After all the wedding excitement was over, it was time to head eastward on our trip back to the Midwest…but we are not in a big rush. There are things to see along the way.
A half hour East of Indio, California, out on the dessert, is the General Patton Museum. We had never been there or even knew about it. We had driven past the Chiriaco Summit exit on I-10 more times than I can count without even knowing there was anything there worth seeing. Anyway, this time we stopped for a visit.
Inside the museum we watched a very interesting 20-30 minute movie on General Patton, his troops and life during WWII.
Patton had chosen the California desert with it’s extremely inhospitable weather and terrain as the training ground for more than a million troops to prepare them for participation in the war theater in North Africa. The museum told much about what happened during that time in history. Also were many, many artifacts associated with General Patton and his troops.
Outside the museum is an area of desert with numerous varieties of WWII tanks…along with a warning about local slinky residents to watch out for.
We wandered out among the numerous tanks while keeping a close eye on our feet, aware of the possibility of coming across snakes. I am always happy to report not seeing any.
There was also a replica of a partially destroyed chapel where troops had worshiped during the war.
It is a small museum in a rather obscure location, but definitely worth the time spent.
After our time at the General Patton Museum, and since the weather was still very comfortable, we spent the night desert camping in Quartzsite, Arizona. We have stopped here several other times but this was the first time we had been there during the “Off season,” also know as SUMMER!!!
Quartzsite was almost a ghost town. Summer here is very hot. We were thankful for the cool temps. Normally it is wall-to-wall RV’s and lots of vendor-type businesses everywhere, but now there was almost nothing there.
We sat out beside the motorhome, BBQ’d burgers for dinner and watched for the always impressive desert sunset.
One of the trees that we always park near was now in bloom with delicate lavender blossoms. Another one had yellow blossoms. We never see this color when we are here in the winter time.
The clouds were a little heavier than usual, so the sunset was not as brilliant as it has been when we were here in winter, but still beautiful.
However, tonight the main event was a full moon raising over the mountains.
This was an amazing sight and why we love desert camping.
Next was a stop in Winslow, Arizona. For you who have followed us on previous trips, we are once again on the old Route 66. This time it is for a visit at the historic La Posada Hotel in Winslow.
Built in 1929, it was “the last great railroad hotel.” It was the one of many Harvey House hotels and restaurants built next to the railroad. It was closed in 1957 then purchased in 1997 when an extensive restoration was begun. It now is once again a working hotel and restaurant and a really beautiful place.
The hotel is filled with small galleries and various types of art work. The hallways and floors are covered with hand woven native American and Mexican rugs.
The hotel is also surrounded with beautiful gardens.
In downtown Winslow, there is a corner that celebrates on of the Eagle's songs, "Take it Easy", that has the line in it, “Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona.”
There is a building with a great mural on it across from what was once an old drugstore, now filled with mostly souvenirs relating to Winslow and that song.
After experiencing those chocolate malts in Randsburg, we were hoping to find a working soda fountain in this old drug store as well, but it was mostly just tee shirts.
Tomorrow we head to Monument Valley, Utah for a couple days. We are really looking forward to that. However, there are thunderstorms in the forecast, so as usual, things will be interesting.
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