USA Road Trip 2023 - Part 1 (page 4 of 9)

HIKING TRAIL: KEYHOLE SINK - KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST - ARIZONA

Keyhole Sink is a canyon located in the Kaibab National Forest, a few kilometers east of Williams, Arizona. This canyon near Williams gets its name from its keyhole shape.

You can reach it on foot via an unpaved trail known as the Keyhole Sink Trail, which is 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) round trip.

For centuries, this site was a hunting and religious ceremony spot for the Cohonina people. Petroglyphs dating back around 1,000 years show that hunters used the natural dead-end to trap prey that gathered at the watering hole.

The images carved into the volcanic basalt rock mainly depict animals that were likely found at this watering spot: deer, snakes, and lizards.

In 2010, vandals severely damaged these petroglyphs with silver-white paint. They were later restored, but traces of the vandalism are still visible.

Small waterfalls form during snowmelt and the rainy season.

35.26170, -112.01100 Parking 35.26230, -112.01090 Trailhead 35.26872, -112.01521 Keyhole Sink

https://youtu.be/WLAd3WQKF40

DISCOVERING THE TOWN OF WILLIAMS - ARIZONA

Williams is a really typical small town on Route 66, located in the state of Arizona.

History buffs of the famous Route 66 can explore a multitude of historic buildings, several souvenir shops, and some lovely murals.

When we passed through, a recent snowstorm had swept through the area and left a huge amount of snow on the ground.

By car: 35.25701, -112.16903 Williams Gateway to the Grand Canyon Arch 35.25291, -112.18038 Canyon Coaster Adventure Park 35.25353, -112.18151 Route 66 Williams Sign

2.1-kilometer walk around town: 35.25130, -112.18854 Parking 35.25114, -112.18855 Williams Rotary Street Clock 35.25104, -112.18822 The Red Garter Inn 35.25154, -112.18827 Mural: Welcome to Williams Historic Route 66 35.25158, -112.18781 Route 66 Zipline 35.25165, -112.18735 Santa Fe Railcar Bridge 35.25116, -112.18689 Native America Shop 35.25110, -112.18717 Peter's Route 66 Gas Station Museum 35.25032, -112.18715 Mural 35.25081, -112.18771 Addicted to 66 & Indian Jewelry (Turquoise Tepee) 35.25061, -112.18769 Mural: Canyon Vista Mall 35.25057, -112.18858 Grand Canyon Native Jewelry (Citizens Bank Building) 35.25047, -112.18896 Mural: Route 66 of Williams 35.25004, -112.18924 Cruiser's Route 66 Cafe 35.25025, -112.18935 Open Road Cowboy (1901 Pollock Building) 35.24994, -112.18955 Sultana Bar 35.24948, -112.19003 Arizona 9 Motor Hotel & Mural Back to parking

By car: 35.25195, -112.18943 Grand Canyon Railway

https://youtu.be/n6Kic1ag2ws

EXPLORING ASH FORK - ARIZONA

The town of Ash Fork is located on Route 66, just 30 kilometers west of Williams in the state of Arizona.

Ash Fork claims to be the "world capital of dimension stone" due to the large number of quarries and stonework sites in the area.

Unfortunately, the construction of Interstate 40 was a major factor in the loss of tourism that severely impacted the town's economy.

Today, the area is mainly residential. However, there are a few Route 66 relics worth checking out.

35.22333, -112.47974 Copperstate Motel 35.22431, -112.48244 Zettlers Route 66 Store 35.22453, -112.48364 DeSoto's Salon 35.22471, -112.48443 Emmanuel Trinity Methodist Church 35.22497, -112.48519 Ash Fork Historical Marker

https://youtu.be/ElOudyBbfDU

EXPLORING THE CITY OF KINGMAN - ARIZONA

Kingman is a truly iconic Route 66 town. It’s located in the state of Arizona. This city is home to well-preserved landmarks, museums, and unique cultural sites that offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Southwest and the legendary Route 66.

What’s more, the city boasts a fantastic selection of high-quality murals created by renowned artists like Sandy Rusinko and Bob Waldmire.

35.41894, -113.80804 Giganticus Headicus 35.19012, -114.06155 Murals - Mohave Museum of History 35.19029, -114.06359 Mural - Kingman Cerbat Justice Court

2.5 km hike through town.

