Route 66

The story about Route 66 (Part I, April 15) brought back memories of my first trip on Route 66 as an 8 year old in 1933. We traveled from Lynwood to my grandparents in Ohio. Most of the desert was a roller-coaster ride with very few cars. A drink of water at a gas station in the desert was 5 cents because the water was trucked in.

My father flashed the headlights at all California cars and they blinked back. Motels were scarce and we usually slept in the car, but one night we slept in a private home that took in tourists. Detours were common and went around the countryside. Naturally, going through cities and towns meant seeing the whole place. The present interstate highways are very nice traveling but not nearly as interesting.

JACQUELINE TOLER

Lompoc