OK, some might not consider traveling miles and miles to meet some actors from a 1970s TV show a dream, but I do. Are you kidding me?! I am SO excited that this weekend is finally here! I've been counting down for months and months, planning, and sometimes panicking that I'd forget (seriously? I know.). I packed my suitcase tonight and made DOUBLE sure that my photo of "Johnny and Roy" is packed and packed SAFELY. I bet my friend Kelly never knew that when she gave me that photo for my birthday, that it would go any further than on my office cubicle. And now it's traveling with me to California to get signed by Randolph Mantooth (aka PM Firefighter "Johnny Gage"), YOW!!!! I'm actually excited that I chose to drive there versus fly. I get to go through two NM towns that I haven't seen in all my years here and Flagstaff, AZ. I've always wanted to go there. I'm booked in at the recommended 'host' hotel along with many other crazy Emergency! fans like me I'm sure. The main event is Saturday, including a poolside mixer (that just sounds fun already!) in the evening. Just think, I'll get to mingle with other dorky fans like myself after spending a day seeing the actual fire station and trucks, and meeting some of the actors. I loved Johnny Gage and although he's much older now (let's face it, so am I!), he's still that cute, quircky paramedic from 1970-something that I loved to watch each week. I can't wait to see what all of the other fans are like...is it going to be nutty or normal? I imagine there will be a lot of healthcare people who were inspired to become a firefighter, paramedic, MD, nurse, etc. because of the show. I didn't realize that firefighter/paramedics still exist but I keep seeing them here in town (see the photo up top). How cool! I just assumed they were two separate professions now. Nope. Stay tuned for photos and updates!
to a weekend in Santa Fe. I should do this more often! Inspired by my brilliant friend Maria who does this sort of thing at Tamaya Resort now and then. One decadent night at the El Dorado Hotel, a long stroll on the plaza (busy weekend because the Spanish Market is happening), dinner at La Casa Sena (La Cantina...fun dinner show), and a massage tomorrow with Navajo herbs blended by a medicine woman. Maybe a bite at the Cowgirl Cafe before heading back to ABQ tomorrow as well. Best idea ever. I love Santa Fe.
I loved my Emergency! weekend in L.A. county!!!! Seriously, I have no idea why being a crazy fan and hanging out at a 70s TV show event was so incredible but it was. It was just so much fun. The drive was long but I loved touring through new towns I hadn't seen, eating road trip food, and just feeling the freedom that a road trip brings with it. I was so excited and worked up by the time I got to Carson, CA. We immediately drove to the station house (Station 127 in real life) and to UCLA Harbor General Hospital (aka "Rampart"). I was doing a happy dance in front of the station. Waiting for the next day (event day) was like waiting for Christmas!!!! The security guys at the hospital thought I was a nut job bringing my camera in with me and they made me put it in the car before entering the hospital. I've learned that the outside of the hospital is probably all that they used for filming but it was still cool to wander through it. And we lucked out on event day. They expected maybe 1,000 people and there were about 3-4 times that many! We decided to walk to the event which was a blessing in disguise. We managed to get right in front of the station in the event area and watched everyone else who took the shuttle wait in a big line. They weren't allowed near the fire station until after the unveiling of the fire engine and squad car. But I was right there! Which meant I got to see it all up close and take great photos before the area and vehicles were swarmed with fans. AND the best part? We got into the line for souvenirs early without knowing that Randolph Mantooth and Mike Stoker were at the end signing autographs. We only waited about 20 minutes and everyone else had to wait 3 HOURS in line. The line up didn't stop until 4:00 when the place shut down. But these guys were true to their fans and didn't leave until everyone had their autographs. The pool mixer was OK, met a great guy (ex state trooper of 26 years from S.C.) who hooked me up with a great book (a must buy for any fan) AND told us that the squad was driven to the hotel and IN the hotel. He directed us to a set of double doors and I nearly peed my pants. More up close and personal time with the squad car and the event guy even let me close to it and use the biophone that was used on the show. We sat and watched DVDs of the show on big screen in the same room as the squad and drank champagne. GREAT day. My only regret is that I didn't pay the $60 and write in about being the biggest fan. There were only 13 people who did and because there were so few...they all got a special plaque and driven in engine 51. The biggest fan (proudly from St. Albert, Alberta and fellow Canadian) won a Station 51 fireman hat and ride in the squad car! I figured I'd never win but should have tried anyway, dang it. That was my only sore point. The money goes to a good cause, restoration of engine 51. We toured the L.A. County Fire Museum the next day which was cool. I think we left that too early and missed more fan rides in the SQUAD but I'm blocking that out of my mind. Aaaagh...I would have LOVED that). But it was still the best weekend ever. THE BEST!!!!
