Vacation For Life

Eastern California Astrophotography: Beautiful Bishop at Night

With so much light pollution in the sky, there aren’t many opportunities for astrophotography when traveling, especially when visiting cities. When we decided to head out to Bishop in Eastern California this winter, we were excited by the idea of trying out some night photography since, as the city of Bishop is only one square mile, it is pretty easy to get away from the lights without having to travel very far. During our explorations, we found some great places for astrophotography in Bishop.

For information about camera settings for astrophotography,

read our guide to photographing the Northern Lights.

When we were driving to our hike in Pine Creek Crags, I spotted a scraggly, leafless tree on the side of Pine Creek Road that I thought would be the perfect foreground for astrophotography. The Sierra Nevada mountain range was close by, which would allow us to start a little earlier as the mountain range from this position would block the bright light of the moon. This spot is just west of Round Valley.

Another great photography spot we found was at the sharp curve in the road where North Round Valley Road turns into South Round Valley Road. I wanted to get a shot with one of Bishop’s great old silos in the foreground.

The vast open field to the south with the Sierra Nevada Mountains far in the background provided a beautiful night vista as well.

I had visions of a shot of the road leading straight into the snowy mountains. We found that shot by heading out of town west along West Line Street towards the mountains. When you get out far enough there is little chance of cars driving by at night, so you can even set up your tripod in the middle of the street. Just make sure you have a lookout so you don’t get run over! We found a great pullout right before Highway 168 begins to turn south and head into the mountains. Since this area is a little higher in elevation, it also provides a view of the lights of Bishop below, but behind you so it doesn’t affect your night photography.

One of the best places near Bishop for unique astrophotography is Owen’s Valley Radio Observatory. To get there, you have to drive south along Highway 395 to Big Pine, turn left onto Highway 168 and then left again after crossing the river. There are a number of radio telescopes which provide a very science fiction aspect to night shots. Here the road branches. Most of the radio telescopes are reached via the left branch. However, you have to pass through a gate that says authorized access only. If you want to add the OVRO to your astrophotography sites in Bishop, email the Bishop Visitor Center at info@BishopVisitor.com and they will alert the OVRO of your visit. Also, note that using photos from the OVRO for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited.

The section of Highway 168 between Big Pine and the turn up to Owen’s Valley Radio Observatory also provides great astrophotography opportunities. While we were driving along this stretch we saw others on the side of the road with their tripods that had the same idea as we.

We were able to get a faint hint of the tiny tail-end of the Milky Way in a few of our photographs, but since it was winter, that was the best we could get. While we suggest traveling to Bishop in winter because it is less crowded and there is more snow on the mountains, which provides a great contrast to the stars in the sky, summer provides an opportunity for Milky Way photography in Bishop.

Sometimes, after a busy day of hiking and sightseeing, it’s hard to drag yourself out at night when there’s a nice warm bed waiting in your hotel room for you. But when visiting Bishop, no matter the time of year, there are some fantastic spots for astrophotography in this eastern piece of California.

Thank you to the Bishop Chamber of Commerce for hosting our trip to Bishop and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own.

Essigbrätlein: Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

We love a good Michelin-starred restaurant. We’re starting to tick Michelin-starred restaurants off our list like some do countries, UNESCO sites, and national parks. I promise we’re not complete food snobs who only eat at expensive restaurants, and we enjoyed our fair share of sausages and langos from the European Christmas Markets before eating lunch at Nuremberg’s two Michelin star restaurant Essigbrätlein. But after dining at Michelin-starred restaurants in Copenhagen, Denmark and Gothenburg in Sweden, we’ve really developed a taste for being culinarily spoiled by the world’s top chefs, and we were excited to have the opportunity to dine at Essigbrätlein, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Germany and the only restaurant with two Michelin stars in Nuremberg.

Menu Essigbrätlein Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

Nuremberg was our final port of call on our Romantic Danube European Christmas Markets cruise with Viking River Cruises. We had an entire day in the city, which meant we could eat lunch off-ship.

