6:00 AM PT, San Francisco

HRVATSKI

Auto je doista ogroman. U Ford-u su stvarno mislili na sve.

U unutrašnjosti su dvije duge klupe koje mogu primiti čak šest putnika, iako je samo 2-door coupe. Stražnja klupa je velika i prostrana. Tamo se bez problema može djecu praviti i vjerujem da je dobar dio američkih baby boomera upravo tamo začeto. Prtljažnik se čini još veći. Nije ni čudo što je talijanska mafija voljela ovaj auto – i tamo vjerojatno stane šest tijela (eto malo crnog humora).

Nakon puno vremena, još više igranja s prostorom i rupama, nešto malo psovki i živciranja, te par zgnječenih prstiju – spreman je!

Pun kao šipak. Malo je sjeo odostraga ali kad bacim svojih 103 kilograma naprijed, valjda će se nekakav balans stvoriti.

ENGLESKI

Not only is this car awesome, it is HUGE.

Old-school Italian mob loved cars like these (think Joe Pesci and Robert de Niro in Casino or Goodfellas). Also, no wonder drive-in movie theaters were the place-to-be back in the Baby Boomer days. It s like a suite back there.

A couple hours later – all my crap seemed to have found a spot, hole or crack for itself.

The green machine is tightly packed, especially towards the back. I really hope that it can bare all this weight.

••

The Lowrider.

HRVATSKI

Bicikl je raskomadan i kreće svojim putem prema Chicagu. Mene vozi Lincoln, njega FedEx. Vrlo vjerojatno će stići prije mene.

ENGLISH

My bicycle couldn’t fit so I’m FedEx-ing it to the Windy city. It will most likely make it there before I do.

••

HRVATSKI

Nekako sam odugovlačio polazak jer nakon što sam gotovo tri godine živio doma s majkom i drugim članovima obitelji, sada selim tamo gdje nemam nikakve bliže rodbine. Valjda sam htio još malo uživati u toj toplini.

No polazak je bio neizbježan i došlo je vrijeme pozdraviti se s voljenom majkom, tetom, tetkom.

Stala plačuć tužna mati, dok sam ja drhtavim rukama započeo vožnju.

ENGLISH

Leaving home and leaving family really sucks – it makes the goodbyes harder to cope with. I tried delaying my departure as much as possible, but that eventually had to come to an end.

With a heavy heart I said goodbye to my mother, aunt and uncle who have helped me more than I could ever imagined and asked for throughout these last 3 years

••

HRVATSKI

Još uvijek pod dojmom, odlučujem stati na Marijansko svetište Our Lady of Peace Santa Clara kako bih zahvalio, molio i tražio mir prije puta.

ENGLISH

The soothingness of prayer, giving thanks and peace has no bounds. My soul is forever thirsty and I therefore had my first stop at Our Lady of Peace in Santa Clara.

••

HRVATSKI

Ako mi nešto neće baš nimalo faliti, to je Silicon Valley gužva po cestama. Bilo je već oko 17h popodne dok sam se izvukao.

ENGLISH

My last dance with Silicon Valley traffic.

••

Beautiful.  |  Prekrasno.

HRVATSKI

Trebalo je već nakon 200-tinjak milja stati jer ova zelena mašina troši kao Hummer. Pismo Beach mi je uvijek bio drag. Mali surferski gradić, taman na pola puta između SF-a i LA-a. Ako se ikada budem selio natrag u Kaliforniju, tu ću živjeti.

ENGLISH

My gas guzzler needed a refill after just 200 miles on the road, which is not very promising as I only have 2,500 miles to go. Pismo Beach has always been my pit-stop when travelling between SF and LA. I love this place. If I ever move back to California, I’ll live here.

••

HRVATSKI

Putovanja su sjajan izgovor da se prekine režim dobre prehrane.

ENGLISH

Travelling gives you a perfect excuse to quite the diet and eat junk.

••

Fish&Chips @ Splash Cafe.

HRVATSKI

Dok sam na Shell-u točio gorivo, po nekoj iznimno maloj vjerojatnosti, pored mene se parkirao RV kojeg sam s dobrim prijateljima iz Hrvatske iznajmio prije godinu dana kada smo radili lijepu momačku zabavu u obliku desetodnevne turu (SF-Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-LA-SF).

Ekipa u RV-u je također na momačkoj zabavi. Vuku za sobom dodatan trailer i ima ih desetak. Svi su iznimno veseli. Dimi se iz oba vozila onaj oštar i gadan miris zelene biljke. Samo se jedan veseljak htio slikati. Pričam s njima i doznajem da su iste stvari i dalje pokidane u RV-u haha. Također, s vanjske strane im pokazujem mjesto gdje sam ga malo ‘trknuo u jednom RV parku. Smijemo se, nabacujemo si i pozdravljamo se kao da se znamo sto godina.

Da ironija bude veća, sreli smo se upravo u Pismo Beach gdje smo i mi bili s RV-em, roštiljali na plaži.

ENGLISH

While I was pumping gas, a funny thing happened. The same RV that I rented about a year ago for a good friend’s bachelor party pulls up next to me. We did a 10-day road-trip through 3 states with this thing and had a blast.