35.19027, -114.05968 Parking & Kingman Welcome Sign 35.18990, -114.05848 Locomotive Park 35.18977, -114.05752 Thunder-Rode Motorcycle Accessories 35.18974, -114.05629 Murals - Bad Gass Garage & Mural across the street 35.18964, -114.05499 Mural - Rickety Cricket Brewing 35.18944, -114.05415 Mural - Kettlehut's Antiques 35.19108, -114.05462 Murals - American Legion 35.19207, -114.05388 Saint Mary Roman Catholic Church 35.19199, -114.05257 Mohave County Courthouse 35.18958, -114.05092 Building & Route 66 Mural 35.18923, -114.05188 Mural - W. A. Gruninger Building 35.18934, -114.05155 Mural - Savon Bath Treats - Soap Store 35.18821, -114.05140 Mural - Kingman Water Tower 35.18821, -114.05222 Kingman Railroad Museum 35.18903, -114.05495 US Post Office & Mural - Pimp My Pet Grooming & Kingman sign on Route 66 35.18928, -114.05444 Mural - Beale Street Theater Alley 35.18923, -114.05737 Mr D'z Route 66 Diner

Murals to see by car:

35.23821, -114.01093 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 35.22505, -114.01694 Trotter's RV 35.22502, -114.02874 Kingman Body Works 35.21398, -114.01258 Ramada Hotel 35.20255, -114.02412 Kingman Fire Department Fire Station 2 (on the right on a low wall) 35.19613, -114.03049 Rutherford's 66 Family Diner 35.19507, -114.03214 66 Auto Sales 35.19118, -114.03360 El Trovatore Motel and building across the street 35.19074, -114.03539 Garay Foreign Car Service 35.18761, -114.04612 Simple Auto Repair 35.18831, -114.04978 TNT Auto Center LLC 35.18949, -114.05973 Bangkok Thai Cuisine & Canada Mart next door

https://youtu.be/yCNsIArh12s

RAMADA BY WYNDHAM KINGMAN - ARIZONA

Gorgeous murals decorate the building housing the Ramada by Wyndham Kingman in the city of Kingman, Arizona.

These murals feature several famous figures from the art world.

Location: 35.21398, -114.01258

https://youtu.be/L5qZoiBr6k0

DAVIS CAMP PARK - BULLHEAD CITY - ARIZONA

Davis Camp Park is located on the banks of the Colorado River, near Bullhead City in the state of Arizona. It’s the perfect spot for all water sports enthusiasts.

This site includes shaded campsites, picnic areas, a swimming beach, a dog park, and a boat launch ramp.

On the north side of the camp, you can choose from several picnic sites dotted with palm trees along the river. Each site has a ramada and a grill, as well as a rocky beach leading straight to the river.

The south side of the camp offers RV sites with views of the Laughlin casinos. Just below the Davis Dam, you can fish for striped bass.

https://youtu.be/L5B0SODWHnc

DISCOVERING YUCCA - ARIZONA

Yucca is a small town located on the historic Route 66 in the state of Arizona.

A few remnants from that glorious era still remain today: gas stations, cafés, and motels.

You’ll also find some quirky attractions, like a semi-truck perched high on a pole and a UFO museum housed in a 12-meter-diameter geodesic dome known as Area 66.

34.87429, -114.14857 Water Tank, Frontage Road 34.86737, -114.14839 Old Gas Station, 12481 Frontage Rd 34.86769, -114.14649 Kohinoor Dhaba Indian Food (Punjabi Dhaba), 12470 Frontage Rd 34.87170, -114.14689 Truck on a Pole, 12366 Frontage Rd 34.85988, -114.14556 Area 66, 12716 Alamo Rd

https://youtu.be/aK8slrWKoIE

LAKE HAVASU BOARDWALK TOUR - ARIZONA

Lake Havasu City is a stunning lakeside town located on Lake Havasu in the state of Arizona. Lake Havasu is a large reservoir formed by the Parker Dam on the Colorado River, straddling the border between Arizona and California with four hundred miles of shoreline.

London Bridge is probably the city’s most famous landmark. It was originally built in 1831 to span the Thames in London, England. However, by 1962, it was no longer strong enough to handle the increasing traffic in London.

