Route 66 - California - Part I

Hello Everyone! Continue on our Route 66 journey, we had an opportunity to drive Route 66 from Las Vegas, NV to Los Angeles, CA. As we drove about 130 miles southwest of the landmark Roy’s Motel and Cafe sign, Amboy, California, we caught sight of two large white statues, set back about 500 feet from the roadside. These two solid marble Chinese lions are surrounded by nothing but desert, hot sun, and unimpeded winds.

Route 66

One of the most photographed on California Route 66 is the Roy’s Cafe Motel just about 3 miles from the lion statues. The town Amboy became a popular destination after the opening of U. S. Route 66 in 1926. 

The Roy’s service station opened in 1938, owner Roy Crawl teamed up with Herman "Buster" Burris to grow the business to a 24-hour motel with six cottages, a café and a gas station. Amboy grew to 700 with a school and a church. 

Cottages

Amboy School founded in 1883, the school closed in 1999 after the last students moved away.

Across from the Amboy School, is the St. Raymond Church. 

St. Raymond’s Church was dedicated March 8, 1951. The church was designed to seat about 100 people. An estimated 40 Catholic families lived in the region; most of the patriarchs worked on the railroad or the salt mines. The church closed in 1970.

But after Interstate 40 opened in 1973, it was the beginning of the end for the small town. In the '80s and '90s, Amboy became a popular film destination. Roy's appeared in films such as "The Hitcher" and "Kalifornia."

A life size statue of a white horse rearing up in the small courtyard.

Few miles down the road, we visited the Amboy Crater, which is an inactive volcano. 

Amboy Crater, formed of ash and cinders, is 250 feet high and 1,500 feet in diameter. The crater is in one of the youngest volcanic fields in the United States.

We didn’t have the time to hike up to the crater and plus the sign says: “HEAT WARNING.” Hiking is not recommended.” 

Part II will cover few old building along the Route 66, Bagdad Cafe, the First Original McDonalds Museum, The Wigwam Motel, and Cucamonga Service Station. Until then, thanks for traveling with us. Blessings! 

Springtime - Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden, Las Vegas, NV

As the spring season approaches flowers begin to bloom; birds start to sing and we observe inspiring sights with colors everywhere. One place to really experience springtime celebration is at Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden. 

Each season, the enormously talented Horticulture and Engineering teams at Bellagio Hotel transform the 14,000-square-foot Botanical Garden into a showcase. Yesterday, we drove down to Bellagio to see an International celebration of Spring featuring four of the most renowned Spring festivals: The Chelsea Flower Show, The Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival, the Tulip Festival in Holland and Songkran (Thai New Year’s, 13 April every year). 

The Chelsea Flower Show

The Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival

The Tulip Festival in Holland

Songkran

Here are few more photos of Springtime:

We hope as you look at these photos, you will experience resilience of spring, the continuation of health and forward movement as you see the promise of resurrection in springtime. Have a blessed day!

Today's Thought - Adversity

Proverbs 24:10 – “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”

Walt Disney made dreams come true, but he occasionally encountered some nightmares of his own—times when everything went wrong for him. Out of his struggles he developed an optimistic philosophy. “All the adversity I’ve had in my life,” he said, “all my troubles and obstacles have strengthened me.” (Source: The Quotable Walt Disney. Disney Enterprises, Inc., 2001).

The strengthening power of adversity is universally true. Sports teams don’t win without opposition. Wisdom isn’t gained without mistakes. Leaders don’t rise to greatness without crises and tough times.

Don’t faint in the day of adversity. Remember a person’s moral strength is only seen when it is truly tested. The Lord draws near to us in tough times and helps us trust Him in days of difficulty. Hardship is sometimes a help to holiness, and roadblocks are signposts directing us in a better way. Lean on the Lord in adversity, learn from Him, and let Him lead you through it.

Have a blessed day!

Rachel, Nevada/Area 51 - Part II

Continue on our journey to Rachel, Nevada, we stopped at the world famous Little A’Le’Inn. An eatery, lodging, and endless information for UFO seekers on the Extraterrestrial Highway (NV-375).

Here we decided to support the small restaurant by having lunch. I had the world famous Alien Burger while Nan had Turkey Sandwich. We also checked out the unique wall displays of UFO photos.

A truck capture an UFO

Little A'le'inn Bar

World Famous Alien Burger

Wall displays of UFO photos

UFO Self Parking

In 1966 the producers of the movie Independence Day, which filmed some scenes in Rachel, gave the town a time capsule to be opened in 2050. 

Afternoon, we went back on NV-375 to Rachel, NV. Driving on we encountered signs declaring “open Range.” Digging little bit of Nevada Law, NRS 568.355 defines “open range” to mean “all unenclosed land outside of cities and towns upon which cattle, sheep or other domestic animals by custom, license, lease or permit are grazed or permitted to roam.” So the signs, NRS 568.360(1) immunizes cattle owners from liability to motorists for collisions with cattle (or other domestic animals running on an open range: "No person, firm or corporation owning, controlling or in possession of any domestic animal running on open range has the duty to keep the animal off any highway traversing or located on the open range, and no such person, firm or corporation is liable for damages to any property or for injury to any person caused by any collision between a motor vehicle and the animal occurring on such a highway."

Further down to Rachel, we stopped to take a photo of the Black Mailbox. Apparently this "Black Mailbox" is a mysterious meeting place for UFO hunters near Area 51.

Finally, we arrived in Rachel, NV. 

You can't see it with all the stickers, but the sign says, "Welcome To Rachel Nevada. Population: Human YES Aliens ?"

Rachel was founded in May 1973 by a local alfalfa farmer named D.C. Day. The community was first known as Tempiute Village, and then later as Sand Springs (Source: "A Short History of Rachel, Nevada," by Joerg H. Arnu, Jan 6, 1996).

The Historical Marker near the old gas station was missing the day we were there. It talks about D.C. Day founding Rachel, NV.

On Feb. 15, 1978, the town was renamed to Rachel after the first baby born in the valley, Rachel Jones (1978-1980).

Rachel Jones died on May 24, 1980. In memory of her, Rachel residents created a cemetery and memorial park.

Rachel, NV was mentioned in a two-part episode of The X-Files entitled “Dreamland.”

From Rachel, we drove about 10 miles on a dirt road to reach the gate of Area 51. 

Did we find any Aliens? The answer is No. But we did find many nice people who are kind and delightful. Great journey with a lot of historical knowledge surrounding the city of Rachel, Nevada. Until next journey, thanks for coming with us. Enjoy the photos. Blessings!