Driving the Rainbow Canyon Loop - Barstow, CA

Barstow, CA

Owl Canyon, BLM 

In less than 2 hours we were at our next destination.  Owl Canyon Campground is in the Rainbow Basin which is a National Landmark managed by the BLM in the Mojave Desert.

The campground is small and spread out up against the Calico Mountains.

Very large sites. No water or electric but there are a couple scattered water spigots.  Since they truck the water in, they only want you to refill jugs, no RV filling.  So, bring plenty of water just in case.  Great Verizon.  The only downfall is you have to drive 4 miles down a dirt road.  Depending on when and how well it was last graded, will make you love it or hate it.  It was pretty rough for us.  We could only do 10mph pulling the trailer and it was very washboarded.  We only left once and with just the truck we could do about 30mph.  Still not fun.

This Big Boy was looking for a boondocking site just outside of the campground.

Those are some BIG tires.

Once settled we took the roughly 4 1/2 mile, one way, loop drive through the colorful hills.

The road starts at the turn-off for the campground.  Do not go if there is a chance of rain or recent rain.

The colors, shapes and layers are amazing.

For the most part, this road was in pretty good shape.  There was only one spot I had to get out to make sure we'd be ok.

Looks like a sleeping dog.

And this one looks like a howling dog.

This was the tricky spot.  You can't tell but the wall has a rock ledge that sticks out quite a bit.  To get around it and not get far into the ditch meant I got out to make sure it was ok on the other side.

The colors were beautiful but it was later in the day when we went.  I'd recommend getting closer to noon when the sun is up high.

The scenery changed with every turn.  Some areas the hills were uplifted so much.

Grays, pinks, yellow, orange, red and purples.

  

And still the wildflowers are out.

It was a great drive and we really enjoyed coming way out here to see this.

The Big Boy found a nice boondocking spot after all.  Very secluded.

Back at camp we walked past the wash behind our trailer and up over the ridge behind us.  We wanted to see what was there as well as find a geocache that was hidden over there.

Really pretty back here too.  You could just wander all around having a ball.  We would've done just that but it was very windy and very cold.

I headed back sooner than Steve.  I watched him from the back window try to find a way down the wash.  It was very steep and it took him a bit to find our original path.  :-)

The next morning started with breakfast at the famous Peggy Sue's Diner.  Our friends, Jim & Jennie, visited here last year and suggested we check it out on our way to see Calico Ghost Town.  So we did.

Peggy Sue's is an original roadside diner built in 1954.  It was built from railroad ties and mortar from the nearby Union Pacific Rail Yard.  The new owners, Champ & Peggy, reopened the diner in 1987 and tried to restore and preserve its original state.  They worked for Knotts Berry Farm and the Movie Industry.  This diner was the perfect place to show off their collection of movie and TV memorabilia.  They added great food and 50s music.  It was expanded over the years to include a 5 and Dime store and outdoor yard as well.  This is a great place to get an ice cream at the fountain bar or a great meal.

The gals are in for a surprise when they come around the corner into the Women's Restroom!  Don't worry.  That's just a mannequin.  HA!

Some statues out back around the ponds filled with turtles and picnic tables in the shade.

We really loved this place and would definitely come back if on our route.  Seems most of our RV friends have been here many times.  I had not even heard of it until Jenny mentioned it.

Next up we visit Calico Ghost Town