The big one, or my West Coast adventures. Day 14

Wow, 2 weeks on the road, and I'm just outside of LA. I do have to take the bike in for some routine maintenance tomorrow.

Back to the ride report. I wanted to get a early start today, so I'm up early.  I start by packing the bike, while waiting for the hotel Starbucks to open. Also, for the first time on this trip, the hotel wanted $10.99 for Internet service. I've gotten too used to free. But instead of paying it, I added a extra GB on the phone for $10. At least that way I get to use it on the trip, instead of one night.

Outside the casino as I'm getting no signal in the Casino. The sun arises.  I'm back on the bike and over the border to Arizona.  Gas is a $1 a gallon cheaper than it is in California,  so time to fill up.

We'll see how much more it is later. Back on route 66.

Well, that didn't last long. So back on I-40. The exits on I-40 in this part of California are far between.  20 to 30 minutes later I finally see the sign for Amboy, CA, so I get off, and head down to route 66. When I get down the I find I got off at the right exit.

The sign heading back east on route 66.

I actually thought Amboy, CA. was bigger.

Well, at least the gas pumps are open. The cafe isn't due to the lack of drinkable water, shame.

The history of Amboy, CA is interesting, and how it was bought on ebay by a pollo magnate. He also owns the very first McD's which I'll see later on. I grab a drink and t-shirt and am on my way, only to find out route 66 is blocked going west as well.  The tropical storm last week washed out a lot of bridges in this part of California. So back the way I came and back onto I-40. Down the interstate I see the exit for route 66 sign, so I'm off.

 One side of Ludlow, CA

 It's 11 am and this is the first cafe I've come across. Time for breakfast.  Nothing outstanding,  but hit the spot. That and I had to finish updating the blog.

 The other end of Ludlow, CA. As I would see from off I-40, parts of Route 66 have been 1/2 washed away.

 History of Ludlow.

 Nice little display.

With all those detours,  I had to fill up sooner than later. This wasn't to bad, I've seen $4.79 a gallon. Which equals around $1.35 CDN a liter.  So gas in America isn't always cheaper.

Since I can't leave by route 66,  it's back on I -40 to the "Bagdad cafe". I've heard of it, but haven't seen the movie,  so it doesn't mean much to me. But to the Europeans,  especially the French it means something.  They come by the bus load to see this run down cafe, in the middle of nowhere. Maybe one of these days I'll watch the movie.

 Hey Shawn,  here's a fix it upper.

 The Burwell edition. A little smaller.

 More Germans.

The yelp reviews are not kind to the cafe. Guess they didn't pay for advertising on yelp ;-)

 As you can see, lot's happening here.

Next trip I'll get some "Dogs Bullocks" stickers made up, to put everywhere.

Actually from here, Route 66 is back. So now off to Barstow,  CA. They've written songs about this place. When you visit, you wonder why.

 Missed it by one day. It's the first museum that I've come across on route 66, that's only open on weekends.  As I've said before, either a town embraces route 66 or doesn't.  In Barstow,  it's just indifference.

A cool little engine display and the train station harks to a time gone by.  But since it's not open,  I couldn't see the inside, and all its glory. One thing I remember from 20 years ago were the great outlet malls in Barstow,  CA. Well, another disappointment.  The good one had almost shut down and the "Tangers" outlet mall was run of the mill, with nothing outstanding.

With nothing keeping me in Barstow,  I'm off to my motel just outside Victorville,  CA.
I'm glad I went for the cheaper motel.
Their claim to fame is a logistics airport.  It didn't mean much to me, except they do have some airplane storage.

Chop, chop, chop.

DC 10's,  Local 1011's Tristars,  and lot's of 747 400's. A nice collection.  My motel is just down the road. I'm about 1 hour outside of LA.  It doesn't feel like it yet, but it will tomorrow.  The bike has to go in for a oil, tranny and final drive change. If they have the time maybe a few other things.


Total mileage 3508 miles/  5646 km


=====================================