October 19th: I got out of bed later this morning than I did yesterday - when I walked into the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee, Holland commented that he noticed I didn't leave the house early for my morning walk. I replied, "I'm not walking on the weekends - I used to, but I'm leaving the weekends open for US … if you want to do something; I'll save the walking for weekdays."
So, he suggested we go for a drive after I finished my morning cup of joy juice.
We'd check out Salome-AZ, first … then backtrack and drive to Bouse-AZ, and back to Quartzsite, over the Pass to the Plomosa BLM camping land.
On our way up the freeway to the side road that would lead in the direction Holland was aiming for, I saw a sign the read Phoenix 112 miles ahead; I was surprised we were that close - Holland knew that, because when he worked in Bullhead City, and worked and lived in Phoenix; he would drive through Quartzsite to get there.
His mother, and Harris relatives have lived in the surrounding areas - and he visited them, often: and though he never spent time in Quartzsite until we married and started our Road Gypsy adventure … he had to drive through Quartzsite to get to Lake Havasu-AZ and Kingman-AZ.
Quartzsite - a.k.a. Tyson’s Wells: https://www.cornerstone-environmental.com/publications/item/quartzsite-a-k-a-tyson-s-wells
This region is his youthful stomping ground.
We breezed through the shot-gun-town of Brenda, very quickly … all there was there, was a quickie grocery store made to look like a modern trading post … and m.i.l.e.s. of RV Resort Parks. That's it.
Passing through, Holland quipped, "We might check one of two of these out; I know how you like to be on the move." I laughed. But, if he is serious, I'm game to try something new ;-)
Salome-AZ from Quartzsite-AZ; 39 min (38.5 mi) via I-10 E, US-60 and US-60 E
Pinpointing the location of Salome-AZ
How To Say Salome:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwd2IMp3IXQ)
Highway #60-AZ
U.S. Route 60 in Arizona: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_60_in_Arizona)
Coming into the town of Brenda-AZ.
'Stop! I see a mine!'
Desert Wells, Arizona:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Wells,_Arizona)
Ruin remnants may be part of the mining area; near aqueduct bridge, over highway.
My personal 'mine expert'; Holland's family owned a mine, at one time.
As we got closer to Salome, Holland said, "It has a Jewish name, so I thought you might like that".
Even though we do not discuss my Sabbath observance - and I am not showy about it, he knows that I set this 24 hour period aside for rest, reflection, and restoration.
He is not being prickly anymore; he is doing his best to meet me halfway in this period of withdrawal from the world's madness, that comes at us, and after us, the other 144 hours of the week.
I like that he is trying.
I like that today peace reigns: in us, for us, and around us. Today we are cocooned on our own private bubble ;-)
When we came into Salome, and saw a vintage motor court col-de-sac, I let out a delighted squeal, and Holland pulled over. My eyes were happy to see that there is retro renovations taking place on the Amber Hills Motel :-)
This is what I was hoping to see somewhere along the Route #66 route.
And Elohim did not disappoint in leading Holland to this particular desert location.
Whoever owns this property is keeping it maintained - the sign is neglected, but the motel is being upgraded; keeping to it's beautiful simplistic design.
The owners are also keeping the individual wood door car garages for each motel room, and that caught my attention, too.
In my mind's eye, I could visualize stylish brightly colored, and flamboyantly finned 1950's cars (sunny yellow, turquoise, cherry red, flamingo pink, baby blue, champagne pink …) with lipstick-red tail lights zooming (or purring) down the highway, looking for a place to pull over and rest, on the long and scenic journey to the promised land of California.
What a treat it must have been back in The Day, to spend the night in such a lovely desert motor court: I researched this motel online, and found an old postcard that showed what it looked like in the 1950's - when it ran under the business name of 'Blue Star Motel & Café.
I was so happy Holland wanted to do this drive - this is one more thing I can check off of my Bucket List :-)
FINALLY - a throwback Route #66 vibe ;-)~Salome-AZ
Salome-AZ:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salome,_Arizona)
A vintage postcard showing the motel in it's glory day.
