|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758 Likes: 64
ChatMaster - 15,000
|
ChatMaster - 15,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758 Likes: 64 |
Bill, Glad you are having too much fun instead of being hijacked by bandidos to Mexico or Central America. There are too many nice Chevys and a few great folks so it would be a shame for them to get lost or waylayed. Watch out for the bandidos in CA, some are in business suits and take your money while you are looking them in the eye.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
And the journey continues..... THURSDAY - May 15 Denver, COWoke up to our cars surrounded by guard rabbits!! They MAY look small and cute, but we were very careful around them. :-) Later that morning we entered another state. Our sixth state in six days! NOTE: It is very difficult to take photographs of state signs when you cross the border. For one thing, you're traveling at about 65 MPH, then there's no advance notice that the sign is coming up, and lastly, the dang camera takes TOO LONG to boot up!!! So, sometimes we took the picture at the next Rest Area. Each state should have a sign that reads " State Welcome Sign coming up in 1 mile." er... make that "...2 miles".
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
FRIDAY - May 16 Salina KansasIn the morning after our usual 7:30 am departure, we began our trip down the road, when we were buzzed by an airplane!! But we knew the pilot. We had dinner with him the night before!!!! He was a friend of Steve Kassis who lives near Fort Worth. He and his wife flew up to Salina KS just to have dinner with us!!! FRIDAY - May 16 Guthrie OKThen one of the neatest experiences began at the Braum's ice cream store in Guthrie, OK. We were met by members of the VCCA Heart of Route 66 Region - Lee Espraza and Joe Smith. They led us from here to our first REAL stops on Route 66. But first we toured the old downtown area of Guthrie. The original buildings and signage are so authentic that Hollywood frequently comes here for period-correct filming. Started our sightseeing by stopping in Guthrie, OK. This is the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry building. There is a cool story about this site. Behind this building is a small wooden building (still standing) that was the original capital of the State of Oklahoma. A few years ago, the politicans living in Oklahoma City didn't like this location and wanted the Capital moved to OK City. When the Guthrie town fathers refused.... the contents of the building were secretly moved IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. And it has remained in OK City ever since!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
FRIDAY - May 16 Arcadia, OKOur very first stop on the original Route 66 Highway was at the iconic Round Barn in Arcadia. Built in 1898, it has been maintained and is still in use for dances and special events. When we arrived, the local VCCA region had lunch waiting for us!!! We want to thank Sue and Lee Esparza, Becky Hamilton, Joe Smith, Lynda and Joe Reiter, and Vada and Bob Strattan. They really know how to make someone feel welcome to their fantastic state!! Then, the stop that I was really looking forward to -- POPS!!! You can easily find it by the 66 foot tall, LED lit soda pop bottle!! -web link-And if that isn't enough, it has a 100 foot unsupported cantilevered canopy over the gas pumps. I was truly amazed at this engineering marvel. This is a HUGE store. I don't know why I took this photo? Pops is famous because it has over 500 different flavors of soda pop ready to drink!! We were told by some local members that NOT all of them are "worth" drinking!?!? ha ha We visited the Wild West Mecca -- The Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. It's filled with original works of art as well as authentic pieces which tell the "real" story of how the West really was. Naturally, I had to made another pilgrimage of my own -- to the American Banjo Museum which moved from Guthrie just a year ago.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
FRIDAY - May 16 Oklahoma City, OKFor dinner, we were escorted by our new Region friends to an excellent restaurant named PEARL'S in the Bricktown area of downtown OK City. The food, atmosphere and friendship was excellent. If you visit OK city, feel comfortable visiting this area of downtown after hours - and enjoy any of the many high-quality restaurants. Our fantastic tour guides. In the evening we paid our respects to the Ok City Bombing Memorial. This is a very respectful and moving memorial dedicated to the 168 people killed here in 1995. A "chair" represents all of the people (including 19 children) that were killed in the bombing. As the sun began to set, we were moved by the serenity of the structures.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
