Mark rose early and disappeared off to the local laundromat whilst the children and I got up slowly and did some ‘tentwork’. The day began with glorious blue skies, rising temperatures and a welcome breeze – we’re back in screenplay territory which was very pertinent as we decide to follow the trail to the M*A*S*H set. Yes, just like everything else in this area, the state park has some serious Hollywood glitz to it. Originally a very upmarket country club for wealthy businessmen, it was bought by 20th Century Fox in 1946 who spotted its potential as a dramatic outdoor film location a stone’s throw from Hollywood. It was renamed Century Ranch and used for films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Some Like it Hot, Planet of the Apes, Roots, numerous Tarzan films and, most famously, as the army hospital base in Korea for the film and TV series M*A*S*H. So, we followed the five mile round trip route to the location of the set, stopping for dips in the lakes and rivers to revive the boys in the 89 degree plus temperatures. It was all worth it; the set is deep in the heart of the lush green mountains and made the perfect picnic spot, complete with rusting old ambulance, a defunct helipad and the ubiquitous wooden sign.
We returned back to camp and, after a reviving cup of tea, headed out for a quick stint in Starbucks to catch up on emails and to the supermarket for Merryn and Tristan to shop for the barbecue chicken they were preparing for supper. The perfect end to a perfect day.
Today’s Tune: Suicide is Painless, the theme music to M*A*S*H
Wildlife Watch: Ground squirrels, mule deer, lots of lizards and an exceedingly large toad – or was it a frog? – basking next to the river.
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