We were surprised at how much of the Mother Road is still drivable. Of the eight states we visited along the way, Illinois does BY FAR the best job of preserving what is left of the old road, the old gas stations, the cafes and motels that once saw so many travelers with so many dreams of what lay ahead, down the road.
California does the WORST job of preserving and promoting the Mother Road. The explosive growth of the L.A. basin has demolished almost all traces of the old road.
Oklahoma and New Mexico are right behind Illinois in pampering the memory of Route 66. Missouri and Texas are next. Eastern Arizona is almost devoid of evidence that the Mother Road passed through. Western Arizona is much better, especially from Seligman to Needles.
It is still possible to make the journey and experience some of the essence of what it was like “back then” to get your kicks on Route 66. Get out there and DO it!
Monday, November 3, 2008
October 18--Santa Monica
We take the Arroyo Seco Parkway (one of several former alignments of Route 66 in L.A.) from Pasadena to Santa Monica. We find the historical terminus of Route 66 at the intersection of Lincoln Dr. and Olympic Blvd. We find NO signs or markers to note the significance of this site. It is simply lost in the din of the big city. At least Chicago has the class to maintain the legend of Route 66 by signs and markers. We drive six blocks to the Santa Monica Pier, the “unofficial” terminus of Route 66. We take each other’s photo standing at the pier entrance and enjoy the magnificent southern California morning. Restless to be home, we head straight for I-405 and, eight hours later, we roll into our driveway. We have traveled 6100 miles since we left on September 22.
October 17--Pasadena
Not far out of Needles on I-40, we exit back onto old Route 66 and head for Goffs, Fenner and Chambless. All of these towns are defunct and boarded-up. Even Amboy, the town that sold for $350,000 a few years ago, is limited to one live business: Roy’s Café.
Moving on toward Ludlow and Newberry Springs, we pass the site where the original Bagdad Café stood. A solitary palo verde tree marks the spot. Slowing for Ludlow, we see a few more cars than in Amboy. At Newberry Springs, we see the “new” Bagdad Café, where the film Bagdad Café was shot. The café has truck-stop “cuisine”, a token gift shop and looks very tired and unhappy. We decide to move on to Barstow for lunch.
Barstow, also a railroad town, is somehow nicer and newer and cleaner than Needles. We find the Canton Restaurant (recommended) and have a nice Chinese lunch plate. Yummy. Down the road, we find the exquisite Route 66 Motel, a classic Mother Road establishment, complete with rusty old cars and other vintage props.
We arrived so early in Barstow that we decide to press on toward Glendora. We bypass the 36-mile stretch of the Mother Road from Barstow to Victorville and decide to save Victorville for another visit. Beyond Victorville, the Road joins I-15 for most of the way to San Bernardino.
By this time, the Friday-afternoon traffic is thick, so we elect not to cruise the 30+ miles along Foothill Blvd. (old Route 66) through San Bernardino, Rialto, Monrovia, et. al. We arrive at our hotel in Pasadena at 4:30 pm.
Tomorrow, the finish at Santa Monica pier.
Moving on toward Ludlow and Newberry Springs, we pass the site where the original Bagdad Café stood. A solitary palo verde tree marks the spot. Slowing for Ludlow, we see a few more cars than in Amboy. At Newberry Springs, we see the “new” Bagdad Café, where the film Bagdad Café was shot. The café has truck-stop “cuisine”, a token gift shop and looks very tired and unhappy. We decide to move on to Barstow for lunch.
Barstow, also a railroad town, is somehow nicer and newer and cleaner than Needles. We find the Canton Restaurant (recommended) and have a nice Chinese lunch plate. Yummy. Down the road, we find the exquisite Route 66 Motel, a classic Mother Road establishment, complete with rusty old cars and other vintage props.
We arrived so early in Barstow that we decide to press on toward Glendora. We bypass the 36-mile stretch of the Mother Road from Barstow to Victorville and decide to save Victorville for another visit. Beyond Victorville, the Road joins I-15 for most of the way to San Bernardino.
By this time, the Friday-afternoon traffic is thick, so we elect not to cruise the 30+ miles along Foothill Blvd. (old Route 66) through San Bernardino, Rialto, Monrovia, et. al. We arrive at our hotel in Pasadena at 4:30 pm.
Tomorrow, the finish at Santa Monica pier.
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