Thread: Kiwis on Route 66

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Thanks for the kind words and though you're not that old you somewhat remind of my grandfather on my mother's side. And I have a soft spot for farmers as that is what both of my grandfathers were. Just wish we had more time.

Tuesday 1st October.

. We all slept well last night, and made the most of the hour we gained when crossing the time zone.

Away by about 8:15, first stop the 'Jack rabbit Trading Post'. I'm not too sure as to what its claim to fame is, perhaps because its been here since 1949, 'cos otherwise it's no different from any other 'Buy-me' we've visited en route.
Next stop was Winslow Arizona to get our pictures taken at the corner of 2nd Street and Kingsley. (And Grabel/cruisin' before either of you comment; I already know it was the Eagles!)
We opted out of visiting the Meteor Crater (good call as it turned out, it would've been closed,) and instead decided upon making the Grand Canyon our hole in the ground of choice.
We got there . . . and it was closed.
Bugger!
How can you 'close' the Grand Canyon?
As far as I'm aware its been open for hundreds of thousands of years!
Seems the US Gubmint has been having fiscal problems so they killed the goose that lays the golden eggs and closed all National Parks.
Doh.
So . . . on to Seligman and the Grand Canyon Caverns.
I must admit they were awesome; but a poor second best for the Grand Canyon itself.
But them's the breaks,
And so on to Kingman, with the scenery through from Flagstaff being absolutely stunning, arriving a bit before 5:00, and booked in to another Super 8 . . . US$57 per couple per double smoking-allowed room per night.
The noisiest place we’ve stayed in so far, with people stomping through the corridors, raised voices, banging doors, toilets flushing . . . pretty well all night long.
Pleased to leave.


Wednesday 2nd October.

Left the motel about 8:15 and headed for the Mohave Museum, the Route 66 Assoc.'s Museum, and the Locomotive Park. Found the Locomotive Park first, a thumping great steam engine with a carriage attached stuck in the middle of a grassed area with a brief note on a plaque telling a bit of its story.
Interesting enough, but not quite what I'd expected.
The other two museums were 'related'; in that you bought a ticket to one and got into the other one free.
Both were extremely well done; the Route 66 one being one of the better ones we've been through, and the Mohave one telling a very interesting story of a proud nation.
(And we got to put a pin in Opunake in a map of the world . . . the first Kiwis to pin on NZ!)
So: gas up and head for Barstow . . . a long drive through seemingly endless desert.
Crossed the Sitgreaves Pass, 3550 ft. at the summit.
Reminiscent of the Paekakariki Hill Rd, or the drive to Whangamomona.
In the exodus of the thirties many Okies paid the locals to drive their cars over this stretch.
It wouldn't have concerned me overly, hell; I've driven a 44 seater bus out to Whangamomona and back in the dark, but Dick was determined, so we had a slow scenic drive.
Good on ya Dick for having the balls to face it!

I'd read somewhere that the migrants of the 1800's sometimes had to park-up beside flowing rivers. Sometimes for months, until after rain had fallen, to ensure that at least some of the water-courses in their path were flowing enough to provide water for themselves and stock during their journey.
Yep . . . I can believe that now.
They were tough buggers.
The more I see of this country the more respect I have for the old-time pioneers; they weren't spoon-fed and arse-wiped.
Drove through Oatman, it may be a one-horse town; but hundreds (if not thousands,) of donkeys . . . most running loose on the streets.
It seems they were used as pack animals way back when, and when the mines mechanised or closed down they were turned loose to fend for themselves.
Arrived Barstow, found the 'Mother Road Museum' and the railroad museum.
Both had signs on the door saying: "Open Fri - Sun 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.' or words to that effect.
Bugger!
So I climbed over some of the engines parked outside, opened a door to look at the motor . . . it was as tall as I am, and ten ft. long . . . and in the gloom I'm pretty sure there was another the same size behind it.
Diesel tank capacity?
4000 gallons.
Sheesh!
These are big fellas.
But not as big as the ones in service now.

And so on to Victorville and a Best value Inn for the evening.
A grot shop.

And the bottom fell out of She's KFC box spreading her tea all over the grot-shop carpet.
Bugger.


Thursday 3rd October.

A bit late getting started today, (we all got stuck into some adult beverages last night and told lies until way past bed-time,) left the grot-shop around 8:45, all as hung-over as a sheet on a line, and headed for the original McDonalds shop, (now a museum,) at 1398 N.E. St., San Bernardino.
"You people are from New Zealand? Welcome, welcome!"
Rory Murray is the fella running it, (elmoby59@yahoo.com) he made us feel very welcome indeed, giving us all sorts of memorabilia, not charging entry, and a personally guided tour of the place.
Amazing; really enjoyed that.
Rory also asked me if I could send any N. Z. McDonalds' 'stuff' to him, 'cos they haven't got any as yet.
Will have a look when I get home and see what can be done.
I know it will be going to a good home.

