We weren't completely sorry to say goodbye to Las Vegas, but it was good to be on the road again, although when we did stop for gas or to get a map out the trunk, the heat in the desert was pretty torrid. Thankfully the trip was relatively quick and easy, although we did stop at the California Route 66 Museum at Victorville, which was kind of ok, but not a patch on the Oklahoma version back in Clinton.
Into the Los Angeles area we sensed the end of the journey across country, and the start of our holiday in California. What we failed to realise is that Los Angeles is the size of Wales, and therefore we still had around 100 miles of driving to do before we got to the pier in Santa Monica, the traditional arrival destination for those using Route 66. On we ploughed..... into traffic. Lots of people on the way had warned us about this occuring in LA, but to be honest, the amount of cars on the road was not the problem. After all, we've driven into London in rush hour - now that's traffic!! However, the road behaviour of drivers in this city is, well.... scary. The speed in which people change lanes and directions is quite frightening at times, and there is the occasional sense that despite knowing that you are driving safely, others will simply ram their cars into yours for the hell of it.
Despite this, we carried on past the downtown skyline and toward the coastline we'd been waiting to see for the best part of three weeks. And there it was, coming off Santa Monica Blvd. The pier.... and the Pacific Ocean. Parking the car up in a nearby parking zone, we walked down toward the surf, knowing what we'd achieved, but not really realising how big this challenge had been. We checked into the Cadillac Hotel just along the way in Venice, and headed out for a celebratory meal. "Where?" I hear you ask. Why we did the very British thing of heading to a pub and grill called the Library Alehouse where they serve, among other things, IPA, and english stout. A very British way to celebrate the conquering of America. Adam would have preferred a nice cup of tea, but that still hasn't materialised. Ah well, there's always this trip along the coast of California. My bet is on San Francisco offering the best cuppa!
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Now playing: Led Zeppelin - Going to California
via FoxyTunes
