Monday, April 19, 2010
Hello again
Another beautiful day of riding. This leg started out of the driveway of my parents home in San Bernardino. Henry Gonzales (Fat boy) was to ride with me to Needles, but due to an uninvited kidney stone three weeks ago he had to cut his training and suffer the ordeal till it passes. He decided that he could still partake in the ride but behind the wheel of my truck. So at 6:30am this morning I had a shadow and most importantly I rode 115 lbs. lighter. My equipment rode in the bed of the truck and was available at any time. I very happily never needed it throughout the entire 74 miles. What a relief and such joy for my legs.
After climbing 23miles to the top of Cajon Pass (4260 ft.) our first stop was for breakfast at the Summit Inn in Oak Hill. An elderly man was standing in front of the entrance sipping coffee. I asked if the booths in the restaurant were situated so that I could lean my bike up against the wall and keep watch of it through the windows. He replied yes and disappeared through the front entrance of the Inn. When Fat boy and I walked in we were greeted by this same man. He had disappeared into the Inn to have the waitress set a table next to the window where my bike would visible while we ate.
It turned out he was the owner. His name is C.A. Stevens looked about 60 yrs old, stood about 5'7" wavy white hair, manicured white mustache and blue eyes. His eyes lit up when he spoke as if we were old acquaints encouraging us to brows around the Inn and then disappeared. Although it’s called Summit Inn it’s a restaurant museum with artifacts of antique gas pumps and old vehicles including ostrich egg omelets along with fountain flavored shakes and what would a museum be with a gift shop. There is a beautiful view of the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains from his location. (The mountains were layered with snow on this day and you could feel the crisp air blowing from them).
Cajon Summit was the last climb for those early Rt 66 travelers coming from the east, from here it was all downhill to L.A. Mr. Stevens stated the Inn was established in 1952 when he bought it. He was only interested in the Texaco Gas Station and adjoining property. He didn’t want the restaurant but the owner wouldn’t sell unless the restaurant went with it. Stevens said “I didn’t know anything about running a restaurant” but it was a good thing because his gas station gave way to a much more modern road the Fwy and (Fast food and drink with gas). Mr. Stevens was born on 5-8-32 and will be 70 on the same day I turn 59. I looked around as Fat boy I and were leaving and saw Mr. Stevens waving good by. I’ve passed his place many times with my father while working on various construction jobs in the high desert and never stopped until now.
Our next stop was in Victorville. With the exception of a few stop lights my ride was a 15mile downhill joy. We stopped at Rt66 museum where we meet Jim Conkle the editor of Rout 66 Pulse. It can be found at any of the Rt66 museums. Jim told us that many of the museums were working business during the boom on 66. He stated this building was a auto garage converted to museum and the stage scene for the movie “The Jazz Singer” with Neil Diamond were filmed there. The museum has many artifacts of the hotel fronts, gas stations, recreational equipment, clothing, jewelry, artist pictures of the past and mush more. Jim and Fat boy shared names of individuals they knew from Amboy where Fat boy’s mother and grandparents lived. Fat boy shared with Jim a little of his own history. Fat boy’s mother Nellie, work at Conn’s restaurant and Roy’s drive inn as a waitress. Because there was no hospital in Amboy she had to travel one hundred twelve miles to Victorville to give birth to him. His grandfather worked for Santa Fe Railroad as a foreman and lived across the street from the drive inn. The only drinking water came in by railroad and was pumped into storage tanks for towns use. His grandfather home was designated a historical sight but was arbitrarily torn down three years ago by Santa Fe before restoration. The church was built by the local residence and named after Fat boy’s uncle Ray. Jim was excited that he had met a family member whose names and history he had read about in the book titled ”Silence and Sun”. Pictures of Fat boy’s mother and his grandfather/grandmother are in the book. The book is one of many regarding the history of towns and lives of forgotten people who made the lives a little easier for those passing through. The book can be purchased at Rt66 museums. (This is so great)
There was very little in way of old structures still standing between Victorville and Barstow. Many individual and track homes along with the Silver Lakes Recreational Community (Our dad was one of the contractors involved in building the community) occupy the once long vacant stretch of desert. It was warm but comfortable. I’m feeling strong and I know will get stronger with each day. I’ve seen much of this area by car but never realized how much I missed passing.
We arrived in Barstow at 4:45pm. Barstow is named after William Barstow Strong, the tenth president of Santa Fe Railroad. Barstow was a favorite getaway of early Hollywood movie stars beforePalm Springs became popular and before that it was a bustling supply center for miners and prospectors on their way to Death Valley. By the way our dad Pete and his siblings were born and raised in Barstow. Dad worked the mines before settling in San Bernardino and marring our mother. She was the best that ever happened to him.
I start early tomorrow the ride will be warm. Next stop: Amboy. 79 miles
Love ya all
Old man smiling
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