My First P-Ranch Trip

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I never thought that I would get the chance to travel as much as I have since high school, but I have. I also never dreamed that I would get so involved with a TV show, or get the chance to meet so many people from all over the world through a medium known as a computer, but I have. Still, nothing could have prepared me for the joy I experienced when I flew out to California in May of 1997 with a friend. We had joked about taking this trip, but it didn't become a reality until this year.

After she met me at the airport, we drove to her house. That night when I went to unpack, she told me to be sure to leave out good walking shoes and my cowboy hat. She had asked me to bring my entire Dr. Quinn outfit so that she could see me in it, but at the time I didn't think anything of it. We got in the car the next day and drove west on 101 toward Agoura. She said we were going to visit some friends of hers, and that they were on a large amount of land, so I would need comfortable shoes as we would be doing a lot of walking. Sneaky, isn't she?

Well, I was watching the signs, and I saw Agoura flash by. There are four exits off 101 to Agoura, and I passingly thought about how close I was to the set of Dr. Quinn. Never, in a million years, did I dream that she would make that next right turn and begin driving into Agoura! I looked at her when she got off the highway. She had a smirk on her face. I knew where we were going, now, but I still could hardly believe it, nor could I contain my excitement.

When we pulled into the part of the Santa Monica National Park where the "Western Town" sat, I was in awe that were were actually here. I got out as if in a trance, and she led us up to the production office. She had managed to get us guest passes for the week since she knew several people there and had been there very often, and we had to pick them up in the office. We attached our passes and proceeded to walk over the bridge and into the past!

The first thing I saw was the Meadow which included the Church, the cemetery and Schoolhouse. Then, I looked to my right and saw the various buildings which weren't really anything, in particular, but one was the Josef Quinn Memorial Library, and the rest were the ones used as fake establishments in "The Train" when Jake, Loren and Hank wanted to convince the train officials that their town was very civilized and high-class. From there, I continued around the corner to the right and saw the main street which led directly to the Bray's Mercantile. The Telegraph office and Clinic were on my left and the Saloon was on my right. There was a lot of activity in the middle of the street, and I realized that they were getting set up to film a scene there, so I steered clear of it and continued walked around the other side of the Telegraph Office where I ran into Grace's Cafe. There were a lot of people sitting at the tables, and I would later find out that they were background actors and various members of the crew.

My friend told me that she was going to go talk to some people she recognized, and I told her that I was going to walk around a little, but wouldn't go far. I was in such shock that I was actually there that I didn't pay attention to where I was going. I didn't notice anyone else around, nor did I notice that I was actually headed straight for the fence which separates the Meadow from the rest of town. I would have run right into it if it weren't for the nice man who stepped into my path to stop my progress. I nearly lost my footing, and he put his hands on my arms to steady me, making sure that I was all right. My eyes were looking down at the ground at this time, so my first view was of his feet, clad in mocassins. I raised my eyes to catch a glimpse of the buckskin pants and jacket and blue-striped shirt, before my mind communicated to me exactly who I had hit!

SULLY! -- JOE LANDO!

Now, I am known for thinking quick on my feet and making spur-of-the-moment comments, and this was no exception. When Joe was sure that I would stand on my own, he dropped his hands, and said, "Are you okay?" I said, "Yes, Joe, thank you," then looked him in the eyes to assure him that I was fine. He laughed and said, "Well, it's pointless for me to introduce myself, so might I have the pleasure of your introduction?" His question completely shocked me! After watching him on TV and hearing him as "Sully," it was strange hearing him speak in such a formal manner. It took me a moment to recover from the shock before I answered him. "Tiffany Miller," I told him, "from Delaware." He was amazed that I had come so far, and I told him about my friend. He said that he had seen her, when I pointed her out to him, and then noticed the guest pass pinned on my shirt. "Oh, you're the two with the guest passes this week!" I nodded as he smiled and said, "So, I guess I'll be seeing you around all week, right?" I replied, "Well, yes, provided that I don't injure myself by running into anyone else!" At this, he laughed, making me smile too.

