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Today we escaped the escaped the boundaries of Disney fantasy and headed out to discover some Disney reality. We headed to Los Feliz to track down Disney-related locations from the 1920s and 193os. Our companion site 2719 Hyperion will showcase the details in an upcoming post.
From Los Feliz we headed into Hollywood looking for nostalgia and history, only to discover a three-block tourist trap (gravitating outward from the Hollywood and Highland complex) that was annoying and unsettling. We were able to filter out a few highlights amidst the tour barkers and unlicensed gratuity begging costumed characters.
There was not a problem with the camera nor the exposure. That's air pollution,
The highlight of the day was the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour. It was a terrific two hours showcasing the studio's massive Burbank complex and a stark and welcome contrast to the shenanigans we encountered on Hollywood Boulevard.
On our way out of Burbank, we took a quick look at the Walt Disney Studios. Sadly, the only tours they offer are special event tours via D23 or as a premium from their Disney Movie Rewards program.
Finally, we had a pleasant surprise when Google Maps routed us through the San Gabriel Mountains via the Angeles National Forest Highway so to avoid evening rush hour on the major highways.
Today's Music:
"Get Your Kicks on Route 66" - Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
"California Dreamin'" - The Mamas and the Papas
"Barstow" - Bill Morrissey
"Hotel California" - The Eagles
"City of the Angels" - Fred Astaire
"I Love L.A." - Randy Newman
"Hooray for Hollywood" - Rosemary Clooney
"Boulevard" - Jackson Browne
Listen to the entire Boom-Pop! Road Trip playlist on Spotify!
Check out our Disney-related Road Trip posts on 2719 Hyperion.
Today was the first of two days at the Disneyland Resort. Check 2719 Hyperion for Disney-related trip posts. We'll be back on Friday after exploring Hollywood, Burbank and other Los Angeles locations.
Not quite the breakneck pace of our first three days, but still many miles and many great sights from Flagstaff to Anaheim by way of the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon--well it speaks for itself, and no photos can do it justice. But here's a few anyway.
Just south of the Grand Canyon on Route 64 is Bedrock City, an authentic 1970s era roadside attraction that is struggling for relevance and ultimately survival in the 21st century. It is up for sale, so its quite likely that its days are numbered. Look for a complete tour in a future post.
Across the beautiful, albeit desolate Mojave Desert.
Route 66 sites in Kingman, Needles and Ludlow.
We'll be at Disneyland for the next two days. Check 2719 Hyperion for Disney-related recaps. We'll hit the road again Friday.
Today's Music:
"Route 66" - Michael Martin Murphey
"Used to Be" - Red Dirt Rangers
"Arizona" - Mark Lindsey
"The Ghost of Tom Joad" - Bruce Springsteen
"Our Town" - James Taylor
"Tequila Sunrise" - The Eagles
"Road Runner" - Bo Diddley
"Highway 61 Revisited" - Bob Dylan
"Lonesome Town" - Ricky Nelson
"Pink Cadillac" - Bruce Springsteen
"66 Highway Blues" - Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seegar
Listen to the entire Boom-Pop! Road Trip playlist on Spotify!
Check out our Disney-related Road Trip posts on 2719 Hyperion.
Another busy day! I-40 and Route 66 were our westbound trajectories. Beginning with the infamous Cadillac Ranch just outside of Amarillo, Texas. The Ranch was a muddy mess and we did not venture any further than the roadside.
Our next stop was the Route 66 ghost town of Glenrio, Texas, near the border with New Mexico. Probably one of the best examples of long abandoned roadside America.
Our new friend was the only sign of life amidst the old cafes and motels. It looks like the little fellow lost a chunk of ear, likely due to a close call with a predator.
More abandoned roadside establishments in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Tucumcari Mountain can bee seen in the background.
Not abandoned was the rather famous Blue Swallow Motel.
Further down the road was the Rio Pecos Ranch Truck Terminal in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, also abandoned.
Next was Albuquerque and some contemporary pop culture in the form of Breaking Bad filming locations.