The current tenants are also on a bachelor party and it seems that they are having a good time since everything reeks of cannabis. As I was talking to them, we laughed our asses off as the same things are still broken in the RV, a full year later. I also showed them a spot I nicked when I did a crappy parking job in a RV park.

What makes this encounter even more interesting is that we happened to meet in Pismo Beach, where we had a great beach BBQ with our RV rental back in the day.

••

••

Flashback – our RV trip in 2017

HRVATSKI

Vozim još par stotina milja po noći. Slušam blues, domaće i laganini uživam. Napokon stižem u Santa Monicu. Tu ću prenoćiti. Sutra krećem na sami Route 66 koji počinje/završava na Santa Monica pier.

ENGLISH

A couple hundred miles later, I finally got to Santa Monica. Tomorrow I hit the Santa Monica pier as it is the official start/finish line of Route 66.

••

I like to keep it old-school.

••

… but still use some GPS technology:

https://www.relive.cc/view/g20080108758

••

HRVATSKI

Zovem majku, oca, sestru… svi su dobro! Stipe Miočić, šampion, daje još jedan intervju na TV-u gdje se sjaji njegova prirodna skromnost i poniznost. Lijepo je biti šampion, a još bolje ako si ljudina kao on.

ENGLISH

After awaking and calling my parents and sister to hear that everyone is good, I’m ready for the day! One of my top role-models, is giving a great interview on TV. Stipe Miočić, Croatian-American UFC heavyweight champion of the world, just can’t seem to hide his simplicity and humbleness. A real refreshment compared to other top-level athletes.

••

HRVATSKI

Zanimljiv pogled s prozora.

ENGLISH

A rather interesting view from my window.

Lucky to find such a nice parking spot.

HRVATSKI

Skupiše se ljubitelji yoge.

ENGLISH

Some massive yoga session going on. I haven’t touched my toes in years and prefer to keep it that way.

Thanks to Olaf, I love spinach.

HRVATSKI

Kada sam vidio da je jedan srednjovječni otac sa malo većom škembicom i sličnom kilažom uspio napraviti piruetu i uhvatiti se za onog na drugoj ljuljački, čuo sam unutrašnji poziv da i ja to moram probati.

Treba proći obuku, tečaj sigurnosti i vježbanje na trampolinu u trajanju od cca. 2 sata. Nakon toga, po tvrdnjama instruktorice s kojom sam pričao, amateri mogu izvesti par tih jednostavnijih elemenata (naravno, uz zaštitne sajle).

Eh da nisam u takvoj žurbi, pokazao bi im slavonski salto.

ENGLISH

A trapeze school and exhibit right on the Santa Monica pier. I might not be super flexible, but I’m always down for crazy stuff like that.

There were a couple of mid-aged dudes going at it. Most of them kept falling, but one guy that looked my size made it to the other swing. If there was more time, I’d give it a shot. I’ve watched the Ringling Bros. Circus twice. I’m an expert

Just kidding. Anyway, it’s on the list. I’ll be back.

••

HRVATSKI

Nulti kilometar.

ENGLISH

Mileage count: 0

HRVATSKI

Puno prijatelja, sjajna zajednica Hrvata i možda najbolji hrvatski street party na svijetu (zadnji tjedan svibnja – Memorial Day weekend).

ENGLISH

San Pedro is great place. I have many friends down there. Also, they host the best Croatian Street Party on Memorial Day weekend. Check it out sometime.

••

HRVATSKI

U službenom vodiču je navedeno čak 75 znamenitosti duž cijele rute. Budući da sam izuzetno ograničen s vremenom, mogu posjetiti tek 20-tak. Desetak dana bi bilo idealno za ležerni obilazak svega, ali ja na raspolaganju imam samo 5 dana.

Odlučujem nasumično odabrati. I u toj ludoj filozofiji biram nešto što je blizu Piera. Tek poslije shvaćam da je odabrano u samom centru grada i da je gužva u LA-u neprestana. Nakon sat vremena stani-kreni kretanja i prijeđenih 5 milja, dolazim do znamenitosti (Clifton’s cafeteria) ispred koje ne mogu ni parkirati a kamoli ući.

Bravo, Nino. Bravo.

Brza slika iz auta i ponovno sat vremena stani-kreni kretanja da se vratim do autoceste.

ENGLISH

There are 75 points of interest listed in the guide. I can only visit about 20 at best, because I have to get to Chicago in 5 days.

I decide to randomly choose sights that I’ll stop by. My trip starts off 0 for 1 as I head to the first sight in downtown LA only to realize that it’s rush hour, can’t park anywhere close and it took over an hour to cover 5 miles.

Well at least the sight, Clifton’s cafeteria, looks nice from the car.

••

HRVATSKI

Očito su, nekada davno, ljekarne bile u sklopu kafića ili su kafići bili unutar ljekarni. Praktično. Na jednom šanku naručiš lijekove, a na drugom odmah naručiš Coca-Colu.

ENGLESKI

Walgreens and CVS need to bring back this combination. Talk about a pleasant customer experience.

SOOTHING VANILLA MILKSHAKE TIME

HRVATSKI

Tek što je stigao milkshake, stiže i poziv iz domovine. Kum zove. Na fešti je od našeg dobrog prijatelja. Krštenje. Drugo dijete. Tamburaši, obitelj, društvo. Naravno, veselo je.

