Sawtooth Canyon Campground | BLM | Barstow | California

This was my campsite at Sawtooth Campground, a BLM camp as well as a destination for rock climbers in the area.  This particular BLM is no fee, even though they have the fire pit and table shelter shown, as well as a BBQ that is out of the photo.  Most BLM areas charge a fee if there are any type of amenities, but I enjoyed the free part.  I ended up staying here about 8 days since there were lots of days with high winds and I don't tow in those conditions.  The day before I left, there were high winds all afternoon, some predicted to reach 60 mph.  Seems that the entire area was under wind alerts.

I talked to a few of the climbers and found that there is actually a guide book of the area called New Jack City.  Back in the 1980s a few climbers came out to the area and set up areas that could be climbed.  They put in connections so that people could climb up and clip a safety line as they go.  Obviously I didn't get all the lingo correct!

On this wall, there are two people climbing, with their spotters below, keeping a tension on their lines for safety. 

As they go up, they search for tiny ledges to grab with their hands as well as pushing up from ledges with their feet, they have special shoes. 

In the photo below, there are 3 people on this wall, and one in the foreground taking a photo of one of them. 

Totally unrelated to climbing, this man came in my last day there with his RV - a man powered little rig with more solar panels than I have!

California Route 66 Museum | Victorville | California

This museum is a gem - I expected an entrance fee, but it's a volunteer organization and depends on sales from their shop as well as donations. 

This is a little miniature jukebox, and of course, they had a regular one.

 

I know they are now making these teardrop campers, but it's funny to see an antique one, and it's in great shape.

 

They had all sorts of antiques that didn't follow the Route 66 theme, but they're interesting.

 

 

This is a Model T and the guide I talked to says it's like driving a tractor, instead of a standard shift.

 

 

 

 

 

It's actually more like an antique museum than dedicated to Route 66.

 

 

Roy Rogers lived on his ranch outside of town, so they dedicated an area to him. 

 

 

Calico Ghost Town | Barstow | California

I really like ghost towns, so I had to check this one out. 

I thought this was a church, but the sign tells me it's a school.  And it certainly was, a one room school.

I have heard of these buildings made of bottles, they are supposed to be great for insulation.  Unfortunately, this was not open, so I didn't get to see the inside.

Some of the old buildings were made with rocks.

Of course, every ghost town has a cemetery.

I have been to many ghost towns but I think this is the first one I have paid to get into and I was a bit disappointed.  I expected it to be rustic, all the buildings are nicely restored, but it just seems to exist to make money, unlike some of the other places I've been.  I would just say it's not my favorite.