Looking for Hidden History on Interstate 8 in Arizona

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  • Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
  • Compared to a lot of other freeways, Interstate 8 is pretty short, extending only 178 miles into Arizona.
    Construction began on Interstate 8 in the 1960s, and the freeway was completed in 1978. Most of the freeway travels through the Sonoran Desert and can look pretty empty and barren at times. When it was built, the Interstate largely followed the same path as Highways 80 and 84. Since the freeway traveled largely along the same path as the older highways and the route of the Southern Pacific Railroad, there is a lot of history to be found.
    Unfortunately a lot of that history is unmarked and hidden. In this video we take a look at some of the hidden history on Interstate 8 in Arizona.
    Railroad map credit davidrumsey.com. All other maps credit Google.
    00:00 Intro
    00:41 B-17 Bomber Memorial
    03:24 Yuma / Maricopa Border Monument
    04:59 Sentinel Train Depot
    06:45 Big Horn Station
    08:21 Corona Spy Satelite Markers
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 367

  • @Everything_All_In_One_Place
    @Everything_All_In_One_Place 8 місяців тому +27

    The guy makes some of the most homespun, low-budget, videos on UA-cam. And there's no long, repetitive introduction, no useless filler, and within the first minute he's already gotten right to the meat of the video.

  • @Yormsane
    @Yormsane Рік тому +113

    2:20 That's just heartbreaking to read the plaque on the memorial stone. All the aircrew were aged 23 or under, barely out of high school. Thank you for shining a light on them, Steve.

    • @jamessimms415
      @jamessimms415 Рік тому +8

      52,000+ US aircrew died during WW2, nearly 26,000 more died during training, half of those occurred in the US. There were 13 US Army aircrew & soldiers died last week in a training accident in Kentucky.
      Look up military aircraft incidents, you can find accidents from the 1910’s through today.

    • @canuckgarage
      @canuckgarage Рік тому +4

      I stopped there in January. I got a picture of the plaque.

    • @eastbaykidd8574
      @eastbaykidd8574 Рік тому +2

      @@jamessimms415 IIRC, the number of WWII aircrew training deaths were higher than combat deaths until some time in mid 1943. The high number of such deaths was one of the reasons that the USAAF pushed hard to start incorporating formal checklists as part of flight training. Ironically checklists didn't come about until the fatal crash of the first Boeing YB-17 prototype in 1935.

    • @bwhog
      @bwhog Рік тому +3

      Night flying with little more than radio guidance at a time when the night time lights were few and far between, especially after 10pm, was a risky endeavor. If you didn't know the terrain, it is easy to make a mistake like that if you're not exactly where you think you are.

    • @JS-ob4oh
      @JS-ob4oh Рік тому +7

      More pilots and aircrews died in training accidents than in combat and this applies to all air services throughout the world. Even in recent times such as the last 30 years, there have been more deaths as the result of training accidents than in combat. And, yes, it is sad that the B-17 crews died so young, but that has been the case for all conflicts throughout history. Alexander the Great was 20 years old when he led armies into war. The average age of WW2 soldiers was 26. The youngest US soldier in WW2 was Calvin Graham (age 12) when he lied about his age and joined the Navy; by the time the Navy found out, he had already been in 2 battles, wounded in action, and awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Old men start wars, but it is young men who have to fight and die in them.

  • @marypflanzer9754
    @marypflanzer9754 Рік тому +13

    MY grandparents lived in San Diego where my grandfather worked as master welder at the navy shipyard. We drove on that stretch of highway in the late 1960's and early 70's. Once we stopped on the side of the road to eat lunch and I remember seeing a roadrunner going after a snake. Your video brought back memories for me. If I remember correctly the last time we drove that section was in 1973 in a jeep wagonier. Two adults, two kids and a dog. Good thing we kids got along because it was very crowded. And all the luggage was on the roof in a carrier that my father made. He was also a master welder. I know that there were pictures but after my father passed and I inherited the house, I couldn't find them but because of your video I recall those trips. So thank you for the memories. Because it was a simpler time and it was easier to enjoy life.

    • @mondobondo49
      @mondobondo49 2 місяці тому

      We probably passed you going to Phoenix when I was a kid. Good times.

  • @wadebarber6493
    @wadebarber6493 Рік тому +54

    As a native of San Diego County and a certified old guy I want to thank you for bringing me back to the west of my youth. God Bless and keep up the good videos.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +4

      Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

    • @elultimo102
      @elultimo102 Рік тому +2

      I left Lakeside after 25 years. I didn't know of anything near East I-8, except for the "Desert Tower" and wind turbines.

  • @unklemilty
    @unklemilty Рік тому +14

    I flew Search and Rescue out of MCAS Yuma back in the early 90's and had the opportunity to observe the B-17 crash site from close range on numerous occasions, but I did not know about the memorial. Scavengers and souvenir hunters have carted off most of the wreckage, but I remember there being a couple radial engine blocks and some landing gear components scattered about...things too heavy to carry off!

