As travelers glide along Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, many startling, calm,
exciting and quiet scenes appear near and far.
Every state along the road has its famous stops, and most are very different from each
other. The highway cruises through such an array of towns and cities, one wonders what the
towns folk thought during the eleven years it took to black-top the entire length, (2400
miles). It must have added income to almost every area, as the swarm of workers and
equipment spread the highway over, round and straight ahead through Illinois, Missouri,
Arizona and into California.
But just off Route 66 in most areas are interesting, very interesting and most
interesting places to visit, some man made, and some natural wonders. for example, a land
area of 1.4 million acres in its original formations that reach back millions and millions
of years ago, or the time period when the earth was formed and cooling. a land of
yesteryear, but easily traveled today, just 10 miles off Route 66 at Amboy California, on
Kelbaker Road turnoff; known as the East Mojave Desert Scenic Area, all are welcome into
this federally protected spectacle of nature.
An array of Cinder Cones, Joshua Tree Forests (millions), Lava Tubes, Mountains,
Valleys, Sand Dunes, wild animals, birds, reptiles and of course Tortoises by the
thousands. The area is bordered in the north by the Nipton Road where the early railroad
town stands today, including the old original hotel (restored), right next to the Nevada
State Line. On the west side by Interstate 15, with the town of Baker at the other end of
Kelbaker Road, mentioned earlier. Baker also is the entrance road to Death Valley, and now
claims the world's tallest outdoor thermometer along I-15. Bordered on the southeast by
I-40, and Route 66, south to the town of Ludlow.
From I-40 traveling the Kelbaker Road to I-15 at Baker, you cover 57 miles, with one 2
mile patch of hard dirt where the animals cross, the rest is good blacktop. While on
Kelbaker Road at Kelso, you can visit the soon to be re-opened Kelso Depot, a land mark in
the desert. Also in the same area are the drifting 500 foot high sand dunes, that change
appearance when the wind blows, an let off noises, similar to fog horns. A dirt road makes
a close photo session possible, but never pull off dirt roads, stay on sound footings, do
not pull into the sand to turn around.
Using our map you can find all the places we write of, and easy directions to both
major interstates and of course, back to Route 66.
Domestic cattle also roam the scenic area, and old corrals always make story content
and good pictures. Joshua trees found only in the desert regions of California, and in
Israeli desert, are in some people's view, beautiful, while others say ugly, one of those
topics "in the eye of the beholder."
Cinder cones, formed back when, sit in silence waiting, as though they could move on
command but massive in size, they will remain in place forever, I think.
Perhaps cavern exploring is of interest. There are unattended underground lava tubes,
and there are safe caverns operated by California State Parks, in the midst of this scenic
area.
An area rich in gold, minerals and life in general, where Indian petroglyphs cover rock
walls, rain storms have created canyons, called washes, and drying animal bones set a
scene.
Old corrals stand in the sun as they have for decades as though waiting for the return
of those good old days. While exploring this land one keeps in mind that there is only a
50-mile drive from I-40 to I-15 and other vehicles pass by.
There are no auto services in the interior area. So gas up, check oil and water before
exploring, and remember to keep our map handy.
