Joshua Tree National Park is a mystical places where natural beauty and legends meet. From Carey's Castle to Gram Parsons the area has always attracted those seeking escape from the modern world. Just a few hours from Los Angeles the 1,234 square miles of is flanked by Route 66, the 29 Palms Marine Corps base, and the Salton Sea, all amazing road trip destinations.
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| Joshua Tree |
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| Sunset Joshua Tree |
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| Sunset Joshua Tree |
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| The Mazda CX-3, big thank you to Mazda USA for loaning me the car. |
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| Joshua Trees in Bloom |
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| Bottle Tree Ranch, Route 66 |
The first day I headed down Route 66 to some places I have visited before, but many I had never really stopped at to explore. The ultimate American road trip destination, there is always something to see along 66. From roadside attractions like Bottle Tree Ranch to iconic towns bypassed by the Interstate and frozen in time, the history and the characters you meet you along Route 66 make every trip memorable.
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| Bagdad Cafe, made famous by the movie that was filmed here by the same name. |
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| An old trailer parked behind the Bagdad Cafe |
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| Roy's Motel, Amboy, CA |
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| Mazda CX-3 |
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| Cactus in Bloom |
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| The George Patton Museum, outside of Palm Desert |
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| Salvation Mountain |
Way down past the Salton Sea, just 60 miles from the Mexican border is a place known as Slab City, a former military base that has long been home to an eclectic group of people. Artists, hippies, tweakers, and fugitives from society, all gather to form a community in the unforgiving California desert. Standing at the entrance to Slab City is Salvation Mountain, the colorful adobe sculpture covered with latex paint.
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| Art Car in Slab City |
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| Art Car in East Jesus, Slab City |
Look for more from my road trip with
Mazda exploring Southern California.
While Mazda USA did sponsor this trip, the opinions given are my own.
