Bridge to Nowhere

> The Bridge to Nowhere is located near Azusa, California.
The bridge was built in 1936 to cross above the San Gabriel River.  It was meant to connect to the San Gabriel Valley but was washed out during a major flood in 1938.  The road project was abandoned leaving the bridge stranded in the middle of the wilderness leading to nowhere.

Today you can visit the bridge and even take a bungee jump if you wish, but it's a 10 mile hike with two river crossings.  Caution must be used as several deaths have occurred during unexpected flash floods.

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Japan Internment Camp Tour

In 1942 during WWII, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II. Today, you can visit the site with original and restored buildings in California's Owen's Valley. Passes are FREE :). The land is 814 acres, so be sure to bring your water (especially in the hot summers).

It is estimated that two thirds of all Japanese Americans interned at Manzanar were American citizens at birth.  The remainer were legal residents that lived in the state for decades,  but were denied citizenship.  The first Japanese Americans arrived at Manzanar in March of 1942,  were brought to help build the camp. 

The camp was surrounded by 500 acre  by barbed wire, 8 guard towers, searchlights and military police. By September of 1942,  an estimated 10,000 people were crowed into 500 barracks organized into 36 blocks with 200 to 400 per block. Life was harsh with crowded barracks, no partitions for showering or toileting, harsh hot summers, poor living conditions and loss of their former lives.


The attack on Pearl Harbor was on December 7, 1941 leading the US into WWII.  This ultimately forever changed the lives of 120,000 Japanese Americans (or legal immigrants) including men, women and children forever.  Pearl Harbor intensified already existing racial prejudices and fear of potential sabotage and espionage by Japanese Americans.  Without due process, the US government gave these people only days to decide what to do with their homes, businesses and possessions.  Most sold with significant losses.  By November of 1942, the relocation process was complete.  Restitution was offered to 66,000 persons who was relocated at the rate of close to $20,000 in the late 1980s. I do not believe restitution was ever given with the 12 million slaves brought to America.. 

 

Salton Sea Recreational Area BONE BEACH!

Salton Sea!  I can't help but post again about this place... I LOVE IT!   Today, it's about Salton Sea State Recreational Area located in Imperial County USA.   It's located on the east shore of the lake off of Route 111 (near Salvation Mountain and the Mud Volcanoes).

 What makes this beach so UNIQUE and AMAZING is that not make of your typical "sand".  The sand is literally millions pulverized dead fish bones and gills.  The Salton Sea is literally an accident that occurred in 1905 by a flood when waters of the Colorado River overflowed into the area.  The lake was initially fresh water, however over time the salinity gradually increased.   Fish die off regularly... making an interesting.   The beach is softer than what one might imagine.  It's not a place one would sun bath and most certainly NOT swim (the water apparently quite toxic),  but definitely worth a visit if you are in the area!

It's difficult to express what draws me to this place..  it smells (often), everything is old and everything dying (even the lake).   But it's beautiful scenery, it's amazing history, it's unique geology, it's artistic population and it's fish skeleton beach..  seriously,  who couldn't love this place????

 

Geothermal Mud Volcanoes

Geothermal Mud Volcanoes are located on the east side of the Salton Sea near Niland, CA.  They are located across an expanse of dried clay about the size of a football field.  They  range in size from a few inches to over 8 feet.  The vent opening also range in size from 1/2 inch to about a foot in diameter.   The volcanos bubble (128 degrees), burp, and spit mud frequently. They make a unusual sounds :).  The mud oozes down the side of the volcanoes and then dries, allowing the volcano to grow even larger.

The United States Geological Survey scientists estimate them to be about 16,000 year old!  I believe the property to be privately owned, however it is not fenced and multiple tourists visit the site daily.