If you’ve been following my summer vacation posts (here & here), you know we rented an RV and and went on a road trip to see the solar eclipse. In the next several posts, I’ll be reviewing the terrific spots we stopped along the way.
A funny thing happened on the way to Hoover Dam….
Uhh, we stopped off in Barstow, CA. I know, not a huge travel destination type spot. But, it broke up the long trek between the San Francisco Bay and the Nevada / Arizona border.
There were a couple of things to stop and see on our way. Sadly we were in a hurry (got a late start) and missed them. Maybe next time?
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch – Off route 66
There’s a great review by Anna Hider on this super cool place on the Roadtrippers web site.
route 66 “Mother road” museum
The next stop we had planned to make was the Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum. Located at 681 N. First Avenue in Barstow, CA. If I remember correctly, Barstow is mentioned just before San Bernardino in the famous song written by Bobby Troup and originally recorded by the King Cole Trio (Nat King Cole).
But, this nostalgic route is fading out, being replaced by Interstate Highways (notably Hwy 40). Soon there may not be many places to “get your kicks on route 66”.
Calico Ghost Town in Yermo, CA.
Barstow Calico KOA
We pulled into the Barstow/ Calico KOA at around 9pm. That’s without stopping at any of the cool attractions I listed above! Next time I plan a road trip, I’ll keep the miles down to about 200 per day. That way we don’t miss all the best stuff on the way.
This a smaller KOA. It’s clean, well run, has all the hookups and even a dish washing sink. Furthermore, the folks here are really nice, so if you’re road tripping in the area, stop on in.
From Barstow to Hoover Dam
We got a much earlier start on our second day, so we were able to stop at an attraction that my man was particularly interested in.
Right off of Hwy 15 and just across the border into Nevada is a place called Whiskey Pete’s Casino.
In the back of the casino ground floor, sits a pair of bullet riddled cars. One of which; a 1928 Cadillac 341; is Al Capone’s Bullet Proof Car.
The other; a 1934 Ford V8; is the Bonnie & Clyde Getaway Car
The Bonnie and Clyde car is accompanied by a display of authentication letters and newspaper articles about the couple.
Also, they even have the actual shirt Clyde had been wearing when he died (also authenticated). Yes, macabre, but quite interesting too. Stop in if your interested in that kind of thing, we did.