Related: What’s It’s Like to Cruise with Viking River Cruises

Essigbrätlein is located in a cozy, narrow, multi-story townhouse in the middle of Nuremberg’s old town, right around the corner from St. Sebaldus Church. You have to ring the bell at the front door to be admitted. Essigbrätlein is open for both lunch and dinner. Lunch is a set four courses and dinner is six courses, and you can also choose to have the wine pairing. Reservations are highly recommended.

First Course Essigbrätlein Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

Essigbrätlein was first opened in 1989 by Andree Köthe, and he was joined by Chef Yves Ollech in 1997. Köthe ensures the ingredients are fresh, purchasing them directly from the producers, and develops menu items with Ollech. Ollech guarantees that what is served to guests is perfection. Essigbrätlein earned its first Michelin star in 1999 and a second Michelin star in 2007. Andree Köthe was also given the title of Chef of the Year 2012 in Germany by Gault & Millau. Ivan Jakir has been Essigbrätlein’s Sommelier since 1999 and makes sure the wine pairs perfectly with each course.

Brussels Sprout First Course Essigbrätlein Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

A meal at Essigbrätlein is adventurous with fun little twists on how food is served and plays on ingredients. The menu is always changing, but our meal gives an indication of the caliber of dishes you can expect at Essigbrätlein.

We were introduced to our meal with a cup of juice made from roasted peppers that tasted sweet. Next came a sweet bite of green with radish and horseradish served on a silver spoon. This was followed by cream wrapped in a warm sautéed Brussels sprout leaf, which kind of smelled like popcorn, skewered on a tiny Trident.

Bread and Butter Essigbrätlein Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

Even the bread and butter provided with the meal was special and fun. There was bread served with tarragon butter, one of my favorite flavors, and a whimsical play on peas and carrots with carrot bread served with pea butter. It took us a few seconds to realize what this very familiar childhood taste combination was as it isn’t something you would expect at a Michelin-starred restaurant, yet completely worked.

Lamb with Broccoli Main Course Essigbrätlein Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

Our second course was green beans with onions and pea tendrils with a peanut sauce, an unusual sounding but delightfully tasting combination. Our main course was a thick steak of lamb served with shaved broccoli, a mint sauce, and a finish of salt.

Red Cabbage Ice Cream Essigbrätlein Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

The most unusual course was dessert. A bowl arrived with red cabbage ice cream, blackberries, black currants, and chervil. The red cabbage ice cream was definitely an acquired taste. At first, we weren’t sure how we felt about this odd treat, but then we figured out that when the individual components were mixed together, all of a sudden it became a well-balanced and tasty treat.

Chocolate Dessert Essigbrätlein Nuremberg’s Two Michelin Star Restaurant

Dessert didn’t stop with red cabbage ice cream. We also were served hard chocolate studded with fresh fruit.

A meal at Essigbrätlein is fun, unusual, and comfortable. Dining at lunch was filling, but it wasn’t too much food, so we were still able to explore Nuremberg afterwards without feeling like we needed to take a nap. While in Nuremberg, whether on a Viking River Cruise or on your own, dine at Essigbrätlein if you enjoy food that’s fun.

Thank you to Viking River Cruises for hosting our lunch at Essigbrätlein and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own.

Travel the World: Review of Essigbrätlein, Nuremberg Germany’s only two Michelin-starred restaurant.

Preserved History Sites to See in Yuma

Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge Things to Do in Yuma History

We visited Yuma for the second time, this time to attend Yuma Lettuce Days. We had already crossed a lot of the things to do in Yuma off our list when we explored Yuma’s historic districts, but one thing we hadn’t done on our first visit to Yuma was visit the Sanguinetti House Museum, so we decided to add that to our itinerary. Through our visit to the museum, a historic walking tour offered by the museum, and our stay at the Historic Coronado Motor Hotel, we learned more about the great job the city of Yuma has done in preserving many of its historic sites.