Imamo običaj zvati se kada se fešta i kada se slavi nešto. Zbog vremenske razlike je uvijek je samo jedna strana u elementu. No, druga se strana mora opustiti, pogotovo kad su dobre pjesme u pitanju.

I tako oni naručuju pjesmu za pjesmom za prijatelja u dijaspori, tamburaši preuzimaju kadar, a ja šetam po Pasadeni s milkshae-om u ruci i punim glasom pjevam s njima U san mi dođu tambure, I kad umrem pjevat će Slavonija, Kamen krš i maslina, Croatio iz duše te ljubim itd. Dižem ruke. Plješćem.

Najboljih pola sata danas.

Prolaznici primjećuju, ali nije da se nešto čude. Ima i većih čudaka u Los Angelesu.

ENGLISH

This one is hard to explain in English and even harder to understand if you are not Croatian or have never been to our beautiful hedonistic country.

Try to get the point by looking at the screenshots.

••

HRVATSKI

Stvarno su najbolji hamburgeri koje se mogu pronaći. Unutar zadnje tri godine, mislim da sam pojeo na stotine njihovih double-double-a.

ENGLISH

To be honest, California has been cementing itself in many categories on my s*** list, but I have to admit that In’N’Out is the absolute best in the hamburger category. Ever.

I wish they had a loyalty program. I’d be points-rich by now.

••

1930s teepee style.

San Bernardino, CA

••

HRVATSKI

Route 66 već desetljećima ne postoji u cjelokupnoj dužini. Novije autoceste (Interstate) sagrađene su na mjesto starog puta (Route-a) i samo na nekim mjestima se mogu naći kraće dionice izvorne ceste.

Nakon Barstow-a po prvi puta vozim na pravi Route 66. Doživljaj je sjajan. Stara, grbava i raspucana cesta. Nigdje nikoga. Ni na cesti ni u okolici. Čudan neki mir.

ENGLISH

Since there are only tidbits of the original Route 66 left, I’ll try to take them whenever possible. My first opportunity was just after Barstow, CA.

There is very calming atmosphere around it. I went for many many miles without seeing a single other car, yet alone people and houses on the side. The few structures that are left have apparently been abandoned years ago.

••

HRVATSKI

Jedan od rijetkih znamenitosti i sadržaja sa živim ljudima. Mali kafić. Unutra je raznolika ekipa – mlada obitelj na odmoru, par domaćih rednecks-a, azijski turisti i jedan s Jamajke. Teta mi kao u filmu poslužuje kavu.

Bezbroj je potpisa i raznih predmeta koje su prolaznici ostavljali kroz godine. Tražim nešto na hrvatskom, ali ne pronalazim ništa. Listam kroz knjigu utisaka, također ništa. Čak su i wc-i zašarani nekim ludim i neumjesnim porukama. Ni tu ne vidim ništa naše.

Vraćam se na šank kako bih završio kavu i mislim u sebi kako nije valjda baš da nitko od naših nije ovdje stao. Zasvrbi me brada i dok se češem, naginjem glavu unatrag i pogled prema gore, kad ugledam majicu sa našim poznatim kvadratićima. Ispisana je tankim flomasterom pa ne mogu pročitati sve, ali vidi se da je neki Drago potpisan i da su bili 2009. godine. Eto, bilo kuda, Hrvati svuda.

ENGLESKI

Bagdad café is a random coffee house in the middle of nowhere. Straight out of the movies.

I enjoyed a cup of coffee and talked to an interesting assembly of people there – a young family vacationing, some Asian tourists, a couple of local rednecks and a dude from Jamaica.

I was eager to see if there was any signatures or memorabilia left from Croatians. Nothing caught my eye until I had an itch on my chin and by chance looked toward the ceiling only to see a big Croatian checkered skirt with signatures.

••

HRVATSKI

Usporio sam da vidim treba li pomoći ali mi je samo odmahnuo da nastavim.

ENGLESKI

I slowed down to see if he needed help, but he just waived me off.

••

HRVATSKI

Kasnim. Nikad stići do Arizone, a plan mi je spavati negdje na polovici države.

ENGLISH

I’m way behind schedule and not even close to Arizona. My plan is to get to Flagstaff, AZ, but it is still a few hours away.

••

HRVATSKI

Ono dugme iznad lijevog nožnog palca je za paljenje svijetla na daljinu.

ENGLESKI

That button above my left toe is how you turn on the long distance lights on this thing.

••

God bless America and all-day breakfast.

••

HRVATSKI

Stižem u Flagstaff u 1:30h po noći. Nema smisla ići u motel jer ću ionako sutra krenuti rano, već oko 6h.

Gdje spavati? Pa u autu na parkiralištu Walmarta kao i svi drugi.

ENGLISH

I got into Flagstaff in the middle of the night. No point in looking for a motel at this moment since I will leave early tomorrow, around 6 AM. This means that I have to find the nearest Walmart.

What’s a cross-country trip without at least one night at the parking lot of America’s favorite store?

Btw, I was just one of many roadtrippers there.

••

HRVATSKI

Da bih zahvalio na gostoljubljivost, moram nakar nešto malo novaca potrošiti u Walmartu.

ENGLISH

It’s time to thank Walmart for great hospitality and spend some money there. Restocking on the essentials. BRUT!