  • @telcobilly
    @telcobilly Рік тому +12

    As a former truck driver and having lived in San Diego for awhile, I've been down I-8 countless times. Was never aware of those landmarks. Even stopped at that rest area outside Yuma quite a few times. Great video 👍

  • @skydiverclassc2031
    @skydiverclassc2031 Рік тому +69

    It's always interesting how much history, if only local at times, lies right in front of us. Your videos always give us a good glimpse.

    • @jamesaka007
      @jamesaka007 Рік тому

      Yes, they are very interesting and informative...but, a little less face and more of the good stuff!

  • @tieoneon1614
    @tieoneon1614 Рік тому +6

    On my move back home from CA during the great shitstorm of 2020, I stopped at that WW2 monument at sunset to take 1 last pic of the desert not knowing it was there, and stumbled upon it. Thats my favorite part of the desert is finding all the hidden history

  • @darryladams5644
    @darryladams5644 Рік тому +6

    I lived in Casa Grande and San Diego at one point in my life. I've traveled down the 8 from Ocean Beach To Casa Grande many times and I never knew any of this existed. Especially when traveling at night. There are no lights whatsoever. Thank you for this content!

  • @SpanishEclectic
    @SpanishEclectic Рік тому +43

    It's so easy to blow right past all of this interesting history. Your adventures are great fun, and as a local (San Diego), I'm still surprised to see places I know nothing about. Years ago we spent some time near Ocotillo, exploring the area. Lots of abandoned structures. The people who settled 'in the middle of nowhere' were a special breed. Thanks for keeping their stories alive. :)

    • @tieoneon1614
      @tieoneon1614 Рік тому +4

      That is my favorite little area in my heart. I lived in SD for 8 years and always went there to get away from people. The train bridge, water station, petroglyphs, mining cabins, graves, cave drawings I found absolutely blew my mind. I even found an old tractor on abandoned farm near an palm oasis, from my hometown in WI.

  • @alanzeleznikar
    @alanzeleznikar Рік тому +16

    The photogrammetric targets became unusable in the early 1970's because earth subsidence due to pumping the aquifer changed their elevation too much. There's a good one at the corner of S Montgomery Rd and E Cornman Rd, a quick detour off I-8.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +12

      I didn't know that. I figured the land just got too expensive or technology just improved to where they were useless. Really interesting.

    • @desertfamilyhomestead3127
      @desertfamilyhomestead3127 Рік тому +1

      There used to be one on the corner of Trekell and Cottonwood ln in front of the Circle K when my family moved to CG in 1974.

    • @bwhog
      @bwhog Рік тому +3

      Yeah, the whole concept depended on precise location of the monuments. As soon as they shifted, they became useless for precision calibration. An interesting note is that the manhole cover in the center. I have yet to find any information on what was inside that. No one seems to know! Yet it was placed there for a reason! Be very interested to learn what that was for.

  • @trevertravis8963
    @trevertravis8963 Рік тому +5

    I live in Yuma and the weather has indeed been very strange the last few weeks.

  • @paul9156c
    @paul9156c Рік тому +4

    Now I give a thumbs up first👍, then watch the video. Thanks Steve! Sincerely,
    a fellow SD County resident.

  • @scotcoon1186
    @scotcoon1186 Рік тому +3

    Nebraska still has concrete arrows, I believe used by early air mail pilots.
    I'm working on plotting the original Omaha-Lincoln-Denver highway route. Much of it is still in use, whether as a county road or US highway.

  • @kenlee5376
    @kenlee5376 Рік тому +7

    It would also be interesting to see a video on the defunct jojoba farm and processing facility just east of Tacna on the N side of freeway. In the early 70s jojoba oil was meant to be the next great thing, so they started a farm out there. Like emu and ostrich ranching it went bust. You can still see the rows from I-8 an on google earth.

    • @zonacrs
      @zonacrs Рік тому +1

      At 1:42 or so in the video you can see the rows of the Jojoba bushes.
      Amazing that the cultivation rows are still visible today.

  • @IndridCool54
    @IndridCool54 Рік тому +13

    I’m a Tucson native and grew up in the 50’s and 60’s traveling to Southern California via the old highways and watched I-8 being built. I’m sure we stopped at those old gas stations and stores more than once. I was usually sleeping because we traveled at night. We didn’t have a/c in our cars back then and it was normally summertime and over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Love the video! 👍🏼

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +3

      I imagine most people would travel at night for that reason? Was everything open late?

