May 20-22

Still making our way through Arizona, on the 21^st  trying to take pictures and visiting  Route 66 attractions, diners and museums.

We did a two-night stay at a campground in Mohave Valley. Our focus was to visit the historic town of Oatman, AZ on Route 66, known for its wild burros roaming the streets and it’s “ghost town” tourist appeal. Featuring Old West reenactments, shops and saloons.  Originally a gold mining camp that boomed in the early 20^th century, it declined after the mines closed and Route 66 was bypassed, but was revitalized as a tourist destination.  The original road to Oatman on Route 66, was locally known as the “Arizona Sidewinder” featured exactly 191 curves, twists and switchbacks over a demanding 8 mile stretch through the Black Mountains.  It is highly recommended to take your time driving this route due to narrow steep drop-offs and the occasional wild burro crossing.  We found two routes into Oatman, the 191 curves road and a back road that was pretty straight forward except for the occasional burro.  We took the straight road into town but you betcha, we took the “Sidewinder” home, what a ride!

May 22-25

Then we crossed into California.  The land of $8.29 for a gallon of diesel, be still our hearts.

We were able to get into the Fam Camp on Seal Beach Weapon Station.  This was a great option as it was secure and cost a fraction of what a RV park in LA would be.

 

We arrived at 1pm, unhooked and made the hour drive to Santa Monica Pier.  Can you believe it, we were on the final leg of our Route 66 trip. After 39 days, 8 states on route 66 (13 states from home) total of 6000 miles, God knows how many gallons of diesel we were at the end of the road, literally.  We found the “End of the Trail” sign at the pier, took a picture, quickly followed by a celebratory margarita.  Can you believe it we did what most cant do we traveled the entire Route 66 just like people did in the heyday of family travel during the great depression and the Dust Bowl.

While in the LA area we decided to mark a few items off our bucket list.  Fist stop was a visit with my sister in Santa Barbara who prepared a fantastic lunch for us and great conversation.  We took Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway back to the RV park.  It was a long 3-hour drive home but well worth it. 

Spent the next day truly be tourist.  We visited the La Brea Tar Pit and Museum, the worlds only active Ice Age fossil site since discovered 1905.   The pits have yielded thousands of fossils like mammoths, saber toothed cats and dire wolves.  Today there are two active excavations site within the park.  Over 3.5 million specimens have been discovered representing over 660 species of animals and plants.  The tar (aka asphalt) still bubbles up today.

drove to see the infamous “Hollywood” sign, Griffith Observatory and of course we took a walk to the TCL Chinese Theater, originally Grauman’s Chinese Theater, a iconic movie palace on the Hollywood walk of fame known for its exotic architecture, hosting major film premieres and famous forecourt of the Stars where celebrities have left handprints and footprints in cement.

Oh my, I forgot to mention that we found the original “Randy’s Donut” shop from 1952.  2 cups of coffee and a box of donuts, heaven

This is the end of our Route 66 trip but not the end of our journey.  We are headed to Sequoia and Yosemite Nation Parks for a few days before we settle in Nevada for a few weeks for our grandson’s high school graduation and some needed grandparent time with all our grandsons.  Don’t worry we still have to make our way back home to South Carolina, there are many adventures to be had getting there.