Entrepreneur Robert McCulloch bought the bridge for $2.4 million and had it shipped piece by piece to the United States, then reassembled in the Mojave Desert. Once the bridge was built, a channel was dug beneath it, and the bridge opened in 1971.

We took a stroll along the boardwalk that runs alongside Lake Havasu. It’s lined with plenty of businesses like restaurants, shops, hotels, and more. It’s a very lively area, and the scenery is gorgeous.

Several companies offer water sports equipment rentals as well as boat tours on the lake.

34.47358, -114.34875 Parking 34.47340, -114.34970 Boardwalk

https://youtu.be/gcSYLA_krxE

A DUCK CATCHES A LOBSTER - LAKE HAVASU BOARDWALK - ARIZONA

During our stroll along the boardwalk by Lake Havasu, we were surprised to see a duck that had managed to catch a lobster and was desperately trying to keep hold of it.

https://youtu.be/Il5RSdi717w

DISCOVERING NEEDLES - CALIFORNIA

When you follow Route 66 and enter California, the first town you come across is Needles.

This town was an important stop on Route 66 between 1920 and 1960. In fact, old motels, restaurants, and numerous murals still bear witness to that legendary era.

We also discovered several military monuments located along the National Old Trails Road, at the western edge of Needles.

The story goes that a man named Jim Nickel started working on these military rock monuments in 2010. He began making them to pass the time, and it turned into a project honoring different military branches and organizations.

The monuments are made from local rocks. He created the first one to honor his wife, then made one for himself and a long-time friend.

He went on to create several more. I invite you to check them out in this video.

34.71540, -114.48945 Trails Arch Bridge 34.83324, -114.59646 66 Motel, 91 Desnok St 34.83641, -114.60052 Needles Railroad Borax Wagon & Palm App. across the street at 305-399 W Broadway 34.83834, -114.60476 Claypool & Co 725 W Broadway St, Needles 34.83892, -114.60578 Historic Masonic Lodge & Needles Theater 823 W Broadway Street + mural across the street 34.83996, -114.60695 Needles Rt 66 Monument, G Street at W Broadway St 34.83998, -114.60615 Murals - Needles Regional Museum, 929 Front St 34.84078, -114.60616 El Garces Hotel, 950 Front St 34.84707, -114.61361 Sage Motel Sign, 1624 N St 34.84844, -114.61907 Faded mural at the Budget Inn 34.84973, -114.62267 Best Western Colorado River Inn, 2371 W Broadway St 34.85102, -114.62307 Wagon Wheel Restaurant, 2420 Needles Hwy 34.86896, -114.64502 Military Monuments along both sides of the road

https://youtu.be/lS7bj70jJOY

DISCOVERING GOFFS - CALIFORNIA

Goffs is a ghost town located in the state of California, USA. Founded by pioneers in 1883, this town thrived thanks to mining, the railroad, and its location on Route 66 until the highway was rerouted in 1931.

The town was abandoned for many years. However, the military moved in during World War II, when General Patton’s troops trained in the heart of the Mojave Desert to prepare for battles against Marshal Rommel’s forces in Libya.

The old school was turned into a mess hall for the soldiers. A military hospital and two air bases were also built. Afterward, Goffs faded back into obscurity. The population now consists of only about twenty residents.

It’s a true open-air museum you’ll discover as you stroll through the streets of this abandoned town.

The school and its grounds now house a museum primarily dedicated to the region’s mining history. Remnants of Goffs’ mining era still dot the town.

https://youtu.be/Iscv4WFFXoY

DISCOVERING AMBOY - CALIFORNIA

Amboy is a small community located in the middle of the Mojave Desert in California. It was once an important stop along Route 66. However, tourism declined significantly after Interstate 40 opened to the north in 1973.

Today, it has only a few residents and about ten buildings, including Roy's Motel and Café, a post office, and a church.

Roy's Motel and Café opened in 1938. At the time, it was the only business in the area offering gas, food, and a place to sleep.

Closed during the 1990s, the business came back to life in 2008 when philanthropist investor Albert Okura bought the town and its buildings.

Two marble sculptures of lions were erected in the desert along Route 66 east of Amboy, though their origin and meaning remain a mystery to this day.

