LA Day 4 to Barstow and Back

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Day 4 we head out to shop in Barstow

A few years ago we spent almost 2 weeks down here, and we drove for a few days in Las Vegas. I had always wanted to make that drive and we did. On that drive we stumbled onto Barstow for a feed and watering. We were quite surprised by the amount of outlet stores. This trip we decided to make the trek again.

We stopped in Fontana on the way out for some grub and fuel and headed out to the dessert. It was great, not a cloud in the sky, about 87F and open road. We were able to drive through Cajon Pass and on Route 66. Pretty cool!

On the other side was Barstow. And not quite the stores I remembered. Well, of course! We hit the old outlet stores first. We did some shopping there and headed to the Tanger Outlets. Of course I had to text my friend Oliver who is a South California veteran, and he informed me we should have headed to Palm Springs or south to San Diego. Oh well, next trip!

It was hot so we weren't too hungry but Trish wanted some ice cream. I asked what kind and she said, I don't know if they have it here, but Cold Stone would be cool. Sure enough I was able to spot one and we left with a happy girl

Hitting the road at 5pm, there was a ton of traffic. I mean wall to wall, 3 and 4 lane at 20 miles an hour that sometimes stood still. And we were 80 odd miles from LA. It would prove to be long and frustrating. Although it was nice to go through Cajon Pass with slow traffic. It let you really enjoy the sites.

Worth noting, that when we got to Barstow, Trish's hair relaxed. But passing through the pass, you could feel the moisture come back, and when we got back downtown, her hair got super curly again.

We headed back downtown to walk around the Grove and the Farmer's Market. It was 7PM or so and most of the Farmer's Market stalls were closed as were most of the stores. So what did we do? We hit a movie. Letters to Juliet was not bad, probably a renter, definitely a chick flick (but not the worst Hughie's seen). On the way out, we cruised the Grove again and saw a huge booth for Avatar. Have a look at the pictures, we were transformed!

We left the Grove and headed back to the hotel


Trish's comments

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Photos

Smoggy Fontana
On the way out to Barstow you pass through these mountains, if you can see them

Cajon Summit
4260 ft!

Holy Moly
Again, creeping and lots of stopping. with no accidents... Traffic seems to breather. it speeds up and slows down

Miles
It really does go for miles and miles!

Farmers Market
The Iconic clock tower at the farmers market.

I've been transformed
By the Avatar machine in the middle of the Grove

Trish gets transformed
Trish puts herself through the process

The Grove
A sign at the Parkade at the Grove. People take their little dogs EVERYWHERE

hot little car
This lotus was in the parkade a few stalls from where we parked. I like it

Comments

[Hunter S Thompson]

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like: I feel a bit lightheaded. Maybe you should drive. Suddenly, there was a terrible roar all around us, and the sky was full of what looked like huge bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the car, and a voice was screaming: Holy Jesus. What are these goddamn animals?!