Route 66 part 5 — Santa Monica: Where the Journey Becomes a Voyage
Part 5 Summary — California
Needles • Amboy • Amboy Crater • Roy’s Motel Café •
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch • San Bernardino Wigwam Motel •
Santa Monica • End of Route 66
Santa Monica — Where the Journey Becomes a Voyage
Crossing into California felt different — lighter, almost tender. Perhaps it was the relief of leaving the harsh Arizona desert behind, or maybe it was the quiet whisper inside me saying, "You're almost there." The end was in sight, and with it came a strange mix of gratitude, anticipation, and a soft ache that something beautiful was nearing its close.
The road through Needles welcomed us with warm desert winds, reminding us that even the last stretch of Route 66 carried its own weight of history and resilience. We continued westward, letting the familiar hum of the car settle into our bones.
Amboy — Roy's Motel Café
The vast openness of the Mojave Desert stretched endlessly around us. In Amboy, we slowed down near the legendary Roy’s Motel Café — its iconic neon sign glowing faintly against the sun-bleached scenery. Even from a distance, the black silhouette of the Amboy Crater made the desert feel ancient and otherworldly. There was silence here — the kind that humbles you.
In Oro Grande, we stepped into a world of glass and light. Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch shimmered like a dream — thousands of bottles catching the sun and scattering colors across the dusty ground. It felt magical, as if someone had built an entire universe out of discarded glass and hope. Knowing it was created by one person made it even more extraordinary.
By the time we reached San Bernardino, the world felt familiar again — cars, people, noise, lights. After days of desert silence, stepping back into a busy city felt almost surreal. We visited the Wigwam Motel once more, closing the loop of our memories. The road was no longer lonely; it was guiding us toward the ocean.
Santa Monica — End of Route 66
And then — the Pacific Ocean. When we finally stood in front of the “End of Route 66” sign at the Santa Monica Pier, a wave of emotion washed over me. It wasn’t just the ocean breeze or the glow of the setting sun — it was everything the miles had held. The challenges, the heat, the laughter, the quiet moments, and the simple fact that we didn’t give up. We made it.
As I watched the sun fall into the horizon, my eyes filled with unexpected tears. Not from sadness, but from the deep understanding that this journey had changed something within me. The road had been long, but it carried me to a new version of myself. And in that moment, I whispered softly, "Well done. You did it."
I didn’t know what the next chapter of life would bring, but standing at the edge of the ocean, I realized I wasn’t afraid. The journey had become a voyage — one that continues far beyond the end of the road.
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