My mother talked about crossing the desert on wooden roads when she came to California from Memphis in the 20's. I will make that one of my first stops.
My grandpa and grandma used to use this road driving between San Pedro California and Tucson where both of them went to college. There were pullouts along the plank road so if you met another car or a truck you had to either back up or the other car had to back up to the pull out because it was only one lane wide. It must have been quite an adventure driving on that road back in the 1920s
I don't remember the road but I think it is close to paloverde it goes south my folks and I would camp beside the all American canel. There were camp spots for trailers with flat stones for walk ways and like porches or decks. We took a drive a mile south and an old man had built a catus garden museum there and amongst the catus there was an old leather pilot helmet with goggles he said that's from the movie flight of the Phoenix. And showed us the oasis with palm Grove where the plane came to rest at the end of the movie. He also told us the stone work where we camped was built for all the cast.
Another interesting show. I just looked over and told my wife I've always wanted to see these historic sites in the desert. But, living in Texas the drive is so prohibitive. Your show allows me an opportunity to see them live, up close and personal. THANKS!
It’s crazy when you watch a video and see where you’ve driven 5 years ago. Me and my Aunt was driving back to Phoenix from San Diego after my sisters graduation. The areas you visited on I-8 I remember and was very curious about. The sand dunes and the camp grounds I was interested in. The food mart you drove by at the end we stopped at where my aunt had thought she left her phone. We were 15 miles East she turned around and went back for it. The phone ended up in her pocket the whole time What sucked is we drove through construction 3 total times for a phone she never left at the food mart lol. Great video as always. 👍
Russ, imagine navigating the Plank Road with a Model A Ford across the vast desert towards San Diego. The narrow road took one vehicle at a time, but there were strategic turnouts to allow opposing traffic to pass.
🙋♀️Hello Russ! Turned into a really nice day. Breezy. Puffy clouds that seemed low enough you could almost touch them. Buttercup Sand Dunes is a great place for ATV's with a spacious area for boon docking, & bathrooms. Amazing how they did their roads back then. The wood looks to nice to be an old road. Wonder what kind of wood they used back then? Enjoy the rest of your evening, have a nice day tomorrow Russ.
Hey Russ, you're in "my neck of the woods"! I live in Holtville, so it's only 35 miles from my house to the Old Plank Road. I have many, many memories of camping at Pilot Knob, and off of Ogilby Road, and off roading out at Glamis. My dad likes to hunt mule deer between Highway 78 and the Colorado River, so I've been out there a lot also. Anyway, I really enjoyed your video, but then, I enjoy all of them! Safe travels!
Been there several times. Stay a Pilot Knob Rv resort, next to the BLM land during the winters. Love sitting in my camp site looking at the dunes and surrounded by the Chocolate Mountains. Have you been to the Center of the World. A must see!
I never knew about the plank road I find this extremely interesting I love history. All your videos have great content but when you hit the historical areas that piques my interest even more
Wonder if any big time Hollywood Stars like Charlie Chaplin traveled on that wooden road, boring through the desert sands. Blue sky is immense in that landscape!
Loved the video. But sure wish you would have drove into the LTVA camp ground and talked to the hosts. Karen and Reynold Brix. We have done 16 years hosting LTVA with BLM in California. thanks Russ enjoy your videos.
Well probably was a luxury road for the day. If you ever get time, go to Wyoming PBS on CZcams. They have a documentary on the Lincoln Highway from New York to San Francisco. Was designated as US highway 33 through Wyoming. Old dirt roads to start out. NOW it is pretty much I-80.Thanks for sharebthe plank road Russ.
Thank you for sharing this video, I remember seeing more planks in the dunes in early to mid-60s. Story is known that there were pull offs so the oncoming cars to pull off and each could pass.
Very interesting!: Pilot Knob is a rocky landform, geologically a Volcanic plug, west of Yuma, Arizona-Winterhaven, California; it is connected to the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, the central portion of the mountains being about 7 miles (11 km) north. Pilot Knob was named for its prominence as a landmark for riverboat traffic in the 19th-20th centuries on the Colorado River which borders Winterhaven-Yuma.
