If you’ve ever envisioned a cowboy on a horse riding off into the sunset with tumbleweeds blowing across the desert behind him, that is Barstow minus the cowboy and the horse.
The year 2020 started out for everyone as a crazy year, and for me it was no different. My wife and I had planned a trip to London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland for August 2020. We had gotten our good friend, Ken’s, family to chip in and make it a surprise for him. It was all planned out. Time off from work was approved, airfare and hotels/Airbnb paid for and then Covid-19 hit. Our dreams were crushed and it took weeks to cancel all of our plans.
As time went on we finally gave in to the realization that we were not going to be able to go on our vacation. Time off was approved, but because of the virus our options were very limited. We could take the time off, stay home and finish some projects or we could look at options locally. As time went on businesses started to open back up and therefore options started to come up.
We started making plans to go see the Grand Canyon, but how to get there was a challenge. I only had a week off from work and driving would take a lot of the time but it was the cheapest option. That is how our adventure began.
We almost didn’t make it out the door. The day we were to leave, both my wife and I weren’t feeling very well. However, having been stuck at home during the pandemic, our adventurousness was calling. We eventually decided around 1p.m. to just go. We hoped in the car and off we went down Highway 101 towards San Francisco and the Bay Area to cut over to Highway 5. Our first stop was Barstow, California.
After 16 hours of driving we finally made it to Barstow. This dusty town sitting out in the middle of the desert has a special place in my heart. When I was 5 years old I was adopted and the family that adopted me lived in Barstow. Later we moved to a small town outside of Barstow called Hinkley, California. You may have heard of these two towns because it is where the true story that was made into a film called Erin Brockovich took place. (Little side note, I’m told the same judge that ruled in that case was also the same judge that signed my adoption papers.)
Once a flowing city of commerce and wealth Barstow has now become a city on the verge of despair. Sitting smack dab in the middle of the Mojave desert, if it wasn’t for the several military installations in the area and the massive rail yard, Barstow I fear, would become a distant relic of the past.
Barstow was part of the historic Mormon Corridor. Following the Mojave River, the Mormons on their way to and from Utah would use the river to their advantage for livestock grazing and fishing. The only evidence I was able to see of this was a gigantic mural dedicated to this period of time on a building off to the side.
Historic Route 66 runs right through the center of town, and there are quite a few statues and murals celebrating the primary route used by those seeking fame and glory in California during the early 1900’s. There are also several museums dedicated to Route 66, but they were all closed due to the virus.
We were able to make it to the railroad museum. If you are passing through I would recommend stopping. Even though the museum was closed due to Covid-19, we were able to wander around and look at some of the old trains and boxcars that are on display.
It’s not all doom and gloom in Barstow. The Barstow Station still stands today. From what I can remember, Barstow Station was only a McDonald’s when I was a kid. Now there are many other fast food chains taking up residence inside, and even some small shops. This McDonalds is unique because, instead of a common dining area, they have converted old railroad cars to sit in while you eat. I was very glad to see this still around. If only passing through I would recommend stopping for a bite to eat or something cold to drink. Snap a few pictures, because this will be something to remember as I often do when I think back upon my childhood days.
