens in 1903. They now span nearly 150 acres with sweeping lawns and vistas accented with statues.

Day Three
This morning we saw the Walt Disney Concert Hall. A 60-minute guided tour offered highlights of the unusual architecture and garden. Of particular note is a tracker organ built by Manuel Rosales with pipes that resembles a carton of French fries. The mechanical design, construction, tuning and voicing is the result of collaboration by two internationally known pipe organ builders: Glatter-Gotz Orgelbau in Germany and Rosales Organ Builders in Los Angeles.

In the afternoon it was lights, camera, and action at Universal Studios. We were taken behind the scenes of a major film and TV studio. A narrated tour by tram showed us where and how movies are made. We saw props, sound stages, demonstrations of special effects and sets from such films as Jurassic Park.

Day Four
We ooh'ed and aah'ed at the incredible flowered-floats, clapped with the bands, and enjoyed the many other exciting performers in the famous Rose Parade in Pasadena. The theme that year was "Celebrate Family." Our reserved, grandstand seats were near the beginning of the parade. After returning to the bus, we had a boxed lunch.

That afternoon we were treated to a close-up view of the extraordinary floats on display at Victory Park.

Day 5
After breakfast, we checked out of our hotel and began the return trip. A rest stop allowed shopping at the world-class Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon. Options included designer boutiques, art galleries, salons, specialty department stores, food courts, sporting goods, children's toys and clothing, books, and fine jewelry.

After our fun shopping spree, we departed for Scottsdale with fine memories of new friends and delightful experiences. (B)