Route 66 - Part 7: California or Bust!
Updated: Jun 30
Day 12
Oatman
We overheard some fellow travelers discussing how fun Oatman was, so we decided to include it in our route. It turned out to be the most nerve-wracking drive of the trip, with sharp curves and steep drop-offs. However, the views and the unique experience of wild donkeys wandering the Golden Valley made it all worthwhile. Dan was the driver today.
Oro Grande, California
We traveled through the historic mining regions and the Mojave Desert to visit the Bottle Tree Ranch.
San Bernardino
Nostalgic stop at the unofficial McDonalds museum.
Today, we drove 293 miles. Although staying in a Wigwam was likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and generally positive, the nearby neighborhoods seemed somewhat unsafe. If you do go through San Bernardino we recommend Spirit of Texas BBQ for a delicious meal.
Day 13
Santa Monica, California
We set out early to avoid traffic and made our way to the grand finale of our amazing journey! The team at Mel's Diner celebrated with us and even presented us with a certificate of completion. We took a walk along the Pier before returning the Chevrolet that allowed us to see the USA and got Dan to LAX for his flight home. Only drove 91 miles today. Caden and I wrapped up our vacation with a few days at Disneyland in Anaheim.
Takeaways
I am happy that we did this trip. Before we set off, I had serious doubts about our ability to complete this journey. I feared we would become bored and exhausted from the driving. I worried about the possibility of getting a flat tire in the desert with no cell service. In reality, we were never bored. We kept ourselves occupied by managing navigation, taking pictures, planning the next stop, searching for missing license plates, and playing road games. We asked each other hundreds of questions, ranging from meaningful to silly. "Would you rather fight one duck the size of a horse or 10 horses the size of ducks?" Our time together was truly a gift.
Our pace felt good. Some people take a slower pace and take months to complete. I think driving the entire route, going west, and flying home was a good option for us. We were just shy of 2 weeks. We arrived at hotels with time to settle in and relax. Even though we stayed at a different hotel each night, it never felt exhausting. We soon developed our evening routine of filling up with gas, getting everything out of the car, checking in to the hotel, and playing cards in the room in our pajamas.
One of my favorite parts was watching the landscape transform. We traveled from the city of Chicago, through green flat farmland, over mountains, across orange deserts (I might have run over a tumbleweed, but it didn't scratch the rental...), back to the cityscape of LA, and coast of Santa Monica. My favorite view was when we could see only a road ahead with what seemed like miles of open land on both sides.
People are an integral part of the journey. I enjoyed learning about those who have dedicated their lives to preserving this part of American history. Our ability to enjoy it today is largely thanks to their commitment. I loved seeing visitors from other countries as we all waited our turn to take selfies at roadside stops. I enjoyed talking to gift shop staff about the visitors they have hosted from around the world. Although it drove Caden crazy, I couldn't resist chatting with others at the hotel breakfast, sharing stories about where we've been and where we're headed next.
Reaching the Santa Monica Pier gave me a sense of achievement. It felt like we had joined an exclusive group of like-minded explorers. It is diners, gift shops, giants, neon lights, classic cars, gas stations, signs, stops, U-turns, a long drive, and it highlights both the good and bad aspects of American history. It's a wonderful blend of reminiscing about the past and honoring it while also focusing on preserving and enhancing for the future. When combined, it creates a truly unique experience. Now, I understand why people are drawn to explore the Mother Road. I encourage you to embark on your own Route 66 journey. Bring a map and a basic plan, but stay flexible and open to unexpected changes and surprises along the way. If we could do it, so can you!
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