DUARTE GETS ITS GROOVE ON ROUTE 66

Duarte may have lost many of its Route 66 icons, yet the City enthusiastically celebrates its little stretch of the Mother Road annually.  Along the Route where motorists once enjoyed hearty steak dinners and entertainment at The Trails Steakhouse (1952-2001) the parade marched along on September 24,2011.

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Before the parade, a VIP breakfast was served and Grand Marshal Chuck Henry was introduced by Duarte Mayor Tzeitel Paras.

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GRAND MARSHAL CHUCK HENRY GETS READY TO JOIN THE 17THE ANNUAL PARADE!

 

 

 

 

 

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DUARTE’S PUBLIC ACCESS CHANNEL, DCTV, ANNOUNCES THE PARADE PARTICIPANTS AS THEY MARCH BY.

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SPECTATORS ALONG THE  PARADE ROUTE SHOW THEIR APPRECIATION!

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THE DUARTE HISTORICAL SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS RIDE IN THIS PACIFIC ELECTRIC TROLLEY RENTED FROM THE VENICE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

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NICK MONTALVO AND HIS PARTNER JILL, PRESIDENT OF THE VENICE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, POSE IN FRONT OF THEIR TRAM.

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ON BOARD WAS MICHAEL RAMOS, THE GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDSON OF ANDRES DUARTE, FOR WHOM THE CITY IS NAMED.  HIS GIRLFRIEND, LINDA, SITS BESIDE HIM.

 

55493-parade4.Irwin.Douglass.jpg              MUSEUM CURATOR IRWIN MARGILOFF AND DOCENT DOUGLAS ROSS

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                URBAN COWBOY ALAN HELLER DUMPS HIS HORSE FOR A TROLLEY

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                                THE STALLERS HITCH A RIDE

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                        THIS YEAR MANY IMPRESSIVE BANDS JOINED IN

  

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AS IS TRADITION, THE PARADE WAS FOLLOWED BY THE CITY PICNIC FEATURING BOOTHS, ENTERTAINMENT AND A CAR SHOW.  FOR ONCE THE DUARTE FESTIVITIES WERE ON THE WEEKEND AFTER THE SAN BERNARDINO ROUTE 66 RENDEZVOUS, INSTEAD OF VYING FOR PARTICIPANTS ON THE SAME WEEKEND.

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                          THERE WAS AN IMPRESSIVE ARRAY OF ANTIQUE CARS

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THE DUARTE WOMAN’S CLUB COULD NOT MAKE BURGERS FAST ENOUGH TO PLEASE THE FAMISHED CROWD

IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE ROUTE 66 PARADE IS ORGANIZED ANNUALLY BY A GRASS ROOTS COMMITTEE, RESIDENTS WHO SPEND AN ENTIRE YEAR PLANNING THE EVENT ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS.  ALTHOUGH THE CITY COOPERATES AND HELPS, THE PARADE TAKES PLACE BECAUSE RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS MAKE IT HAPPEN THROUGH THEIR GRACIOUS SPIRIT AND DEDICATION TO DUARTE AND IT’S HISTORY.

THIS IS WHY WE SAY: DUARTE:  OUR KIND OF TOWN

Hawaii, Denmark & wild west, without leaving So. Cal!

EL CAPITAN & REFUGIO STATE BEACHES

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Refugio State Beach resembles Hawaii in many ways – the water is just not quite as warm!  We camped at El Capitan State Beach, making reservations 7 months ahead of time!  Only 3 miles apart, these two beaches are California gems. 

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Our campsite gave us 180 degree view of the ocean.  A short walk through the field, we would set up our chairs and were thrilled to watch humpback whales play, dolphins and about a dozen seals jumping out of the water.  Except for the campers from hell next to us, we enjoyed five days in this site.  We had no hookups and brought our own table and firepit, none of which were provided.  The cost was about $35 a night

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Dolphins and whales were constant companions on our ocean watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Spotted a whale’s tale breaking the surface!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Two dolphins headed north!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is so much to explore in the area.  For a taste of Denmark we visited Solvang to feast on red cabbage, sausage, herring, beer and abelskivers.

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A visit to the Santa Ynez Mission:

 

 

 

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After making a donation to the Native Americans at the Chumash Casino, we discovered a great wild west restaurant in Buellton called A.J. Spurs.  This rustic log cabin in the Santa Ynez Valley is a massive log structure with a wonderful menu.  All meals are served with complimentary homemade salsa, tequila beans and vacquero soup, and an after dinner liqueur (our choice:  Bailey’s), or rootbeer float.  We also enjoyed live music and the friendly atmosphere. 

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We visited a gem fair at the fairgrounds in Santa Barbara, shopped and lunched on the pier, and visited the weekly Sunday artfair.

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WARNING:  FOR CAMPING RESERVATIONS FOR NEXT SUMMER THROUGH RESERVEAMERCA, HEED THE FOLLOWING DATES:

FOR CAMPING IN     RESERVE ON OR AFTER

JUNE                        DEC. 1

JULY                         JAN. 2

AUGUST                    FEB 1

SEPTEMBER             MARCH 1

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