Pretty cool video Russ. The desert probably helped to preserve the road. I live on Michigan and the weather with the snow and rain would have long ago destroyed a wooden road
Interesting enough my grandfather worked on the plank road back in the day. I believe he drove a chain drive RIO between Yuma and Brawley and points West before he took up work with Owl Rock in Irwindale in the late 20’s. My grandmother recalled when they started work on the 8 and Grandpa said “ain’t no way anyone could lay a permanent roadbed across those dunes without the sand swallowing it up in a good blow.” Some 50 plus years later and the 4 lane is still there but the planks are a thing long in the past. Again, great work Russ.
I learned something new Russ.:) I always thought a sidewinder was a Tornado/Twister that moved sideways instead of forward bc it was able to shift it's track pertaining to the up-flow and down drafts. Never knew it was a rattlesnake name. lol Thanks!!
For those of you that haven’t been to this area, after Easter most of these recreationist will no longer be here because it will be getting too hot, somewhere close to 120 degrees in the summer.
Russ, you mentioned “mapping “ your trip out, and saw the wooden plank road. What do you use to map your trips, and get all the interesting information?
I find it interesting you ,only in passing, mentioned the All American Canal . An engineering feat equal to the plank road . So much history glossed over is why we lose it. SMH
US National Park card. If you're over 62 you can get a Senior lifetime pass for $80. Free admittance to national parks and recreation areas and discounts on camping fees.
My mother talked about crossing the desert on wooden roads when she came to California from Memphis in the 20's. I will make that one of my first stops.
My grandpa and grandma used to use this road driving between San Pedro California and Tucson where both of them went to college. There were pullouts along the plank road so if you met another car or a truck you had to either back up or the other car had to back up to the pull out because it was only one lane wide. It must have been quite an adventure driving on that road back in the 1920s
Russ as a retired DRIVER it's interesting to see historic roads. Thank You. TAKE CARE..
Great run today, been along 8 many times and never knew about plank road but will check it out next visit. Take care.
The movie Flight of the Phoenix with Jimmy Stewart was filmed at Buttercup Sand Dunes.
I don't remember the road but I think it is close to paloverde it goes south my folks and I would camp beside the all American canel. There were camp spots for trailers with flat stones for walk ways and like porches or decks. We took a drive a mile south and an old man had built a catus garden museum there and amongst the catus there was an old leather pilot helmet with goggles he said that's from the movie flight of the Phoenix. And showed us the oasis with palm Grove where the plane came to rest at the end of the movie. He also told us the stone work where we camped was built for all the cast.
Another interesting show. I just looked over and told my wife I've always wanted to see these historic sites in the desert. But, living in Texas the drive is so prohibitive. Your show allows me an opportunity to see them live, up close and personal. THANKS!
Beautiful travel day. Those poor roads. Funny how the planks held up this long. Neat piece of history. Ty. 😊👍
I drove this way in 1961 with grandparents and parents on a rockhounding trip. Included first time to Quartzsite and Mexicali.
I’ve gone through here a hundred times and never knew it was there! Will put Plank Road on my list! Thanks Russ! Steve
It’s crazy when you watch a video and see where you’ve driven 5 years ago. Me and my Aunt was driving back to Phoenix from San Diego after my sisters graduation. The areas you visited on I-8 I remember and was very curious about. The sand dunes and the camp grounds I was interested in. The food mart you drove by at the end we stopped at where my aunt had thought she left her phone. We were 15 miles East she turned around and went back for it. The phone ended up in her pocket the whole time What sucked is we drove through construction 3 total times for a phone she never left at the food mart lol. Great video as always. 👍
Thanks for Sharing! Beautiful desert trip
Second one here I got beat today I’m Going to sit back and enjoy the scenery
Absolutely loving the desert trip! Thank You!
