On The Road - Day 23 - WE MADE IT TO SANTA MONICA PIER

Monday 28^th May

MEMORIAL DAY

Redlands to Santa Monica

We enjoyed a very nice brunch with Richie and Cam before departing on our final leg – our last day on Route 66.

As we said farewell and pulled away, we discussed the segment we had missed yesterday at Cleghorn Road.  So without any ado we BACKTRACKED YET AGAIN (will this be the very last time we do this??).  It didn’t take too long but we were pleased that we didn’t miss it altogether.  This was part of a four lanes 66 which criss crosses along the driveable part but just two lanes now.  This section of road runs along the San Andreas Fault line, through dry gulches and beside the railroad.  We noted a number of cars grouped together as we drove this route and wondered if we were missing out on something in particular.  Then I re-read the EZ guide which stated that this area is ‘now at times a haven for illicit activity’ – ok keep on driving!!  And yes abnormal numbers of cars along a secluded section of the old 66.  Very sad.

However we did stop briefly to enjoy just once more the view of a freight train we have watched (by the dozens) chugging its way from east to west.  It’s a strange fascination of such huge machinery pulling its massive load- usually three to four diesel engines pulling countless carriages, quite often double decked containers.  Cattle containers, fuel containers, concrete containers,  - on and on and on.  The squeaking on the tracks, the whistle blowing eerily though the mountain ranges – a strange loneliness as these monsters of steel run continuously across the country, day and night.

We must move on and soon, with some tricky manoeuvering, we were back on the freeway (I-15) again and driving through miles and miles of  seriously poverty stricken areas.

Before we knew it we were at Rialto and the restored Wigwams appeared in front of us.  Quickly clicking a photo (as there was to be NO MORE TURNING BACK) I hoped one would turn out ok.

There were so many great signs but the sun was starting to shine through the windscreen and stopping was not an option so either I missed the opportunities or the glare produces many failures and eventually I decided it was best to sit back and enjoy the ride.  We did manage to squeal to a halt when the Bono Orange popped up. Plus the Bono restaurant dating back to 1935.

Soon we are driving through the much more upscale City of Rancho Cucamonga with manicured landscaping and miles and miles of shops – arrgh the temptation.  At Upland we managed to click a photo of the Madonna of the Trail statue – a rugged pioneer mother and children, honoring those women who had to listen to months of ‘How much longer’ and ‘when will we be there’ from the backseat of covered wagons.

On through more attractive suburbs, I guess they are suburbs, Glendora, Azusa, Duarte with the bell shaped trees and replica mission bells in the median strips, that act as markers for the City of Duarte.

Then Pasadena – what a fabulous City and how we would loved to have stopped and strolled along those streets.  But now we have a decision to make once again - to approach the historic 1940 Arroyo Seco Parkway – renowned for its traffic issues, or take an alternative route ..  Let’s do it.  Its curvy and scenic and today is Memorial Day so perhaps we have struck it lucky.  Traffic is moving so fast around those curves.   Instructions coming up are fast and furious – cross under the College Street Underpass – there are about 10 underpasses – which one is College Street – I have no idea how we made it onto the correct exit but we did. And eventually onto Sunset Boulevard.  Hmm this is NOT what I was expecting of this Boulevard. Stay focused, we will return tomorrow to take in a bit more.  It has taken us a lot longer to get through this end section although we knew it would take time, we seem to be lagging. 

Through West Hollywood to Beverley Hills (there goes the sign -  missed it!!) and onto Santa Monica Boulevard finally.  I get  glimpses of the Hollywood sign on the hills, through the buildings.  Keep focused on the directions and the traffic.  Driving through Santa Monica we are now feeling a little sad as the end is nigh.  The traffic is getting very slow and we turn up Lincoln and onto Colorado which takes us right into the Santa Monica Pier.  Even slower, now in fact only one car at a time, if lucky, is getting through the traffic lights.  IT IS MEMORIAL DAY!

