THE SCENIC ROUTE // 01.09.16
On our journey from Vegas to Palm Springs, we decided to take the road less traveled through the Mojave Desert. We had to take advantage of the Audi A3 we rented from Sixt - $93.38 for five days. I couldn't believe it; I thought for sure there would be a catch, but there wasn't! This rental included unlimited miles as well as the drop-off in another state, which is often a separate charge. We will be renting from Sixt from now on.
We took I-15 south until Cima Road, Exit 272 – about 24 miles south of the Nevada border. We followed Cima until it became Kelso Road. We didn't have time to visit the Kelso Dunes, but we could tell from miles away just how large they were. The highest dune is 600 ft. to the top. We'll be saving that for next time!
EERIE AMBOY //
We drove for a while, stopping now and then to take photos. Coty loved hitting the open road and escaping the congested highways. He couldn't help but hit the gas while going over the bumps - you know, like a 10-year-old would do. Ha! Finally, we saw Roy’s Gas Station in Amboy and pulled over for a coffee. As soon as I got out of the car, the atmosphere felt a bit eerie. We spotted some little white buildings with the windows and doors open. Each building had a different art installation piece. I went to explore this creepy place while Coty looked at the map to see how far we had left to go. No one was around; the doors were just swinging open with the chilly air. After a couple of minutes, I went back to tell Coty to get out and look around with me. It was not exactly what I expected – but instead of coffee, we got some cool photos. Afterward, I read that there are only eight people (all men) who live in this town. I don't think I'll ever need to go back there again.
OVERALL THOUGHTS //
This drive was smooth and absolutely beautiful. There wasn't much traffic, making it even more enjoyable. It took us about five to six hours to get from Vegas to Palm Springs. If you're interested in seeing the sand dunes, plan some extra time for that. Either way, be sure to have some snacks and water with you as things are very limited along this route.
