8. Route 66, Mojave Desert, Pt 2

Thirty-one miles east of Newberry Springs lies the town of Ludlow. I photographed the exterior of the mid-twentieth-century Googie-style Ludlow Cafe and Coffee Shop with its angled stained-glass window and the signs and old mining carts in front.

The interior pictures here are actually from April 15th on our return trip home.

Sitting in the booth next to us was a member of the band Guns n’ Roses, whom the waitress recognized. She asked him whether it were he when he was at the cash register paying his bill. Since I’m not really into pop culture, I wouldn’t have known him, but the waitress was thrilled to meet him.

About 50 miles east of the present-day Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, between Ludlow and Amboy, is the original site of Bagdad and its cafe. A lone tree is all that marks the spot, the town having been razed. At first I was really miffed that a car was parked beneath the tree; I thought it ruined the shot. However, with a little reflection, I now really think the car makes the picture. It emphasizes the desolateness of the landscape, as the car’s driver found the only shade visible for miles in which to park his vehicle and enjoy a respite from the sun.

(to be continued….) SUBSCRIBE to my blog at the very bottom of the page!