Seal Beach California

Wednesday May 1, 2018

Today is the last day we will be on Route 6. It could be the most challenging day of all. We have to use the guidebook to follow the series of streets in greater LA area that used to be Historic Route 6. There won't be any signs or markers, just a plaque at the end commemorating the western end of the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. It was put there by the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.

We left the hotel about 9:30. We left Route 6 on Sierra Highway. The next road that picks up the route is San Fernando Road. Looking at the map, my master figured out that The Old Road, the same as our hotel address, joins to San Fernando Road. So we start on The Old Road headed southeast toward Long Beach. We soon are on San Fernando Road. We see intersection with Sierra Highway so we are now officially back on Route 6. There is a light rain adding to our challenge.

My master is reading the book for which Road comes next then using google maps to find where it intersects with the current road. It sure keeps her busy. Bob has to watch all the traffic lights, cars and pedestrians that comes with surface street driving. I'm sure not getting any attention. Much of early route goes through industrial areas. It is hard to get many pictures but we get a few as we go through Burbank, Chinatown, and downtown LA. Boy is the traffic bad downtown. There are banners up saying 2018 is the Chinese year of the dog. Wonder what other big adventures are in store for me if this is my year?

My masters rose to the challenge. There were only a couple routing issues. Figueroa becomes on way going the wrong way so we used Grand Ave until we could rejoin Figueroa at the Staples Center. We turned the wrong way on PCH so we had to turn around. Bob's driving was excellent. There wasn't even any loud voices. Perfect teamwork. We arrive at Long Beach Blvd and East Ocean Blvd. This is the office west end of Historic Route 6 (the circle on the map). Now we have to find the plaque. It is at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center (see star).

We park in one garage and my masters leave but come right back. They decided to try and get closer so we parked in the Hyatt hotel garage. The Hyatt is attached to the convention center. My masters go to try and find the plaque. They walked to the front of the main building but there is no sign of the plaque. They had these cool markers in the sidewalk for race car drivers in the Long Beach Grand Prix. Karen continues the search while Bob stays with me. This could take awhile. The only clue we have is that it is "on the wall to the left of the entry". But there are multiple buildings and many entrances. Karen scouted all over. She found 300 East Ocean Ave, the address in the book, but it is the Administration office. The nice receptionist tried to help but no one knows about this plaque. 

My masters decide to meet at the Cove Lounge in the Hyatt to regroup, plus they will validate our parking. A google search quickly provides a much better description of the plaque's location. It is on the outside wall in front of Performing Arts Center. They are back on the trail. They come back to the car to drive over to the Performing Arts Center since it looks like there is nearby street parking. I can't believe they left me here in this parking garage.

We drove by and spied the plaque. We found metered parking only a black away. So close we were at the start. At least we found it, an hour and half later. We all went to read the plaque and take or commemorative pictures. SUCCESS. We drove all 3,652 miles of the Grand Army of the Republic Highway in our little red Corvette. I think we are all but glad and sad this part of the trip is finished. Of course now we have to get home, still more adventures to come.

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Our hotel is the Pacific Inn in Seal Beach. They have agreed to hold my masters suitcases for one night while we go to Del Mar, California. That way we can drive the southern part of PCH with the top down too. I'm looking forward to that. We arrived a little before 4. My masters had some well deserved down time sitting on a comfy couch with their feet up. The hotel shuttle took them to Picarelli's Cucina Italiana for dinner. It was very nice with good food. They had a wonderful time. Karen would still pick Provinos where they had dinner with Kaitlyn as the best Italian food of the trip. I bet it was the company.