SATURDAY - May 17 Oklahoma to Tucumcari, New MexicoAt the Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK. Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX People having their picture taken in the trunk. And... a very suspicious individual with aerosol cans standing next to a Cadillac with an interesting marking on it. !?!?! --But I have it on very good authority that the actual culprit was not photographed. Someone said that "her" name begins with an "E". Just inside the border entering Texas is a small town along the south frontage road call Shamrock. There are a large number of abandoned old-time gas stations here. These obviously contributed greatly to some of the styles and designs in the movie CARS. And my favorite. Again, you can see this in the movie CARS. Another stop for souvenirs. Very good selection.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
We went off the road to find Lucilles Gas Station. It has the old original building which was interesting since they lived on the second floor for about 30 years. A couple of miles further down the road is the new Lucilles along with a great 50's Diner serving food. The Midpoint Café, a restaurant, souvenir and antique shop on US Route 66 in Adrian, Texas, bills itself as geographically the midway point between Los Angeles and Chicago. More good food and souviners. The sign that is suppose to be above the door isn't there. I asked the new owners about it, and they said that they never saw it before, or after, they bought the building a couple of years ago. Supposedly the sign said "When you're here, you're halfways there."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
SATURDAY - May 18 Tucumcari, New MexicoAnd now we visit the world famous Blue Swallow! The owners are very, very friendly. If you are passing this way, don't hesitate to spend the night here. And the price was UNDER $70. Wow. We spent the night here renting out 6 rooms. They don't accept pets, so Mikey had to stay down the road at a different motel. The good news: Each room has a garage. The bad news: If you park inside, you can't open your doors! Ha! The rooms were very clean and the water was hot! Come early and eat dinner at Del's restaurant about two blocks down the street. Within walking distance. Oh, that's the owner's car parked out front. RATED: OWNERS: Kevin & Nancy Mueller Blue Swallow 815 E. Route 66 Blvd Tucumcari, New Mexico 88401 Phone: 575-461-9849 Web: blueswallowmotel.com Email: blueswallowmotel@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374 Likes: 30
ChatMaster - 4,000
|
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374 Likes: 30 |
Lots of Great Picts !! Love seeing what you guys are doing while touring...
That would be a great route to run along and see the sights.
good friends means good times. Keep the picts coming
AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932 The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
SUNDAY - May 18 Tucumcari, New MexicoThe Blue Swallow at sunrise. Very iconic. If you're ever in the area -- STAY HERE. It is really great!!! And, a sneak peek inside at the shower. Notice the clever method used to bring the water up above my chest. And a look at the garages. Even my Corvette was a tight fit. But -- it WAS undercover all night. SUNDAY - May 18 Santa Fe, New MexicoTook a quick (?) sidetrip to Santa Fe today. It looked like a short distance on the map... oopsie. This is a big... and busy city. Allow lots of time if you visit. And I'm not showing the sidewalk vendors. But just be aware that there aren't any good deals for turquoise "on the street". :-( Had lunch on a second story restaurant. Very relaxed. Couldn't get Bob to pick up the tab. Maybe next time. Walking along the street, we sighted this three-wheeler. I forgot the name. Morgan?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
MONDAY - May 19 Holbrook, ArizonaOn our way, we stopped for our usual Pee stop. Took a group photo. But then it gusted to about 35 MPH and..... well... let me just say that you don't want to be downwind of us BEFORE we went inside the building. Jim Darby shows where we spent tonight. And then he proudly showed off his "new" car and his very own Tee Pee!!! We were a bit worried when we pulled up to the motel and saw a whole bunch of cars already parked there. We hoped that they still had our rooms. Not to worry. All of the cars here are left-over props. Nearly every room has a vintage car parked next to it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
