Yesterday we left Barstow and took Rte 66 and I-15 west toward Los Angeles. The most beautiful part of our morning drive was through the Cajon Pass. We drove up and over and down very steep stretches of highway. The semi-trucks had their own special lane and also had “runaway truck” lanes. Although we could smell burning brakes at the foot of the pass, no one had to use the runaway lanes. We were marveling at the continuing beauty of the blue sky and the high desert. Even though they are short on water out here, it is clear why people live here.
We drove into the outer suburban fringe of L.A. through some very poor areas and then we got to Rancho Cucamonga. The folks in this beautiful, palm-treed community take great pride in their Rte 66 heritage. They had many signs and many refurbished motels and restaurants and they had colorful banners lining the road. They also had many car wash places, so we stopped to give our beautiful “trail buggy” a special bath. This was a person-run car wash. The inside surfaces were dusted (those that were not covered with maps and souvenirs) and the outside was pre-washed to de-bug, washed, and thoroughly dried by hand. I’m pretty sure we lost at least five pounds of dust and bugs.
Then it was on to Sunset Blvd. When we drove Sunset to the Santa Monica Blvd, we passed through some very poor, rundown neighborhoods – not at all glamorous. Then the neighborhood started to look up – it was the home of young hipsters replete with tattoo places, coffee houses, small theaters, and wild, dark posters. And then we got into Hollywood and Beverly Hills – big change. We didn’t want to linger too long anywhere for fear of incurring a fee for not being cool and beautiful enough! We also drove through some very business-like places where the work of moviemaking gets done.
Last, but certainly not least for these road warriors, we reached Santa Monica and the Pacific Ocean. Because of a cool front the beach area of Santa Monica was wrapped in clouds and fog and the temperature had dropped to 63. The beach was still crowded with people – both locals and tourists.
The drive down Santa Monica Blvd had tried our patience with the multitude of traffic lights (every 100 yds or so) timed so that you had to stop for each one. The drivers in this part of the country are worse than the drivers in Ann Arbor! So we were challenged to find a place to park so that we could get our “end of the road” photos. Dennis wound up on the Pacific Coast Highway and we had to turn around. I directed him to a parking lot by the Pier and he balked at the $8.00 parking fee, but I pointed out that he didn’t want to do a lot of walking and climbing and this was the perfect parking lot for us (tourists).
The Santa Monica Pier was a true tourist destination! It was packed. Everyone had a camera. There were street vendors and performers. There were carnival rides filled with screaming children. There were restaurants and fishermen – and people, a few hardy souls, playing in the surf. After walking the length of the Pier and taking in the people and activities, we stopped for a snack and a toast to the end of the road (the restaurant, Mariasol is pictured in one photo).
Our Route 66 destination.
Sunny Santa Monica?
It was really more than 2448 miles because we got lost and turned around a few times!
My skin and hair gave a sigh of relief to have so much moisture in the air! Even though it was cool, we walked and stopped to look, and enjoyed the beach atmosphere. It must be crazy in the summer, jammed with people and a carnival on every square inch of the Pier. When we left the Pier, we headed North on the Pacific Coast Highway (we will drive the whole thing on another adventure) to find Earle’s house. Earle is a person for whom Dennis has done some work. He is unique and an inventor. He is getting close to realizing his dream of building a magnesium car – light, fast, and cool-looking. Earle has a house in Malibu where he lives sometimes. He also lives in Michigan sometimes. He invited Dennis and me to crash at his house and we accepted.
We called Earle and he gave us instructions to get into the gate and the house. We settled in late yesterday afternoon and Earle joined us and took us out for a bite to eat (very generous!). Today we are having a hang-out day to explore the area. I am delighted to say that I will cook a meal tonight (yaayy!) and we will head out tomorrow.
We plan to take I-10 east to Tucson but we want to spend one day exploring Joshua Tree National Park on the way. We will visit my brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Betty, on Wednesday for a few days. Even though we are not on Rte 66, we plan to blog along the way home. We are looking forward to continued discoveries.
You made it to the ocean!!!!! Yea!!!!!
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