When Paul and I went to Los Angeles this week for his tests at the Veterans Hospital I noticed that narrow road along side the hill. I suppose I have looked at that everytime I went South, but it was only on this trip that I realized it was the same road my Dad had driven that old Ford of his over when we came to California in 1935 and 1938. I was pretty young way back then and still have vivid memories of the hair pin turns and the narrow places that passing was hazardous.
It might pay you to study that old highway when you make your next trip and try to envision what it must have been like back then. Cars certainly didn't have all the suspensions and high gears, tires, lights or a hundred other things that cars do today. Of course they were not as spacious or big either.
It was always a huge consideration when Dad realized that stretch of road was just ahead. The big strain with kids was car sickness. The folks were greatful that none of us seemed to be bothered with it. Night or day, the windows were rolled down to make sure there was ample supply of clear air flowing through the car at all times. Dad slowed down the speed, and kept his eyes open and his mind clear. We kids knew to be quiet and not act up while this dangerous part of the trip was being endured.
Compared to the highways across the US today that trip across country on Route 66 and the Grapevine was something todays travelers are not missing. Two lane, long stretches without any kind of comfort stations along the way. Today there are Rest Stops all across the country. That certainly was not the case way back then. Oh, there were colorful places to see. In fact if you go along Route 66 today, there a number of those things still in view - all be it run down condition and/or abandoned today. Tee Pee Motels, Train Car dinners and of course the two pump gas stations with the old pumps that were fun to watch refill when gas had pumped them empty. Man what things we had to enjoy back then. Long gone from the scenes of today.
No McDonalds, Wendys or Burger King. No Ramada, Holiday Inn Express or Hampton Inns. Just those one room cabins with the privy out back. Yet we found what was needed along the way. Dad would turn off in a small town and they would find a grocery store. Back then they had all kinds of things, but nothing like you find today. No packaged potato chips or doritos. No you went to the meat counter and bought a hunk of bologne and piece of cheese. These you had to slice down for yourself. A loaf of bread and a quart or two of milk, and you were off to the bakery for some kind of sweet to brighten up your meal. Dad drove and Mom made sandwiches and passed them back. We ate in quiet and I don't ever recall anyone asking: "are we there yet".
We never had music, the car didn't have a radio - think of it - we were in the car for a week everyday as we made our way across the United States. I don't recall us stopping to see sites. We didn't have money for anything extra. Come to think of it, I don't think there were all that many attractions. That day had not dawned yet. I think we entertained ourselves by watching the passing scenery. Back then we didn't ride in the car all that often, so seeing something new was a fascination in itself. Hey, that may be why I feel we had the best of things. We never had anything to distract us from what was really around us. We never got bored, there was always too much to see and do.
Once we got to California it was a wonder to see so many Orange Trees. Oranges were a premium item in the East where we had just come from. I guess that means that Shipping by truck back then was a novelty as well. Growing up without things has been an adventure for sure.
There was no traffic. Truck shippments were few - guess the railroads were king back in those days. No airplane travel to speak of. Even AirMail back then would have been a novelty.
Guess this all means I am getting older and surpisingly wiser. I begin to see life as it was as it is and amazingly how it will be. All in all, I don't think the improvements have made it all that much better. I think hanging out clothes may have taken time, but the results can't be matched today. Living where we could walk to everything can't be beat either. We were able to have cleaner air and healthier life styles then. We learned to make our own entertainment. Deciding whether we would stay home and find friends to play with or go to the movies. No TV to clutter up the day. WOW what a difference. Well that is enough of this faul de raul.
You have it your way, and I'll have it mine. Sorry you couldn't have had it my way though, you would have had a real experience!
Written this 5 day of Februray 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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