Bob had to go into work the morning of Thursday, October 9, 2008, so I was able to sleep in a bit and have time to tinker around on his computer and peruse a stack of materials he left me to root through and see if I wanted. He had also been kind enough to pick me up a breakfast burrito to microwave and enjoy. That Bob…what a pal! (Even if no David Garrison…) He got home about 11:30am or so and by noon we were on our way to our first adventure of the day. I made sure to pose with the gate before leaving his house…saying goodbye to it until my next return to California.
Showing Bob how to properly handle this gate
Our destination that afternoon was the Santa Anita Park, a historic thoroughbred horse racetrack in Arcadia, which is located a little less than an hour away from Bob’s house in San Bernardino. Set against the scenic backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, it had opened in 1934 with one of the original investors in the track being Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang producer Hal Roach. The track had also been used in the Marx Brothers film A Day at the Races. I had gotten a tour of the park during an earlier visit, but his was my first time for actually attending a horse race.
Outside the art deco exterior of Santa Anita
Horses whiz by under the lovely San Gabriel Mountains
The horses march in the fourth race of the day
We were meeting Bob’s father Lyle and wife Catherine here for lunch in the prestigious turf club. Lyle is a member of the club and we were forced to wear jackets to enter. It was rather warm out so no one seemed to mind that we quickly abandoned them. Luckily I had borrowed one from Jimmy for just this occasion. Lyle’s caregiver Efren also joined us.
Efren, me, Bob, Catherine, and Lyle enjoying a nice trackside lunch
I had the reuben sandwich for lunch and an ice cream sundae topper, both of which Lyle treated us to. I quite enjoyed the atmosphere of the races and even placed my first bet – $2 on Ella Enchanted to win. I lost…but at least I did have the hang of it, as she actually came in third.
Placing my first horserace bet
In addition to the good company of Bob’s family, I also got to meet some other interesting individuals. Certain celebrities often frequent the Turf Club, but unfortunately we didn’t get to see Mel Brooks or Joe Pesci. I did however get to briefly schmooze with Dick Van Patten. That encounter can further be explored here.
Also stopping by our table to chat was Jay Cohen (seen with me at the top of the posting), the trumpeter who plays the Call of the Post at the beginning of each race. He has played this in total over 75,000 times. He generally makes his way around the club chatting and joking with the guests, handing out signed postcards.
Signed photo of Jay Cohen
And last but not least, Bob and I went in search of Eddie Logan, a self-professed footman (shoe shiner), who has worked at the racetrack since its inception. At 98 years old, he was still shining shoes. Bob and I tried to get him to reminisce about Hal Roach, but somehow the subject kept getting changed to J. Edgar Hoover. His daughter was with him and claimed that he had a scrapbook with lots of pictures of him with vintage celebrities.
A couple of months later, Eddie was honored with a stakes race in his name on December 30. One month later, Eddie passed away on January 31. Although he really didn’t have any coherent stories to relate, it was certainly an honor to meet him.
With 98-year old footman Eddie Logan
Bob and I took off at about 3:30 to embark on the next leg of our adventure. The destination was Lone Pine, California, which was located about 200 miles north of the Los Angeles area. The drive was about a little over three hours long.
When we arrived in the area, we stopped at the High Sierra Cafe, where I enjoyed a hearty mushroom and swiss burger. It was obvious right away that this was an amazingly scenic area, which had been utilized in countless western films over the years. Much more will be said about the town and our time there over the next couple of postings.
Ready to dine in Lone Pine
Bob indicates the Lone Pine Film Festival brochure
We didn’t actually stay in Lone Pine, but rather in the next little town north of it — Independence, located about fifteen miles north. We lodged in a quaint little efficiency called the Courthouse Motel. After the long drive, dinner, and the short jaunt to our lodging, it was nice to settle in by about 8:30, watch as much TV as Bob could stand, and then doze off at a relatively early hour.
Our time in Lone Pine will continue…
I am so glad you were able to “master” the gate this time!
Bob
April 3rd, 2009