••

HRVATSKI

Ime govori sve. Meteor Crater je navodno najbolje očuvan krater na svijetu. Tu je NASA radila obuku svojih astronauta iz misijskih programa Apollo-a.

Krater je stvoren prije nešto više od 50.000 godina. Toliko je velik da po visini/dubini stane zgrada od 60-tak katova. Na dnu ima mjesta za 20 nogometnih igrališta (raspoređenih u 5 redova po 4 igrališta), a uokolo bi po obroncima mjesto našlo čak 2 milijuna gledatelja.

Stvarno velika rupa.

ENGLISH

They say it is the best preserved meteor crater in the world. I believe it. Haven’t seen other ones, but this one looks pretty fresh. No wonder NASA conducted its Apollo mission training programs here.

Here are some crater stats:

• created approx. 50,000 years ago
• deep enough to fit a 60-story building (for reference – that’s the size of the TransAmerica pyramid building in San Francisco)
• the bottom can fit 20 football fields (in a 5 row x 4 field/row configuration)
• enough room around the sides to fit seating for 2 million people

Huge potential for the world’s greatest stadium.

••

HRVATSKI

Kako sam došao medu prvima na Meteor crater, bilo je dovoljno vremena da iskoristim prazno parkiralište i krasan pogled za mali photo session s Lincoln-om. Nakon ponešto igranja s perspektivom, kutom slikanja i foto-filterima, eto par dobrih slika za cover glazbenog albuma.

ENGLISH

An empty parking lot and some beautiful scenery helped me have some fun with snapping photos of the green machine. Does anybody need some sweet album cover photos?

••

HRVATSKI

Winslow je najpoznatiji po pjesmi Take It Easy, grupe The Eagles-a u kojem ga se spominje u stihu:

Well, I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me.

I to je otprilike sve što je zanimljivo u ovim mjestu.

ENGLISH

If you are a The Eagles fan, then you might recognize this place through the lyrics of the 1972 hit, Take It Easy:

“”Well, I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona and such a fine sight to see. It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me.”

And that’s about all this place has to offer.

••

HRVATSKI

Ulazim u saveznu državu New Mexico čije su autoceste crvene boje.

ENGLISH

New Mexico is empty, beautiful and has red highways.

••

HRVATSKI

Za usporedbu, ovako izgledaju ceste i okolni krajolik u Arizoni.

ENGLISH

Just for reference – here is a reminder of what Arizona highways look like.

••

HRVATSKI

Hotel El Rancho je bio omiljeno prenoćište glumačke elite 50-tih i 60-tih godina prošlog stoljeća dok su se kaubojski filmovi snimali na prirodno lijepom lokacijama unutar New Mexica. U ovom hotelu je često odsjedao John Wayne.

ENGLESKI

The El Rancho Hotel hosted the stars of Hollywood from the 50’s and 60’s. A lot of natural scenery from New Mexico was used in old cowboy movies. This particular hotel was John Wayne’s favorite.

••

HRVATSKI

U Grants-u točim gorivo po n-ti put. Kupujem prvi suvenir i veselim se vidjeti da su i dragi mi Franjevci imali svoj motel.

ENGLISH

Grants is a cool little spot to take break, fill’er up and buy a souvenir. It was also cool to see a Franciscan motel.

••

The largest city in NM.

••

HRVATSKI

U suvenirnici u Gallup-u me jedan vodič kojeg sam listao podsjetio da su u Santa Fe-u čudesne stube sv. Josipa. O njima sam čitao i pogledao jedan dokumentarac. Odlučujem da ovu znamenitost pod svaku cijenu moram vidjeti.

Nažalost, stube nisu navedene kao znamenitost na Route 66, ali svake godine više od 250,000 posjetitelja posjeti ovo mjesto samo radi čudesnih stuba.

Mislio sam voziti do Texasa i tamo prenoćiti, ali sam morao skratiti današnji put i noćiti u Santa Fe-u jer je kapelica sa stubama bila zatvorena. Mogu ih tek ujutro pogledati.

Inače Santa Fe je glavni grad savezne države New Mexico. Ima tek 60-tak tisuća stanovnika i zaista je zanimljivo mjesto sa mnoštvo kulturnih znamenitosti i malih izvornih trgovina.

ENGLISH

While looking through a souvenir shop guide book about New Mexico, I stumbled upon the section that mentions the Miraculous Stairway of St. Joseph in Santa Fe. I was thrilled to realize that I finally have the opportunity to visit this site after reading about the steps and viewing a documentary that describes this miracle.

This is something that I can’t miss and though it will prolong the trip, I decide to spend the night in Santa Fe. The Loretto chapel that houses the steps was closed by the time time I got there.

Walking through Santa Fe, the state’s capital, I was very impressed with its laid back and artistic vibe. I’ve never seen more small mama and papa shops anywhere. Street after street, gallery after gallery, hundreds of them. There were no big box retail chains to be seen. I noticed only one Starbucks shop, tucked in and hidden away among the many other shops.

••

HRVATSKI

Već više od 100 godina, svi najbolji stolari, arhitekti i znanstvenici svijeta neuspješno pokušavaju objasniti nastanak ovih stuba. Još manje mogu objasniti porijeklo i obradu drveta (drvo ne raste nigdje blizu; alati doba u kojem su stube nastale su bili izuzetno limitirani). Najmanje pak mogu objasniti savršenu konstrukciju koja bez ikakvih strukturalnih učvršćivanja, čini ove stube gotovo lebdećima.

