I did it!

Hmmmm.... realized I never did get around to writing about my last leg of the journey yesterday. I was so wiped out last night, and focused on getting ready for The Price is Right, I forgot all about this. So here goes...

Yes, I made it! Finished the entire Route 66 from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier. Much of the day was spent driving through the Mojave Desert, contrasted with driving into the entire urban Los Angeles area. From desert land, to chaotic overcrowding. You could not find a day of wider contrasts than my last day. But I guess it's only appropriate that I would experience the harsh reality of desertland moving into the even harsher realities of our world today.

But it was truly a good feeling to finish the Mother Road. While I know there were times I lost the road, or had no choice but to detour, by & large I drove the whole thing. As I approached Santa Monica, I felt it before I saw it. The air was cooler, there was almost a smell of ocean. Then I saw the blue ahead of me and my excitement grew. What a relief to finally see that blue sign. And yes, I did it. I am very glad I did, but was also very glad to be done.

What to put next on the list.... hmmmmm.....

Tips for future TPIR'ers

Today I tried to accomplish another goal... getting on The Price is Right. Actually, just getting IN is accomplishing a goal. There was a poor lady behind me who flew in from Iowa JUST to go to TPIR, and didn't make it. They got there too late to get a good number.

So for any of you who may go in the future, here's what to expect. They start giving away Order of Appearance Passes at the gate at 6 am. I thought getting there at 6 would be early enough, even if I wasn't one of the first. Well, when I got there, the line was already half a block down the street - and more inside. I got #185, which I thought would still be pretty good. But I was sweatin' it as time went on. They seat 320 people (although I only saw the number go up to 315.) So you'd think 185 would be fine. What you don't know until you get in is, they go with 1-150 from those early arrivers, then they go through the list of groups and other sources than online or phone order tickets. If your number is higher than 150, you better hope there are not a whole lot of groups that day.

So it turned out my 185 was really 285. And it seems the higher numbers suffer in the processing & picking of contestants too (small wonder... hard to look excited and enthusiastic when you keep watching your chances of even getting in dwindle.) Those of us who had higher numbers were pretty much stuck in back and side seating too - and none of the contestants came from those sections.

If you are going, GET THERE EARLY! I may try again tomorrow since I have tickets reserved for then too, but will plan to go get my OAP no later than 5 am.

While that sounds really bad, if you work it like I did with staying at a nearby hotel, it's really not bad at all. Once you get your pass, you can leave and come back for processing time. For the 1:00 taping, that's usually 8:30 or 9:00. For the 4:00 taping, it's not until 12:30. Since I'm staying 3 blocks away, I'll just throw on any clothes, go get my pass, and then come back to shower, dress, eat breakfast and get ready.

You meet a lot of friendly people while waiting through the process. I mostly hooked up with a family from Skokie, Ill and another from San Diego. There was also a Canadian guy in our mix, but he wasn't as chatty. But you have to be more than chatty. Do a lot of dancing, woo-hooing, etc. Make yourself visible and likeable. (I though I did that well too, but guess I have to do more.)

The selection process is interesting. They take you in by groups, and one producer goes down the line asking you "What's your name? Where are you from?" and maybe one or two other questions while another producer sits and takes notes. He glossed by me quickly, so I knew I didn't have a chance of getting picked. But then he went by most quickly.... find some way, or some story that makes you pickable. One of the showcase contestants today was a Hurricane Ike survivor. You know she was a shoo-in. Not sure what I could do tomorrow to up my appeal though.... I'll have to think on it.

The worst part of the whole thing is the wait between processing and entering the studio. You're all herded into a holding area and it feels very much like a crowded cattle pen. We were probably in there about a half hour, but it felt longer. Once we got in though, things went quickly.

I must say, it was pretty fun watching the show go on. Between sets, Drew really does a fantastic job of keeping us entertained and chatting through the crowd. Can't imagine Bob doing that as well as Drew did. His stand-up experience serves him well here. Rich Fields, the announcer, works the crowd well too. He's a definite asset to the show.

Just to keep you all interested even after the last contestant has been chosen, they tell you they'll have a drawing at the end for the remaining audience members. One lucky guy got $100 - oh yes, and the DVD game of TPIR.