Other curiosities can be seen nearby. You’ll discover them in this video.

34.55919, -115.66794 Lion of Amboy 34.55917, -115.67253 Lion of Amboy 34.55849, -115.73432 Shoe Tree (Grounded) (near the viaduct) 34.55876, -115.74361 Roy's Motel and Cafe, 87520 National Trails Hwy, Amboy Beautiful Route 66 shields are painted on the pavement right in front of the station. 34.55693, -115.74277 St. Raymond Church, Amboy 34.55658, -115.73964 Amboy Cemetery

https://youtu.be/3XruoQB2XCM

VISITING THE FAMOUS BAGDAD CAFE - NEWBERRY SPRINGS - CALIFORNIA

Bagdad Cafe is a legendary spot located in Newberry Springs, California. Most of the tourists who visit are French and German because this café was the filming location for the 1987 movie *Bagdad Café*, directed by German filmmaker Percy Adlon—a film that was hugely popular in France and Germany but completely overlooked in the United States.

The current owner of the café is Andrea Pruett, whom we actually met during our visit. I was immediately in awe of this woman’s courage after everything she’s been through in her life. I was really moved when she shared part of her story with us.

She left Los Angeles in the 1990s to settle here with her husband. Initially, they both wanted to open an ostrich farm.

However, after eating the best hamburger of her life at the Sidewinder Cafe (now the Bagdad Cafe), her husband managed to convince her to buy the place.

They went through with the purchase, and the establishment was renamed "Bagdat Cafe" in honor of the film that had been shot there.

A few years later, despite the deaths of her husband and son, Andrea decided to stay, surrounded by her friends.

The inside of Bagdad Café is decorated wall-to-wall with photos, postcards, flags, stickers, banknotes, and more—left behind by visitors over the years.

Among all these photos, one in particular caught my eye, and I asked Andrea who the man in the picture was.

She was very surprised because it was the first time a visitor had ever asked her about it. In a soft voice, she told me it was a photo of her son, Harold Jr., who died from an accidental overdose in 2002. My heart broke, and I immediately hugged her.

I encourage you to make a little detour to the legendary Bagdad Cafe on your next trip to the USA and meet Ms. Pruett—she’s incredibly kind.

Location: 34.81961, -116.64336

https://youtu.be/x9FXd93qkUs

DISCOVERING BARSTOW - CALIFORNIA

Barstow is a city located in the state of California. The main street of this city is actually an old section of Route 66.

The Barstow area became a major mining center in the late 1800s when silver ore was discovered in Calico. A railroad was even built to transport the ore.

The railroad and mine were closed about ten years later when all the silver ore was exhausted.

However, Barstow became a major regional transportation hub since several highways converge there and two large rail yards are also located there.

We took a hike of about 2.6 kilometers through the city to admire, among other things, several murals that were painted around downtown. These murals reflect the city's historic past.

By car: 34.86767, -116.93047 US Route 66 Barstow 34.89130, -116.99886 McDonald’s Barstow Station 34.88872, -117.02277 Big Fire Helmet, 861 Barstow Rd

Hike in the city: 34.89855, -117.01900 Mural Swiss Liquor, 708 E Main S 34.89885, -117.01983 Mural The Beacon Hotel, 703 E Main S 34.89806, -117.01966 Mural at 198 S 7th Ave 34.89885, -117.02046 Mural Simple Tax, 615 E Main S 34.89893, -117.02173 Mural The National Trails Hwy./Route 66, 513 E Main S 34.89897, -117.02268 Mural The Harvey House, 106 N 5th Ave 34.89846, -117.02308 The Native American Voices from the Mojave Desert mural, 410 E Main St 34.89817, -117.02341 Mural The Ice Age, 404 E Main St (behind the building on Barstow Road) 34.89897, -117.02344 Mural William Barstow Strong, 401 E Main St 34.89900, -117.02470 Murals Mining the Mojave Silver & Gold, 239 E Main St 34.89845, -117.02501 Murals Six Early Explorers, 222 E Main St 34.89899, -117.02538 Mural The Mojave Runners, 219 E Main St 34.89903, -117.02582 Village Cafe & Mural on the building across the street, 201 E Main St 34.89930, -117.02640 Mural General Beale Used Pack Camels, 200 N 2nd Ave 34.89864, -117.02702 Murals: El Rancho Motel, 116 E Main St 34.89909, -117.02744 Mural: Starlight Donuts, 101 E Main St 34.89888, -117.02948 Route 66 Motel, 195 Main St 34.89895, -117.03013 The Torches Motel, 201 Main St

