Day 10 - Sunday, May 8, 2011 - The Final Day

Day Ten Summary

It was an early start to our final day – up at 4:30 a.m. to get to LAX for a 7:40 a.m. flight back to Charlotte, NC.  The Lord blessed with zero wait for the shuttle bus and a quick and easy run through security.  TSA was puzzled by some souvenirs for Alex and had to do a quick look through my carry-on.  They got a good laugh when they discovered those mysterious objects were Lightning McQueen and Doc Hudson.

The flight was uneventful – just the way we like it.  Upon our arrival at the Charlotte airport we were greeted by Mom, Gale, Emma, Alex, Amy, Brian, Abby, and Tori.  They had welcome home signs complete with Route 66 shields and Cars movie characters.  We were so surprised.  It was very special – thanks for all the hard work kids.  We headed to Chili’s for a Mother’s Day celebration and had a wonderful time.  Everyone was pleased with the various souvenirs we had selected for them.  Gale was the most surprised by the slice of rhubarb pie from Marie Calendar’s – her favorite.  It is good to be home.

What an incredible odyssey this has been.  Ten amazing days of adventure – laughing, bonding, reminiscing, and just having a terrific time.  Thanks to everyone along the way that made this trip so memorable – Gary, Bob and Ramona, Mauricio, Kumar, Dan and Jessica, and everyone else with whom we came in contact.  Thanks to our families and all who have followed our blog; it was fun to post each day and we hope you enjoyed sharing our journey.

Route 66 is like nothing else on earth.  It is the history and essence of America – the struggles and triumphs, the hard work and fun, the ingenuity and resourcefulness, the hospitality and uniqueness.  It embodies what makes this the greatest country on earth.  It is truly unbelievable the power one road can have; it ties diverse communities and individuals together.  Spanning eight states and millions of hearts, Route 66 is not a place, it is a passion.  A passion we will carry with us always.

To the Mother Road on Mother’s Day – Thank you.

Ernie 3’s Parting Shot

Have you ever had an idea so incredible that you thought it impossible?  That’s what happened to me three years ago.  Traveling Interstate 40 through Arizona, Gale and I happened to stop at an exit that intersected with Historic Route 66.  In the gas station where we stopped, I waited patiently on my wife to emerge from the women’s restroom.  While waiting, I browsed through some Route 66 souvenirs and thought about my father and grandfather – how they both had talked about the “Mother Road” and the excitement in their faces.  In an instant, I had that incredible, impossible idea.

Back on I-40 I continued to silently ponder my thoughts – it was too grand, too big to make happen.  The silence was broken when Gale asked me, “Why did you buy that Route 66 keychain?”  It was then that I began to share with her my idea; as the words rolled out, it seemed ludicrous.  Just as soon as I relayed the notion of a Route 66 trip for Dad’s 66^th birthday, I followed with, “It’s a great idea, but really not feasible.”  It was then that Gale won my heart again, as she has so many times throughout our marriage.  She simply said, “Why not?  You’ve got three years to get it figured out.  I think it is a wonderful idea.”  And, with Gale’s encouragement, I began to believe it could happen.  Gale, thank you for believing in me and this Route 66 trip.  I owe you big time.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Emma and Alex, I know you don’t fully understand this trip Daddy and Pop have taken, but you will one day.  I do know that you understood that it was special and I thank you for allowing Daddy to be away so long.  I trust you didn’t give Mommy too much trouble while I was away.  We need to start planning now for our Route 66 adventure.  I’m looking forward to some serious “Daddy Time” this coming week.  That will not only be fun for me, but a present to Mommy as well.

Mother, thanks for letting Dad out for a few days.  You were not just willing, you were encouraging and supportive.  Your daily comments on our blog have been a highlight for both of us.  Happy Mother’s Day; you are the greatest!

Dad, this has been an unimaginable experience.  Over the last three years, I’ve imagined it many times, but none of those thoughts even came close.  This journey has certainly been about you and me, but it has been so much more.  It has renewed in me the value of faith, family, country, and community.  We have not only traveled the 2,448 miles of Route 66 (and then some), we have traveled history, heritage, and legacy – and we’ve made our own.  Our bond is stronger and we have reconnected and for that I am extremely thankful.  Best of all, we have new, annoying inside jokes that no one else will understand – “BURGER!!!”

I praise the Lord for my father, our relationship, and this trip – what it means today and the treasured spot it will hold in my heart always.

Ernie 2’s Parting Shot

As we fly back from “The End of the Trail” to Charlotte on Day 10 to meet our family for Mother’s Day, I can’t help but feel so blessed.  This has been an incredible adventure, making memories with my son, Ernie.  As we wrap up this Route 66 trip, I must express my thanks.

First, to my son who had the thoughtfulness and foresight to plan such an unexpected surprise birthday gift on my “Birthday 66.”  Thank you for giving me 10 days of your time, which I know is so important to you when you are spread so thin with family, church, and work.  You are a wonderful son and a blessing to all you meet.  Thank you for making a dream come true.  I wish I had thought to do this with my dad, Ernie 1.