People did stay there, along the route …
Holland says the foam behind the cactus, is construction insulation foam.
Saguaro cactus bird housing; Gila Woodpeckers dig out nest holes in living saguaro cactus that tower above the arid landscape.
Gila Woodpecker:
(https://arizona-birds.com/gila-woodpecker-botw)
The market was vacant, but the sign held vintage promise ;-)
A sunburned prickly pear cactus, in the background.
We did not see anything like what the Wikipedia reports says about Salome-AZ … so, Holland says, "next time we'll drive further - and explore more fully."
Info Salome-AZ by another route: (http://www.ontheroadarizona.com/salome.html)
Salome wasn't very large, so after I got my eye candy fix, Holland started backtracking to the route we would take to Bouse-AZ.
Holland had read about a homestead site in Bouse; and wanted to check it out.
Bouse-AZ from Salome-AZ; 28 min (29.7 mi) via AZ-72 W
A little humor at the junction road to Bouse-AZ ;-)
This looks like an ancient topped volcano; Hwy #72, towards Bouse-AZ
Remnants of Volcanoes Across AZ:
(https://news.azpm.org/s/17246-remnants-of-volcanoes-across-az-geologist-says/)
Vicksburg-AZ
Saguaro cactus; Vicksburg-AZ
A spot of color in the desert; Bouse-AZ
Quartzsite-AZ from Bouse-AZ; 33 min (26.5 mi) via Plomosa Rd
Holland was telling me about this last night …
Homestead foundation.
I was careful walking here - rattlesnakes will seek available hidey-holes from the searing sunlight.
This is a flash flood area; the shored-up lower foundation was important.
This part of today's Daytrip was one of Holland's Bucket List items - and though disability retirement doesn't sit easy with him - I'm glad he is relaxing enough to enjoying himself.
We had visited Bouse, before … but the last visit found us on the opposite side of the roadway, searching for an illusive ghost mine:
My January16th, 2024 "GHOST TOWN GASLIGHTING~Bouse-AZ" Post: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024_01_16_archive.html
I had been thinking of Bouse and the Pass drive last week … and was happy to be doing it, today.
Elohim is so faithful; even in small matters, He cares :-)
On our way over the Pass, homeward, we saw an impressive Saguaro …
An impressive armed Saguaro cactus, coming over the Pass between Bouse & Plomosa BLM camping land.
Plomosa Rd. Quinn Pass BLM Land:
(https://thedyrt.com/camping/arizona/plomosa-rd-quinn-pass)
Saguaros are the largest columnar cactus in the United States, growing up to 50 feet tall and 30 inches across, with notable branches, usually referred to as arms. Because saguaros grow so slowly, it might take 50 to 75 years for them to grow their first arms. Arms are important to them because they store extra water. After 100 years, they usually have several arms. After 200 years they have many arms.
Over 50 arms may grow on one plant, with one specimen having 78 arms.
Saguaros are covered in sharp spines that can be up to 3 inches long. The spines act like leaves, absorbing sunlight and catching rainwater.
Saguaros provide food and shelter for many animals, including birds, bats, tortoises, javelina, and coyotes. Many animals eat the Saguaro Cactus; the Long-Nosed bat, bees, wasps, ants, and butterflies drink the nectar of the Cactus flower. Small animals such as the Pack Rat, and Pocket Mice will come to eat the Cactus.
Saguaros bloom in the spring with flowers on the tops of their arms and spear. In mid-summer, the saguaro produces bright red fruit that is a food source for many animals.
The Saguaro cactus is a native, iconic, and unmissable feature, of the Sonoran Desert landscape; they grow only in the Sonoran Desert.
Later, while eating Supper, I looked out the livingroom window and saw a lovely sunset … with a strange, highlighted, cloud.
The Day had been a good, fun, enjoyable, and interesting Day from the get-go.
I was truly blessed.
And thankful.
A weird little ufo-shaped-cloud, caught in the sunset aura; Quartzsite-AZ