We discover there are police on point duty at about 6 sets of lights down Colorado  Boulevard to Ocean Avenue.  People are pouring out of the Pier area so we figure we should get parking no problems.  Eventually onto Ocean Avenue only to find there are literally millions of people still on the beach – its around 5.30pm.  Parking??  We get stuck in a side street that runs straight into a parking lot – not happening.  Sit in car for 15 minutes or so until the car up front decides to abort and we all turn right which – wow – takes us straight into the main parking lot - $12 and we are IN!!  Climb the steps with cameras in hand. Up the hill to the Santa Monica Pier sign – clicking away.  Decide to walk down and take in the revelry when we finally see Route 66 THE END.  We are smiling!!  We are taking numerous silly photos. 

WE HAVE MADE IT FROM CHICAGO TO LA ON ROUTE 66.

 

What fun.  We chat to Mat in his souvenir box and he seems almost as happy as we are.  He tells us there is another Aussie who has just made it also.  So we introduce ourselves – such smiles all around – we have all had such an incredible time.  Charlie is from Tamworth and has spent a month with his wife and two daughters travelling in an RV. He is now planning a return trip to do it all again except from LA to Chicago next time.  Good on him, but not for us.  It’s been such an adventure, so different from anything we have ever done or ever will do I imagine. 

Thank you Jerry McClanahan for the EZ Guide and the Here It is Map Series which made it all so much fun. And to all the wonderful people along the Mother Road who put so much money and effort into maintaining the nostalgia of Route 66 and those days long gone.

And thank you to Nev for driving every last mile (4,300 In total) of Route 66 plus the side trips, all without a single complaint.

That's it folks.  We are going sightseeing for a couple of days, then home...

Cheers from Rae and Nev.

On The Road - Day 22 - Barstow to Redlands

Sunday 27^th May

Barstow to Redlands

This morning we ONCE AGAIN had to backtrack.  To Barstow to collect some photos before doing a little detour to Redlands to catch up with our young relatives.

In particular the El Rancho Motel, where we had planned on staying overnight but was rudely told there was nothing available before I even asked for a particular date.  Pity.  The Route 66 Motel has a great sign and collection of old cars and I would make that my choice if there is ever a next time, despite the fact rooms are described as spartan but clean. 

Another neat sign was the Palm Café.

Heading back on track on a very peaceful drive past Helendale where Polly  the parrot advertises gasoline at long gone prices; past the old stone Sage Brush Inn where Saltbush Annie ran a roadhouse of questionable repute.

Pulling in quickly to take photos of the ingenious Bottle Ranch.  Very clever display of thousands of bottles with various memorabilia collections.

We did miss getting a photo of Roy Rogers Double R Bar Ranch (his  hideaway) signage due to is laying beside a fence and there will be no turning back again today!!

The navigator announces another tight squeeze through a 1925 era railroad underpass and wonders if we have an alternative -  it turned out just fine and we had no problems at all. 





Although we didn’t have time to stop and browse at the Oro Grande Route 66 Antique Station, it was very tempting however I don’t think we could ship any more containers.

Another truss bridge, haven’t seen one of those for a while and it has ornate guardrails either end.

Approaching Victorville we notice a number of airplane tails – in fact dozens of them, so off track again to check them out – dozens and dozens of planes in storage no doubt – enjoying the dry desert air.

We bypass the Cleghorn Road exit as we are anxious to make good time to Redlands.  On closer reading of the EZ guide this was not a wise decision.  Sounds like a great segment of the old 66.

We soon leave the 66 route and head for Redlands.

Catching up with family was great and we certainly enjoyed our delicious home cooked Vietnamese dinner and the hospitality shown to us.  Thank you both!!

Tomorrow is the big day……..

On The Road - Day 21 - Laughlin to Barstow

Saturday 26^th May

Laughlin to Barstow

Waking up on and off throughout the night, it was rather gorgeous looking out from the 18^th floor across the flickering lights of Laughlin.  Yet another slow start to the day.  We took a leisurely stroll along the Riverwalk to indulge in coffee and Krispy Cream donuts (oh no more calories).  The weather is perfect with temps to top at 82F today.  The wind picked up again today but was not as brutal as yesterday.  The view over the Colorado is just stunning with the mountains in the background.

