Day 15: Home again

Well, our journey has come full circle. Fifteen days and 4,200 miles later, we’re back where we started, in the beautiful state of Kansas. Yes, Kansas, has a beauty as awesome as any other. As we drove northeast through the Gypsum Hills and Flinthills, we all agreed that those who choose to “flyover” rather than drive through our state are missing a portion of natural beauty unlike any other in the U.S.

When we set out on the road together each of us had something she hoped to gain: one was searching for inspiration, another wanted to find herself, and another of us just wanted to have fun. I think in the end, we accomplished all three. As with any worthwhile journey, though, looking back will continue to reveal what we’ve learned and how we’ve changed.

Day 14: Take It Easy

Having reached the end of the Mother Road, we’re now working our way back home as all good Kansas girls are wont to do. However, clicking our heels together wasn’t an option for us as we have a rental car that needs to be returned in Lawrence, KS. And so, our adventure continues.

 Last night we lodged at La Posada Hotel, Winslow, Arizona.

This charming, historic hotel, originally a Harvey House, was visited in the 1930’s by Albert Einstein, Amelia Earhart, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John Wayne, and Betty Grable among other celebrities. To read more about the history of this fascinating hotel, go to laposada.org.   

Of course, a visit to Winslow isn’t complete unless you stand on the corner. 
What’s this? Oh my Lord, there was a flatbed Ford...

As we drove out of town with the Eagles’ signature song blaring on our car radio, we decided that Glenn Frey was probably right: “We may lose and we may win, but we [may] never be here again,”so we will just take it easy on our way back to Kansas. 

      

Day 12: Kicking back in California

We travelled halfway across the U.S. in ten days, getting our kicks along the way. Now, in California we’re kicking back and enjoying the easy rhythm of life on the west coast. Here’s a view of the ocean from the patio at the lovely Redondo Beach home where we’re staying. We sat out here and sipped coffee in the morning as we journaled, blogged, and chatted with our hosts.

Yesterday, I drove down to Laguna Beach to meet Judi Gigliotti Schoolcraft for lunch, a friend I hadn’t seen for 42 years. Yes, we had a lot of catching up to do. Here we are after a delightful lunch at The Deck in Laguna Beach.

 It was on another road trip in 1977 when I last saw Judi. Five friends and I had rented a Winnebago and drove from St. Louis to San Diego to see Judi and her then seven-year-old son, Shawn.

 Meanwhile, Cathay and Cheryl walked down to Redondo Beach just minutes away from the our rental where they spent a leisurely afternoon in the sun.

Shane has been escort, photographer, and entertainer for the three of us during our time in LA. He drove us through Hollywood, took our pictures under the “Hollywood” sign, and introduced us to two wonderful restaurants, El Compadre’s and Pikey’s. Last night we ended our evening back at his house where he picked out a couple of tunes on his guitar and sang for us.

Day 12 End of the road

Yes 😄😁😀, we made it!  Most people taking pictures at the famous landmark had not been on Route 66.  We were the true troopers!  Actually, the original ending for 66 in 1926 was at 7th and Broadway in downtown LA.  In 1936, the ending was moved to the intersection of Olympic and Lincoln Boulevards to accommodate a movie.  Finally, in 2009 the Route 66 Association decided this intersection was anticlimactic for travelers on the road and mounted the "End of the Trail" sign at Santa Monica Pier.

We are thinking on the way back Destiny may need a little help at De Soto's Salon in Ash Fork, Arizona.

Day 12 Another way to get your "kicks"

One of the most fascinating "kicks" on Route 66 has been the murals found in almost every town along the way.  At first we were very intent on finding them, shouting loudly "Oh there's another mural pull over."  That eventually became "Oh there's another mural, anyone want to stop?"  Which eventually became "Oh please not another mural!"  Anyway, here are a few of my favorites:

Day 11: Eating on the road

Eating on the road can be tricky, anywhere from interestingly bad to enticingly delicious. We find ourselves wondering "Now why was this place recommended?" or "Wow, this place is truly a hidden treasure."  When it's the former, things can go from bad to worse if you know what I mean😀.   Although one of us did have an after dinner extravaganza with the incredible ice cream baked potato treat at the Cowgirl Bar B Que in Santa Fe.
Here are a few pics just to give you a taste!