Sanguinetti House Museum Family Things to Do in Yuma History

E. F. Sanguinetti was called the “merchant prince of Yuma.” He was of Italian descent and born in California. He was the consummate gentleman, always wearing three-piece suits and top hats even though he lived in the middle of the desert. When Sanguinetti came to Yuma, he immediately saw the needs of Yuma and created businesses to fill those needs. He quickly gained wealth and influence. He brought stores to Yuma and invented the “cash and carry” system of walking through a store, picking the things you want off the shelves, purchasing them at the cash register, and carrying them home. Previously Yuma residents would go to a store, order from a catalog, and wait for their purchases to be delivered, possibly months later.

The original adobe home was built on Madison Avenue in the 1870s. Sanguinetti purchased the two-room house with lean-to kitchen in 1890. The original house had dirt floors and a reed and mud room with muslin draped under the ceiling to catch any pieces or parts that fell from the roof. Sanguinetti married and added on to the home, one room at a time, as his family grew.

Sanguinetti House Museum Dining Room Things to Do in Yuma History

A tour of the Sanguinetti home has two parts. One visits the original portion of the adobe home which is where the Sanguinetti’s dined. Sanguinetti held many dinner parties in his home and dined with businessmen, serving nice meals on fancy china. Each dinner ended with Manhattans. The other part of the tour visits the newer portions of the home and features the history and stories of Yuma.

Steve Cook Yuma Walking Tour Things to Do in Yuma History

We joined one of the Sanguinetti House Museum’s Historic Downtown Yuma Walking Tours led by Steve Cook. Tours start and end at the museum. The museum is located in Yuma’s Brinley Historic District, so named because Madison Avenue used to be Brinley Street. This area of town used to be filled with adobe homes. Just two doors up from the museum is the oldest adobe home in Yuma, which was built in 1899. Only a few of Yuma’s adobe homes still exist because all the adobes near Main Street washed away when the Colorado River flooded the town. Adobes like the Sanguinetti house survived because they are on slightly higher ground.

Golden Wedding Bell Marriage Chapel Things to Do in Yuma History

We learned on our walking tour that Yuma has 54 properties and places that are on the National Register of Historic Places, like the San Carlos Hotel. The San Carlos Hotel used to be popular with the Hollywood type and it was also a honeymoon hotel as weddings were big business in Yuma. Military troops were trained in Yuma for World War II. After fighting they returned to Yuma. Yuma was very conservative and a couple couldn’t register in a hotel unless they were married. Luckily for anxious couples, Yuma didn’t require a blood test or a waiting time period, and there were a number of wedding chapels. On the corner of Madison and 1st Street is one of these remaining chapels, the Golden Wedding Bell Marriage Chapel, which operated 1940 to 1946. The building was originally Yuma’s first pharmacy from 1891 to 1914 and then in the 1920s was a Chinese laundry and opium den.

Blaisdell Slow Sand Filter Washing Machine Things to Do in Yuma History

We learned about how goods came to Yuma in the past. They were first brought by steamboat to the Quartermaster’s Depot. Then the train came to town. The original trains that came to Yuma were steam trains which used 100 gallons to travel one mile. The Colorado River provided a lot of water, but that water had a lot of silt in it. Settling tanks were built to clean the water for the steam trains and for drinking water. Before the settling tanks was the Blaisdell Slow Sand Filter Washing Machine, which did the same thing and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The water washing machine was invented by Hiram Blaisdell to filter sand from the river to deliver drinking water to homes.

Another of Yuma’s landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places is the Ocean-to Ocean Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1915 and was the first vehicular bridge over the Colorado River for over a thousand miles. It also made it easier for people to travel to San Diego for the Panama-California Exposition. During the Dust Bowl armed guards made migrators prove they had enough money before crossing the bridge. Some who couldn’t cross took up residence at the Yuma Territorial Prison.

St. Thomas Indian Mission Things to Do in Yuma History

During our walking tour we saw the St. Thomas Indian Mission across the river. We decided to walk across the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge to get a closer view of the mission. Technically, this mission is not in Yuma, or even Arizona. It is in Winterhaven, California. However, this border did not exist when the original La Purisima Concepcion Mission was built in 1780. The mission was destroyed only one year later during an Indian massacre which killed both Fathers. The present church was built in 1922 on the site of the original mission.

