April 3rd: We are both breathing a lot easier, here in Barstow-CA; Kingman's elevation is 3,333 & Barstow's elevation is 2,175; not a huge difference, but it does allow our poor lungs to relax some - and get acclimated to the lower elevations of Coalinga-CA (our next RV Park hunker down = 673), Laton-CA (visiting relatives, on our way thru CA = 259), Ocean Park-WA (we'll set up here, thru the Spring/Summer months = 30), & then somewhere near the OR/CA border - Brookings (elevation 129), or somewhere close to there, during the Fall/Winter months.
Today's goal is a ghost town air force base, around Victorville-CA. This daytrip falls into Holland's Bucket List category; and I am game to go, because it's a Route 66 road trip 😉
Our Route 66 Daytrip this afternoon will take us through Barstow-CA, following the backroad National Old Trails Highway through D Street & 7th Street to Victorville-CA
A bit down the highway, we stopped to ogle Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch; where the sunlit glimmer of thousands of green, blue, brown, and clear glass bottles caught our attention. There’s no admission charge for the Bottle Tree Ranch, which Elmer has dedicated to “those who have lived and died on the Mother Road.” But we had no time to stop - so, I just clicked pictures, and we kept moving on down the highway.
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The scrapped together strip mall didn't appeal to me, so when Holland asked, "Do you want to get a picture of that?", I said, "No".
Later on, doing research on the building - I saw that though it looked dumpy on the outside … it was a treasure house of goodies, inside! Good thing Holland did not encourage me to walk through it, because he would have been sitting in Betsy for hours while I walked the aisles in the various shops lining the boardwalk 😉 I enjoy walking through Flea Markets, thrift stores, and vintage shops. I couldn't have bought anything because there is no where to put it … but, Holland definitely would have been cooling his heels for a good 2 hours. Or better 😘
I was pleasantly surprised to cross an old metal truss bridge as we entered the stretch of Victorville that would lead us to the phantom air force base … I love these old bridges, and they are quickly disappearing from America's landscape 😟
Old Trails Highway to Victorville, California: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ca-victorville/
Finding our way to the phantom air force base was frustrating. Holland at one point was so frustrated, that I burst out laughing at the irony: GPS kept telling us that she couldn't find anything that resembled what we were looking for … and there was no address pin point found on my Tablet, either. Both phones frizzed out, too. Holland (no doubt having seen my hand gesturing frustrations play out over the 2 years), resorted to using Italian hand-waving gestures himself, saying, "This is ridiculous! We have 5 - F.I.V.E. - electronics with us … 2 GPS's, your Tablet, and both our phones … and they are fricking worthless!" I didn't mean to laugh, but his expression was like a little boy being told he couldn't have a cookie minutes before Supper 😂🤣
He finally jockeyed Betsy here and there until we could see what we were aiming for on the near horizon; turning Betsy in that direction and entering the military complex, we saw that the airspace was still being used - and that was why we were having such a hard time with our electronics: always, no matter where we are - if there is a military facility nearby, our electronics get scrambled; or just plain shut down.
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George Air Force Base was officially decommissioned (retired from active service) in December 1992. Today, several of the old base buildings are still used by the Army and Marine Corps for urban warfare training. The airfield is now a part of the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) which is operated by the city of Victorville.
George Air Force Base has had issues with radioactive materials, PFAS, toxic solvents, and many other chemicals. Those who lived at or near the base could have consumed water with multiple different chemicals, compounding their risk of serious health conditions.
A Contaminated Air Force Base Vacant For Over 30 Years: https://architecturalafterlife.com/2022/10/george-air-force-base/
My question is this: if the base water & soil was so contaminated that it had to be vacated and closed … WHY is it being "used as a filming location for movies and television shows; also been used numerous times as a place for airsoft and paintball; now the site of the Southern California Logistics Airport; and annual Memorial Day Weekend events since 2001"? Something is not adding up 🧐
That said, I'm glad Holland got to check off one of his Bucket List goals - he caters to my road gypsy wants so much, that it makes me happy that he carves out some time for his own wants along the route 🤝
On our way to the living phantom air force base from Barstow, Holland had driven the backroad route because it followed the Old Trails Highway/Route 66 route; on our way back to Barstow, he drove the I-15 freeway, "because you've never been on this stretch of the interstate - I have, but we've never traveled this way together: I want you to have the full experience before we head North." Isn't he a gem? 😘
The original Route 66 highway runs right through Main Street in Barstow-CA: Barstow is the only city that retained the main street name from the early nickname of Route 66 "The Main Street of America".
On our way to Independence, we stopped and grabbed some Del Taco burritos … and then drove over the new bridge to eat them in the parking lot of the train yard, below.
I wanted to see the marvelous vintage building up close & personal: and Holland was obliging ❤️
Imagine traveling men and women strolling along the porticos: upper balcony, as well as lower rail end …
1910s Men’s Edwardian Fashion: https://vintagedancer.com/1900s/edwardian-1910s-historical-mens-fashion-and-clothing-an-overview/
Women’s Fashion from 1900 to 1919: https://glamourdaze.com/history-of-womens-fashion/1900-to-1919
Walking back to Holland, waiting in Betsy, I inhaled deeply the sun-warmed scent of tarry creosote used as a wood preservative on the railway crossties (there are many childhood memories connected to that odor) - I like that scent - especially in the summertime where it hangs heavy in the air … and I don't care who disagrees with me. I've inhaled it most of my life, and I'm still alive and kicking 👌
We are amazed at the changes in Barstow since we last made a pit stop here: the place has really cleaned up, and there are visible improvements seen everywhere. Holland said they probably got a new mayor that has town pride … and he is right:
The City of Barstow welcomes Mayor Tim Silva and New Council Members! https://www.barstowca.org/Home/Components/News/News/4018/
We like it 😁
I always liked our layovers, here, and happily anticipated them - but Holland and his family never spoke well of Barstow. I'm happy to see the rebirth - and we are both happy to see the graffiti scrubbed and new businesses spring up; I just hope they do not jack the prices of everything sky-high and ruin the rural Americana vibe with touristy hoopla.
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