Legenda ima puno mističnih i simboličnih elemenata koje još više dobiju na snazi kada se stube vide uživo. Preporučam svima da samostalno istraže ovaj fenomen i da, ako ikada budu u prilici, posjete ovo mjesto.

Tamo gdje znanost prestaje, vjera počinje.

VAŽNO: Na slikama se vide rukohvati koji nisu izvorni, te su naknadno dodani. No, postoji slika originalne verzije stubišta. Također su vidljiva i željezna pojačanja te spojnice sa stupom/zidom koji su dodani prije 30-tak godina budući da se sama statika cjelokupne kapelice poremetila zbog sve gušćeg prometa na obližnjoj cesti.

ENGLISH

When the world’s best carpenters, architects and scientists from the last 100+ years can’t seem to find a simple explanation for these steps, then I think we can all agree that there is something special about them.

No structural support, a rather atypical choice of wood and unseen craftsmanship for it’s time, make this phenomenon even more impressive. The legend is truly interesting and has many mystical elements to it. Google it and, if possible, visit this chapel when you get a chance.

At some point all science stops and faith begins.

DISCLAIMER: The handrail is not original and was added later. However, there is a picture showing what the staircase looked like in its original form. Also, the metal brackets and reinforcements to the pillar/wall were added about 30 years ago since vibrations from increased nearby traffic started damaging the chapel’s structural alignment.

••

HRVATSKI

Oldtimeri, kao i žene, imaju vječnu ljepotu. Također, kao i žene, znaju ponekad iznenada brzo pregrijati i planuti.

Srećom, na Lincoln-u imam riješenje za takvo što. Jednostavno raspalim grijanje na najjače (85 Fahrenheita ilitiga 30 Celzijusa) na 20 minuta dok ne izbaci sve i dok se ne smiri. Ženama ipak možda treba malo više vremena 🙂

ENGLISH

The key to cooling down overheating old cars, apart from stopping and turning the engine off, is to just blast on the heating at the highest possible temperature. Works like a charm every time.

There is nothing quite like liking driving through the flaming desert with the windows down and the heat on.

••

Santa Rosa, CA

HRVATSKI

Za sve nas ljubitelje limenih ljubimaca.

ENGLISH

A feast for the eyes and souls of us car lovers.

••

HRVATSKI

Zanimljivo je da su skoro svi izloženi primjerci bili na prodaju (cijene od $18,000 do $50,000). Iako moram masno platiti svoj predstojeći MBA, u mislima vrtim kombinacije kako bih mogao skupiti novce za jednu od ovih pila.

Pada mi napamet ideja da im ponudim zamjenu i to Lincoln-a za Chevy Camaro iz 69-te koji mi je zapeo za oko.

Pitam kustosicu. Kaže mi ona da se trebam obratiti gazdi (koji je ujedno i njen otac) i šalje me preko ceste.

ENGLESKI

The cool thing about this museum is that almost all the cars were on sale (ranging from 18k to about 50k). I’m broke and I have a pricey upcoming MBA to pay off, but I couldn’t get my mind off of thinking about getting a 3rd and 4th job for some time to snag one of these babies.

Then it hit me – maybe I could swap the Lincoln or at least offer to do so. It’s a long shot, but I’d love the 69′ Chevy Camaro.

Luckily, the museum owner is in town and he is just down the street.

••

HRVATSKI

Po izlasku iz muzeja, sreo sam prve bicikliste na ruti. Znao sam da će biti i takvih hrabrih.

ENGLISH

Respect.

••

HRVATSKI

Gazda muzeja i vlasnik izloženih automobila je ujedno i vlasnik motela u Santa Rosi, te automehaničarske radione, u kojem ga pronalazim.

Tabla glasi: Bozo’s Garage. Izlazim iz auta i ne vjerujem svojim očima. Već sam se i ponadao da je naše gore list i davno izgubljeni sin. Pa Božo, naš čovjek! Dogovorit ćemo se. Bit će ovo super.

Pozovu oni Božu, ja sav spreman da se na hrvatski način izgrlimo i izljubimo, kad ono hladan tuš – Bozo je srednjovječni i namrgođeni Indijanac. Samo je brzo pogledao auto, rekao da je auto premlad(!) i da nije zainteresiran. Potom se okrenuo i otišao.

Ok Božo moj, hvala ti i živio!

ENGLISH

The museum owner also owns a motel and a mechanics shop. I head to the shop to find him.

I was a little confused as the his name was Bozo (as per the shop sign), which is a name we also have back in Croatia [Božo]. Could this be possible – a Croatian out here in the middle-of-nowhere New Mexico?

Well, no. Bozo is a Native American. He took a 3-second look at the car, said it was too young(!) of a car and that he wasn’t interested.

••

No comment necessary.

••

HRVATSKI

Putem nailazim na još jedan muzej starih automobila. Ovaj se nalazi na običnom odmaralištu unutar benzinske pumpe na samoj autocesti.

Ovi auti nisu na prodaju, pa ni ne ispitujem jesu li za kakve kombinacije trgovanja.

ENGLISH

How great is it to stop at a rest area, fill’er up, get some coffee and enjoy another old-timer museum located right within the gas station? Pretty great.