I'd do it again - not sure if I will tomorrow or wait for a future time, but heck, when will I have the shot again? Plus, if by some miracle I did get chosen, it would be nice to do it while my Dad is still around to watch it.

Oh by the way, for those who want to watch anyway and try to spot me in the crowd (doubtful... I was side seat by the curtain 3/4ths of the way back,) this show will air Sept. 23 - 3rd show of the new season.

Highlight of the Mother Road

Yesterday was looking like a very long day, but boy did it end on a high. The day began with a trip to the Grand Canyon, which is always beautiful. Not a lot to say about that... just beauty of creation. One side observation though... I don't remember ever seeing so many rental RV's in one day. I think there were almost as many rentals as individually owned ones. (You know the rentals.... mostly Cruise America with lots of advertising painted all over them. Think Robin Williams in "RV.")

From there I headed back south to Route 66 in Williams. This day was a mix of Interstate driving and off-the-beaten-path travel, but it wasn't terribly exciting. Most of Arizona's Mother Road is desolate and monotonous. Occasionally you go through a town with some signs of the Route, being kept alive for those who choose to explore. I did notice there were more travelers doing the Route in Arizona - often with California plates. Guess it holds more allure for those who can get here easily.

By the time I hit Kingman, I debated stopping for the night because I was overtired and struggling to stay awake on these monotonous roads. But I wanted to get to CA, and Needles was not that much farther. Sure am glad I persisted, so the day could end with the biggest surprise of the journey.

Leaving Kingman, Route 66 broke off onto a road called "Oatman Highway." For several miles, the "highway" was not much more than a dirt road with wash-out gulleys every few miles and flash flood warning signs. No chance of that on this day - things are quite dry here now and temps were approaching 90. I stopped at a nicely restored old gas station for a photo op - thinking it may be the last one of the day. Little did I know that as soon as I left that stop and rounded a corner, the road would drastically change.

Something to know about Route 66 - in those early days, there was no equipment to blast through mountains and make straight roads like our modern day freeways. The only way through the mountains was to wind and climb and wind some more. That is what the road turned into here. Suddenly I could go no more than 20 mph as I wound my way through the curviest road I've ever driven. Many times I came upon a hairpin turn sign with a max speed of 15 mph. Trust me, you don't break the speed limit here. The drop-off just to your right breaks any temptations you may have to do so. Guardrails were seldom seen, and you never knew when a car was coming around the curve.

What I could see of the scenery was gorgeous, but you didn't dare take your eyes off the road - the edge was right there and one slip meant going down a very long way. But it was a tremendous thrill for me. Some memories of a trip west with my parents came back as I drove. We were on some highways with similar curves, and Mom was not happy. I kept picturing my mother in the passenger seat - gripping the handle until her fingers were ready to fall off and looking very nauseous - trying not to look out the window where she could see directly down the drop-off. I was also very happy NOT to be driving the Beast on this stretch.

I hit the top - Sitgreaves Pass, and breathed a sigh of relief, but also took in as much of the scenery as I could. Going down the other side was slightly easier, but still a thrill. Coming over one hill, I landed in Oatman - which itself is a great part of the adventure. Oatman was a mining town, which became basically a ghost town until a group of people chose to restore this beautiful little town. It now looks like time stood still here - all the original buildings are there and kept exactly as they were. The streets were lined with tourists walking the plank sidewalks, many of them speaking other languages and seeing history they don't have in Europe. You have to watch where you walk on the streets, because crap from the many wild burros is everywhere. As I left town, I saw a few of those burros wandering around a building and climbing the hillside.

Oatman also has a claim to fame. The Oatman Hotel, which still stands, is where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned in 1939. Why Oatman, I can't figure out.... but they did.

From Oatman, the road gradually straightened and smoothed, and wash-out gulleys could again be seen. But the high of the drive remained. Crossing into California was exciting enough, passing over the beautiful Colorado River, but nothing could compare with what I just did.

Today I drive across California. Whether I'll push all the way to Santa Monica or not I don't know. But at least the end goal is in sight.