I would like to thank my wife, Sandy for allowing me to be gone for 10 days – I missed you.  Since it is Mother’s Day, I can’t help but reflect on what a wonderful mother you have been to our two exceptional children.  And, since tomorrow is our anniversary, I want to thank you for 45 great years.  Thanks for always supporting and encouraging me “Through the Years.”  I love “us” and I love you more than you know.

I would like to thank the rest of my family – Brian, Amy, Gale, Abby, Tori, Emma, and Alex for being there for Nana and for checking on us and praying for us each day.  You kept us going.  Thank you.

Last, I want to thank God, for without Him I could do nothing.  I have been blessed more than I deserve all my life and I think him for all my blessings – especially my family.

This trip has brought my son and me closer, and I recommend that every father take a Route 66 trip with their son.  If you don’t have a son, take your daughter.  If you don’t have a daughter, go on the trip with your wife.  You won’t regret it.

Day 9 - May 7, 2011

Day Nine Summary

No stats today, as we made it to the end of Route 66 yesterday.  However, today we did tour downtown Santa Monica, CA and took in a few more Route 66 sights.  We got some good rest last night and spent some time this morning just relaxing at the hotel – very much needed after the trek we have been on.

Once we checked out of the hotel we headed back into downtown Santa Monica, CA.  On the recommendation of Dan Rice, we visited The Georgian Hotel.  This hotel was built in 1933 and is a glorious art deco architectural gem.  During an era of prohibition, The Georgian was a place for Hollywood’s elite, including Clark Gable and Carol Lombard.  Bugsy Segal was also a frequent guest.  Dad and I were fortunate to get to tour the basement speakeasy – thanks Ron!  The former speakeasy now serves as an employee break room, but is still appointed in 1930’s décor – very cool.

We strolled along Palisades Park, a terrific green space running adjacent to Ocean Avenue.  This is an incredible linear park that allows views of downtown to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.  The weather was a very comfortable 66 degrees and the place was packed.  We discovered last night that there has been some debate over the years as to the actual western terminus of Route 66.  Some say it is Santa Monica Pier, while others have placed it at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.  In fact, there is a sign in Palisades Park at this location stating, “West End of Route 66.”  Just to be safe, we took our picture at this sign as well.  We also saw the marker where Route 66 was dedicated as the Will Rogers Highway.  It seems Route 66 is both real and mythical – certainly legendary.

We also walked through the Third Street Promenade.  Third Street has been closed to vehicular traffic and is now a thriving shopping and entertainment district complete with high-end fashion, eateries, and street performers.

Finally, we made one last walk on the Santa Monica Pier.  The Pier was incredibly busy today – much more so than yesterday – weekend, I guess.  We saw Dan and Jessica Rice again and spent a little more time getting to know them.  If you ever have the opportunity to be in the Santa Monica area, please go patronize this tremendous couple (you can also purchase merchandise at www.route66-to-california.com).  Dan and Jessica, you are in our prayers and we know the Lord is going to bless you tremendously.  As you are well aware, the Lord has a plan for you and is working it out daily through you and your faith.  He makes no mistakes and honors those who honor Him.

Well, we’ve returned the rental car and settled into our hotel.  Tomorrow morning we will depart from LAX and return back to our families in South Carolina.  One final blog tomorrow – don’t miss it!

What I learned from my father today: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Yesterday, Dan Rice told Dad and me about the speakeasy in the basement of The Georgian Hotel.  However, when we walked into the hotel today, there was no sign of a basement staircase.  Had I been by myself, I would have looked around the lobby and then left, but Dad walked right up to the registration desk and asked about the speakeasy.  Ron, the guest services director immediately offered to show it to us and it was a great experience.  It never hurts to ask, and, in this case, it resulted in more great memories.

What I learned from my son today: It Will All Work Out

Today, we had lots of moving parts to deal with – we needed to ship souvenirs back home that couldn’t be carried on the plane, check into our hotel, return the rental car, print our boarding passes, and still try to have some fun.  I was concerned that it would not all come together, but Ernie had a quiet confidence that it would.  Sure enough, it all did.  The Lord really blessed today and throughout our trip.

Day 8 - Friday, May 6, 2011

Day Eight Stats

Miles Traveled: 92 miles    States Traveled: California

Origin: San Bernardino, CA    Destination: Santa Monica, CA

Time of Departure: 10:00 AM (PDT)    Time of Arrival: 4:45 PM (PDT)

Highest Observed Gas Price: $4.47/gallon in Pasadena, CA    Lowest Observed Gas Price: $4.12/gallon in San Bernardino, CA

Day Eight Summary

What a day!  We slept in on day eight, knowing that we only had about 90 miles to go to the finish line.  After getting ready for the day, we took a stroll around the Wigwam Motel to look for the owners.  We found Kumar and his mother cleaning teepees.  Kumar was kind enough to spend some time with us, providing information on the history of the hotel and sharing stories of Route 66.  Once we left, we made a quick visit to the site of the original McDonald’s in San Bernardino, CA.