Day 11: The Great Escape

As expected one of us broke a few of the rules but fortunately made a run for it before the others could catch her!

Day 10: The final leg

Today we are starting the final leg of our Route 66 adventure traveling from Kingman to Santa Monica California.

And just how do you think those cars Destiny shared, keep going all along the route?  Well here's a few clues:

PS

Destiny forgot this one where she was cruising the route in her corvette!

Day 10: The cars of Rte. 66

For all you car enthusiasts, this post is for you.

Day 8: Friends along the way

Continuing our journey west, we have taken another side trip in Arizona, this time to Sedona. We talk a lot about being in the moment, savoring all the beautiful sights around us. We know all too well that in a blink of an eye we will be back in Lawrence, and this trip will be a memory.

Right now, we are sitting on a lovely patio staring at the red rocks of Sedona, reflecting on the past week, thinking about traveling along Route 66, and some of the old friends we connected with and new friends we met.

Just outside of Santa Fe we knocked on the weathered wooden door at Rich and Susan Martin's adobe house. Their two border collies were first to greet us. Stepping through the door we entered a magical space, a well-nurtured garden complete with a little brook running through it and tall aspens. In the garden, they cultivate bonsai trees including a piñon.

Dinner in town was a chance to catch up with our two friends, who seem to be thriving much like their enchanted garden.

For two nights in Santa Fe we stayed at Christopher Murphy's A‌i‌r‌b‌n‌b‌. He and his partner Erica made their home our home. A  multi-talented Englishman, at various times of his life has been a pilot, yachtsman, hypnotherapist, carpenter, builder, philosopher, and musician. He entertained us on the keyboard, and 3galsontheroad.com agreed it was a five-star stay.

After driving through a blinding thunderstorm we made a quick stop in Albuquerque to say hi to Destiny's nieces, grandniece and nephews.

Everyone we meet is friendly and kind. At breakfast before heading to the Grand Canyon we met a charming family of four who encouraged us to take the 30-mile drive along the canyon rim to the Desert View Watchtower which we would not have done had we not met them.

 This old building, built in 1932 by Mary Colter known as the "architect of the Southwest," was designed to appear as if it rose out of the earth. The view from this watchtower enabled us to see the winding Colorado River.

After a day exploring the Grand Canyon we headed out of Flagstaff. Destiny and Cathay were excited to run  into Kathleen, a clerk at  a Walgreens, also a transplanted Jersey girl.  She told us she misses the ocean and her family in Point Pleasant. She returns home six times a year. She had something to say about everything.  In her thick east coast accent, she told Destiny, "I do AH-VER--EE -THING 

in pumpkin -- ice cream, cawffee, pancakes. AH-VER-EE-THING!"

When I snapped her photo she said, " HELLO, NEW JERSEY!"

Day 7: Off to the Grand Canyon

I experienced the Grand Canyon for the first time in 1971 at the age of 19. I was on a road trip with my parents the summer after my freshman year in college, a trip they insisted I go on with them. I was much too cool to be on a road trip with my parents; so, reluctantly, I joined them, and I sat in the back seat with my brother, Lou, staring out the window, acting unimpressed with all the sights from New Jersey to the midwest. Future generations of teenagers would have the convenience of earbuds to block out their parents’ enthusiasm, but in 1971, I had no such convenience.

I recall getting out of the car to take a glimpse of this big hole in the ground. It’s not a cliche when I say it took my breath away. As I stood at the edge of the canyon, I was awed by its magnificence.

Now, 48 years later, I’m again in the backseat of a car on my way to the Grand Canyon, this time with Cathay and Cheryl. For all you Thelma and Louise fans, notice I said we’re going to the Grand Canyon, not into the Grand Canyon.

As I think back to that summer in 1971, I wish that I had known the joy of living in the moment. Now that my mother is gone and my dad will soon celebrate his 95th birthday, I realize what a gift that road trip was. I’m older and wiser now. Well, I’m older anyway. And I’m enjoying every moment of this journey and the two friends traveling with me.

Viewing the works of Georgia O'Keeffe and listening to her voice describe her personal journey, gave me a deeper understanding of how she saw and then translated the world around her onto her canvass and into her sculptures.

I brought that experience with me as we traveled the petrified forest and painted desert.  I got a better idea of how Georgia interpreted what she saw with such vivid colors and movement.