Historic Coronado Motor Hotel Lobby Things to Do in Yuma History

Another of Yuma’s preserved historic sites is the Historic Coronado Motor Hotel, which also happened to be the hotel at which we stayed for our weekend getaway to Yuma. The hotel was first built in 1938 and had 14 rooms. It was the first connected hotel in Arizona and was the oldest Best Western still in existence (68 years) until it recently became an independent property.

Historic Coronado Motor Hotel Peach Family Luggage Things to Do in Yuma History

The Historic Coronado Motor Hotel was, and still is, owned by the Peach family. John Peach’s parents came to the United States from Czechoslovakia through Ellis Island. His father John Peach was a tailor, and it was suggested to him to come out to Yuma as there were no tailors in Yuma. While John Peach ran a tailor shop, Marie Peach managed a hotel for room and free board. In 1938, they built the Peach Auto Court in what was at the time the outskirts of Yuma.

Casa de Coronado Museum Things to Do in Yuma History

Casa de Coronado Museum Kitchen Things to Do in Yuma History

The Casa de Coronado Museum is a museum in the building that used to function as the home of the Peach family and the original lobby of the hotel. If you ask in advance, Yvonne Peach will provide a tour of the museum. The museum is filled with so much Yuma memorabilia, like items from when Bob Hope would come to town and perform at the USO, as well as the Peach family’s furniture, appliances, and photos.

Historic Coronado Motor Hotel Room Things to Do in Yuma History

Historic Coronado Motor Hotel Towel Animals Things to Do in Yuma History

We loved staying in this hotel with so much Yuma history. It’s an old-style hotel but the rooms have been renovated. When you first check in you’ll be greeted with the special touch of a towel animal on your bed. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom felt more like a home bathroom than a hotel. The hotel is in close proximity to Yuma’s historic downtown, which means you can buy a bottle of Yuma wine at Yuma’s Main Squeeze and bring it back to enjoy in the room over the weekend.

Yuma Landing Monument Things to Do in Yuma History

Guests of the hotel have breakfast included, which is served at the Yuma Landing Bar & Grill. Some more of the Peach family’s Yuma memorabilia can be found in the restaurant. The restaurant is called Yuma Landing because it is on the site of the place the first person to land an airplane in Arizona under its own power touched down. A monument to Robert Grant Fowler is outside.

For a town that people usually only drive through or use as a quick rest stop, Yuma has a surprising amount of history and things to do and see.

Thank you to Visit Yuma for hosting our weekend in Yuma, Arizona and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are my own.

Travel the World: Some of Yuma Arizona's well preserved historic sites.

The Best DSLR Camera Backpack I Wish I Hadn’t Needed

Tenba in Bishop California Best DSLR Camera Backpack Review

Allow me to provide you with my review of the most versatile, easily configurable, best DSLR camera backpack for travel . . .

Actually, may I first give you the sob story of why I needed a new camera backpack in the first place?

The end of last year was a really bad time for me and cameras. I managed to get an entire outfit stolen from the back of my car. In addition to my favorite and most sentimental camera, I lost lenses, battery stuff, memory cards, lights, tripod, you name it. The only positive was that I did have my main go-to camera safely inside the house, or I would have lost that too. Somewhere some thief is rolling around with a pretty nice rig along with a whole bunch of my other stuff. Sadly, I had to replace it all out of my own pocket.

Tenba at Trinity Church Kazbegi Georgia Best DSLR Camera Backpack Review

Fast forward a mere month later. Equipped with all new stuff, we headed out for a leisurely drift down the Danube with Viking River Cruises. After a departure from home at 5:00 in the morning, four hours to Atlanta, a three-hour layover, eight hours to Amsterdam, another two-hour layover, and two more hours of flight, we arrived in Budapest.