Russ, imagine navigating the Plank Road with a Model A Ford across the vast desert towards San Diego. The narrow road took one vehicle at a time, but there were strategic turnouts to allow opposing traffic to pass.
🙋♀️Hello Russ! Turned into a really nice day. Breezy. Puffy clouds that seemed low enough you could almost touch them. Buttercup Sand Dunes is a great place for ATV's with a spacious area for boon docking, & bathrooms. Amazing how they did their roads back then. The wood looks to nice to be an old road. Wonder what kind of wood they used back then? Enjoy the rest of your evening, have a nice day tomorrow Russ.
A lot of great history there my grandparents lived in Holtville very close to where you are at ....been there many times 🙂
Hey Russ, you're in "my neck of the woods"! I live in Holtville, so it's only 35 miles from my house to the Old Plank Road. I have many, many memories of camping at Pilot Knob, and off of Ogilby Road, and off roading out at Glamis. My dad likes to hunt mule deer between Highway 78 and the Colorado River, so I've been out there a lot also. Anyway, I really enjoyed your video, but then, I enjoy all of them! Safe travels!
Very enjoyable video.
My Dad talked about the plank road. He drove a Model T from Waco, Tx to San Francisco where the interned for his MD degree.
Been there several times. Stay a Pilot Knob Rv resort, next to the BLM land during the winters. Love sitting in my camp site looking at the dunes and surrounded by the Chocolate Mountains. Have you been to the Center of the World. A must see!
Been enjoying the videos, whole different look over here on the east coast
Amazing history Russ..Thanks for sharing.
Imagine how easy wood was to come by if you'd consider making a road out of it. In the colonial era plank roads were often called corduroy roads.
You. Really. Got. Some. Reeling. Good. Videos. All. The. Time. Russ. Very. Enjoy able. Great. Job. And. Thanks. From. Oregon
I never knew about the plank road I find this extremely interesting I love history. All your videos have great content but when you hit the historical areas that piques my interest even more
It took 13,000 planks to build the road and it covered 6.5 miles, very cool video Russ.....
Thank you for another great video Russ! You’re definitely our favorite source for cool camping areas in Arizona!
My uncle use to tell me about him driving it and what you had to do when you met another car. They had areas where you had to get off.
Wonder if any big time Hollywood Stars like Charlie Chaplin traveled on that wooden road, boring through the desert sands. Blue sky is immense in that landscape!
sweet! Gotta settle in and enjoy another beautiful Russ video!
Loved the video. But sure wish you would have drove into the LTVA camp ground and talked to the hosts. Karen and Reynold Brix. We have done 16 years hosting LTVA with BLM in California. thanks Russ enjoy your videos.
Thanks for sharing the ride
✌💖🎼🎵🎶
Those clouds look like huge dollops of cool whip......beautiful country.........
DEFINITELY, check out Felicity!!! The "official" Center of the World!!! Quite a story. Was there quite a while back. Will definitely return!!!
Thank you for the ride along. Another great video.
Super couleurs, super lumière, super paysage, super vidéo, merci Russ
Good one Russ!!
Thanks for the ride along!
Dont stop rollin Russ always like your videos keep them coming
Thanks for the ride mate.
Love it .
Well probably was a luxury road for the day. If you ever get time, go to Wyoming PBS on CZcams. They have a documentary on the Lincoln Highway from New York to San Francisco. Was designated as US highway 33 through Wyoming. Old dirt roads to start out. NOW it is pretty much I-80.Thanks for sharebthe plank road Russ.
Thank you for sharing this video, I remember seeing more planks in the dunes in early to mid-60s. Story is known that there were pull offs so the oncoming cars to pull off and each could pass.
Learned something new again, thanks! 😊
Very interesting!:
Pilot Knob is a rocky landform, geologically a Volcanic plug, west of Yuma, Arizona-Winterhaven, California; it is connected to the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, the central portion of the mountains being about 7 miles (11 km) north. Pilot Knob was named for its prominence as a landmark for riverboat traffic in the 19th-20th centuries on the Colorado River which borders Winterhaven-Yuma.
