JANUARY 6, 2013 ~ DAY 1
It was the week before the official Memorial Week honoring Michael Jackson's life. I had a guest coming from Ireland and we planned on doing some Michaeling before the main week that would be full of other activities. Our big trip was going to be heading to Neverland, we planned on driving up to the top of the mountain in the Los Padres National Forest above Neverland to spend the night. We were looking forward to watching the sunset and the sun rise the next morning over Neverland.
Neverland of course wasn't going to be our first stop. On the way to Neverland, we went about 70 miles out of our way to the Santa Maria Courthouse, where Michael was found innocent of all counts in the 2005 trial. We planned on leaving our messages of love for Michael painted on some river rock, we also painted some rocks for MJ fans from other countries, that could not be there. We then left our rock messages in the courtyard around the doors Michael had entered everyday at that horrible time, our hearts were heavy with sadness, but we were happy to leave our reminders of Love for all to see. We wanted to be sure that Michael and that horrible time will never be forgotten. Neverland is now in our sights as we head off down the road. First stop before leaving Santa Maria was to pick up some KFC to take with us for dinner at sunset. We soon were disappointed when we could not find the Kentucky Fried Chicken place, we didn't find out till we got to Los Olivos, that they had closed the KFC in Santa Maria. This made me so sad, because it had become a tradition with me to get the box lunch with extra crispy chicken and enjoy eating this while sitting on the grass under the beautiful trees outside the gates leading to Neverland.
By the time we got to Los Olivos, it was starting to begin twilight time and the sun would soon be setting. We headed to a little market to pick up something to take with us to eat, for when we arrived at our final destination for the night. It was Friday night and they were serving their famous BarBQ Tri-tip sandwiches at the market, so I grabbed one and something to drink. The gentlemen at the counter asked us where we were headed, we happily told him we were off to spend the night in the mountains above Neverland. You should of seen the look on his face, you could tell he was concerned for us, two girls out in the wilderness alone. He tried to offer us money to go stay in a hotel, but I am a camper from way back and spending the night in the mountains was a pleasure for me...no hotel here!
Now as we drove down the road, we had to watch the sunset from the bottom of the mountain as we were running a little behind in our plan. We left the market and I some how got turned around, well it wasn't so easy finding the turn off to Neverland in the dark and of course we missed it. By the time we found it & turned the corner, we were so happy & laughing. That's when, I look in the rear view mirror & I see police lights flashing in my rear view mirror. Ma Li & I look at each other laughing, wondering why? I roll down my window & the first thing I said to this hunk of a good looking police officer is " Is this the road to Neverland?" He say's "yes, but there is nothing there." We just say "we know!!" I ask "did I do something wrong?" I'm thinking he probably saw me driving slowly on the side of the road, letting the speed demons by, while trying to find the street in the dark, he probably thought I was some drunk driver. He just says "you have a light out on your license plate". I just said thanks, it's a rental car. Next he asks...any alcohol? I say nope, but he proceeds to give me the flashlight eye test. It was to funny...he says watch my finger as he moves it back & forth, so I turn my head side to side following his finger. Giggling, because I've never done this before. He says "no hold your head still & only let your eyes follow my finger" Me duh!! Once I got what he wanted me to do, I passed with flying colors. He sent us on our way, not knowing what we were really up to. We stopped briefly as we passed the security gates to Neverland. We are now on a paved road that head's up the mountain. After awhile it turns into a dirt road, now I am wishing I was in a 4-wheeler instead of a Rent a Wreck rental car, but we continued up and up this dark road now turned into dirt, filled with plenty of bumps. I am just thinking in my mind, I hope this Rent a Wreck holds up! The road seemed endless, not knowing where we were going or where we would end up. After what seemed like hours of driving, I finally think in this dark, I have found the perfect spot. We are now out of the car and my friend Li is now getting a little scared, every time she hears a rustling in the grass, she is flashing her flashlight, as it was definitely pitch black in the darkness. I'm laughing and spreading out a blanket, to sit and enjoy eating my sandwich I had purchased for dinner at the market & a night cap. I had heard later, that Michael occasionally enjoyed this same sandwich, so I was happy to be enjoying it. Sitting under the brilliant stars, we laughed and talked until about 2am. I was just so happy to be sitting there thinking about Michael and sharing the same night sky and stars that he had enjoyed. We soon climbed in the car and tried to find a way to sleep.
We woke up just in time, to watch a beautiful sunrise over the mountains of Neverland. We had stopped in the perfect spot, as I looked towards the sunrise, I could see probably the same road we were on, heading down into a valley. When you looked to the side of Neverland, the clouds of fog that had rolled over the valley was looking like a sea, with mountain tops peaking through...it was so beautiful. We had stopped in the perfect spot. I'm sure Michael & Frank Cascio had rode quads up that same road & may have stopped in the same place and spent the night talking, under those same beautiful stars. it was a night I will always cherish in my heart. The next morning as were watching the sunrise, I took a little walk and along the way I stumbled upon a heart shaped rock, for me that was a sign of Michael sending his love. Thank you Michael for the wonderful experiences you bring into our lives, as we continue our search to be close to you in anyway we can. Miss you Michael Jackson with all our hearts. <3