We head back on track to Route 66 at Needles and to California but we are not prepared for the magnificence of the  South Pass through the Sacremento Mountains.  We had assumed desert was going to be flat, sandy nothingness, but the miles and miles of mountain ranges were a positive surprise.  The painted 66 shields on the road were numerous.

Dust devils were popping up everywhere - we could actually see about 6 at this time.

A careful stop (watching the ground ever so carefully for any movement) at the there is a monument describing the history and geology of the area.  We pass through the Marble Mountains, pas garage remains covered in graffiti, but a tradition for many years. It is a bit eerie up here. Lots of junk scattered around. More evidence of days gone by at Chambless Market and the ruins of the Roadrunner’s Retreat Café and Station – if only I could see a roadrunner – my very all time favourite cartoon.

Along this route is miles and miles of ‘art’ where people have created their names from stones and/or bottles on the side of a berm.

Coming into Amboy we are looking out for the crater and Roy’s Café and Motel which began in 1927 by Roy Crowl.  Recently Roy’s was purchased and there are plans for restoration.  The young man in the Café (without a kitchen) advised they have finally had their water application approved so they expect some advancement in the restoration to start happening soon. Check out the price of petrol/gas!!

The Amboy crater is just one of many craters in the area with acres and acres of lava flow easily seen from the road. 

We have lost a whole lot of photos - very disappointing.  From here to Barstow.

Pisgah Crater past Ludlow has even larger lava flows and alongside is the Troy Dry Lake and immense expanse of long dried up lake – or perhaps and inland sea?

Bagdad Café used in the film of the same name.

A defunct solar 2 Power Plant once used multiple mirrors in experiments to convert solar heat into energy!!

Into Barstow and our accommodation which turned out to be in Lenswood the next town on...

On The Road - Day 20 - Kingman to Oatman to Laughlin

Friday 25^th May

One great big cactus in Kingman.

We do a quick drive through Kingman to take a few photos that we should have done yesterday.  Happy now!

Feeling better this morning and we are excited to be heading off to Oatman at last.  Its very windy and gusty  again, the temperature is around 76F.  I must say I was a little nervous about the drive through the Black Mountains with all the hairpin bends and the lack of guard rails.  However it was quite spectacular to experience the  different rugged terrain.  Much drier , parched looking in fact with a very definite mining look about the countryside.  Long straight stretches as we approached the Black Mountains (originally known as the Blue Mountains but eventually changed to due to the confusion with the Blue Ridge). 

Finally arriving at Sitgreaves Pass we expected the nail biting was over, but now the descent was a good test on the brakes.

On arrival at Oatman the first person we see is wearing a gun, the second person demands $2 for parking – no arguments there!

An old gold mining town, taking advantage of the tourist dollar and it was busy.  The mountain backdrop was very picturesque and the wild burros, particularly the babies were very entertaining. 

 

 

 

Lunch at Oatman Hotel was welcome and we were amazed at the dollar notes plastered over the walls and ceilings.  The entertainer (singer) advised there were around $78,000 in dollar notes pinned on just about every possible surface.  The origin of the dollar note pinning goes back to the gold miners  not carrying money while they were working underground but if they pinned a dollar with their name on it, the bartender knew they were good for payment.

A shoot out on the street occurred following a holdup and the  pair of culprits arguing over the money.  Of course it was all a setup and we happily donated money to the cause.

After collecting our beautifully carved cedar sign we headed out of town toward Laughlin, where we had organized our next accommodation at the Aquarius Casino.  For a $10 upgrade we were given a magnificent room on the 18^th floor overlooking the Colorado River and the mountains.  Bargain! 

The wind was blowing a gale when headed off to the outlets – conveniently located right across the road -  we had to hang on tight to each other while waiting for the pedestrian lights to change as we were almost blown onto the road – absolutely not exaggerating.

Shopping, dinner and bed before the drive across the Mojave Desert tomorrow.