One day, I was working putting up shade covers for a weekend event. I looked up and saw a building and thought, “That is Star Fleet Academy. Since it was 10 miles from my home and I am a lifelong Trekkie, I knew I wanted to go there.
I saw my first Star Trek when I was 7 years old and have been a Trekkie ever since. One of my clearest memories of my oldest brother calling the Talosians “Butt Heads”. Since he was 16, he could say that and not get in trouble. Being 7, I thought it was hilarious. Also, since my brother said I got away with saying it once or twice. Of course, my Mom let me know not to say those words, but she let me say ot with my brother Rick.
Before I turned 8, my brother passed away at 16. Although I remember things that happened with my brother. There are not a lot of them. I have an actual picture in my brain of interacting with him. This has become one of my pure memories of him. I can picture him saying this, and of course, at 8 a laughed every time he said that. and has. And I have been a Trekkie ever since.
My Trip To Star Fleet Academy
Once I decided, like most times when something is close, I kept putting off a trip to Starfleet Academy. Example: people come to Los Angeles and make a trip to Catalina a part of their trip. Many locals always seem to put a trip there off. I finally decided it was time to check out the grounds of the headquarters if Star Fleet
When I entered the grounds of Star Fleet Academy, I was impressed by the beauty of the setting. Professionally maintained and manicured trees and shrubbery. My first reaction was that the head groundskeeper and Picard’s friend, Boothby, had the place looking beautiful. The main building is located on the shore of the lake. Creating a fantastic reflection of the building on the lake. The building is a very unique design and provides a great setting.
The grounds were immaculate and well-manicured. Trees and shrubs are in beautiful symmetry and surround the lake. The trails among the plants and a small bridge over a man-made waterfall and stream.
I followed the trail around to the back of the garden area, admiring the beauty the whole time. On the trail back, you come out from the plants and trees to a great panorama of the front of the main building with the lake on the right side. Star Fleet Academy, what an incredible setting!!!
Familiar Scenes from Star Fleet Academy
As I walked the grounds, I noticed some of the vistas I remember seeing in scenarios that happened on the grounds. My first memory was of a saga with Captain Picard seeking information from his friend Boothby. As usual, Picard got more advice from Boothby than he expected. This information was concerning a flight that had resulted in a fatal accident at a graduation ceremony for Starfleet cadets.
I walked along the paths, and the grounds seemed to get more beautiful with every step. Beautifully designed and immaculately manicured shrubs and trees. Always in the background were vistas of the main building situated on the shore of the lake. I have to admit, as a professional gardener, I was kinda of jealous of the beauty. I was in Gardner is some nice areas, but none of them were this articulate.
When headed toward the back of the grounds, I stopped at a point halfway around the turn. As I looked back, I realized that this was the spot where Odo, the shape shifter, encountered another shape shifter, who had told Odo they were too late to stop the Dominion from destroying the Federation of Planets. Then the shape shifter shifted into a bird and flew away before they could apprehend it.
When the USS Voyager encountered species 8472. Species 8472 was an experiential species from fluidic species. They were named Species 8472 by the Borg. Species 8472 had already been engaged in a very successful war with the Borg. They were still fighting when Voyager encountered them.
Species 8472 developed a Hologram scenario of Star Fleet Academy; They developed it so they could reveal the real intentions of Star Fleet. When it was learned that Voyager was not allied with the Borg to fight Species 8472, they decided to give Voyager a chance to prove it. They left Voyager continue on their voyage home to Star Fleet Academy.
I returned to opening the gate and admired the scene looking back. It was a nice vista of the entire grounds. I realized that it was just a beautifully designed and maintained grounds. At the gate, there was a billboard with images of every scenario that had been seen there.
Japanese Garden
Now, for all you straightforward people!! I know that this is not really Star Fleet Academy.
As all the scenarios are considered to be Hundreds of years in the future. Besides they are really just television shows. Yes, I know that.
The location for Star Fleet Academy is actually a Japanese Garden located in Van Nuys, California. This is a beautiful garden. I enjoyed a pleasant stroll around the garden. I recommend it highly. Take a trip there and enjoy a couple of nice, quiet hours strolling through an incredible landscape. From anywhere in the Japanese Gardens, the futuristically looking building is set against a nice manmade, not alien, lake. There is also a nice little waterfall on the outgoing stream. It is easy to forget you are in the middle of the San Fernando Valley. when your at this Japanese Garden.
Go there, enjoy the quiet beauty. It will relax you and maybe let you forget problems or duties of life for a while. Although weddings are not available at this time, they have been before. So check and see if that has changed. It would be a nice place to wed.
Star Fleet Academy, this place can be appreciated by Trekkies and NORMAL folks. And a Trekkie I be.