Needless to say, there was a bit of jetlag involved, but we only had one day in Budapest. After walking around Budapest for a few hours, the wife suggested we go get a bite to eat at the nearby Christmas market. (You should know that, typically, I exist in a state of general discombobulation to begin with, but no excuses.) After a delicious dinner, we decided to get a gluhwein at a place a few stalls over.

Can you believe I stood up, grabbed my main camera, and walked lethargically away from the table where I had only twenty minutes earlier placed my camera backpack containing, again I repeat, all new unused stuff including a secondary camera, lenses, tripod, etc.? Aaand GONE! I felt like I wanted to throw up for a week. I didn’t even have a charger for the camera I managed to keep. Thankfully Sarah Shumate of The Wanderblogger helped me out with the battery thing.

Tenba Hiking in Bishop California Best DSLR Camera Backpack Review

Having divulged my tale to any poor soul with patience enough to listen, I was recommended by a photographer friend, Ron Stern of The Global Gumshoe, to make sure my next travel camera backpack was a Tenba. I am the sort to do a bit of research before I get anything. Not an excessive amount mind you, but enough to feel comfortable about what I own. I was happy with my previous backpack. It was roomy enough for my purposes and seemed as sturdy as others I had tried out. Before my Tenba, I was what I’ll call more than content. I guess I really didn’t know what I was missing.

I went with the Tenba Shootout 24L Bag , which is their midsize model. I carry a full-frame DSLR with a battery grip and a substantial walkaround lens, a couple prime lenses, a fairly large 150-500mm lens, another mirrorless camera that I use with a wide angle lens, two battery chargers, four extra batteries, hoods and filters, cords and converters, a mini tripod, and a good size tripod which mounts easily on the outside of the pack.

Even with all that, there is still room for a jacket and stuff like sunglasses, lip balm, and a flash. There is also a pocket on the back to accommodate a 15” laptop and there are extra features like a memory card wallet which is almost as thoughtful as the door it has on the side. I don’t even have to take the whole thing off my back to easily access my camera through the side door, or another lens if you prefer.

The Tenba DSLR camera backpack is totally customizable to whatever configuration you would like, be it bringing all your stuff to a big shoot or a perfect carry-on with plenty of room for all your necessities (or your wife’s recently purchased souvenirs).

Tenba has a more compact model too, so if you’re looking for a small camera backpack to travel lighter, consider the Tenba Shootout 18L Bag. There’s also a much larger Tenba Shootout 32L Bag for folks with a ton of gear. Mine is perfect for what we do and what I most often find myself having to carry.

I’ve since had the opportunity to do a bit of field testing. I’ve worn my new Tenba camera backpack to hike the Sierras and the Alabama Hills. I’ve worn it while we walked through the dry heat of Yuma. It has handled the rain in Munich. I’ve taken it to the snow, hiking to Trinity Cathedral in the Kazbegi Mountains of Georgia. I walked around in more rain in Kutaisi, Georgia, this time with the waterproof cover which conveniently tucks away when not in use. I carried it on my back during our Old Tbilisi walking tour.

Tenba Hiking in Kazbegi Mountains Georgia Best DSLR Camera Backpack Review

The Tenba DSLR camera backpack is as comfortable as it is durable and it’s made with water-repellent nylon (which protects the contents even if you don’t use the rain cover). It is weather-sealed with rubberized zippers. It has expedition-grade harnesses and shoulder straps, so it’s good for hiking/walking all day because the straps don’t create friction with clothing.

Beyond all that, it’s very professional looking. It looks as good as new and I’ve literally worn it on my back every waking hour in week-long stints.

If you’re in the market for the best DSLR backpack for travel or hiking, I highly recommend giving Tenba a try. Beyond the backpacks, they have a variety of products which are specifically designed for photography professionals including carry-on compatible luggage, rolling cases, shoulder and messenger bags, transport cases and accessories.

Tenba in Rain in Kutaisi Georgia Best DSLR Camera Backpack Review

Tenba stands behind its product and you would be hard-pressed to find a better-designed carrier. If you already own a bag and feel content, research; there’s a big difference. I love mine.