MONDAY - May 19 Holbrook, ArizonaMy favorite car at the motel -- DOC MONDAY - May 19 Flagstaff, ArizonaFor the past two days, my brake pedal kept getting closer and closer to the floor. Finally I had to admit that I had a problem. With some late night phone calls back to Seattle, Jim Seiber found a fantastic auto mechanic in Flagstaff - only 90 miles away. We went there the next morning and upon arrival, he already had a brand new master cylinder on the bench waiting for me. For an hour, we all took control of his shop and probably drove him nuts. But finally the crowd decided to head on ahead to our next stop at the Grand Canyon. Once they left, Bob was able to replace my master cylinder and I was on my way by 2 pm. RATED: OWNER: Robert Pennicker Quality Automotive 5301 E. Empire Ave Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Phone: (928) 527-6844 MONDAY - May 19 Grand Canyon, ArizonaIf you've never been there, the last 50 miles leading up to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon are very deceiving. Are we there yet? And then suddenly you are THERE!!!! Just breathtaking. There is no picture that does it justice. Steve, Elyse and Bob decide not to take the 10-second tour. (?) Jim Darby pretends to be a tourist. Bob and Florence grab a shot for the grandkids.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
MONDAY - May 19 Grand Canyon, ArizonaA Park Ranger asks whether we've bought anything at the gift store. No, wait!!! It's really Elyse. What a disguise. She's such a kidder!!! Awaiting sunset - one of the two best times of the day (besides sunrise). At 7:15 pm we took a group photo while we waited for our 7:30 pm conference call back to the Puget Sound Region's (Seattle) monthly meeting. They arranged for our cell phone call to be amplified. At 7:29 pm, the gang is getting a little anxious. The temperature has dropped about 10 degrees in the last 10 minutes. And we weren't really dressed warm enough. And there's only two more buses taking people back to the Hotel. We didn't want to spend the night out here.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
TUESDAY - May 20 Grand Canyon, ArizonaHere it is... 5:30 am at the Grand Canyon. Didn't I tell you that there were TWO special times of the day? Ha!! (Sorry for all of the yellow-car photos.)I was going to walk to the edge of the Grand Canyon for a spectacular photo, but then I found out it was a half a mile away!! My car was much closer. (... and I wasn't really awake yet.)On our way to breakfast, we decided to "shoot the rapids" while it was still in the parking lot. Somewhere outside of Sligeman, Az, we drove the last (and best) continuous length of Route 66 that is left. It was about 140 miles long. Out in the middle of no where, we saw ANOTHER familiar sign from the CARS movie! And Elyse took this opportunity to... er.... danged if I know WHAT she was doing!?!?!? This is another iconic motel that still is in business. The owners were VERY friendly. They have EVERY room identified with a famous movie star -- eg. James Dean, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne.... very cool. We've added this to our list for the NEXT trip. TUESDAY - May 20 Lake Havasu, ArizonaWhy are Steve and Florence taking a picture of this lousy bridge? I wanna go and see what the underside looks like!! Oh, my god. It's the London Bridge!!! Then we must be at Lake Havasu, Arizona.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
Come back tomorrow for the next installment -- AND see where we signed up a new VCCA member at 11 pm at night!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to JC and his family!!!!! RATED: OWNERS: JC Stone (VCCA Member)Lake Havasu Travelodge 480 London Bridge Rd Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 Free Breakfast Free Wifi Pets Allowed Phone: (928) 680-9202 Web: http://www.travelodge.com/hotels/arizona/lake-havasu-city/lake-havasu-travelodge/hotel-overview
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
WEDNESDAY - May 21Once we crossed into California, people started to get hungry. We stopped at a really great restaurant which was recommended to us by a gas station operator out in the middle of nowhere. Definitely great food! And then only 2 miles up the road we stopped at our mid-day destination - CALICO, CA. This is now a renovated ghost town of an old mining village. The photos speak for themselves. Since we were here on a Monday, the crowds were extremely small. I think that there were only 4 tour buses. What the? A Starbucks??? At the end of town you can take a short walk up to the top of a "mound" and see the entire valley below. It is an easy walk and takes less than 5 minutes. A few visitors were at the top and asked us to take their picture. This lady thought that Steve was a miner. Or a professional photographer. Or a movie star. Never did figure out which. Steve didn't let the language barrier stop him from enjoying himself.Getting ready to depart -- Six of our cars are in this photo. Can you find them?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
WEDNESDAY - May 21 Barstow, CAAt Barstow we jumped back on the original stretch of Route 66. This was one of the many buildings that we saw. Some were still in business, some not. I don't have space to post all of the photos here.Near Helendale, we found this old gas sign that I had photographed about 8 years ago. I was surprised to find that it was still there. I was kind of hoping that they were selling gas again... at those prices!!??