The drive to Santa Monica, CA was short on mileage, but took a number of hours due to the stop-and-go traffic of the Los Angeles area.  This did not reduce our excitement in knowing that we were just a short distance from our final destination.  The different communities along the way each paid tribute to the Mother Road in their own unique ways, but Fontana was a special treat with classy stone and stucco monuments along the road and 66 shields on colored, textured pavement.  For a streetscape enthusiast like me, these were special treats.

For lunch, we made a quick detour into Ontario, CA to eat at a Chevy’s Fresh Mex.  Chevy’s is Gale and my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant and we rarely get to eat at them, as there are none in the Southeast.  I made sure to eat enough for Gale and me!

How exciting it was to drive Santa Monica Boulevard, turn left onto Lincoln Boulevard, and then Olympic Boulevard.  Seeing the Santa Monica Pier was incredible – knowing that we had made it to the western terminus of Route 66 was so satisfying.  Looking out at the Pacific Ocean was great and walking the pier was truly remarkable.  We met Dan Rice, the fellow who so many 66ers along the way had mentioned, and it became apparent very quickly why he is revered along the road.  Dan is a young man who, along with his wife Jessica (due with their first child in June!), has embraced the Mother Road and takes real joy in its success.  Dan and Jessica operate “66 to Cali” a Route 66 memorabilia company that resides on the Santa Monica Pier but also provides “made in America” 66 merchandise to merchants all along the route.  Dan and Jessica, we wish you much success and may God continue to bless your family.  Congratulations on the little one – your life will only be fuller!

We got here with one travel day to spare – getting here a day early is better than a day late, I suppose.  Sleep will come easy tonight, as the road has worn us down a bit, but it is a very good kind of tired.  Tomorrow we will take it easy and prepare for the flight home early Sunday morning.  We will blog on Saturday and Sunday, so don’t stop checking in – this trip isn’t officially over until our feet our back on SC soil.  Here is today’s summary:

·         San Bernardino, CA – Wigwam Motel; Site of the Original McDonald’s.

·         Fontana, CA – Bono’s Historic Orange; Route 66 Monuments and Tributes.

·         Ontario, CA (slight detour) – Chevy’s Fresh Mex.

·         Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Sycamore Inn (circa 1848); Magic Lamp Inn.

·         Claremont, CA – Wolfe’s Market.

·         La Verne, CA – La Paloma Café.

·         San Dimas, CA – Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse.

·         Azusa, CA – Foothill Drive-in Theatre Sign.

·         Pasadena, CA – Colorado Boulevard – Tournament of Roses Parade route; Saga Motor Lodge.

·         Los Angeles, CA – Sunset Boulevard.

·         Beverly Hills, CA – Art Moderne Police Station; Rodeo Drive.

·         Santa Monica, CA – The Georgian Hotel; Santa Monica Pier; 66 to Cali; “End of the Trail” sign.

What I learned from my father today: Dreams Do Come True

As we woke up this morning in our teepee, Dad told me again how much this trip has meant to him.  He then spoke specifically to our stay at the Wigwam Motel.  He said that ever since he was a little boy he had seen postcards of the Wigwam Motels and had always wanted to stay at one.  He thought it would never happen.  It’s good to know that dreams do come true.

What I learned from my son today: The Great Things are Truly Timeless

I had always thought nostalgically about Route 66 – as part of history.  But today I realized that the Mother Road is about yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  I realized today that new generations are finding importance in Route 66.  Not only Ernie, but as we’ve traveled, we’ve met Mauricio, Kumar, and Dan and Jessica Rice – all young people who are fascinated by, passionate about, and their livelihoods depend on America’s Main Street.  Add to that the influence the Cars movie has had, and even the youngest now know and love Route 66.  The great things are truly timeless.

Day 7 - May 5, 2011

Day Seven Stats

Miles Traveled: 309 miles    States Traveled: Arizona, California

Origin: Kingman, AZ    Destination: San Bernardino, CA

Time of Departure: 9:10 AM (MST)    Time of Arrival: 8:30 PM (PDT)

Highest Observed Gas Price: $5.09/gallon in Fenner, CA    Lowest Observed Gas Price: $3.72/gallon in Kingman, AZ

Day Seven Summary

Day seven began in Kingman, AZ and we spent most of the morning there.  Breakfast was at the Roadrunner Café and was exceptional.  This was a classic “hole in the wall” that is clearly a local institution – would love to be able to eat breakfast here every Sunday morning.  We then toured the Powerhouse Route 66 Museum, which was replete with wagon train, Grapes of Wrath, Burma Shave, and Route 66 memories.  This was a great museum and we would recommend it highly to anyone visiting the Kingman area.

On leaving Kingman we began our trek across the Sacramento Wash on the Oatman Highway.  This led us to Cool Springs, a rock trading post with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.  Sitgreaves Pass was a challenge with speeds topping out at 20 mph as we traversed extremely twisty roadway along the cliff edge.  Part way through this drive we located Shaffer’s Fish Bowl Springs – a natural spring that is only accessible by climbing 30-plus stone stairs up the side of a steep hillside.  The reward at the top is a freshwater spring with live gold fish – in the middle of the desert – incredible!  Oatman was another unique experience, an old west town with wild burros crowding the streets.

