Jan 6, 2019
Day 4
elvis! my love! elvis’ music makes up some of the soundtrack to my childhood, man. rock-a-hula is one of my favorites by him because it’s so fun to sing along to
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from China
seen from Malaysia
seen from Germany
seen from China
seen from Canada
seen from Russia
seen from Bulgaria
seen from Malaysia
seen from Singapore
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from Türkiye
seen from Japan
seen from Japan
Day 4
elvis! my love! elvis’ music makes up some of the soundtrack to my childhood, man. rock-a-hula is one of my favorites by him because it’s so fun to sing along to
Abandoned Water Park In The Desert - June Road Trip Day One
I've driven towards Vegas a few times in the past couple of years and I started noticing something in the middle of the desert a little past Barstow on the 15 whic appeared to be (and is) an abandoned water park. The decaying billboard is clearly visible from the freeway but it's just so out of place that it doesn't seem to make any sense when you see it the first time so maybe it is just a blip on the mental radar for many.
It's seriously in the middle of nowhere. Anyone who has ever driven to Vegas knows that the 15 once you pass (and before you get to) Barstow is nothing but barren desert and very unpopulated. It's far enough away from the population center of Barstow that I just can't imagine anyone who ever lived in Barstow would have been a serious target client (and if you've ever actually stopped in Barstow this would make even more sense - but I will stop that train of thought before insulting any Barstownians (made that word up on the spot!)
Anyhow - I have an affinity for the abandoned. I'm not sure when it started. I do know very much that I am not alone (do a search for 'ruinporn' and you will see if you doubt). Anyhow, I put this stop as the first item on my random June road trip and it happened to coincide with the day before the mega full moon. No, the moon wasn't actually going to be full but it was close and it would share the same intensity from proximity.
Since I detest traffic I tend to take off on trips in the evening and get out of SD/LA/OC in the early night and this fit well with visiting the water park. BTW - I had read a decent amount about the place - it was a bad idea that went BK in the end of the 90's, was sold in the early 2k's but never got back off the ground and according to the interwebs you can walk straight in without being questioned.
As it turns out perhaps the land owners got annoyed with the visits. Apparently it had become a bit of a skate spot although it didn't seem to have the type of terrain I would consider skateable but I digress.
I didn't expect the dogs ..... I arrived at about 1:00 AM. It was simple to find - you can see it from the 15. You can park right in front and walk right up to the billboard. There are some half assed fences with signs on them but they don't surround the property - they look like they are cordoning off segments. I didn't have to climb, cut or circumvent any fence to get there. The sign was cool and then I saw the water tower which had a very cool painting on it but when I started walking to the other structures ...
Loud, Angry dogs. Bummer. Not in the plan. Back to the Rialta. Grumpy. Close but no cigar. No defunct water slides for me.
Driving away I decide to try from the other side. Remember where the dogs were, avoid them. Done and done. Moonlight nearly as bright as day, armed with tripod and a long exposure I drove away stoked a couple of hours later.
Literally on my way out - taking the last photo the dogs went crazy again - too late guys!