Then on out to the Norton Air Force Base Museum, 1601 E 3rd St. san Bernardino.
Dick's brother had served here for several years in aircraft maintenance, so he was keen to take a trip down memory lane too, as he hasn't been here since he was fifteen years old.
Thoroughly enjoyed that too!
One of the vets manning the place had been in New Zealand for Operation Deep Freeze, and their trips to the Antarctic, so he enjoyed hearing all about recent events in Christchurch, which is where Operation Deepfreeze was based.
An awesome place, highly recommended.
(And yes; got the cap and the tee shirt!)
After a brief discussion it was decided to head straight for Los Angeles and the Petersen Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd.
Stuffed up a bit here; didn't realise there was a car-park attached to the building, so parked on a meter outside, which gave us only 48 minutes to have a very brief look at the ground floor.
Bugger!
Will have to come back to-morrow.

Finished the day booked in to a Best Western some where out near the airport.
All good.

Friday 4th October.

Away from the motel about 8:45, a deliberate ploy to allow traffic to clear a bit, and headed back to the Petersen Museum, finally entering the place around 11:15 after stopping in the car park to talk with a couple about their new (to them; they'd only just bought it,) 57 Ford Country Estate.
A very nice couple, well into Fords, they'd bought the car over the interweb, flown to LA to pick it up, and were driving it back to Pennsylvania.
Both in their seventies . . . bloody good luck to them!

The man at museum reception recognised us from yesterday as the people who'd paid full whack but had had only forty minutes to look around, so refused to take my money, just bunged new wrist-bands on us.
Thanks mate!
We spent the next five hours between this museum and the George C Page Museum across the road a bit, which told the story of the La Brea Tar Pits, and showed the fossils of the animals that had been trapped in them.

Bloody gorgeous totally interesting day.

To-morrow we're booked to visit one Randy Ross, another Okie, and a member of CHR.

Our tour is almost over, and I'm pleased with the way it has evolved . . . its clicked together like a tango dancer's heels, and I'm so happy that if I was a puppy I'd leave puddles.
And for that I have to thank all those people who have put themselves out to make it a memorable one.
So thank-you one and all!

Saturday 5th October.

I'd contacted Randy last night to ensure he'd be home today, yes he would be, but could we make it fairly early, as he has to work today.
So we left the hotel around 7:30 so's to arrive his place around 8:30.
A great bloke; quick on the uptake and a wicked twisted sense of humour.
I like him.
And after seeing the constraints under which he does his engineering/automotive work I have to admire him too.
His entire shed is about 20' x 20' . . . and his car takes up half of that.
In the rest of it he has his tools, welders, spare/replacement parts, and his personal 'stuff', eg push-bikes etc.
More power to you mate!
An extremely nice bloke.

Next stop: Santa Monica Pier.
The end of Route 66.
And the end of our Route 66 tour.
Bit of an anticlimax really.

But not the end of our trip!
We've still got the California ScienCentre, 700 Exposition Park drive to visit, where the Space Shuttle Museum is.
So we spent the rest of the day there.
Bloody gorgeous, and a 'must do'.
I reckon I could spend three days rabbiting around in that complex.
An amazing place.

When we first pulled in to LA we were in a Best Western Motel, but changed yesterday to Holiday Inn.
Bad move.
We did it to be nearer the airport, and because our travel agent had booked us in to Holiday Inn for our last night in the U.S.
No fridge, (although we got one after I complained,) no microwave, and only one chair, (neither of those eventuated, c'mon, get real; if there's a double bed it usually implies there's two people . . . and only one chair?) brekky was thrown in at Best Western, here it's $15 / head, the curtains don't close, (although they did after I complained,) no smoking in the hotel or the vicinity, (smoking rooms at Best Western,) parking is $15 / night, (free at Best Western,) the chest of drawers has missing knobs and can't be opened, and to top it off it's nearly 50% more expensive!
And the parking charge would bring it even closer to the 50% mark.
Yeah right!
And to top it off we couldn’t just roll over our reservations for tonight . . . we had to book out, and then in again, as did Susie and Dick.
We’re both pretty laid back people, but She was getting so wound up with attitudes and bullshit that I had to intervene before She clobbered someone, and send her outside for a smoke to calm down.
She was so angry She was shaking; I really thought She was going to clobber some arrogant bastard.
Bad attitudes . . . dictated by management. In my opinion a place to be avoided!
NOT recommended
And we'll inform our travel agent so upon our return to God's Own Country.


Sunday 6th October.

Our last day here in the States.
A bit late getting on the road today, as it's our last day we had to re-pack bags/suitcases (both us and the Smelsers,) to minimise the number and individual weight of each one.
Dick was sitting in the rear door of the van, with it opened above him, when we came down with the last few bits and pieces.
The doors on this car can all be operated remotely from the key ring . . . and I had the 'other' key ring in my pocket . . .

Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do; 'cos if a man doesn't do what a man's gotta do, then what a man's gotta do doesn't get done . . .

So I pressed the button on the key ring to shut the rear door.

Well golly gosh!

Dick might not be so young anymore, but he leapt like a wasp had crawled up the leg of his trousers and introduced itself.
Haven't laughed so hard since Ma jammed her tits in the mangle.
As we came around the side of the car I could hear him muttering “Bastard! Bastard!”
He’s learning how to talk Kiwi pretty good!

