We all have those bucket lists, and we may even get to fulfill some of them. At the end of 2023 we got to check a big one off our list.

Escapees Tournament of Roses HOP

We booked a trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade with Escapees RV Tours in March. Little did we know that just two months later, I would be diagnosed with breast cancer. With the help of my medical team, and with me choosing the path I did, we were able to make the journey from Ohio to California for this amazing experience.

Pre-Rally Experience

We arrived at Valencia Travel RV Village early so that we could explore the area. There was so much to see and do, but we chose two awesome experiences.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

We traveled to the top of a mountain overlooking Simi Valley to experience this incredible national treasure. Along with a traveling exhibit about Auschwitz, there was a festive hallway featuring 26 Christmas trees decorated by the 26 countries Reagan visited while President.

The museum also chronicles the late president’s life from early radio, through television and movies, his time as Governor of California, President of the United States and culminating in his later years and subsequent passing at the age of 93.

If you go, we recommend purchasing your tickets online here.

Take a Tour of the Rose Bowl

We took a tour of this iconic stadium that hosts “The Granddady of Them All” each year on January 1. We love being able to tour different venues when we’re traveling and this one was no exception.

While we couldn’t walk on the historic field because they were painting it for the Rose Bowl game, we definitely got up close and personal.

This is another one where you’ll want to get your tickets early, especially if you’re going anywhere near the week of the Tournament of Roses. Go here for all the details.

Our Walking Tour of the Rose Bowl

Conclusion

These were two unexpected experiences, and we were so glad to did them both. If you find yourself in the Santa Clarita area, definitely put these on your list.

Our next post will be all about our experience with the Escapees Tournament of Roses HOP.

We’re Mike & Jennifer Skinnell, and together we are The Rambling Quilter. We travel the country full-time in our 41ft. fifth-wheel pulled by our F-350 – affectionately named Beauty & The Beast. Jennifer writes our blog, travel articles, contemporary romance, cozy mysteries, and “Don’t Wait – Our Full-Time Journey Through Breast Cancer”. Our blog is purely for information and entertainment purposes. However, if you’d like to support Jennifer’s writing career, her author link to her books is below.