2geonomads

Doug driving and Fred navigating today and we set off shortly before 9.00 to first visit Calico, a ghost town which Fred has advised us is on the way to the Tanger Outlet Shops.
F then admits that Calico is in fact in the opposite direction to the shops which now become our first port of call. Good selection of shops including such brands as Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Timberland, Rockport and many more. We all manage to pick up some good bargains but as Fred pointed out the prices have certainly gone up markedly in recent years.
Mick gave the word ‘outlet’ a whole new meaning with his digestive problems!
Before leaving Barstow we try to visit the Railroad and Mother Road Route 66 Museums but they are both closed.

Mick and Fred outside Railway Museum Barstow

Fill up with petrol in town and Doug manages to provide us all with a very bumpy exit from the service station as he avoids the driveway and runs over the rather high kerb.

Mick suggests that it was probably because the kerb was obscured by the ‘ Mind the kerb’ sign!

Finally, we arrive at Calico, an old mining town, which has re-invited itself to become an oft-visited tourist location. It turned out to be well worth the detour, although Calico has far more of a ‘ manufactured’ feel to it than Oatman. However, the surrounding rocky outcrops make for a superb setting.

At Calico. For blog followers the line-up from left to right Fred Mick Doug Dave (Obese Ferret)

We ask a tourist to take a photo of the four of us but I am almost totally obscured by Fred’s Route 66 cap. Nothing wrong with the cap as I have one myself but people are starting to think I am not on this trip ( I am taking most of the blog photos, with some help from Mick ).

Calico – The minerals are inside the building!

Between Helendale and Oro Grande we stop to photo Elmer Long’s Botttle Tree Ranch. This creation is composed of countless bottles arranged on trees ( really poles). Elmer does not charge any fee to view the ‘ ranch’ as he just does it for the hell of it.

At Victorville we try to visit the California Route 66 Museum but to the surprise of us all it is closed!
We do , however, come across Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe which was first opened in 1947 Great food in a traditional diner and we manage to have a short chat with one of the owners, Shawna Gentry.
I provide the 3 Amigos with much entertainment when on my return from the restroom I try to open another vehicle while they are sitting in the correct one. I don’t really have much of a defence case as it is a Lincoln and not a Dodge but at least it was the same colour and shape ( well, sort of ).

Drive over Cajon Summit through some superb scenery and with increasingly heavy traffic.
Lengthy drive on I 15 before turning off to San Bernadino and initially we try to find the McDonalds Museum, site of the first Macs cafe. However, after ending up in one cul-de-sac too many we decide to head to the Days Inn ( fine at $ 78 per room).
After drinks in the hotel bar we stock up with foodstuffs at Walmart and have ham and cheese sandwiches for dinner in our room. We are truly the last of the great spenders.
Fred books ahead to secure rooms in Pasadena for the following night and we turn in for our last night on Route 66.

Cheers

The Obese Ferret