We cruised into California about midday.  Lunch was at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Needles, CA.  The folks at the Needles Chamber of Commerce were extremely helpful – thanks!  The trip through the Mojave Desert was great – long straight stretches made for fantastic horizons as the road just seemed to go on forever out in front of us.  Most iconic along this stretch was Roy’s Motel and Café in Amboy, CA.  Dinner was at the Iron Hog Saloon in Oro Grande (Big Gold) and we were thrilled when we phoned ahead to the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino – they had a cancellation, so we got a room!  This place is fabulous – very similar to the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, AZ.  We will take some photo in tomorrow’s daylight.

We traveled just over 300 miles today, which was really good considering that much of it was at speeds no greater than 20 mph.  We also made the final two locales in the song “Get Your Kicks on Route 66” – Barstow and San Bernardino.  It is very exciting to be this close to the end, but yet hard to believe this journey is winding down – it has been an amazing experience.  Here’s our day seven summary:

·         Kingman, AZ – Hill Top Motel; Kingman Water Tower; Hotel Brunswick; Roadrunner Café; Powerhouse Route 66 Museum; Locomotive Park.

·         Sacramento Wash, AZ – Fantastic drive!; Cool Springs; Shaffer’s Fish Bowl Springs.

·         Sitgreaves Pass, AZ – Curves, curves, and more curves – awesome!

·         Goldroad, AZ – There’s gold in them there hills.

·         Oatman, AZ – Old West town and burros, burros, burros.

·         Topock, AZ – Colorado River!

·         Needles, CA – Hot, hot, hot – high of 100 degrees today!  Welcome Wagon; Burger Hut; Wagon Wheel Restaurant; Mohave Desert.

·         Amboy, CA – Roy’s Motel and Café.

·         Ludlow, CA – Ludlow Café/Coffee Shop.

·         Newberry Springs, CA – Whiting Bros. Gas Station; Bagdad Café.

·         Barstow, CA – Route 66 Motel; McDonald’s Barstow Station; Bun Boy; Palm Café.

·         Oro Grande, CA – Roy Rogers Double R Ranch; Iron Hog Saloon; “Modified Baltimore Truss” Bridge; Mojave River.

·         Cajon Pass, CA – Summit Inn.

·         San Bernardino, CA – Sleeping in a teepee at the Wigwam Motel.

What I learned from my father today: Keep Looking

As we traveled the incredibly curvy Route 66 on our way to Sitgreaves Pass, we were looking for Shaffer’s Fish Bowl Springs.  Based on our guidebook and talking with the owner of Cool Springs, we had a general idea of where it was located, but it was still a challenge to find it.  I had pretty much given up but Dad kept looking.  He decided we should turn around and take one more look at a hill just back down the mountain.  We turned around and sure enough, Dad was right.  What an amazing experience to find the Fish Bowl and see the natural springs with actual gold fish!  Keep looking, it’s worth it.

What I learned from my son today: Don’t Feed the Donkeys

While navigating the Oatman Highway in Oatman, AZ, trying to dodge a pack of burros that were blocking the street, one approached my car window.  Ernie said, “Be careful, those donkeys bite.”  I didn’t think it would be any big deal, so I let the window down.  When the burro immediately stuck his head inside the car, just inches from my face, I was scared to death and realized that Ernie had a good point and I probably should have left the window up.  Be careful, friendly four-hoofed animals can get in your face.

Day 6 - May 4, 2011

Day Six Stats

Miles Traveled: 439 miles    States Traveled: New Mexico, Arizona

Origin: Grants, NM    Destination: Kingman, AZ

Time of Departure: 9:20 AM (MDT)    Time of Arrival: 9:20 PM (MST)

Highest Observed Gas Price: $4.10/gallon in Winslow, AZ    Lowest Observed Gas Price: $3.63/gallon in Gallup, NM

Day Six Summary

Day six was another special day.  We awoke in Grants, NM at the Southwest Motel to chilly weather of 28 degrees – brrr!  However, by 9:00 a.m. it was in the 50s and our high topped out at 82 degrees – just gorgeous!  On our way out of town, we saw the Uranium Café, once known for its yellow-colored pancakes that paid homage to the uranium mined in the area.  We were surprised when we passed by the Uranium Café and looked back to see the other side of the café’s sign – it reads, “Nana’s Café.”  We got a picture for you Nana!  A short ride down the road and we were in Gallup, NM where we did a quick tour of the El Rancho Hotel Motel.  Dozens of celebrities have slept here and walked up the double staircase in the grand lobby – very impressive.

Late morning we crossed into Arizona and gained an hour, as the state does not observe Daylight Savings.  Midday found us in Holbrook, AZ where Dad was excited to see a Wigwam Motel up close and in person.  We hope to stay in the only other surviving Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, CA.  Lunch was at Joe & Aggies Café – honored in the closing credits of the movie Cars as “Hottest Chow on the Mother Road.”

Another memorable stop was Winslow, AZ.  The statue “Standing on the Corner” pays tribute to the Eagles’ song “Take it Easy.”  In addition to a bronze statue of a man and his guitar standing on the corner is a mural of a girl in a flatbed Ford slowing down to take a look at him.  To complete the scene, a giant Route 66 shield is embedded in the center of the intersection – really cool stuff.

