We had a half day to make it to the finish. We were going from San Bernardino to Sylmar and then back to Pasadena. We weren’t finished yet, but we were so close.
We started the morning heading North on the 215 freeway. We had done this route before, and we were traveling toward highway 138 and Wrightwood. We were off the freeway and winding our way across the back side of the San Gabriel mountains in no time. We climbed the windy terrain as we crossed the mountain range.
The roads were relatively empty being early Sunday morning. We drove past Mountain High ski resort. We continued west toward Sylmar. We drove by burn scarred terrain and forested hill sides. We descended the 5500 feet we had climbed, and came out somewhere near Tahunga Canyon.
The 2nd to last check point appeared to be the last checkpoint. Brad and I discussed that we have always been told to rally to the last instruction. We kept going, and at the very last instruction there was one more checkpoint. It was the first time we had encountered that in our 13 rallies, but that changed a few teams days. Again, there are no throw outs on the last two days.
We drove to the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, Ca. It is a collection of cars that belong to the family who started Merle Norman Cosmetics.
They have two huge buildings full of cars and collectibles. Only one building was open, but they have an incredible museum.
We were only there for about 20 minutes when we hopped back in the car and headed for Pasadena.
It was a 20 minute drive East across the valley floor. We drove mostly on the 134 freeway. Yes, Californians call every freeway “the…”including yours truly. These are not necessarily interstates, but we call interstates “the…” as well.
We drove through Burbank and Glendale two suburbs of Los Angeles. Burbank is known for their studios.
We arrived in Pasadena and exited at the Colorado Street Bridge. The bridge crosses over the Arroyo Seco, and looks over the Rose Bowl. It takes you onto Colorado Boulevard. Colorado Boulevard is the primary road of the Rose Parade.
We drove through Old Town Pasadena and made a left up Arroyo Blvd. Also a famous road, the lower portion is “The Arroyo Seco Freeway or The Pasadena Freeway”, the first freeway in the United States. The freeway opened in December of 1940.
Just after turning onto Arroyo, we made our first right. There she was….Pasadena City Hall!!
We had completed the race. I have never been so happy to finish as this year. We definitely had our share of issues this year, but what made this year that much more special were the family and friends who greeted us among the throngs of people. We were so surprised and happy to see our people. We had huge smiles on our faces!!!
Maire brought Beau and the beautiful sign to the finish. We loved having both of them at the finish.
In the late afternoon the race organizers announced the winners of the race.
The Mustang Country XCup team did great and came in 2nd in their class. This was their first race and they worked well together with three young men in the car.
Our friends Mallory and Jack Fruin won the Expert Class.
Last, but not least our friends Buddy Green and Trevor Stahl won the entire race and Grand Champion Class in their 1932 Ford Coupe built and previously campaigned by Gary & JeanAnn Martin.
Thank you to all of our family and friends who made the effort to be there. We truly loved having each of you there.
Thank you again to McCollister’s for your continued support of Brad and me. The race would not be the same without Billy and Ronni pulling up the back. We are so grateful for the time and effort all of you give to The Great Race!
Thank you Mustang Country for your continuous mechanical support. You make it easy to keep moving down the road.
Thank you Barry Jason!!! Your friendship, time, wisdom and patience has been invaluable.
We are looking forward and planning for next year from Mobile, Alabama to Buffalo, New York.
For more photos from the rally go to http://www.greatrace.com.
MissHathawaysGreatRace 