But anyway: the rest of the day ('til around 3:00 pm,) we gave the girls full reign to go shopping for girly things
I'm so kind and thoughtful and tolerant sometimes that I surprise even myself. But I did alright too: I've got a telephone box at home, and for some time I've been looking for a Superman suit to hang inside it, I mean; that's where I've traditionally changed!
And today I found one.
All good.
Sometimes it's cool to go into clothes' shops.
Lunch was at a place (can’t recall the name,) not far from the airport . . . and we waited fifty minutes for our meal . . . people who came in after us were departing before us . . . no tip there!
And I was rather brusque with the cashier.
But all good things must end; so around 3:00 o'clock we all piled into the car, headed for the rental return, shuttle, and LAX.
Dick and Susie got off before we did, the shuttle won't wait, so farewells were brief.
But we'll be back.
Hell yeah!

A bloody gorgeous time meeting some bloody gorgeous people.
A lot of people made this trip memorable; but special thanks must go to Dick and Suzie Smelser, for their company, their attitudes, and most of all for their chauffeuring of us across this mighty country . . . a great burden off me.

Thank-you.

johnboy and She Who Must Be Obeyed.

Monday 7th October.

Flew back into New Plymouth airport after about 23 hours total in planes and airports.
Rawcliffes were waiting for us with our car, ta very hard people!
Chucked our stuff in, headed to our pre-booked motel, got a munchy for tea, dropped into bed . . . and slept.


Disclaimer: Be aware that the views and opinions expressed by the author of this missive are bloody good ones!

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

Thanks for the kind words and though you're not that old you somewhat remind of my grandfather on my mother's side. And I have a soft spot for farmers as that is what both of my grandfathers were. Just wish we had more time.

'Never rubbish farmers when your mouth's full.'



And yeah, even though this trip was very laid back compared with our previous one; the pace was still pretty frenetic!

( . . . and if I remind you of your maternal Grandfather he must've been a bloody good bloke! )

jb, it was good to read through your daily log and relive part of the trip. We enjoyed having you visit, and it made the Old Marais River Run come alive for me again. Had to laugh about your comment that we have trees so close to the house, which is the farmer coming out. After all the years living in town where the only trees were the ones we planted, so they were tiny, we placed this house among the trees and wildlife, leaving as many trees as possible. We love our house in the woods.

Thank You so much for making the time to capture and share your trip with us! Bloody Brilliant!

Originally Posted by rspears

jb, it was good to read through your daily log and relive part of the trip. We enjoyed having you visit, and it made the Old Marais River Run come alive for me again. Had to laugh about your comment that we have trees so close to the house, which is the farmer coming out. After all the years living in town where the only trees were the ones we planted, so they were tiny, we placed this house among the trees and wildlife, leaving as many trees as possible. We love our house in the woods.

Your home, in that setting, is extremely picturesque, and suits the setting perfectly. In fact it's quite magnificent . . . those huge windows bring the bush 'in' to your living area; and I can see exactly why you've built where and how you did.
I tend to look at things from a different perspective however; and my major concern (if I was in your situation,) would be fire.
Secondarily; I'm slightly claustrophobic, and would (over a period,) find that close proximity a bit overwhelming.
But . . . I'm not in your position, and you're not in mine, so you can tell me to go and get *******, mind my own business, and smile while you're saying it!
(Which, knowing you, I am in no doubt whatsoever that that's exactly what you will do!)

Originally Posted by 34_40

Thank You so much for making the time to capture and share your trip with us! Bloody Brilliant!

Thanks!
Glad you liked it.

I had to do some work on the newly aquired Elvis statue today at the Polk-A-Dot Drive Inn. Made me think of missing the chance to meet johnboy last year. I hope you had a chance to stop at the Drive Inn even though work had me going in the oposite direction that day.
Here's some Elvis shots & a few other photos I took today at the Drive Inn.

Yes, we stopped there on our way through, had a burger and a shake each, and yes; it was a pity to miss you that day.
But, them's the breaks.

Maybe next time?



Cos I reckon that we'll be back!

...and to catch the piece from St Louis down through Missouri to SE Kansas, too!! Yeah, I'd say that maybe you & Rosie need to schedule another Rt 66 run, just to see all the little pieces you may have skipped, and people you missed, too!! Your Winter 2015? In a street rod or maybe a classic muscle car?

Originally Posted by rspears

...and to catch the piece from St Louis down through Missouri to SE Kansas, too!! Yeah, I'd say that maybe you & Rosie need to schedule another Rt 66 run, just to see all the little pieces you may have skipped, and people you missed, too!! Your Winter 2015? In a street rod or maybe a classic muscle car?

Better yet.....make the trip in The Bus!

Originally Posted by randyr

Better yet.....make the trip in The Bus!

What a grand idea, Randy!!

Originally Posted by randyr

Better yet.....make the trip in The Bus!

Hell no!

The last time we shipped the bus (as deck cargo; it's too big to go into a container,) the shipping line lost it!

Found it weeks later in Singapore.

I'm not going to chance that again.

(. . . and there's also the fact that it's now right-hand drive . . . dunno if it would be legal in the States.)

Hope I have better luck catching up with you next time johnboy.