It has been amazing to meet so many incredible folks along Route 66.  The Mother Road is full of interesting, genuine folks who are friendly and full of life.  On previous days we met great people like Gary Turner and Bob and Ramona Lehman.  Today we had the great fortune to get to know several special ladies at Joe & Aggies Café in Holbrook, including the granddaughter of Joe and Aggie.  Mauricio was also tremendous at Angel & Vilma’s Route 66 Gift Shop.  This was also Angel’s Barber Shop and Mauricio took our picture in Angel’s famous barber chair.  Special things happen on America’s Main Street.

Also saw some great Burma Shave signs today (if you are not familiar with Burma Shave signs, take a look at this site).  Our favorite, and some sage words we would like to pass along to you, was this one:

He Tried to Cross … As Fast Train Neared … Death Didn’t Draft Him … He Volunteered.

Today we logged over 430 miles, met some fantastic folks, and saw some incredible landscapes.  The Arizona dessert is tremendous and the rock outcroppings are impressive.  Riding to Kingman tonight was a great visual experience with a sliver of a moon hanging just above the jagged mountaintops.  What a marvelous Creator we serve!  Our final stop today (and first tomorrow) is Kingman, AZ where we will get some rest at the Hill Top Motel – a classic Route 66 icon.  Challenging road lies ahead tomorrow, with Sitgreaves Pass and the Old Trails – seriously winding sections of Route 66 – should be awesome.  Here’s today’s summary:

·         Grants, NM – Nana’s Café (the former Uranium Café – known for its yellow “uranium” pancakes).

·         Gallup, NM – El Rancho Hotel Motel; Rex Museum;

·         Lupton, AZ – Another Route 66 Ghost Town.

·         Holbrook, AZ – Joe & Aggies Café; Wigwam Motel.

·         Jackrabbit, AZ – “If you haven’t been to Jackrabbit, you haven’t been in the southwest”; Jackrabbit Trading Post.

·         Winslow, AZ – “Standing on the Corner” Statue; Giant Route 66 in roadway; La Posada Hotel; Highway Diner.

·         Meteor City, AZ – World’s Longest Map of Route 66; Meteor Crater.

·         Winona, AZ – Old Iron Bridge.

·         Flagstaff, AZ – Museum Club – southwest’s largest log cabin; Miz Zips; Western Hills Motel.

·         Williams, AZ – Rods Steakhouse; Pete’s Gas Station Museum; Twisters 50’s Soda Fountain; Red Garter Bed and Bakery; Grand Canyon Hotel.

·         Ash Fork, AZ – Desoto’s Beauty and Barber Shop; Route 66 Grill.

·         Seligman, AZ – Birthplace of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona; Route 66 Visitor Center; Snow Cap Drive-in; Angel & Vilma’s Route 66 Gift Shop; Copper Cart Café.

·         Kingman, AZ – Turning in for the night at the Hill Top Motel – “Best View in Kingman.”

What I learned from my father today: Life is Good

Yesterday Dad and I were talking about the big decision points of life – college, marriage, kids, etc. – and we specifically discussed how blessed we both are with wives that love us, stand by us, and put up with us.  Dad said, “There is nothing better than knowing that you married the woman the Lord intended you to marry.  Your mother has been there for me every step of the way.”  I pondered this again this morning and realized how right Dad was.  Gale, I love you and so appreciate your love and support.

What I learned from my son today: It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This

I realized as we were traveling today, watching the scenery, enjoying 50’s music on Pandora Radio, listening to the Atlanta Braves win both games of a double-header, and enjoying quality time with my son – it just doesn’t get any better than this.

Day 5 - May 3, 2011

Day Five Stats

Miles Traveled: 486 miles    States Traveled: Texas, New Mexico

Origin: Amarillo, TX    Destination: Grants, NM

Time of Departure: 8:00 AM (CDT)    Time of Arrival: 8:00 PM (MDT)

Highest Observed Gas Price: $3.95/gallon in Romeroville, NM    Lowest Observed Gas Price: $3.64/gallon in Santa Fe, NM

Day Five Summary

Okay, I need to start this post with a correction.  Yesterday I posted that the U-Drop Inn & Tower Conoco in Shamrock, TX was the inspiration for Flo’s V-8 Café in the movie Cars.  I guess my age is showing and my memory slipping – I saw some Cars memorabilia today and realized that it was actually Ramone’s House of Body Art.  My apologies for leading anyone astray on this – I know how you folks rely on my perfect pitch, rugged good looks, and uncanny ability to know everything about absolutely nothing.

Day five got off to a fantastic start with a stop at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX.  This place is true redneck art – 10 vintage Cadillac’s buried headfirst into the Texas earth.  If that weren’t enough, you are encouraged to graffiti-ize the cars … and we did!