By car: 34.90465, -117.02475 Barstow Station (rear) 34.91429, -117.03423 Tom's Certified Welding & Mach

https://youtu.be/tO-yRFwB2yI

VEHICLES FROM HELL (MAD MAX CARS) - BARSTOW - CALIFORNIA

The vehicles you'll see in this video were built by Ed and Greg Parker, and some appeared in the first two films of the Mad Max series.

You can spot them on a large vacant lot at the intersection of Soapmine Road and Old Hwy 58 in Barstow, California.

Location: 34.91386, -116.98817

https://youtu.be/Z9m2O7CUmOo

PEGGY SUE'S 50'S DINER - YERMO - CALIFORNIA

Peggy Sue's 50's Diner is a 1950s-style restaurant located in the town of Yermo, California. It was reopened in 1987, and the new owners restored it while trying to preserve its original state.

Behind the restaurant, you’ll find Diner-Saur Park, which features a garden filled with, among other things, 3-meter-tall metal dinosaurs and a giant King Kong.

Nearby, along I-15, there’s a water tank modified to look like a giant ice cream sundae.

34.90151, -116.88340 Peggy Sue's 50's Diner & Diner-Saur Park (out back) 34.90770, -116.83620 Ice Cream Sundae Water Tank

https://youtu.be/rCPCXF-aITM

LIBERTY SCULPTURE PARK - YERMO - CALIFORNIA

The Liberty Sculpture Park was founded by the renowned sculptor Weiming Chen, who is also its main artist. The park aims to advocate for democracy and freedom for people worldwide, oppose the tyranny of communism, and commemorate the victims of communism.

It serves as an important base for promoting freedom, democracy, and human rights among Chinese expatriates, as well as a memorial for the victims of communism.

Under his leadership, many volunteers have completed the construction of around ten significant sculptures and structures. These include the "Monument 64," the "Tiananmen Massacre Rescue," the "Crazy Horse Chief," the "Tank Man," "Li Wangyang," the "Recovery of the Hong Kong Era Revolution Sculpture," the "Recovery of the Hong Kong Era Revolution Mural," the "CCP Virus," the "Ding Jianqiang Memorial Pavilion," "Liu Xiaobo in the Cage," the "Goddess of Democracy," the "President’s Great Call," and the "Last Days of Mr. Situ Hua."

Liberty Sculpture Park is free to visit. There’s a small pavilion and many interpretive panels in English as well as Mandarin.

Location: 34.90230, -116.84220

https://youtu.be/fvZj6oNZAdw

LAKE DOLORES WATER PARK - NEWBERRY SPRINGS - CALIFORNIA

Lake Dolores Water Park is an abandoned site located near Interstate 15 in the Mojave Desert, in the town of Newberry Springs, California.

The park was originally designed and built by local businessman Bob Byers for his family’s use in the early 1960s.

The area he chose for the park’s construction had underground springs that fed Lake Dolores, an artificial lake covering 110 hectares.

In May 1962, a campground adjacent to the small lake was opened to the public.

Over the next 25 years, rides and attractions were added, and the site became a water park.

It featured several water slides as well as a “Zip-Cord” course. Additionally, diving boards and swings were installed in the middle of the lake.

The park reached its peak attendance between the early 1970s and the mid-1980s. After a decline in popularity in the late 1980s, the park had to close its doors.

The park was sold in 1990 to a group of investors, and in 1995, the original water slides were removed and replaced with more modern fiberglass ones. The park also included a lazy river ride on inflatable tubes.

A series of incidents caused financial problems for the investors, and a bankruptcy petition was filed in February 2000. Unable to find a potential buyer, the bankruptcy judge overseeing the case returned the property to Dolores Byers with most debts discharged.

Dolores Byers sold the property in September 2001. The water park was renovated and reopened in May 2002. However, the park was only open on weekends. During the summer of 2004, the park operated intermittently, and the final closure occurred at the end of that same summer.

