Friday 30 October 2015

Wheels on the Bus



About halfway between the Utah-California border and Barstow, you’ll pass a curious sign that says, “Zzyzyx Road.” For years we’ve passed this sign on the way to and from Disneyland, and we’ve wondered about it. At the other end of this oddly named road there is a natural spring that has attracted thirsty travelers for many years. There’s a prehistoric quarry nearby where petroglyphs and projectile points (we used to call them arrowheads) may be seen. During the mid-1800’s it was a wagon stop called Soda Springs. A railroad used to run through the area, but no trains go there now. In the days of Route 66, an enterprising fellow renamed it Zzyzyx, which he claimed was the last word in the English language. He sold bottled spring water and even maintained a sort of zoo. Today the spring is home to California State University’s Desert Studies Center.

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