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Eye On The Bay: Desert Roadtrippers Pt.3 - 8/24/11

Desert Roadtrippers, Part Three

Simply put, the greatest part about the third leg of our great California desert journey is….little driving today!  After 750 miles of wonderful scenery, majestic desertscapes and fantastically quirky roadside landmarks, it became clear that the Joshua Tree region of the high desert has much to "pause" the happy traveler.

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HICKSVILLE, USA

From Joshua Tree to Twentynine Palms, you'll find a flurry or roadside motels and a number of attractive looking b&b's and guest cottages.  However… we stayed in the most kitschy, quirky, funky, wacky, oh-so-very-cool spot, with the best name on mother earth… the Hicksville Trailer Palace.  Hicksville features seven, well-appointed themed trailers, plenty of astro-turf lawn space, an itty bitty pool and hot tub, set against a rugged desert backdrop.  Think of it as the only colorful thing in a landscape of black and white.  Owners of the fenced-in establishment like to keep this place a secret – they'll give you the address once you've made your reservation.  And that adds to the allure of this well-priced lodging option.

Hicksville Trailer Palace
www.hicksville.com

A SOUND BATH IN THE DESERT

We made a quick stop to the one building that stands out like no tomorrow, a place that will literally transform your day if you're so lucky to stop.  The Integratron Dome, in the town of Landers, offers 30-minute sonic healing sessions inside a 60-year-old wooden sound chamber.  Grab a spot on the floor and listen to the magical tones coming from a series of bowls and drumsticks.

The Integratron
2477 Belfield Blvd.
Landers, CA 92285
(760) 364-3126
www.integratron.com

THE TOWN THAT HOLLYWOOD BUILT

Pioneertown was our afternoon playground.  Found in the western corner of the Yucca Valley, this is an ultimate wild-west town that was built for the filming of numerous Hollywood western flicks back in the 1940's.  The sets still flourish and so to is the town built around it.  Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace is the greatest watering hole on the planet, with great live music and a rather impressive array of tasty pub food.

Pappy and Harriet's Pioneertown Palace
53688 Pioneertown Road
Pioneertown, CA 92268
(760) 365-5956
www.pappyandharriets.com

Some old friends of Eye on the Bay's are the desert band Gram Rabbit.  We we're lucky to have them play a few sets for us in their hometown of Pioneertown.  Check out their website!!!

Gram Rabbit
www.gramrabbit.com

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

Don't come near the region without a stop to Joshua Tree NPS!  Rain hampered our visit, which can often be a glitch, as this is a national park with unexpected downpours, high desert winds and extreme climates.  HOWEVER…it's a STUNNING landscape with phenomenal plant and wildlife and breathtaking sunsets.  Our crew has been visiting the park with our families and taking gorgeous keepsake photos for years now… and so too, can you!

Joshua Tree National Park
www.nps.gov/jotr

 

ONWARD TO LEG FOUR AND FIVE!!!

Our next stops on our desert roadtrip take us some 60 miles south to Palm Springs and the bizarre body of water…the Salton Sea.  That will be a trip!

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