These cars are, sadly, not for sale.

••

HRVATSKI

Eto da i Elvis Presley-u otpjevam back vokale.

ENGLISH

Singing some back vocals for the King of rock’n’roll.

••

HRVATSKI

Najbolja dugogodišnja marketinška kampanja ikad. Jonathan Goldsmith je utjelovio ulogu “najzanimljivijeg čovjeka na svijetu” za Dos Equis pivo.

Samo zbog njihovih kreativnih reklama sam počeo piti ovo pivo. Eto koliko je konzumeristički-efektivno ova kampanja djelovala na mene.

ENGLESKI

The main character of the best marketing campaign ever.

I don’t always do amazing things, but when I do, I try to be like the Most Interesting Man in the World.

It’s just not the same without Jonathan Goldsmith in the role anymore.

Dos Equis!

••

HRVATSKI

Pejzaž New Mexica je jedan od najljepših koje sam imao prilike vidjeti. Čini mi se da ima puno toga za istraživati ovdje. Sigurno ću se vratiti jednog dana.

ENGLISH

Very few people around, but breathtaking scenery. I’ll be back for sure.

••

Don’t mess with Texas.

••

MIDWAY CAFÉ

ADRIAN, TX

1,139 miles (1,833 km) to Chicago, IL | 1,139 miles (1,833 km) to Los Angeles, CA

••

HRVATSKI

Pogled prema zapadu:

ENGLISH

Looking west:

••

HRVATSKI

Pogled prema istoku:

ENGLISH

Looking east:

••

Amarillo, TX

HRVATSKI

Široko polje usred ničega. Deset automobilskih olupina poredanih u red i nosom zabijeni u zemlju. Spray paint kantice u različitim bojama.

Rezultat: prvoklasna turistička atrakcija.

Mogi bi u našoj Slavoniji par ovakvih napraviti.

I ja sam se potpisao. Nek se zna da je mali Meteš bio.

ENGLISH

Ten rusted out vintage Cadillacs buried nose-first in order to display the beautiful tail fin styles from the ’49 to 63′ models. How to get people to this field in the middle-of-nowhere? Toss around some spray paint cans and boom – you get a top tourist attraction.

I also signed myself into the book of visitors.

••

Amarillo, TX

HRVATSKI

Steak od 72oz. je steak od 2 kilograma.

Ako pristaneš na izazov, prvo ga platiš, pa ako ga pojedeš, refundira ti se uplata. Nije samo steak u pitanju, nego i prilog (3 shrimpa, pečeni krumpir, mahunarke, pecivo).

Do sada ga je uspjelo pojesti nešto više od 9.000 ljudi. Svi slavodobitnici nisu nužno ogromni ljudi. Slika otkriva da su neki i obične veličine, od svega 70-tak ili 80-tak kilograma tjelesne težine.

Izazovu su pristupili i oni koji se profesionalno bave jedenjem (sport koji, naravno, postoji samo u SAD-u) i koji gore navedeno “maznu” za manje od 10 minuta.

Tko god me poznaje, zna da mogu pojesti za dvojicu. Stoga sam siguran da ću se jednog dana okušati u ovome, no danas moram nastaviti voziti još par sati, a i sám sam.

Jednog ću dana doći sa ženom i pokušati. Taman da me bodri i da mi briše znoj dok budem jeo. Jednako tako, da može i voziti poslije dok ja budem usnuo u komi od neumjerenosti u jelu.

ENGLISH

A 72oz. steak is a 5 lbs steak.

I got to see the monster up close. Huge and heavy is the best way to describe it. Also, it is accompanied with shrimp, a baked potato, greens and bread. If you are ready for the challenge, first you pay and get refunded if you happen to finish it.

Looking at the wall of fame, I see that there are normal sized people that completed the challenge. Winners were also competitive eaters that go through this baby in under 10 minutes, which is just completely insane. Wouldn’t they want to enjoy it at least a bit?

I’m very much down to give it a shot one day. I need to lock in a wife first and then come down with her to take the challenge. She can cheer me on, wipe of my sweat and drive on afterwards while I’m passed-out in a food coma.

••

HRVATSKI

S obzirom da sam žurio dalje, “maznuo“ sam samo jedan od 20oz. (0,5kg)…

ENGLISH

Since I was in a rush, I could only pound a quick 20oz. sirloin…

••

HRVATSKI

… dok su mi stari cowboy-i svirali moju najdražu cowboysku pjesmu.

ENGLISH

… while some old cowboys played my favorite cowboy song.

••

HRVATSKI

Približavam se Oklahomi koja je poznata po svojim tornadima. Ova nagla promjena vremena se dogodila u svega 15min.

ENGLISH

I’m getting close to Oklahoma. Tornado country. This change in weather happened in less than 15 minutes.

••

HRVATSKI

Jednako tako nisam niti mogao stati na poznati kosi vodeni toranj u Groom-u.

Radije biram tornado nego tuču, jer od tornada još nekako možeš pobjeći, a u tuči si “okružen”.

Uspio sam nekako brzinski toranj slikati sa ceste, a prilažem i sliku kako izgleda tijekom lijepog dana.

ENGLISH

I was trying to get out of the hail storm and couldn’t stop at the famous Britten Leaning Water Tower in Groom either.

