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.