Some of the park’s facilities were sold in 2009. Afterward, the park was vandalized multiple times and fell into ruin.

Several purchase offers were made later, but all were rejected.

In 2013, a group of New York artists called TrustoCorp painted murals on many of the water park’s buildings.

In 2018, the abandoned park was the victim of arson, resulting in the destruction of the Lazy River Cafe & Arcade.

The park has appeared in a few films as well as TV shows and has even been used for several events.

This large abandoned water park in the arid Mojave Desert draws visitors’ attention with its ruined facilities painted with stunning murals, turning the place into an open-air art gallery.

Location: 34.948545, -116.685619

https://youtu.be/6rQ2kgaKKYQ

ZZYZX ROAD - MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE - CALIFORNIA

When driving along I-15, there’s a sign indicating the next exit: "Zzyzx Road" near the town of Baker in California. Intrigued, we took this road, which leads to the California State University Desert Studies Center. This area is now part of the Mojave National Preserve.

However, this place was once a natural oasis. Back then, a massive lake (Mojave Lake) covered this land. As the climate warmed, the water evaporated, leaving a mineral crust in the dried-up basins of Soda Lake and Silver Lake.

In 1944, Curtis Springer settled in the area and opened a mining claim (Zzyzx Mineral Springs) as well as a health resort that made him a millionaire.

He built a two-story hotel, an artificial lake, a cross-shaped swimming pool, and even an airstrip, which Springer named Zyport.

Springer described his establishment as the last word in health and vitality. He even named the place Zzyzx so it would be the last word in the dictionary.

Though he dropped out of school after 9th grade, he presented himself as a doctor.

He hosted a wildly popular radio show broadcast on over 300 stations worldwide. On it, he promoted his health resort and miracle cures, asking listeners to donate.

Over the thirty years he ran the complex, he shipped more than four million packages of his products across the country. The town of Baker had to build a post office just to handle his mail.

During that same period, hundreds of visitors came to his resort seeking a healthier lifestyle.

However, by the late 1960s, complaints started rolling in, and an investigation was launched. His potions, made from basic vegetables, were marketed as miracle cures for all kinds of ailments.

He also sold an anti-baldness cream (Mo-Hair). Users were instructed to vigorously rub the cream into their scalps, then bend over and hold their breath as long as possible. When blood rushed to their heads from lack of oxygen, Springer claimed their red faces were proof the miracle cream was working.

Curtis Springer was charged with false advertising and tax evasion. He was evicted in 1974, spent a few months in prison, and lived out the rest of his life in Las Vegas.

California State University took over the site in 1976. Zzyzx is open to the public and is considered one of the best bird-watching spots in the area.

Visitors are only allowed to explore the lake and picnic area. The buildings on the other side of the lake are on private property and should not be disturbed.

35.19640, -116.13572 Zzyzx Rd sign 35.14360, -116.10575 Zzyzx Mineral Springs

https://youtu.be/wzqW88EUoTU

ALIEN FRESH JERKY - BAKER - CALIFORNIA

Luis Ramallo’s family opened their first shop in Crystal Springs, Nevada. They started by selling a variety of items like beef jerky, nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits, stuffed olives, and honey.

Later, they moved and opened the same type of business along I-15 in Baker, California.

Their store has grown significantly, expanding from a sales area of less than 46 square meters to a massive 446-square-meter building, complete with a warehouse.

What makes this shop unique is its bold decor inspired by the extraterrestrial theme. The building looks like a giant spaceship, and aliens are placed here and there around it.

Inside the store, you’ll find a wide selection of jerky, a large variety of hot sauces, and unique souvenirs.

Given the legends surrounding nearby Area 51, their goal is to turn Baker into the ultimate alien destination.

Their project, which includes a UFO-themed hotel, is already under construction, and they plan to expand their product range and improve their services.

If you're a curious traveler who loves discovering quirky spots like this, don’t hesitate to stop by. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its spectacular decor.

Nearby, you can also see the world’s tallest thermometer. It’s a steel electric sign commemorating the record temperature of 134°F (57°C) recorded in Death Valley, near Baker, on July 10, 1913.

Location: 35.268700, -116.070655

https://youtu.be/ibduK4zJ8iE