Summer Solstice Rim of the World Drive Lunch & Ice Cream [Saturday June 21, So Cal]

[Crimson Avenger]

Hi Folks!

To celebrate the start of summer and the Summer Solstice, the West Coast Kappa Car Club has scheduled to visit the local Southern California mountains.

We'll climb up the San Bernardino Mountains to Running Springs, stop in Lake Arrowhead for Ice Cream, head off to Silverwood Lake, drive along the San Andreas Fault to lunch in Wrightwood. After lunch, we wind our way through the Angeles Crest Forrest back into Eagle Rock for a stop at Galco's Old World Grocery for a chance to get some very rare sodas and candies from days of yore.

Saturday June 21, 2008

Here's the plan:

• 10:00 Brunch at I-HOP in SBD (2575 Highland Ave Highland, CA 92346 (IHOP) - Google Maps)
• 11:15 Depart for Running Springs & Lake Arrowhead
• 12:15 Stop at Village Ice Cream Shop for refreshments
• 12:45 Head out to Wrightwood via the back way past Silverwood Lake
• 2:00 Late lunch at The Grizzly Cafe (Welcome To The Grizzly Cafe)
• 3:30 Drive through Angeles Crest to Eagle Rock
• 6:00 Arrive at Galco's Old World Grocery (Galco's Soda Pop Stop)

Link to Google Map of route


Running Springs:



Images courtesy Running Springs Area Chamber of Commerce

Some pictures of Lake Arrowhead:



Images courtesy Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce

Silverwood Lake:


Image courtesy California State Parks

The Grizzly Cafe in Wrightwood for Lunch:


Image courtesy Grizzly Cafe


Last stop is Galco's Old World Grocery and Soda-Pop Stop family owned and operated for over 100 years where you can purchase classic and new sodas in glass bottles, and candies that you probably just can't find any more.

You might recognize the store from "Visiting with Huell Howser". He's been there twice, once in 2000, and a return visit in 2008.

They have over 450 varieties of soda. Including some classics like Bubble-Up, Nesbitts, Coca Cola made from cane sugar, Moxie, Original formula Dr. Pepper, and Apple Beer.

At the back of the store, they also have an Italian Deli counter where they still sell the famous "Blockbuster" sandwiches.

It should be a beautiful and rewarding day driving through a part of Southern California that you just don't normally see.

Hope you can join us!

[Crimson Avenger]

One fellow over on the Solstice forum plans to join us for the first part of the drive through Wrightwood, and make a short day of it.

He will of course miss the trip to Galco's for some great sodas.

I also figure that, like our Palos Verdes Loop that the 10:00 AM start time makes it possible to get into the car around 8:30 and join us for Brunch.

Hope to see some of you there!

[Crimson Avenger]

There's a fellow who's driving down from Vegas and is interested in having dinner Friday night with any locals, and lodging suggestions.

Since I thought of a clever lodging option, I thought I'd share it with folks on this side as well...

Originally Posted by Crimson Avenger

Very cool! Glad you're coming down. It should be a beautiful drive down.

There's actually a kinda fun and in-expensive lodging option that's about 15 minutes from the IHOP.... The Wigwam Motel:



We did stay there on a Route 66 trip a few years back. It's reasonably priced, $70/night, and overall was a kick in that 50's kitschy sorta way.

For more information on the Motel, here's the link to their web site: Wigwam Motel no. 7 - Sleep in a Teepee! Rialto/San Bernardino, California

The google map showing how to get to the IHOP there is:

• Link to Google map route from Wigwam Motel to IHOP

Regarding Friday night dinner plans, I'm a bit too far for a Friday night get-away drive out to the inland empire. You'll be coming in the opposite direction of the traffic--inbound, so you should have no problems Friday afternoon/evening, but it will be mostly locals who will be available Friday.

I think that RichSol might be close enough for a Friday night dinner...

See you there.

[Crimson Avenger]

Originally Posted by jandb

We are planning to meet you at the Ihop. We will be driving down from Las Vegas on Friday. Anyone want toget together Friday night and any recommendations on a place to stay? Thanks.

If anyone is local and wants to get together Friday night for dinner with jandb, you might want to post either here, or perhaps directly on the Solstice Forum side: Summer Solstice Rim of the World Drive Lunch & Ice Cream [Saturday June 21, So Cal] - Pontiac Solstice Forum

[EndiSky]

Don't think I can make the run but dinner is a good possibility.

[Crimson Avenger]

Originally Posted by EndiSky

Don't think I can make the run but dinner is a good possibility.

jandb over on the Solstice Forum is headed down from Vegas, arriving Friday night and he's looking for suggestions for a dinner.

Here's his post on the Solstice Forum: jandb from Vegas Friday dinner question