It even has a clear pocket where I can put my “Reward if Found” note.

Thank you to Tenba for providing me with the Tenba Shootout 24L Bag to review and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are my own.

Travel the World: Review of the Tenba Shootout, the best DSLR camera backpack.

California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Route 66 was created to get people from Chicago to Los Angeles. Route 66 was a popular road trip route in the 1950s, but with the creation of interstate highways, Route 66 became obsolete and the towns along it couldn’t survive being bypassed. While Route 66 went all the way to Los Angeles, following the original Route 66 through western California is pretty impossible. However, there are long stretches of California’s Route 66 in the eastern part of the state, especially between Victorville and Needles. We decided to start the New Year by celebrating Route 66’s 90th anniversary with a short Route 66 road trip and drove as much of California’s remaining Route 66 route as possible. While we drove Route 66, we visited a number of California’s Route 66 road trip attractions along the way.

Wigwam Village #7

If you’ve seen the Disney / Pixar movie Cars, you probably remember the Cozy Cone Motel, a motel along Route 66 with accommodations in what looked like upside-down cones. The Cozy Cone Motel was modeled after the Wigwam Motels that used to be found along Route 66. Wigwam Motels were the brainchild of Frank Redford, who built the first Wigwam Village in 1934 in Kentucky. The villages consisted of cabins built in the style of teepees surrounding a larger teepee building which housed reception. He patented the design and a total of seven wigwam villages were constructed in the United States, some as franchises, and some which he built himself, including the one in Rialto / San Bernardino. Today, three of these Wigwam Villages remain, two of which are along Route 66 and one of which is in California. The three remaining are now on the National Register of Historic Places, and the one in Rialto / San Bernardino was added in 2012 as Wigwam Village #7. Travelers can still spend the night in one of the Wigwam Motel’s teepee cabins today.

Route 66 Victorville to Barstow

Elmer's Bottle Tree Ranch California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Photo Credit: Chris M Richards via Compfight cc

After heading north from San Bernardino along Highway 15, we reached the first real long stretch of Route 66 in California. When you hit Victorville, take exit 153B for E Street and head north. You’ll pass some industrial plants and then it is open road. Along this piece of Route 66 the iconic Route 66 sign is painted on the road at various intervals. There are a handful of small Route 66 towns along the way including Oro Grande, Helendale, Hodge, and Lenwood. You can stop at Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch, an art installation of metal “trees” decorated with countless bottles. After Lenwood, Route 66 turns into Barstow’s Main Street, one of the last remaining Route 66 main streets in the United States.

Route 66 Side Trip to Calico Ghost Town

Peggy Sue's 50's Diner California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

After seeing what there is to see in Barstow, Route 66, also known as the National Trails Highway, runs parallel along Highway 40 and enters the small town of Daggett. Here we took a detour up to Calico Ghost Town. On the way, we stopped at Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner in Yermo for a tuna melt and a real chocolate milk shake so thick that your cheeks get sucked in when you try to take your first sip through the straw. Peggy Sue’s is an original roadside diner that was built in 1954. During the days of Route 66, it had nine stools at the counter and three booths. Peggy Sue’s was restored and reopened in 1987. You can still sit at a stool at the counter, dine in one of the dining rooms, or even get your food to go and sit in the Dinersaur Park out back, where you’ll be surrounded by dinosaurs and serenaded with music being played over the loudspeaker that will make you feel like you’re at a sock hop. The Dinersaur Park is dog-friendly.

Calico House Calico Ghost Town California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Just north of the diner is Calico Ghost Town. You’ll see Calico spelled out in white rocks on the hillside. The mining town of Calico was founded in 1881 during the largest silver strike in California. The population peaked at 3,000 residents. Calico had 500 mines and produced millions of dollars’ worth of silver and borax in a little over a decade. But then silver lost its value and it cost more to extract the silver than it was worth. Calico and its mines were abandoned and it had become a ghost town by 1907.

