Leg 1: Santa Monica to Victorville

Leg 1: Santa Monica to Victorville

GS Season II - Leg One:

Santa Monica to Victorville, California

“California Dreaming”

What a way to begin... at the end of course! The sun draped pier at Santa Monica was the perfect setting for the start of our adventure. A postcard perfect day on the California Coast was in store for us as well as the other Route 66 travelers. Indiana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and even Great Britain folks gathered  around the End of the Road sign for the requisite selfie. Proof, of sorts, that we’re all in. Stories and contacts traded, we promised to meet up again. Saddle up... Rancho Cucamonga here we come!

Don’t let the price of that historical pump fool you, adding 6 dollars to that 17 cents will get you a gallon  of premium just up the route. This beautifully restored Richfield Station sits right on the original location with the city now displacing the Orange Groves that once filled the landscape. We only took a few photos as the hours were Thursday-Sunday,  but not to worry, there is so much to take in on this Main Street of America.

We pressed on to “San Bernardo” (John’s nickname for San Bernardino) and the Wigwam Motel: Wigwam Wow! These motel rooms were once rented by the hour in the late 80’s and considered a blight on the community according to the Manager Samir, who’s father saved the motel from being demolished in 2001. Lovingly restored by this family of Indian immigrants, it transported us back to a bygone era, leaving us with only the questions of who may have spent a night in one of these unique Tee-pees. :)

As the sun began to set behind us we were forced on to the I15 Freeway that now covers the original roadbed that was the 66. We could have only imagined that the start of this season could have been this great... I guess that is why they call it “California Dreaming!”

Safe travels!

Caroline (And John)