The next stop on our drive eastward on Route 66 from Azuza is Upland.

In Upland, where the old road features a number of recently installed retro–Route 66 streetlamps, there’s a grass median strip graced by a statue of the pioneer “Madonna of the Trail” that officially marked the western end of the National Old Trails Highway, the immediate precursor to Route 66.

The Madonna of the Trail is a pinkish, stony-faced pioneer Mom, in long dress and bonnet, strutting westward with a rifle on one arm, an infant on the other, another little cruncher grasping Mom's skirt (you may find Pioneer Dad on another statue in town, riding a horse).

The Madonnas of the Trail were a project of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated in 1928-29. They are strung along the National Old Trails Road, now mostly Rt. 40. Artist August Leimbach created the mold. The poured algonite stone sculptures -- a mixture of crushed marble, Missouri granite, stone, cement and lead ore -- are identical. The historical info on the base of each varies from locale to locale.

The Madonnas of the Trail were a project of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated in 1928-29. They are strung along the National Old Trails Road, now mostly Rt. 40. Artist August Leimbach created the mold. The poured algonite stone sculptures -- a mixture of crushed marble, Missouri granite, stone, cement and lead ore -- are identical. The historical info on the base of each varies from locale to locale.

Nearly all of 10-ft. tall, five ton pioneer mothers face west; Bethesda, Maryland's faces east towards Washington, and Upland, California's faces south (Springfield, Ohio's has been reported to face south as well).

If statues aren’t your thing, you can have a lot of fun at the Upland Family Center.  You’ll find go karts, bumper cars, miniature golf, batting cages and a rock wall for your enjoyment.  On the weekends there’s a great buffet to satisfy the hunger you worked up on the rock wall!

The closest RV park to Upland is the KOA Fairplex .  Imagine having all of Southern California at your doorstep-Disneyland, Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios and more-with a serene, safe, country-style environment to return to. That's the package at this KOA, close to three major freeways and adjacent to the County Fairgrounds.

Your hosts provide sightseeing tours of L.A. so you don't have to drive! Then retreat to this campground with lush landscaping, pine trees and a lovely San Gabriel Mountains backdrop. Enjoy Wi-Fi and modem service for your computing needs. The full gym and heated pool are open year-round, the mini market is fully stocked and catering service is available.

The next town, Rancho Cucamonga (pop. 125,000), is now best-known as the home of the Epicenter, where the very popular Cucamonga Quakes play Class A baseball, and a statue of Jack Benny welcomes you through the turnstiles. (If you ever heard his radio show, which featured the tag line “Anaheim, Azusa, and CU-CA-MON-GA,” you’ll know why he’s there.)

At Rancho Cucamonga, Foothill Boulevard crosses the I-15 freeway, which is the quickest route over Cajon Pass; just east of the freeway, Route 66 is remembered by another long-closed “Giant Orange” roadside orange juice stand. The old Route 66 alignment continued east for another 15 miles, passing through Fontana, our next stop after Rancho Cucamonga.

Built in 1848, Rancho Cucamonga’s oldest dinner house and a favorite among locals and visitors when it comes to fine dining is The Sycamore Inn .  The Sycamore Inn was originally used as a tavern and inn for weary travelers. During the 1900s, the old dirt road that fronted the Inn became Route 66, a primary route from points east to the Pacific Ocean. From the 30s through the 60s, the Inn hosted movie stars and notables en route to Las Vegas and Palm Springs

Other attractions you may want to take in while visiting Rancho Cucamonga is the North Etiwanda Preserve.  The North Etiwanda Preserve consists of 1200 acres, primarily of a unique Riversidean Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub plant community and was purchased by the San Bernardino Associated Governments to be preserved as natural habitat for impacts to the Costal California Gnatcatcher and similar habitat consumed by  development.

There is also a Bass Pro shop in Rancho Cucamonga and one of Southern California’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destinations – Victoria Gardens Regional Town Center. 

Find over 150 restaurants, fashion and specialty stores at Victoria Gardens, as well as the Lewis Family Playhouse (live theater) and the Paul A. Biane Library.

Though it now boasts more than 150,000 people, several Route 66 icons can still be seen in Fontana, including several old motor courts on both sides of the road.  Long past their prime, the El Rey, Rex, Dragon, Sand & Sage, Rose and Sunset Motels speak of better times along this old stretch of the highway. This being said, Fontana is currently working with the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program to improve and promote their piece of Route 66 and the continued use of these many historic motels.

At the southwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sultana Avenue sits a classic Italian restaurant called Bono’s that served thousands of Route 66 travelers over the years.  Unfortunately, as of this writing, Bono's is closed and the building is for rent.  The restaurant appears locked in time as many of the original plates, utensils, chairs and tables are still visible through the windows. It is as if the restaurant was closed normally one night and just never opened again. 

Right next to it, however, you can see the last of many orange juice stands that once dotted all of California's Route 66.

As a suggestion, you may want to park your RV at the Desert Willow RV Park.  It is 40 minutes away from Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and Fontana but could serve as a base for visiting the other towns eastward too.  If you consider that too far from these areas, then you might want to stay at the East Shore RV park or the KOA Fairplex.

Desert Willow offers:

•          67’ to 97’ pull-though and back-in spaces

•          Full hook-ups, which include 30 & 50 AMP power, water, sewer, and cable

•          Propane filling station on site; nominal fuel charge

•          64 channels available for cable TV viewing

•          Free WIFI

•          Combined restrooms with private showers

•          Laundry facilities with washers & dryers

•          Seasonally heated (late May through October) swimming pool

•          Indoor “year-round” spa

•          5,000 sq. ft. club house, commercial grade kitchen, big-screen TV, and seating     area

•          Billiard room

•          Library

•          Barbecues & picnic tables

•          Large grass area for activities and dog walking

•          Pet friendly

•          RV storage available for long term RV residents

•          Gated community

•          On-site management & maintenance

•          Good Sam Club member & senior discounts

Onward to San Bernardino.

Rocky Mountain RV & Marine is located on “Old Route 66” at 12700 Central, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  So if you’re ever traveling this iconic highway, be sure to stop by and say Hello!