I somehow snapped a photo from the highway and pounded on the gas. I’d almost rather choose a tornado over a hail storm as you can at least try to dodge a tornado, while you’re trapped under a hail storm.

••

HRVATSKI

Počela je iznimno jaka kiša s grmljavinom i povremenim tučom pa nisam mogao stati na Veliki križ u Groom-u. Srećom, pored autoputa je pa sam ga uspio uhvatiti na jednoj fotografiji.

Visok je 58 metara i vidi se sa 32 kilometara udaljenosti.

ENGLISH

I unfortunately couldn’t stop at the Giant Cross in Groom since it started hailing. However, I caught this nice shot from the interstate.

At 190 ft. tall, the Cross can be seen from over 20 miles away.

••

Shamrock, TX

Ramone’s body shop in the cartoon movie Cars.

••

HRVATSKI

Nakon podužeg vremena eto i prve prave gradske gužve.

ENGLISH

City traffic after a long time.

••

HRVATSKI

Gledajući grad koji mi se nalazio s lijeve strane automobila, gotovo sam promašio vidjeti ono što mi se nalazilo s desne strane. Naravno, nisam uspio slikati prekrasan prizor.

U kratkim crtama se radi o kapitalnom sportsko-rekreativnom projektu grada Oklahome City, pod vodstvom gradonačelnika Mick Cornett-a, s kojim se nadaju riješiti problem pretilosti građana. Osim puno infrastrukturnih dodataka poput pješačkih i biciklističkih staza po cijelom gradu, izgradili su i poligon s umjetnom “divljom” vodom za kajak, kanu i rafting.

Najjednostavnije je da pogledajte njegov TED talk i kako kompleks izgleda.

Plemeniti projekt koji pokazuje kako se puno toga može, kad se hoće.

ENGLISH

I’m still sad that I didn’t get a nice picture of what was to the right side of the car. Traffic on the highway picked up and I couldn’t manage to get my camera out in time, find a nice angle and keep at least one eye on the road.

However, what I saw was the big White Water Rafting Course in OKC. This center was part of the city’s well-being rejuvenation policy led by mayor Mick Cornett in a fight against obesity.

Truly, it’s a very impressive and noble policy that’s actually showing some great results. The course looks like this, while you can find the mayor’s TED talk here.

••

Arcadia, OK

HRVATSKI

Eto još jedne atipične turističke znamenitosti – najveća boca gaziranog pića na svijetu. Boca je visoka punih 19 metara. Unutra se nalazi ponuda od 700-tinjak različitih vrsta sode i gaziranog pića. S guštom sam popio Coca-Colu.

ENGLISH

Officially the world’s largest soda bottle (with a straw) at 65 ft. tall. Inside there are over 700 soda varieties from the U.S. and around the world to choose from. I had a Coca-Cola.

••

Arcadia, OK

HRVATSKI

Ravno iz filmova. Ova znamenitost je poznata po svom neuobičajenom okruglom obliku. Mislili su da će takav okrugli oblik biti otporniji na razornu snagu tornada. Mislim da nisu dobro mislili.

ENGLESKI

It’s round-shaped because they thought it would be more tornado-resistant. Yeah… sure.

••

HRVATSKI 

Promašio sam jednu zanimljivu znamenitost – Blue Whale most. Ili sam se duboko zamislio, ili sam se izgubio u pjevanju samom sebi. No, kada sam napokon shvatio, bio sam predaleko za vratiti se. Već debelo kasnim po svom zacrtanom rasporedu i moram nastaviti vožnju.

Kite, vidimo se sljedeći put.

Prilažem sliku ovog čudnog mosta.

ENGLISH

I was either lost in thought or lost in serenading myself, but I completely missed the Blue Whale landmark. By the time I realized it, I was way too far to go back. Since I was already behind schedule, I’ll have to catch Moby Dick next time.

••

HRVATSKI

Zaista najkompliciranija naplata cestarine koju sam ikada doživio. Ukupno sam prošao 5 naplatnih kućica. Na prvom plaćaš bez kartice, na drugom vadiš karticu, na sljedećem platiš neku punu cijenu, potom ti se na četvrtoj refundira dio novaca, pa na petoj opet redovito platiš bez kartice. Sve to u samo 40-tak kilometara.

Od silnih otvaranja i zatvaranja prozora mi je jednom prilikom odletio stiropor za istezanje i masažu leđa, pa sam morao stati i vaditi ga iz obližnjeg kanala.

ENGLISH

The most complicated turnpike I’ve ever encountered. Way too many pay tolls, slips and refunds to keep track of.

Thanks to opening and closing the window many times for all these turnpike activities, some wind blew my back roller out from the car at one moment.

••

Afton, OK

••

Mickey Mantle’s a.k.a. The Commerce Comet’s hometown.

••

HRVATSKI

Kansas ima najkraću dionicu na Route 66. Svega 20-tak kilometara. Taman dovoljno da si i ova savezna država može baštiniti svu povijest slavne rute.

U Kansas-u je samo jedna turistička znamenitost na ruti.

ENGLISH

Wow. Kansas was lucky to be included in all the Route 66 legacy, even though it contributes only 13 miles to the route itself.

There is just one landmark to visit here.

••

Galena, KS

Mater the truck from the cartoon movie Cars.