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
WEDNESDAY - May 21 Barstow, CAThis stretch of road turned out to have way more relics than I anticipated. We didn't stop at very many of them since we wanted to get to our Wigwam before dinnertime. NOTE: It was along this stretch of highway that I found my gas tank needle pointing to the bottom 1/4 on the gauge. Even though there was a lot of civilization around, apparently they must all drive electric cars, since there WEREN'T any gas stations around!! As a result I didn't stop at many of these roadside attractions, since I couldn't afford to continually stop and start my engine. When I FINALLY found a gas station, right where Route 66 merges back on to Highway 40, my car took 14.7 gallons - in a tank that only holds 15 gallons. Now THAT was close.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
WEDNESDAY - May 21 Rialto, CA (San Bernadino)We finally reached a milestone -- our last night before the end of Route 66. And we were staying in a Wigwam!!Jim's car looks good here. He only bought it a couple of months ago, but it has run perfectly the entire trip. Of course the yellow car looks right at home too. And this is where we finally took our GROUP PHOTO with everyone wearing their Route 66 hats. Thanks to the Barquist's for buying these for us. Now to fill in some details... We decided to stay put and ordered Pizza to be delivered for everyone! Fran thought of that idea and it was a BIG hit! Of course Bob, Jim and I went on a beer run by foot. After walking two blocks to a Walgreens, we discovered that they don't sell beer! Walked back to the Wigwam and then saw a Liquor store directly across the street. That's what happens when you're v-e-r-y thirsty from driving all day from Lake Havasu, Calico and Barstow. We sat around the swimming pool with some other Wigwam guests and shared our Pizza. One of them was a couple from Australia who were also driving Route 66. But they were in a rental car and going the opposite direction from us. It was their very FIRST night while it was our LAST night! So we gave them a number of tips on where to go and what to see. They were going to end in Chicago, while we were going to end at the ocean in California. I liked our plan better! RATED: OWNER: Kumar Patel Wigwam Motel 2728 West Foothill Blvd San Bernardino, CA 92410 Phone: (909) 875-3005 phone Web: www.wigwammotel.comEmail: info@wigwammotel.com
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
There are a lot more photos and stuff coming. Check back in a couple of days. I need to take a break while I get ready for a special 4-string gig on Saturday. :-)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,037 Likes: 5
ChatMaster - 2,000
|
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,037 Likes: 5 |
What a great group of pictures. It sure looks like everyone had a great time and a great trip down memory lane.
dtm
the toolman 60th Anniversary Meet Chairperson Dave VCCA # L 28873 VCCA #83 Tool Technical Advisor for 1914-1966 VCCA #83 1940 Chevrolet Technical Advisor
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374 Likes: 30
ChatMaster - 4,000
|
ChatMaster - 4,000
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 4,374 Likes: 30 |
Pictures are awesome... Looks and Sounds like everyone really enjoyed themselves. Love the Wigwams. Truly a trip down memory lane
AACA - VCCA - Stovebolt - ChevyTalk Love the Antique Chevrolet's from 1928-1932 The Beauty, Simplicity, History, and the Stories they Tell
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
THURSDAY- May 22 San Bernadino, CAJust gotta show you some more WigWam photos. This is the kind of place that is a hoot to stay with a group of friends. While the neighborhood is kind of "seedy", we had no problems at all and felt that our cars and us were safe at all times. The rooms are VERY nice and clean. One family did have a problem when they woke up the next morning and only had luke-warm water in their shower... It turns out that the pilot light on the hot water heater blew out during the middle of the night. We felt that that was just the luck of the draw. No foul. A future VCCA member? Lots of space and no noise after hours... and... no one making noise on the floor above you at night!!! ?? :-)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
THURSDAY- May 22 San Bernadino, CAThe best was yet to come. The next morning when we got ready to depart, Kumar Patel, the Wigwam owner showed up and insisted on giving us a tour on the way out of town!! The train station is completely restored. In fact the sandwich counter inside was a GREAT place for us to have coffee and fresh-out-of-the-oven butterscotch scones!! They were delicious. (Two points if your grand kids can guess what Fran is standing by.)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
|
OP
Former ChatMaster ChatMaster - 5,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,906 Likes: 8 |
THURSDAY- May 22 San Bernadino, CAOne of the places that I had inked-in on our tour list was the ORIGINAL McDONALDS that was just a short distance from the WigWam. I figured that we'd go see it when we went to dinner... but since we ended up ordering pizza, frankly I forgot about this "must see" stop. But Kumar included it as our second stop. And, what a stop it was. Since we went there during the day time -- it was OPEN!!! We got to actually go inside - where it is a Museum now (no food is served). And, all of the artists were busy painting the mural on the side. We talked with them and got a very interesting history about the location. In fact they took photos of our cars, and said that they were now going to include US on their mural!!!
|
|
|
|
|