Or did they score a lot of baskets?
Ah yes, time for our annual Stupid Bowl Drive!
This year's eschewing of the Big Lame got the SoCal Citroen (and a few assorted oddities) getting our kicks on Rt. 66. We all met at the Denny's in Arcadia, got the usual EXCELLENT sandwiches at Claros, stood around, gabbed, and finally left about 10:30, headed east on the 210 Freeway.
The mountains were spectacular, covered in snow from the previous week's Atmospheric River. Just glad the snow is on the mountains, where those who wish, can play in it and us flatlanders don't have to cope. It's bad enough in the rain, can you imagine SoCal freeways hit with SNOW???
North on the 15 (the Devore Cutoff) and exit at Glen Helen, up over a hill, then left of Cajon Blvd, aka Rt. 66. This is a short stretch of the Auld Road that is a famous spot for rail fans to gather and watch BNSF and UP fight the grade.
We all caught up at Cajon Station (Cajon Blvd and Cleghorn) where yer's truley regaled the crowd with a bit of history of Cajon Pass.
Seems it was only heavy to the 138 off ramp. Skiers figured it would be a good day to hit the slopes! WHEW! Just past the off ramp, it was smooth sailing up over the summit and on to Victorville. Poor Nate (our token VW friend and his 36hp Bug) REALLY struggled to get to the top. He should get a 2CV! Oh, wait...
One of our Gallant Crew, David and his lovely white DS21 had contacted me, asking to be told when we got back on the 15 so he could join us from his home in Hesperia. Marianne called him as we left, and MAN did he time it well. Just before Victorville, I look over and here's a white DS coming down the on ramp right in front of me! Talk about timing!
We got off at D St. in Victorville and left at the end of the ramp. This is more of Old 66, and a lovely drive.
We cruised along and stopped at Elmer's Bottle Ranch. Luckily, the gate was open, so we could wander in and gawp at this wonderful art installation created by Elmer Long, a classic old Desert Rat in 2000 (who knew, most think it's MUCH older) and is a quirky collection of steel "trees" with old bottles stuck on and other welded junk (saw blades, old rifles, dummy bombs, typewriters, army helmets, and Stuff). It's a true Roadside Attraction that harks back to an earlier time.
I used to take my students along this stretch of 66 as a field trip and they'd always ask, "Mr. McCarthy, what do people DO out here? It's so LONELY!" My answer? "ANYTHING THEY WANT TO!" Clearly Elmer enjoyed doing his own thing.
We finally hit Barstow and turned left at 1st St. to cross the tracks on the old bridge to the train station and our final destination, the Rte. 66 Mother Road Museum and El Deserito, the Barstow Harvey House and train station.
The museum is a neat little place run by Debra Hodkin and local volunteers. I'd take my students there on the field trip as well, and (I'm about to blush) almost 20 years later, Debra still remembers me and my students as the BEST group they've ever had!
We all poked around the museum, ate our sandwiches, then looked in on the Harvey House. It was deeded to the city years ago, and they spent a bunch of money renovating it, then, just as they finished, the 7.2 Landers earthquake (Landers isn't far from Barstow) damaged the building, forcing the city to re-restore it.
Now, the city has always had dreams of making El Deserito a Destination Hotel and High End Restaurant...in Barstow...yeah...
Poor Barstow. Populated mostly by retired Military and other pensioners...people who don't have the money for High End Dining. It's also too far off the interstates and not fast food for people going to and from Lost Wages. It's a shame, as the place is GORGEOUS!
We also browsed around in the railroad museum there which has a lot of Santa Fe memorabilia.
Finally, it was time the head for the barn, and fight the typical Sunday Returning from Vegas traffic...or not. Remember the Stupid Bowl was IN Vegas this year (giving better access to gamblers...sigh) so THAT whole crowd wouldn't be hitting the road until Monday! The drive was a breeze. We just chugged along and got home about 5PM.
All-in-all, a great day out, perfect weather, light traffic, good friends, good food, great roads and old cars. What more could you ask for?