Calico Ghost Town California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Walter Knott, known for Knott’s Berry Farm, purchased and restored Calico in 1951. He restored most of the buildings to look as they did when Calico was a mining town. There are a few buildings which he left in their original state: Lil’s Saloon, the Town Office, Lucy Lane’s House, the R&D Co. Store, and the General Store. Calico Ghost Town was donated to San Bernardino in 1966 and it was declared a State Historical Landmark in 1973 and proclaimed California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town in 2005.

Calico Ghost Town Gold Panning California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Calico Ghost Town is a large attraction and can take a few hours to visit. In addition to the historical buildings and shops, there are amusement park style attractions as well, which are run by Calico Attractions. These include a walk through Maggie Mine, with recorded commentary and recreations, a ride on the Calico Odessa railroad, Gold Panning, and a visit to the Mystery Shack where water flows upwards and billiard balls roll uphill. The attractions are very similar to those we found at Goldfield Ghost Town while driving Arizona’s Apache Trail.

Dog Friendly Maggie Mine Tour Calico Ghost Town California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

If your pets are coming with you on your Route 66 road trip, you’ll be happy to know that Calico Ghost Town and its attractions are dog-friendly. There’s even a shop in town that caters to pets.

Margaret Kincaid Olivier Grave Calico Cemetery Calico Ghost Town California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

On your way out of Calico Ghost Town, make a quick visit to the Calico Cemetery, where residents of the old mining town are buried, including Calico's last school teacher, Margaret Kincaid Olivier.

Route 66 Barstow to Needles

Bagdad Cafe Newberry Springs California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Back on Route 66, our California Route 66 road trip continued east. The first noteworthy Route 66 roadside attraction after Daggett is the Bagdad Café in Newberry Springs. The café was originally built in the 1950s. It became famous when the movie Bagdad Café was filmed at the café in 1987. At the time, the café was called the Sidewinder Café, but the name was changed after the success of the movie.

Whiting Brothers Gas Station Newberry Springs California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Also in Newberry Springs is the abandoned Whiting Brothers gas station, which closed in 1968. The gas pumps are like ghosts of Route 66, still showing the price of gas at the time and the amount of the last sale.

Pisgah Crater Lava Field California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Something you probably wouldn’t notice if you were whizzing by on Highway 40 is the lava field in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Just south of Route 66 is Pisgah Crater, and the flat land around it is covered in lava rock. The road gets a little rough here, probably because there is no real need to keep it up because of its close proximity to the highway and the lack of towns. If the road is still rough when you drive it, consider getting on the freeway until you get to Ludlow. At Ludlow, Route 66 veers south, away from the highway.

Ludlow California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Ludlow was a popular Route 66 town, with its Ludlow Café, a motor hotel, and a gas station and garage. Now Ludlow is a Route 66 ghost town. There’s still a Ludlow Café, but everything else is pretty much ramshackle, including the abandoned and dilapidated Ludlow Mercantile Building near the railroad tracks.

Roy's Cafe and Motel Amboy California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Along this next stretch of Route 66 are more remnants of what used to be, like the towns of Siberia, Bagdad, and Amboy. Along the side of the road in Amboy is Roy’s Café and Motel, which is one of the best-preserved Route 66 structures left in California. While driving through Amboy, you can take a detour and visit Amboy Crater, a volcanic cinder cone surrounded by miles of lava.

Needles California Route 66 Road Trip Attractions

Route 66 curves back up towards Highway 40, crosses the freeway at the town of Fenner, and continues north through the town of Goffe. Route 66 turns back south and terminates at Highway 40, which leads to the last Route 66 town of California, Needles.

Taking a California Route 66 road trip is a fun and nostalgic way to travel, though it’s sad seeing the remains of the towns that used to be. Perhaps Route 66 road trips will become a popular way to see the United States again, especially for those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Thank you to Calico Ghost Town and Calico Attractions for hosting part of our California Route 66 road trip and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are my own.

Travel the World: What to see and things to do on a California Route 66 road trip, including Route 66 attractions.