Brake Time : Castaic Exit Gives Weary Truckers a Brief Respite

Since 1914, truckers have pulled their rigs onto a mile-long stretch of Castaic Road to stop for a rest, refreshment and a bit of respite from the open highway.

Now, they come here by way of an exit off the Golden State Freeway in diesel-spewing 18-wheelers, headed for destinations as diverse as their own home towns.

Drivers like Ziggy Krolicki of Montreal, who on a recent afternoon sat in the shade of a tree near where he had parked his truck: “I just wanted to stop for a smoke,” said Krolicki, cigar smoke enveloping the brim of his cowboy hat.

Krolicki was heading back home. Like many truckers traveling north on the Golden State Freeway, he said he usually stops along this stretch of Castaic Road to let his truck cool down before climbing the Grapevine.

Those heading south often stop to stall for time to avoid Los Angeles’ legendary rush hours.

Castaic has traditionally tried to accommodate these weary drivers even at the risk of aggravating local residents. With this stretch of the road crammed with an unbroken series of fast-food restaurants, motels and gas stations, trucks are often double- and triple-parked while drivers grab a quick bite or fill an empty thermos.

But most locals--especially the long-timers who realize that Castaic owes much of its economic vitality to the truckers--are willing to put up with the inconvenience. Many mingle easily with the drivers who stop in at the Country Girl Saloon, a one-room bar.

Even before stepping into the bar, hearty laughter could be heard from outside the door of the Country Girl as truckers engaged in friendly, face-to-face conversation more personal than could be had via CB radio.

Inside, sawdust covered the floor.

“It’s so you can spit on it,” said Richard Gray, a Wyoming trucker who had been on the road for 17 years.

As soon as the sun began to set, the truckers preparing to get back on the highway made their way across the road to the Giant Truck Stop to fill their industrial-size thermoses.

The coffee was free, but a grateful Dean Crow--a trucker from Redding, Calif., who was hauling a load of lumber to Ontario--was happy to make a contribution to make sure it stays that way for his fellow truckers.

“They ask for a donation, but they have ice and coffee and all that stuff,” Crow said. “I stop here every time I take I-5.”

With that, he climbed into his Peterbilt truck and rolled down Castaic Road, heading for the on-ramp.