That’s not exactly true. It is closer to Vegas than it is to LA and is our landmark that we are almost to Stateline. By the time I get to Zzyzx, the gambling fever has started to kick in and I know that I can make the fever go away at Buffalo Bill’s or Whiskey Pete’s. I don’t even have to go to Vegas.
Zzyzx is exit 249 on Interstate 15. You may not know that if you actually get off at exit 249, it will take you to the former Soda Springs. Today, Soda Springs is the location of the California State University Desert Studies Center and is managed by the National Park Service. The public is allowed to meander around Lake Tuendae and the shore of Soda Dry Lake. Curtis Howe Springer created Lake Tuendae in the 1940’s. Mr. Springer was an interesting man and was labeled "King of Quacks" by the American Medical Association in 1969. You can learn more about Springer on the Roadside America site. It is really an interesting story.
However, we have enjoyed the sign on I15 for many years. It has come to mean that Vegas is near. It also says that we are near family who live in Searchlight, Nevada and proudly have a picture of the sign on their wall. It is a sign that has been there since I was small and is part of my history too. Zzyzx is not the last place on earth but it is appropriate that it is the last entry for the A to Z challenge.
Photo credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/grenade/3885645465/
Yes, my parents enjoyed that sign for years, I a couple of times, and thanks for the correct way to say the name!! I will bet millions of people have mulled that over and over after passing the sign...I always did!! Great post to end the challenge!! Sandy
ReplyDeleteWhat a crazy sounding place! I thought you'd made it up but the sign is for real. We are planning on going to Vegas at some point and I'd love to be able to drive that way and see the sign. Very appropriate to end the challenge with. Hope you will keep up the blogging!
ReplyDeleteFun! I have never heard of that place! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual sounding name and a great way to end the challenge. I've really enjoyed reading your challenge posts and look forward to reading more of your blog in the future.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that. I wonder if my husband would remember that sign. I'll have to ask him. I was wondering what you would come up with for the letter Z -
ReplyDeleteGood job!!!
What a very cool name! And thanks for the pronunciation tip, because I'm not sure I'd have gotten that right.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Ann, on making it through to the end of the challenge--so great to have met you. :)
Great way to end out the Challenge, Ann, I've thoroughly enjoyed your blog and will return! I remember seeing that sign on our last road trip through Vegas and was wondering how it was pronounced.
ReplyDeleteCrazy. I never would have guessed such a place existed. LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I saw that sign. My brother and I laughed and laughed at it, wondering how one would pronounce such a thing.
ReplyDeleteBefore you said where the sign was, I thought I'd seen it before. Uh-huh! The name of your relatives' town intrigues me: Searchlight. I don't envision Hollywood searchlights but those of space ships. :-) Glad to have met you, Ann, and to know about your blog. Zazzily we go!
ReplyDeleteThat's the best name for a road I've ever seen! (Sorry it took me so long to get here. I'm off to read more of your AtoZ posts.)
ReplyDeleteThat's hysterical, Ann! Way too funny :) Thanks for the wonderful giggle today!
ReplyDelete