Day 195: Desert Stories

Michael, of Erin Brockavich fame

Everyone has a story. As we traveled, I always enjoyed chatting with folks to get their stories. Desert people tend to have really good stories, for some reason. Today, we met Michael when we stopped in at the Bagdad Café. He has been out in the desert for many years, but has only worked at the Cafe for 23 weeks.

The Bagdad Café is the name of a movie staring Jack Palance. Michael said it was the winner of the Cesar for best foreign movie. (Note: no fact checking for this story). We asked if he'd seen it (neither of us have), and he said it had put him to sleep. Moved kind of slow, I guess. Anyway, it was set at this café, which is right on Route 66 and has become a must-see for tourists, particularly from Europe. A couple of French girls were there, taking selfies and posting their photo on the wall. Another couple from France had just left. The place was plastered with stickers, business cards, signed bills, and photos posted by fans.

Momentos everywhere

But Michael's story is not about the Café.  His story is about Erin Brockavich. The movie, not the person. Seems he was an extra in the film. Two scenes, I think he said. You can catch him in the scene "9 months later" when he walks over to the barbecue to get a piece of chicken. He is a tall, pretty distinctive- looking guy, so I figure some late night when I am channel surfing, I will catch the end of Erin B and there he'll be, getting his fourth piece of chicken! (There were four takes, he said.)

And so it goes, in the desert. You never know who fate, or Julia Roberts, will smile upon! The other guy we met at the café, Zak, sells souvenirs and tchotkes to the shops along Route 66, who sell them to the tourists. Thus helping to keep the little places alive. His real claim to fame, though, is his sprinter van. He said it had 471,000 miles on it!

Zak and his 471,000 mile van

Next to that, the Silver Queen is just a piker. But she's holding up well, our Ship of the Desert. Better than we are. Roger and I are both whipped. We can't help but feel that this leg of the trip would have been easier for us when we were in arguably the best shape of our lives, having completed 6 months of daily riding. 

Kathy and the Silver Queen

We actually met some other tourists today. I did not expect to see anyone, but John and Robbie were headed east as we went west. They stayed a night with Anita, the Warmshowers host we'll stay with tomorrow. We were happy we were not headed their way!

John and Robbie

Ludlow to Barstow, 53 miles. Most of it into the wind.