Wonder Valley

This is a letter that Leslie Van Houten had written to me on September 28, 2005.

This was after I had already returned home to New York from my trip to Chatsworth California in late August of 2005.

This is an interesting letter because Leslie is looking back at pictures of the town of Monrovia where she grew up and she’s looking back on her early days before her life would be thrown into turmoil.

It’s the human side of her that many people just don’t get to see for themselves.

The reference to the “Gate and the Benches” are items that are at the old Spahn Ranch site now that were not there in Leslie’s time at the Spahn Ranch.

Also, on Page 2, Leslie comments about a smudge mark being on the paper that was put there when she was eating some pepperoni food item. I like how she’s a stickler for details

Also, the “Mark Twain” reference is about a statue of Mark Twain sitting on a bench that i saw across from a Pizza Parlor on Myrtle Avenue that i stopped off at to grab a bite to eat.

The reference to “The Shirt” is about the Light Blue Patterened shirt that i had on in the photographs that i sent to her while i was up at the old spahn ranch site.

The contents of the letter by page reads as follows:

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Letter Transcript – Page 1:

Hi Jim,

Geez – I cannot believe another week has gone by. I would
imagine it is going to be a little crazy for me for the next
few weeks. But i have to admit – it’s been really good to
have something new – taking my mind somewhere else. This is a very challenging job and after all the newness we ars away. I believe i am really going to enjoy it.

I haven’t answered your letter fully yet and I hope to soon.
I mostly want you to know that I have really enjoyed the
pictures. The hotel is really nice. I have enjoyed seeing
all the changes in Monrovia.

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Letter Transcript – Page 2:

And then some buildings are clearly the same old ones. I
wonder why they have Mark Twain sitting there.
(Geez – I think that smudge is pepperoni fingers – sorry)
Anyway, I am surprised that Monrovia is so old. I should
have known it – or forgot it looks so pretty and not at all
how I felt it was when I was young – Thank you for sending
these pictures.

The Radisson is really nice – It all looks so nice. I know
I keep saying it but it’s all so clean. I’m used to the
dinge of prison. I didn’t realize.

I’m staying up to watch the news because the chatsworth/
Simi Valley area is on fire and I wanted to tell you
exactly where. You know the area better than I do these
days. The hills there are really lovely – I loved those rocks.

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Letter Transcript – Page 3:

I really was taken back by the beauty of the canyon photos.
You are right – the rock formations really are something to
see. No wonder you were so sunburned. You really did some serious hiking.

Back to Monrovia – Since when did theaters show so many
movies? How in the world does someone make up their minds? Who ever it was that kept Monrovia going certainly did a good job. It looks like a lovely little town. I wonder how
much impact the free way has on all that – ya know?

Did you ever use the pool or excercise room at the hotel?
I wonder how many people actually use rooms like that when they are on vacation?

Somehow, I just

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Letter Transcript – Page 4:

don’t think you did that much. Be honest now.

Ok the news is coming on. So – let me tell you what’s
burning.

1200 acres near chatsworth. Evacuation for Box Canyon.
Santa Susana Pass – It’s all the brush – you know? It’s so
dry there. Bell Canyon – which i have never heard of. Yeah,
it’s all the old brush – the chaparral – It’s really roaring
and we have the Santa Ana winds going on right now. Geez – here I am looking at these pictures and it is similar to the ones on TV that are burning. I like the ones with you
in them. Hey – I know that shirt – Kinda cool. Even though
you explained it – I couldn’t figure out the gates and
benches – oh well. I suppose that’s all progress.

Let me close for tonight. I will hopefully write soon.
You take care

Les

Next day 17000 acres

Duration : 0:3:13

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The BACKPORCH TAPES visits Charles Manson Family Bobby Beausoleil’s Truck Tex Watson Got stuck in at Ballarat Store Death Valley CA. We are spaking to 2 guys with a woman in complete darkness in front of the store. The truck is located just yards from the Front of the Store and is very easy to find. The store is run by Rocky and is on the Honor system 2 bucks a beer 2 bucks a soda and he only has Dr. Pepper, wonder what is his favorite kind? The store has no electricty and nobody tending bar its SELF SERVE with tables and chairs a small museum with old pictures and Rocky and his old man who had personal run ins with the Manson family back in 1968-1971. If the guy would have demanded the 5 bucks I would have thought of something else or ran fast because he was a hairy dude with big bushy beard at about 310 lbs at 5′10 or so with a dude who was even bigger.

Duration : 0:4:15

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