Hey Russ!!! If you want to see something you need to "GO"!!! Be Safe!!!
Pretty cool video Russ. The desert probably helped to preserve the road. I live on Michigan and the weather with the snow and rain would have long ago destroyed a wooden road
Howdy Russ! Hope all is well!👍
Used to pull the 4x off the road through a hole in the fence to ride a 3 wheeler around the buttercup bowl in '88, virgin sand.
Been wanting to go to Pilot Knob. Thanks for the tour!
Sure are some nice clouds today !!!
Interesting enough my grandfather worked on the plank road back in the day. I believe he drove a chain drive RIO between Yuma and Brawley and points West before he took up work with Owl Rock in Irwindale in the late 20’s. My grandmother recalled when they started work on the 8 and Grandpa said “ain’t no way anyone could lay a permanent roadbed across those dunes without the sand swallowing it up in a good blow.” Some 50 plus years later and the 4 lane is still there but the planks are a thing long in the past. Again, great work Russ.
Good job
I got a van load of furniture I got to get to Yuma.... Jonathon Winters , it's a mad mad mad world.
whaaaat? you called?
Reminds me of the old roads in the 1700s that were called Corderoy roads due to the roughness of the road as wagons passed over them.
Old Plank Road here in NC runs right thru my property
Awesome vlog Russ! Loved this!!
👍👍 Thanks.
Pilot knob is that the only place to get a pass for the LTVA
Truck Stop in El Centro has the best home made chicken pot pies
@ 14:12 That cloud right in the middle of the screen looks like a huge cotton ball, hanging in the sky.
The frontage road you took to the old plank road, is old Hwy 80.
Hey Russ why don’t you go and check out Ajo Arizona. Lots of history there and a beautiful little town. Thanks
I learned something new Russ.:) I always thought a sidewinder was a Tornado/Twister that moved sideways instead of forward bc it was able to shift it's track pertaining to the up-flow and down drafts. Never knew it was a rattlesnake name. lol Thanks!!
When riding out in the dunes we would see sidewinder markings in the sand but never came across a sidewinder.
All-American Canal takes water to San Diego.
Talk soon. Russ.
👍👍😊
For those of you that haven’t been to this area, after Easter most of these recreationist will no longer be here because it will be getting too hot, somewhere close to 120 degrees in the summer.
Felicity California population 2. LTVA permit is actually for up to 7 months. October to April
Russ, you mentioned “mapping “ your trip out, and saw the wooden plank road. What do you use to map your trips, and get all the interesting information?
Pilot Knob LTVA is free after April 15 for heat-seeking RVers.
Wood eye, hare lip !
44 352 boards @ 10'' wide planks.....could be 12''wide planks though?..if so then 36 960 planks.
Is that the border wall the white fence?
I find it interesting you ,only in passing, mentioned the All American Canal . An engineering feat equal to the plank road . So much history glossed over is why we lose it. SMH
What senior discount card are you talking about ?
No LTVA are cheap
US National Park card. If you're over 62 you can get a Senior lifetime pass for $80. Free admittance to national parks and recreation areas and discounts on camping fees.
I use to live in Calexico
I used to live in Mexico
He's got the Park pass. He can go anywhere and fly the drone
I used to dove hunt in calexico and cross the border for the girls
Are you using a conversion Vam
First
Literally first half of your video is looking out your windshield on the way there. Geez!
Are you going to visit area 51?
I think soon as his clearance is Authorized!
That close to Mexico did you see the brave men and women of I.C.E. bust any illegal immigrants?
WHO drives all them miles to see sand & boards?
Too bad people used most of it for firewood! No respect!
Blm?..black lives matter? I hear you say that all the time..what is blm you are referring to?
Bureau Land Management
Thank you..that clears that up👍😁😎
Bureau of land management