Someone from up the street called his name. He yelled back that he would be there in a minute, since he was talking. Wow! I felt special with Joe telling the crew to wait until he had finished talking to me! That was really nice of him, since he certainly didn't have to do that. The rest of our conversation was just basic stuff. He asked me how I had heard about DQ, and I told him about it being a Saturday night event at the college where I went as well as the girls introducing me to the show, then told him about the DQ-List at which his eyes lit up, and he asked, "You belong to the internet discussion list?" I nodded and he said, "Well, that's great! I've met others from that group and they've always been great to talk to. You know I would prefer to meet fans like this," to which I replied, "What? Being run over by them?" and he laughed again. "No, one on one and not having to deal with being crowded by everyone wanting me to sign my autograph or take a picture. It's much nicer when I can talk and take the pictures or sign autographs with smaller groups. Besides, if I hadn't stopped you a few minutes ago, you would have run into the fence!" At this, I blushed, but he smiled and said that he understood why felt the way I did.

Then, he said that he would see me later, waved, and walked off to where the cameras and crew and other cast were. My friend came up and was very impressed that I had managed to keep my cool long enough to talk to Joe that long. I then exclaimed, "I just spoke with Joe Lando!" She laughed and realized that I was in shock during the entire conversation, but had recovered when he walked away.

Well, from there, I was introduced to various members of the crew and some of the cast that weren't filming the scene. Another interesting meeting was at lunch the next day. We were able to eat in the pavilion with the cast and crew and some of the other visitors. I was standing in line at one of the tables with food, talking to a crew member I had met yesterday, when a hand reached by me to get some celery and carrots and other vegetables. She said, "Pardon me," and I knew from the British accent who it was. "Here, Jane, let me get that for you," I offered and handed the water bottle to her. She thanked me, then noticed my name badge. "Oh, Tiffany! You're the one who ran into Joe yesterday!"

I could hardly believe it! He actually told someone? I was so embarrassed, and the red that covered my face showed it. She smiled and said, "Don't worry. More embarassing things have happened to other guests than that, so you're not alone." At this, I felt a little better, but still couldn't believe that Jane had heard about my meeting with Joe. She then asked me if I had a table and invited me to come sit with her and Joe, and some other cast members. I accepted, of course, then waved my friend over to join us. I looked down and across the table at William (Hank), Henry (Robert E), Barbara (Dorothy), Larry (Cloud Dancing), Brandon (Dr. Cook), Jason (Preston), and Beth Sullivan, then glanced around at some other crew members, whose names I don't remember.

I didn't have to introduce myself, since everyone there had heard my story of meeting Joe, so I sat in silence and ate. A few times, someone would ask me a question or I would comment on something that was said, but other than that, it was an enjoyable lunch and a welcome relief from the heat. Very soon after, break ended, and everyone went back to work. I was still amazed at how crowded the streets got with cameras, crew, actors, lights, make-up people, etc. It's amazing how big everything looks on TV, when in reality, it's rather small.

The next day, I was sitting with two other ladies I'd met that week when William Shockley (Hank) came over and began chatting with us. It didn't take long for John Schneider (Daniel) to join us, and upon seeing William with the four of us, he remarked, "Is this your harem, Hank?" to which William replied, "Sure is! Sorry, pal. No more members welcome," and clapped John on the back. What a ham!

For the rest of the week, I switched from watching the filming (they were filming Safe Passage), exploring the set, and talking with various people who were around. I was also privileged to see the antics of Joe Lando, Larry Sellers, Orson Bean and Brandon Douglas, all cutting up and clowning around during a break from filming. By the end of the week, I had pictures with just about all of the cast, some of the crew, and a lot of pictures of the various buildings, plus the Homestead (old and new) and train and other shots which were used in DQ. All in all, it was an exciting week, and I left with such a feeling of awe at the great sense of "family" that was so evident. Beth Sullivan was right, they are all very close.

That Saturday, we went out to Malibu Creek State Park to see all of the areas used in the filming, as well, and I was again amazed at how close everything was. It's amazing what a camera angle can hide! Well, I took an entire roll of film here, then explored for the rest of the day, trying to see how many places I could recognize.

All too soon, the week was over, and we returned to home. The rest of the month, my friend showed me around LA, took me to all kinds of places, including a drive-by of Joe Lando's and Jane Seymour's homes, as well as several other celebrities, and gave me souveniers of many things. It was one of the best weeks of my life, next to Star Week.

I hope you enjoyed reading this. Thank you for letting me share my story. It was a lot of fun, and if you ever have the chance to get out to the set, whether they are there or not, do it! You'll never regret it.