After leaving Amarillo, we headed west for the midpoint of our trip, Adrian, TX.  On the way, between Vega and Adrian we spotted one of the concrete culverts from the original “Dirt 66” – really cool.  Once in Adrian, we had a breakfast of pecan pie with “ugly crust” at the Midpoint Café – excellent.  While we were eating, we saw two motorcycles pull up out front.  Unbelievably, it was the two guys from Poland that we originally met at Gary Turner’s Gay Parita Filling Station in Parris Springs, MO – on Saturday!  Pretty incredible.  We all shared a good laugh and look to see each other again further down the road.

Next up was New Mexico and the border town of Glenrio.  This place was an absolute ghost town and a real testament to the effect I-40 had on Route 66.  It is amazing that a once bustling town could be absolutely barren now.  We had several sections of Route 66 in New Mexico that were challenging, including a tight squeeze on dirt road through box-culverts under I-40.  Another section near Laguna, NM including the infamous Dead Man’s Curve, which deserves the name with a 300-degree curve around a massive jagged rock formation.

We took the pre-1937 Route 66 through Santa Fe.  It added quite a bit to our trip, but was well worth it.  Snowcapped mountains made for an excellent backdrop on the horizon as we climbed to 10,500 feet.  Downtown Santa Fe was a great experience.  We ate at the Del Charro Saloon and I had some chili that was “mild” by local standards but lit me up pretty good.  Dad thought it was just right.

Today was our longest day, including an extra hour as we crossed into the Mountain Time Zone.  We logged the most miles today as well, topping out just shy of 490 miles!  We are making great time and should be in Arizona early tomorrow.  Tonight we are staying at the Southwest Motel on Route 66 in Grants, NM.  Here’s the recap:

·         Amarillo, TX – Cadillac Ranch.

·         Vega, TX – Concrete Culverts – remnants of “Dirt 66.”

·         Adrian, TX – Brenda’s Café; Midpoint Café.

·         Glenrio, NM – The ghost town of Glenrio.

·         Tucumcari, NM – Blue Swallow Motel; Tee Pee Curios;  La Citas.

·         Santa Rosa, NM – Route 66 Restaurant; Sun & Sand Motel.

·         Santa Fe, NM – Del Charro Saloon; Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi; La Fonda Hotel.

·         Albuquerque, NM.

·         Rio Grande River – Crossed it three times!

·         Laguna, NM – Owl Rock; Dead Man’s Curve.

·         Budville, NM – Budville Trading Company

·         Cubero, NM – Villa De Cubero Trading Post.

·         Grants, NM – Ready for some rest after our longest day yet.

What I learned from my father today: Enjoy the Ride

Today we decided to take the pre-1937 Route 66 through Santa Fe, NM.  This required us to drive a good bit out of our way, both up to Santa Fe and then south of Albuquerque.  My guess is we added at least 60 miles to our journey.  At times we wondered if we had made the right decision, but Dad pointed out all of the great things we were experiencing because we took the longer trip.

What I learned from my son today: Two of a Kind

Two of a kind in a poker game is usually a loser, but two of a kind when it is a father and son is a winning hand every time.  I have learned on this trip how alike Ernie and I are – much more so than I realized.  We like the same food, enjoy the same music, and agree on what sights to see and what sights to bypass.  Our commonalities have made this trip easy and comfortable with zero conflicts – fantastic trip!

Day 4 - Monday, May 2, 2011

Day Four Stats

Miles Traveled: 265 miles    States Traveled: Oklahoma, Texas

Origin: El Reno, OK    Destination: Amarillo, TX

Time of Departure: 10:10 AM (CDT)    Time of Arrival: 6:15 PM (CDT)

Highest Observed Gas Price: $3.85/gallon in El Reno, OK    Lowest Observed Gas Price: $3.69/gallon in Amarillo, TX

Day Four Summary

We got a late start on day four due to our late finish on day three.  Once we got on the road, we made great time and covered a good bit of road.  We had the fun of seeing two museums, the Clinton, OK Route 66 Museum and the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OK.  Route 66 in Texas is not marked as well as in the previous four states, so that made things challenging at times.  However, we did well, only having to turn around a couple of times.

Route 66 is famous for “giant” things (remember the world’s largest rocking chair?).  Two of those “giants” were on our route today.  The first was the giant Route 66 shield at the National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OK.  The second was the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in Groom, TX.  The cross is the largest in the Western Hemisphere rising 190 feet – 19 stories tall!

More Cars movie inspiration was taken in today.  In Shamrock, TX we saw the U-Drop Inn/Tower Conoco, a beautiful art deco filling station and hotel.  This building was the basis for Flo’s V-8 Café in the Cars movie.  Very cool.

Our day ended at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, TX.  This Route 66 icon burned and was rebuilt along I-40 a number of years ago, but still is considered a part of Route 66 and is a great contributor to the preservation of Route 66.  The Big Texan is home to the 72 ounce steak that is yours free if you can eat it plus salad, two sides, and bread in 60 minutes or less.  We did not attempt this feat – surprise.  But someone did take the challenge while we were there – he did not succeed, leaving three bites of steak and several forkfuls of potato salad.  We are also staying at the Big Texan motel, which looks like a western village.  This is truly a piece of Americana.

