Road Trip Day 20 - Tuesday, 14th May, 2019

The road west of Barstow is described in the EZ Guide as very quiet, running alongside the railroad and criss-crossing the Mojave River, which is mostly dry. The traffic takes the I15 heading to and from Las Vegas, about 160 miles north-east. Not all the traffic, and that which takes old 66 is manic, driving way above the speed limit of 55 and very intolerant of little old ladies pottering along at 45 taking in the sights. The only thing to do is be ready to pull over every few miles and let them overtake.

Mojave River

Advertising sign for the defunct "Polly" gasolene brand in Helendale. Gas in the east is around $2.90 per gallon. By the time you get to California, it is nearer $5. The price on this sign, circa 1930, is in cents.

Site of an inn of ill repute owned by "Sagebrush Annie" at Helendale.

A little further west at Oro Grande is this extraordinary art installation, "Bottle Tree Ranch", created by Elmer Long. You are invited to walk freely around the yard, which dots artifacts from old 66 and elsewhere amongst trees made of bottles, many thematically chosen.  It is a place to be heard, as well as viewed as there are numerous windchimes. It is utterly captivating and I spent way too much time wandering around, spying odd items.

The Road Hog is a popular biker cafe, currently undergoing restoration.

Opposite was this bizarre place. No idea if it is a joke, a genuine advert or another art installation! 

The Cross-Eyed Cow pizza place in Oro Grande.

This "Modified Baltimore Truss" bridge crosses the Mojave River at Victorville.

Twenty miles west of Victorville, 66 gives way to I15 to negotiate the Cajon Summit to San Bernardino. The Cajon pass runs between the San Bernardino Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains and was created by the movements of the San Andreas Fault. It marks the end of the western desert. 

Seeing these poking over the horizon was puzzling. They must have been at the small regional airport called the Southern California Logistics Airport north of Victorville.

Looking back north to the pass

Looking back north-west to the summit.

Looking south towards San Bernadino

Another species of Yucca is found here - Chaparral yucca Hesperoyucca whipplei.

Once over the pass in San Bernardino, there is no more open country.  You are in the suburbs of Los Angeles which stretch from San Bernadino to the sea, 80 miles to the west at Santa Monica. I had hoped to make Santa Monica tonight, but the manager at the Wigwam Motel advised that with the number of stoplights on 66, it was a four hour, rather than two hour, drive. I might make Pasadena before nightfall. 

The Wigwam Motel in Rialto is another of the eight that sat alongside 66. It has recently been renovated and was fully booked. Each tepee is a room.

The businesses along old 66 take pride in their heritage, and alongside authentic 66 buildings and signs, there are modern interpretations, such as this one at Starbucks.

La Verne

In Glendora, the early route 66 passes through what are now up-scale suburbs with gated communities.

This is the re-purposed Foothill Drive-in Movie sign, now outside the Azusa Pacific University.

The restored Dale's garage and gas station in Monrovia.

The Aztec Hotel in Monrovia, built in 1925.

In Pasadena, 66 runs down Colorado Boulevard where the Rose Parade is held annually on January 1st, the precursor to the Rosebowl Tournament for College football. 

The Whistle Stop model train shop has been operating here since 1951.

This Denny's occupies one of the original California-style diners. On trips with the kids, we often went to Denny's as it was reliable and relatively cheap.  James, however, has never forgotten eating meatballs at one in Florida, which made him ill as they were undercooked. 

Spent the night in Pasadena.