••

••

Beautiful Packard

••

Nigdje nikoga. | Where’s everybody?!

HRVATSKI

Suhozid?

ENGLISH

That’s how we build barriers back home in Croatia.

••

Carthage, MO

HRVATSKI

Radi samo od petka do nedjelje. Ja sam, nažalost, baš u ponedjeljak morao proći.

ENGLISH

Unfortunately, the drive-in works only from Friday to Sunday. I was there on a Monday.

••

Fenton, MO

HRVATSKI

Pogled kroz prozor za dobro jutro nije dobar. Na nekih 20-tak milja (30-tak km) sam od St. Louisa i već je ovolika gužva. Nije to za Lincolna. Odlučujem ostati u hotelu, piti kavu i malo raditi (nisam odavno).

Paralelno na televiziji pratim vremensku prognozu koja najavljuje razorne pijavice kroz dobar dio srednjih američkih saveznih država. Navodno je čak 30 milijuna ljudi ugroženo, proglašava se stanje elementarne nepogode, stanovništvo se evakuira… Sve to na nekih 3 sata udaljenosti.

To je epilog onog nevremena kojeg sam prolazio u Texasu i Oklahomi, tada još tek u stanju rasta.

ENGLISH

A major turn-off during my look trough window after getting up. Traffic is all backed up and I’m over 20 miles from St. Louis. Not the ideal riding conditions for the Lincoln. I decide to stay in the hotel and do some work.

The Weather Channel is on the TV and things are getting bad as there are many tornadoes forming all around central U.S. Approximately 30 million people are in danger zones, some parts are even getting evacuated. This is just about three hours back from me.

It’s the storm I encountered in Texas and Oklahoma that just grew and got pissed off.

••

Everybody and everything along the way, even the bathrooms.

••

HRVATSKI

Poruka koja mi izvlači iskreni osmjeh na lice. Smijem se i gotovo ne vjerujem svojim očima.

ENGLISH

This made my day.

••

No maps needed, just head towards it.

••

Ultra-thick vanilla custard.

••

Andrew Carneige’s Eads Bridge. The world’s first all steel construction bridge.

••

HRVATSKI

192 metara visine. Naravno, saznajem da se gore može liftom, tek nakon što sam otišao.

ENGLISH

Built in 1967 and is 630 feet tall.

Kudos to me for learning that you can go up with an interior tram only after I left.

••

…for oil this time.

••

My new home state.

••

Madison, IL

••

HRVATSKI

Hlađenje po nogama na klasičan način.

ENGLISH

Which air vent do you use to blow cooler air towards your feet? This one.

••

Ne dirajte mi ravnicu.

••

••

Springfield, IL

HRVATSKI

Upravo su u ovom restoranu 40-tih godina prošlog stoljeća izumili poznatu hrenovku na štapiću.

ENGLISH

This is where the batter-covered hot dog on a stick was invented in the 1940s. Since it was their invention, they are really proud and even more firm on calling them cozy dogs and NOT corn dogs. I did and tried to be funny about it, but they didn’t like it. At all.

••

Towanda & Lexington, IL

HRVATSKI

Dijelovi izvorne rute iz 1920-tih. Danas se koristi kao staza pješačenje i bicikliranje.

ENGLISH

Stretches of the original 1926 road now used for pedestrians and as a bike way. It really helps you imagine life and travel of an earlier time. The road is very very narrow.

••

••

HRVATSKI

Posrednik između povijesnih automobila i novih digitalnih medija (Apple Music).

ENGLISH

This little guy did wonders in helping me enjoy my Apple Music library and the occasional YouTube visit.

••

Odell, IL

Rockefeller’s gas.

••

First glimpse.

••

Chicago, IL

HRVATSKI

Mrcina. 110 katova, 442 metara visine.

Druga najveća zgrada na zapadnoj hemisferi svijeta.

ENGLISH

Sears Tower just sounds better. At 1,450 feet tall, it’s safe to say that it is enormous. It is the 2nd tallest building in the Western Hemisphere after the new World Trade Center in New York City was built.

••

••

HRVATSKI

Najpoznatija atrakcija unutar Willis Tower-a je SkyDeck na 103. katu (412 metara visine). Tu sam se prije nekoliko godina lijepo zabavljao.

ENGLISH

The most popular attraction in the tower is the Skydeck, which occupies the 103rd floor  (1,353 feet) and provides an awesome view of the city and surroundings.

I had some fun back in the day while visiting the Skydeck.

••

Chicago, IL

HRVATSKI

Nakon 6 punih dana na putu, napokon stižem do kraja rute. Sretan sam i pomalo tužan, ali ponajviše zahvalan Bogu na sjajnom putovanju i doživljaju. Vozim prema mjestu gdje ruta počinje, ili u mojem slučaju, završava.

Putem si puštam gospodina Franka Sinatru i njegovu pjesmu My Way.

Dolazim do sjecišta Michigan Avenue-a i Jackson Boulevard-a gdje stoji tabla na kojoj piše END.

ENGLISH

After 6 great days, this trip has finally come to an end. Grateful for the amazing experiences I’ve had while driving across the U.S., I humbly head over to the historic start/end of Route 66.

Mr. Frank Sinatra accompanies me with My Way.

On the corner of Michigan Avenue and Jackson Boulevard I visit and hug the sign that says “END“.

••