Before each trip, you will need to complete and sign a liability waiver form.  This form can be downloaded by clicking here.

The Modjeska House and Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary
Tuesday, May 20 • 9:00 a.m. • Depart Parking Lot A   
Leader: Will Cornell
Return about 4:00 p.m.
Arden, the Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens, was the home of the world-renowned Shakespearean actress Helena Modjeska from 1888 until 1906. Helena came to America from Poland with her husband, Charles Bozenta Chlaplowski and friends in 1876 to form an agricultural colony in Anaheim. Their colony failed after only a short time, however, Helena quickly learned English and began performing on the American stage. Helena performed in theatres across the United States with her husband traveling by her side for the next two decades. In the off-season the couple made their home in this wooded canyon where they created an idyllic retreat which they named Arden, for the forest setting of Shakespeare's play, As You Like It.
Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is a 12-acre non-profit nature preserve, located in the heart of Modjeska Canyon adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest. It is owned and operated by California State University, Fullerton and its College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. In addition to serving as a research center for Cal State Fullerton students, faculty and others, Tucker is open to the public to enjoy and learn about the local wildlife and natural habitat in the Southern California canyon area. Tucker's facilities include a small natural history museum/interpretive center, two ponds, a bird observation porch and feeders, relaxing patio and picnic areas, a small amphitheater, a caretaker's house, hiking trails, a gift shop, restrooms and an ample visitor parking lot.

Sherman Gardens / Mission San Juan Capistrano
Wednesday, June 18 • 9:00 a.m. • Depart Parking Lot A
Leader: Will Cornell
Return about 4:30 p.m.
Sherman Gardens is a 2.2 acre Corona del Mar horticultural retreat. The Gardens provide a museum of living plants, displayed amidst a setting of immaculate gardens, patios and conservatories linked together by wide brick walkways, beds blooming with seasonal flowers and bubbling tile fountains.
Called the "Jewel of the Missions" Mission San Juan Capistrano is probably the best known of all the California missions. In 1796 work was begun on a large stone church that was to be the most magnificent of all the California mission churches. Under the guidance of an expert stonemason from Mexico, the natives transported the stones from a quarry six miles away. Nine years later the church was completed. The Great Stone church was built in the shape of a cross, 180 feet long and 40 feet wide. Above the front entrance is a 120 foot tall bell tower that could be seen for miles. Today the mission is a major attraction in Southern California with buses full of tourist and school children arriving every day to enjoy the beautiful gardens and take in the sights of the mission.

Los Angeles Zoo
Wednesday, July 16 • 8:30 a.m. • Depart Parking Lot A
Leader: Will Cornell
Return about 6:00 p.m.
The Los Angeles Zoo is the fourth zoo to serve the city. In 1885 the City-owned Eastlake Zoo opened in East Los Angeles Park. In 1912 the Griffith Park Zoo opened (a few miles from the current Los Angeles Zoo site) with 15 animals. In 1915 “Colonel” William Selig opened his combination movie studio and zoo, the Selig Zoo, in Lincoln Park, but by 1956, the citizens of Los Angeles realized their city had outgrown the small Griffith Park Zoo and passed a $6.6 million bond measure to help build a new one. The birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and the botanical gardens at the LA Zoo are a wonderful treasure for the citizens of Los Angeles. We too can take advantage of this resource that is so close to us. Join us on a visit to the Zoo.

Autry National Center and Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles
Wednesday, August 6 • 12:00 Noon • Depart Parking Lot A
Leader: Will Cornell 
Return about 9:00 p.m.
During the spring and summer the Autry National Center will premiere Cowboys and Presidents. This national traveling show will explore the fascinating and ongoing intersection of cowboy culture and presidential politics from Theodore Roosevelt to George W. Bush. The exhibit will explain how the presidency became intertwined with the emerging image of a heroic American cowboy at the turn of the twentieth century, and will explore the ways that U.S. Presidents have used this powerful iconographic symbol to define themselves and their administrations to the nation and the world. It will also show how the press, foreign governments, and domestic political opponents have found cowboy imagery useful in criticizing presidential policy and leadership. Last year we went for a daytime visit to the Griffith Observatory which reopened in November 2006 after a $93 million makeover. There were many members who were not able to come on that visit, so we are planning another, this time trying to take in some of the evening attractions. Getting there appears to be easier now after the initial surge of visitors, and there is no need to change to smaller shuttle buses.