Well, we took down Oklahoma today and are well on our way across Texas.  In fact, we are only 50 miles from the midway point, Adrian, TX and we should be there by midmorning tomorrow.  Day four summary:

·         Hydro, OK – The Concrete Road to Hydro; Original Lucille’s Filling Station and the new Lucille’s Roadhouse.

·         Clinton, OK – Clinton Route 66 Museum.

·         Elk City, OK – National Route 66 Museum; Old Town Museum Complex.

·         Shamrock, TX – U-Drop Inn/Tower Conoco – the inspiration for Flo’s V-8 Café in the movie Cars.

·         Groom, TX – Leaning Tower of Groom – a water tower built to look like it is falling over; Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ – 190-foot cross, the largest cross in the western hemisphere.

·         Amarillo, TX – Big Texan Steak Ranch – home of the Free 72 ounce steak – eat it and it’s free, fail and it costs you one dollar per ounce ($72.00 for those of you math-challenged); settling in for the night at the Big Texan’s western themed motel – vintage stuff!

What I learned from my father today: Enjoy the Show

Tonight we had dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, TX.  While we were eating a man took the challenge of the 72 ounce steak.  He had 60 minutes to eat all 72 ounces of steak, salad, two sides, and bread.  After 45 minutes he was looking pretty grim.  Dad stayed to watch the show; I went back to the motel room, as I didn’t have the “stomach” for it.  Dad enjoys the show that is life, each and every minute of it.

What I learned from my son today: Trust the GPS

Several times today when the roads were not well-marked, I would say, “I think we need to go this way.”  But Ernie would say, “the GPS is showing that Route 66 is ahead.”  Guess who was right?

Day 3 - Sunday, May 1, 2011

Day Three Stats

Miles Traveled: 428 miles    States Traveled: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma

Origin: Lebanon, MO    Destination: El Reno, OK

Time of Departure: 8:10 AM (CDT)    Time of Arrival: 10:45 PM (CDT)

Highest Observed Gas Price: $3.89/gallon in Davenport, OK    Lowest Observed Gas Price: $3.67/gallon in Tulsa, OK

Day Three Summary

Day three started by waking up in the Munger Moss Motel.  After a shower in the vintage pink and blue tile bathroom, we got on the road at 8:10 a.m. and that really helped to get the day going well.  We had 80 miles behind us before 10:00 a.m. when we found a 32 ounce soft drink for 10 cents at the Kum-n-Go convenience store in Springfield, Missouri.  Although the day started out sunny, rain started shortly after we got going and stayed with us all day, but didn't dampen our spirits.

We had a number of great experiences today.  The first was a stop at the Gay Parita Sinclair Station in Parris Springs, Missouri.  This is a replica filling station on the site of the original.  Owner Gary Turner was thrilled to see us and gave us a tour of the original garage, which was filled with “junk” as Gary described it.  However, the “junk” was incredible collectibles, including gas pumps, refrigerators, and car accessories.  Gary’s passion for “junk” reminded me of Granddad.  We also met two fellows from Poland who are riding their BMW motorcycles along Route 66 and stopped in at the Gay Parita (we saw them two more times later in the day).

We got to see two places that were the inspiration for characters in the movie Cars.  In Galena, Kansas we saw the 4 Women on the Route, which has a tow truck named “Tow-Tater.”  This tow truck was the basis for “Tow-Mater” in the movie.  In Stroud, Oklahoma we had dinner at the Rock Café.  This rock restaurant burned down in 2008, but was rebuilt the following year.  The owner, Dawn Welch was the inspiration for the character “Sally” in Cars.  Unfortunately, we did not get to meet her, as she had left earlier in the day.

Original sections of Route 66 were discovered today.  In Spencer, Missouri we rode on hand-troweled concrete from the late 1920s.  Just outside Narcissa, Oklahoma it took a steady hand on the steering wheel to keep the Rogue from falling off the concrete curbs of the “9-foot Highway.”  Here the original 1920s road is only 9 feet wide!

As the stats show, we really covered some ground today, nearly 450 miles!  That really makes us feel good heading into day four – can’t believe it’s almost day four.  We traveled three states today and should see Texas tomorrow.  Here’s the day three summary - enjoy:

·         Parris Springs, MO – Gay Parita Sinclair Station owned by Gary Turner.

·         Spencer, MO – Rode on original Route 66 hand-troweled concrete.

·         Red Oak, MO – Replica 1930s town.

·         Carthage, MO – Route 66 Drive-in Theatre; Precious Moments Chapel.

·         Carterville, MO – Superman Museum and Ice Cream Parlor – “look, it’s a bird, it’s a plane …”

·         Galena, KS – 4 Women on the Route – home of “Tow-Tater” the tow truck that inspired the character “Tow-Mater” in the movie Cars.

·         Riverton, KS – Rainbow Bridge.

·         Narcissa, OK – 9-foot Highway – the original paved Route 66 with concrete curbs – Wild!

·         Tulsa, OK – Talleys Café; Route 66 pedestrian bridge.

·         Stroud, OK - Rock Café – owner Dawn Welch was the inspiration for the character “Sally” in the movie Cars.

