Joshua Tree draws me like a magnet and I always find something to take a picture of.

Lynne

 

 

 

Route 66,

Toured aa bit of Route 66 yesterday driving on it from Barstow eastward until just beyond the town of Ludlow where the scenery became sparce and 66 became a washboard of ruts and ruin. As soon as I could I got back on Hwy 40 east and while the scenery didn't improve the road surface did.

I thought about turning back as I had been on the portion of 66 that goes thru Amboy a couple years ago but when the chance came, a sign was posted pointing to Kelso, Ca and I remembered there was a depot/visitors center there and so headed north.

It was worth the detour as the scenery improved and I got to see some of Calif that is certainly off the beaten path. Then, not wanting to retrace my tour, I continued north to Baker and then back to Barstow on Hwy 15, making sort of a loop

 

While there are folks living in Daggett, some of it is in ruin and closed. Daggett was a milling town for local silver mines in the 20ies and 30s and the pioneer cemetery has some old graves.

 

Tried to find info about this building. One place indicated it was a cafe in the 30ies. Interesting roof design

 

While you often see wind farms in Calif, this is actually a solar-powered electrical generating plant the continues to develop solar technology. Way to go So. Cal.

 

Bagdad Cafe. This is a site of a classis cult film by the same name. Located in Newberry Springs, about 20 miles east of Barstow and on Routh 66

 

Scenery

 

Kelso post office, now in ruin

 

Kelso jail. Airconditioned.

 

Kelso Depot and Visitors Center. Beautiful building built in 1924.

 

 

Woodwork within the depot was spectacular.

 

Kelso is mostly a ghost town. There might be a dozen trailers and I can't imagine what folks do who live there except run the visitors center. The trains no longer stop there.

 

Cinder Cone Lava Beds. These were spectacular. Thought to be at least 10,000 years old, there were about 4 or 5 different "cones" in the area.

 

Baker, Ca is noted for having the largest thermometer in the world. You don't have to make a special trip to see this.

 

Rainbow Canyon Trail. I was told that it was a moderate trail so I though I would hike it until I got to the "Moderate" part. The trail mostly stayed in the the wash and was easy and sandy. I loved the solitude and the warm weather.

 

 

When I arrived at Rainbow Canyon I was told to check out the camels footprint fossils. LOL I'm glad I was told what this was becaues I never would have guessed.

 

 

I wish the green in the front rock came out better. These rocks are what make Rainbow canyon colorful

 

Always something interesting in the desert.