Friday, June 22, 2012

An afternoon stroll down route 66

 

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Yesterday, I finished painting the baseboards in my living room so I thought I’d take a stroll down Route 66. Care to join me? I thought you might.
For about a year now all you could see were tall wooden walls and “Coming Soon” signs throughout the park, but last Friday the walls came down. The Big Reveal! Carsland in Disney’s California Adventure!

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As you can see, traffic jams along the route. Wall to wall people. Oi Vey was it ever crowded!! There were people walking about with tires on their heads, which I failed to get pictures of, but I’m sure there will be plenty more opportunities. After all, Disney does pride themselves on the fact that they are a “Retail Destination” and no longer a family destination for making memories. Don’t get me wrong, I love the mouse and his magic kingdom, but one shouldn’t have to take out a loan in order to take the wife and kids on holiday…Oh! So sorry about the rabbit trail ranting. Where were we? Oh yes! Route 66.

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Everywhere you turned there were people people people. So many people that it was hard to get pictures of anything. So I did a lot of looking up.
Speaking of looking up, up ahead you could see Flo’s Diner serving up an assortment of tasty treats. I couldn’t tell you what they were since it was so crowded, but it looked like fun.

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The interior of Flo’s was like stepping through a portal into the past. Black and white checkered floors and lots of 50’s décor. Flo and her fabulous girls were painted across one of the huge walls. The colors were just yummy.

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After spending about an hour in the hot sun I decided to escape the crowds and headed to the new Ghirardelli Soda shop. I’ve always wanted to visit the original one in San Francisco, but never made it there. Now I understand it’s closed, so Disney’s will have to do. I stopped to enjoy a Ghirardelli Chocolate ice cream in a dark chocolate covered waffle cone. It was delicious!

After that I headed back home to do more work. Hubby and I decided that since the room was torn apart we may as well replace the trim around the windows. I think we may be working backwards, but often that is our way.

Have you ever taken a trip down route 66? I remember as a child road trips taken with my family. The three of us kids piling into the back seat of the old Cadillac and taking off for destinations unknown. I think the section of road I remember the most was in Holbrook Arizona with the Wigwam Village Motel. Does any one remember that place? How I longed to stay the night in one, but we always kept driving right passed the wigwams. Makes me wonder if they’re still there, but then since I added the link above, they must be “-).

So, if you have any memories of route 66, I’d love to know what they are “-). 

9 comments:

Deborah said...

OOOoooooo I wish I had been with you, holding hands and skipping down Route 66! Fabulous! I know that my Mister would enjoy a visit. I must kidnap him from chemo soon...

I went to the Ghirardelli shop in SanFran!!! That was the summer before I got pregnant with Ryan, so 1985. The year someone stole my suitcase from the airport. And I had no clothes for 3 days. I NEEDED the chocolate!!!

**kisskiss** Deb

ellen b. said...

I'm afraid my memories are just about the song...
Boy Disney did look crowded. You'll need to go back after the summer crowds die down. My sister was saying it cost her eighty some dollars to get in. That's way too much to experience wall to wall people for sure.

Jessica said...

I was just there!!!! Wasn't it so amazing??? It was super crowded, and yes we waited in line for the new Cars ride for three hours, but still, AMAZING! I loved it! We went on all the other rides in Carsland too! I am freaking out here just thinking about it!

Bernideen said...

I have never been there.........sorry.

Bernideen said...

Cori:
To answer your question- The Linky Guy - Brent- told a a number of bloggers that Google FRIEND is eventually going away - that is all I know. ???

pam said...

The Soda shop is closed? Sad...we enjoyed ourselves there. We often were on Route 66. I do remember the Wigwam Motel....never stayed there either. I just saw a Diners, Drive In's and Dives that showcased a great looking restaurant on Route 66 in a little town in Kansas. I don't remember how far it is from my parents but it looked yummy enough to make me want to go. Oh memories of childhood travels.

Faye said...

Yes! The Wigwam Motel is still there! I drive to southern Arizona every fall and I go right through Holbrook. I have wanted to stay there...now you have made me want to make it a point this fall to stay. They have vintage cars parked there too. I should take pictures.
In Tucumcari New Mexico there are still many of the old motels with the neon lights and the Wigwam Gift shop. It seems they started to restore a lot of the town in recent years.
I still remember travelling Old Route 66 with my parents to and from California (from Minnesota)in a Chevrolet Impala. I was pretty little but I remember it well!

Faye said...

Yes! The Wigwam Motel is still there! I drive to southern Arizona every fall and I go right through Holbrook. I have wanted to stay there...now you have made me want to make it a point this fall to stay. They have vintage cars parked there too. I should take pictures.
In Tucumcari New Mexico there are still many of the old motels with the neon lights and the Wigwam Gift shop. It seems they started to restore a lot of the town in recent years.
I still remember travelling Old Route 66 with my parents to and from California (from Minnesota)in a Chevrolet Impala. I was pretty little but I remember it well!

Anne said...

This is just wonderful! Just discovered your lovely blog ~ now following!
Hugs,
Anne