·         Arcadia, OK – Pop’s Fuel Food & Fiz – ultra modern gas station, 50’s diner, and over 500 varieties of soda pop – oh, and a 66-foot tall LED bottle of pop complete with straw.

·         El Reno, OK – Long day and late night, but settling in for some rest.

What I learned from my father today: It’s the Experience, Not the Stuff

One of our last stops today was Pop’s Fuel Food & Fiz, an absolutely incredible place.  I told dad that he had to get a ball cap, since it had “Pop’s” on it, and he is “Pop.”  He looked at the caps and then said, “I’ve already got a hat that says, ‘Pop’ on it.  I don’t need another one.”  In that simple moment I remembered that you don’t have to buy something everywhere you go, just make a memory and take that experience with you.  And, we sure did that at Pop’s.

What I learned from my son today: Check Prices Before You Buy

Earlier on the trip, Ernie saw a souvenir he wanted to purchase, but the price seemed a bit high.  It wasn’t easy for him to walk away, not knowing if he would see it again.  However, he decided to not purchase it.  Today, he found it for half the price and I was impressed with his patience and good consumer sense.

Day 2 - Saturday, April 30, 2011

Day Two Stats

Miles Traveled: 248 miles    States Traveled: Illinois, Missouri

Origin: Litchfield, IL    Destination: Lebanon, MO

Time of Departure: 9:20 AM (CDT)    Time of Arrival: 8:15 PM (CDT)

Highest Observed Gas Price: $4.09/gallon in St. Louis, MO    Lowest Observed Gas Price: $3.72/gallon in Lebanon, MO

Day Two Summary

Day two was another great one.  We got a good night’s sleep in Litchfield and got on Route 66 much earlier than we did on day one.  However, we did spend several hours in St. Louis.  I had never been to St. Louis, so it was really great to see the Gateway Arch.  It was incredible – a landmark I’ve wanted to experience for a long time.  A special surprise was the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge, one of the longest bicycle and pedestrian bridges in the country – and also the original Route 66 over the Mississippi River.  I had never heard of this bridge, but since I do a lot of bicycle and pedestrian planning in my work, it was a special treat.  The Mississippi River is still very high with several streets down by the river still flooded.  The weather was fabulous with sunny skies and a high of 79 degrees.

Much of our drive today was long stretches of great American landscapes – agricultural fields, winding curves, and hilly terrain.  An early treat was Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, a fantastic collection of Volkswagen Rabbits and a few furry powder-puffed tailed critters.  Later in the day we were amazed by the world’s largest rocking chair – Guinness certified!  It was constructed of steel just three years ago and is 42 feet 4 inches tall, 20 feet wide, and weighs 27,000 pounds.  It was required to actually rock the day Guinness certified it but has since been bolted down for safety.

Tonight we have the great fortune of staying at a Route 66 institution, the Munger Moss Motel in Lebanon, Missouri.  This place is quintessential Americana.  Ramona Lehman, who owns and runs the motel with her husband Bob, checked us in.  The motel has been here since 1946 (65 years) but Bob and Ramona are newbies as owners, having only run the place since 1971 (40 years).  We purchased an incredible souvenir from Ramona – an actual piece of Route 66!  In April 2011, the highway department reconstructed a portion of Route 66 and the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society is selling pieces of the old road to raise funds for local Route 66 initiatives.

Similar to yesterday, we traveled just about 250 miles on day two, beginning in Litchfield, Illinois and ending in Lebanon, Missouri.  We put Illinois behind us and should do the same with Missouri tomorrow.  Here’s the summary for today:

·         Litchfield, IL – Route 66 icons the Ariston Café; Skyview Drive-In Theater; and the defunct Route 66 Café.

·         Mount Olive, IL – Classic Soulsby Shell Station.

·         Staunton, IL – It was really hoppin’ at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch – that is, Volkswagen Rabbits.

·         Mitchell, IL – The Luna Café, a preserved roadhouse where Al Capone and his crew would hang when traveling the Mother Road.

·         St. Louis, MO – Old Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River, which has been converted into one of the longest bicycle and pedestrian bridges in the nation; Gateway Arch; Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals; Ted Drewe’s Frozen Custard; and Imo’s Pizza.

·         Bourbon, MO – Seventh-day Adventist Church right on Route 66.

·         Cuba, MO – The Route 66 “Mural City”; Wagon Wheel Motel; World’s Largest Rocking Chair.

·         Lebanon, MO – Turning in at the Munger Moss Motel – in Room 66!

What I learned from my father today: No Big Deal

There were several times today where Route 66 was not clearly marked and our guidebook offered little clarity on directions.  In fact, we had to actually turn around a couple of times after traveling a number of miles in the wrong direction.  Each time, Dad just shrugged it off and kept on enjoying the journey – no big deal. 

What I learned from my son today: No Regrets

Ernie’s philosophy is, if there’s something you want to see or do, do it while you have the opportunity and you won’t regret it later.  Today he insisted we do a couple of things that I thought we shouldn’t take the time for – seeing the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and experiencing the Gateway Arch.  However, after we did them, I was really glad we did, making memories to last a lifetime.