The Petrified Forest National Park, where, inside the Painted Desert Inn, I was reminded of one of my favorite classic films.
A few more stops along 66:
And finally, the remnants of the very creepy abandoned roadside zoo attraction Two Guns.
Tomorrow we explore the Grand Canyon and more Route 66 as we make our way to Anaheim, California.
Today's Music:
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" - Michael Martin Murphey
"The Mother Road" - Alan Rhody
"Desperation Road" - Michael Martin Murphey
"Life is a Highway" - Rascal Flatts
"Land of Enchantment" - Michael Martin Murphey
"King of the Road" - Roger Miller
"Albuquerque" - Asleep at the Wheel
"Arizona State Line" - Red Dirt Rangers
"Take It Easy" - The Eagles
Listen to the entire Boom-Pop! Road Trip playlist on Spotify!
Check out our Disney-related Road Trip posts on 2719 Hyperion.
Busy, busy day from beginning to end! We headed from Arkansas into Oklahoma and found our way into Sallisaw. This small town was home to the fictional Joad family of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath (we'll be publishing our Following the Joads series very soon). There was some roadside bling in the form of the 14 Flags Museum and the 14 Flags Horse. 14 Flags is in reference to the fact that Oklahoma has been home to fourteen different nations or peoples.
In Okemah, we discovered a small park dedicated to native son Woody Guthrie, complete with statue, plaques and building mural.
Our first stop in Oklahoma City was the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Very, very impressive.
Followed by a quiet and very somber visit to the Oklahoma City Memorial.
We then connected with Route 66 in Oklahoma City and caught sight of the TEEMCO Gold Dome and the Braum's Milk Bottle.
Further stops along the Mother Road in Oklahoma and Texas:
We saw and did much, much more--stay tuned; we'll be sharing more of today's adventures in future Boom-Pop! posts including the aforementioned Following the Joads series.
Today's Music:
"(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" - Nat King Cole
"Oklahoma" - Original London Cast Recording
"Tulsa Time" - Don Williams
"Sallisaw" - Mark Wise
"My Oklahoma Home" - Bruce Springsteen
"I Ain't in Checotah Anymore" - Carrie Underwood
"The Old Lucky Diamond Motel" - Vince Gill
"Goin' Back to Texas" - Don Edwards
"Deep in the Heart of Texas" - Ray Charles
"Miles and Miles of Texas" - Asleep at the Wheel
"Amarillo by Morning" - George Strait
"Deep in the Heart of Texas" - Bing Crosby
Listen to the entire Boom-Pop! Road Trip playlist on Spotify!
Check out our Disney-related Road Trip posts on 2719 Hyperion.
We departed the small village of Tobaccoville (on the outskirts of Winston-Salem) in the early hours. Country roads delivered us to US Route 52 where the looming visage of Pilot Mountain guided us northward. We eventually connected to I-81 west which in turn brought us to I-40, the interstate that would eventually deliver us all the way to California
It was a day of much driving and few stops. An interesting roadside photo opportunity was just across the highway from the Tennessee Welcome Center. A long closed music store hugged the roadside, but it remained distinct despite its abandoned status.
In Memphis, we stopped to see Sun Records Studios, which gave birth to the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison among many others.
Directly next door to Sun Records was Walker Radiator Works and its awesome retro-style sign.
Much more to come starting tomorrow as we slow down our pace and begin to hit the back roads, including Route 66.
Today's Music:
"On the Open Road" - from A Goofy Movie
"No Particular Place to Go" - Chuck Berry
"Go West, Young Man!" - Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
"Between Winston-Salem and Nashville, Tennessee" - The Mills Brothers
"Tennessee" - The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"Give Me the Highway" - Vince Gill
"Jackson" - Johnny Cash and June Carter-Cash
"Memphis Blues" - Nat King Cole
"Memphis Tennessee" - Elvis Presley
"The Bug" - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Listen to the entire Boom-Pop! Road Trip playlist on Spotify!
Check out our Disney-related Road Trip posts on 2719 Hyperion.
