The Final Stretch

We headed out of Ely and back into the world of Route 6 and desert like conditions.  Passing the Lunar Crater, we were finally at the the last day.  I appreciate the fact that you stuck around, knowing, for the most of you, that we arrived back home last month.  Tom asked me how long it would take to write this story down.  I told him a week.  It's been over a month.  I never knew it would take so long with a full time job and a tendency to delay.  Here we are though!  The last day of driving.

Back to the story.  We left Ely, headed West towards Tonopah, Nevada.  I am pretty glad that we spent the time in Ely and didn't drive last night towards the Clown Motel.  The ride was long and windy.  We arrived in Tonopah in the morning, got some gas and a donut with some coffee.  Across the street from the gas station was this monument of sorts.

Jim & Belle Butler, Adam Skiles, 2007

The Butler's had staked a silver claim in Tonopah, starting a mining renaissance in the area.  Fortunately for the city, it became their renaissance, too.  Although, from what I saw, it could use a bit more.  Heading out of town was the main attraction, at least for us.  The Clown Motel!

Bikers Welcome!

Clowns Everywhere!

Need Information?  Follow the Fingers!

I definitely would plan on staying here on my next drive through.  It's always amazing to me that in a small town like this, if you build it, they will come.  Next door to the Clown Motel was this amazing cemetery.  From 1901-1911 it had been the townsfolk's eternal resting place.  Well, I guess it still is.

We headed back on to the road and found ourselves back in the desert surroundings in a heartbeat.  Outside of town, by about ten minutes, was an abandoned area.  It appeared to have been an old lodging, eating and gas place.  The buildings were all but demolished and the trash surrounding the place was aplenty.  Graffiti was everywhere including on the sign below.

Davey B = Bar Sluts

Passing by Boundary Peak, the highest point in Nevada, we entered back into the state of California.  A few miles more, we passed Benton.  another 30 and we would be in Bishop.  Our final destination on Route 6.  I was very excited.  Where would the sign be that I heard about last year?  Would it look like Ptowns?  Will there be a prize and fanfare upon our arrival?  At least they'd be a bumper sticker, "This car drove the length of Route 6!"

We saw the sign, made a u-turn and got out of the car.  Mind you, it was hot!  The first order of business was picture taking.  Dogs, Tom and then Me!

Luther & BuddyJack in Bishop, CA

I did that!

Another Road Trip Complete!

We headed into downtown Bishop and stopped at the Chamber of Commerce.  I gleefully informed the clerk standing by that we had traveled all the way from Ptown on Route 6.  In a flash, my glee turned to ire when she was unimpressed and knew nothing about Route 6.  The shop had all of the usual schlock for sale, but nothing on Route 6, only Route 395, the Sierra Nevada Highway.

It was explained to me in my research that Route 6 was renumbered in CA way back when.  The clerk did say that I could stop at the Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site, for more information, but I decided that we had made it to our destination and I should just drive away a bit disappointed.

Route 395 was not bad.  I knew it was once Route 6 as it traveled along the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.  You have to drive South to go over the pass which will bring you over towards Bakersfield, CA.  From there, it would be just another few hours before we landed in Los Osos.

We took Route 178 off of Route 395, headed West.  We passed Lake Isabella and all it's watery glory and many visitors.  We then started to follow the Kern River, a rafters dream and a driver's escape.  The water was flowing, heading West towards the California Aqueduct where it would be collected and doled out throughout the state.

Lake Isabella

We stopped along the road at one point, knowing that this would be one of the last places on our trek for the dogs to get some fresh water time.  Cars were stopped everywhere, as it was cooler in the water and it was a scorcher outside.  We just pulled off, opened the car doors and the dogs knew what to do.  Down the ravine and to the water's bank.  A few sticks in the water and they were gladly fetching and cooling off.  For us, a bit muddy and dirty, but glad to see the dogs having a romp.

We were headed into Bakersfield, with a McDonald's at every exit and Taco Bell's at every intersection. We decided on a quick bite at McDonald's as we did not want to leave the dogs in the hot weather for more than a moment.  We did drive thru, getting and eating our fast food.  It would have been a good time for Spam.

Through Bakersfield and onto 58, past the oil wells and Buttonwillow.  This was getting familiar, especially passing by Carrizo Plains.  We only had a few more twists and turns before we reached the Los Padres National Forest and start to climb the last range towards the coast.  This last range was a tricky one.  You are going up, up, up and around and back and up.  Every time I think it's going to end, another curve, another incline.

Mountain Dunes

Before we reached that range, I took the last shot with a lot of memories from where we came from.  The dead grass and hilly range reminded me of the dunes of Provincetown.  It is one of the reasons that this blog's official name is bicoastaltravelingdog.  We are from both coasts now.  Family here and there and there and here.  No particular place to call home except us.  Today we are home in Los Osos.  Both of us back at work, dogs getting used to no "car rides" and me, getting more involved in my community.  We traveled 10,550 miles and spent $5000 during this trip.  Not bad for a month off from work.

It is fitting that I end this story now.  Sunday, October 23rd, we celebrate our 10th anniversary.  We have traveled a lot of roads together and some separately.  We have had the ups and downs of ranges and the twists and turns of waterways.  Always changing, growing, shifting.  Happy Anniversary, Tom!  Love you, Boo!