    • @IndridCool54
      @IndridCool54 Рік тому +2

      @@SidetrackAdventures I’m not sure how late things were open, I was usually asleep and would be woken up for bathroom breaks. I loved sleeping in the back of our station wagon when I was young. I do remember stopping near the dunes west of Yuma and seeing parts of the old plank road peeking out of the sand. I live in my little RV now and I’m going to be traveling I-8 in a week or so. I’ll be looking for the places you have pointed out! Love your channel! 👍🏼

    • @IndridCool54
      @IndridCool54 Рік тому +4

      @@SidetrackAdventures I don’t remember, I was usually sleeping by the time we got out of Tucson! I do remember getting up for bathroom breaks and bathroom floors covered in crickets (Yuma, AZ), but I don’t know if the businesses were open. I doubt they locked the bathrooms back then. Different times.

  • @MountainFisher
    @MountainFisher Рік тому +2

    Driven the Interstate many times. I would often take the Gila Bend highway to bypass driving I-10 through Phoenix during rush hours.

  • @drgil65
    @drgil65 Рік тому +2

    Great video, Dateland use to have an old WWII AAF the I-8 cuts right through it, the airfield and a few concrete bunkers are still there, there’s another WWII monument at the Dateland gas station. There’s actually quite few forgotten historical places all along that section of I-8 you went through. Thanks again for your videos.

  • @DunnFun
    @DunnFun Рік тому +6

    Another cool place just a little north of 80 is caliente Hot Springs. More awesome AZ history there! Love your vids, keep em coming!

  • @DM-lc2cf
    @DM-lc2cf Рік тому +13

    We've had a lot of that wet weather this winter/spring, good thing, it will probably dry in the Summer. On that road many times when we lived in Yuma for a couple of years, driving back to Phx or Tucson. Nice that the memorial for those killed in the plane crash is still being honored. There is a lot of history in that area, but it must have been a really difficult life for those pioneers, beautiful desert, but isolated. Another great presentation, thanks.

  • @royfearn4345
    @royfearn4345 Рік тому +1

    As a Brit, I found your post very interesting and unusual in that you covered an aspect of American vernacular history not much covered by mainstream commentators. It is little-known facts like these that get deep into the heart of what makes communities tick. Thank you.

  • @Rfk1966
    @Rfk1966 Рік тому +7

    Nice travelogue. Not many people would find anything notable on I-8, but you did a great job finding things of interest

  • @faryldaryl3975
    @faryldaryl3975 Рік тому +5

    It's a shame that some jackhole scratched up the plaque on the B-17 crew memorial, but I was heartened by it's overall appearance, as it's obvious someone (some group?) has been taking care of it & keeping it up.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +1

      Yeah, I have no idea why anyone would want to do that. Such a shame.

  • @Rvfootprints
    @Rvfootprints Рік тому +12

    Love your vids. By the way, you drove right past our homestead. We are actually off Historic Highway 80, which has some interesting history, too. We’re between Wellton and Yuma in the foothills and we love it here.

  • @nightowl8548
    @nightowl8548 Рік тому +4

    Interesting information. I really wish you would have included milepost markers so others could easily find these sites. I live in Yuma, and there's much more "hidden" history along interstate 8!

  • @RyanSeek
    @RyanSeek Рік тому +10

    This was particularly interesting to me as you passed right through my home area. I wouldn't expect you to know this as everything is unmarked but you missed a couple of sites that contain remnants of the past. At the Freeman exit 5 miles east of Big Horn you can find an old stretch of Highway 84 from before the Interstate complete with lane markings still visible today. Now that's a durable road! Along this stretch less than a mile to the east you'll find the foundation of an old gas station clearly visible as well as a few other rusting items from a long gone era.
    Also you missed the ghost ranch at Vekol Road 4 miles east of Freeman exit. Just 3 miles off the freeway you can find Vekol Ranch which is long abandoned but still has many structures still standing. I believe the ranch shut down in the 60s and been sitting empty ever since.
    Also you just missed being able to show the Casa Grande Domes, a roadside oddity in these parts that just recently got demolished by the county due to current owners not securing the site sufficiently to their liking. I won't go into the domes much as they are well documented if you do a search.
    Great work on these videos you make. This is only the second one I've watched but I think I will stick around and watch some more. Thank you for the entertainment so far!

    • @desertfamilyhomestead3127
      @desertfamilyhomestead3127 Рік тому

      The domes were demolished because they were falling down and were a danger to anyone because they were beyond repair.

  • @kevinconrad6156
    @kevinconrad6156 Рік тому +7

    I hiked up the B-17 wreck trail just last week. So quite a bit of the wreckage and 7 bighorn sheep. not a trail for a casual hike.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +5

      Oh wow, I looked into it and read that its definitely not a well maintained trail. Really cool that you hiked it.

    • @joshhelmuth7097
      @joshhelmuth7097 Рік тому +4

      Probably the most intense hike I've had in the area, getting up to the flag on that mountain. Had a great view of a fighter out of MCAS doing laps around the area below our elevation though, that was pretty awesome.

  • @shaynestephens
    @shaynestephens 10 місяців тому

    In 1972, Humble Oil and Refining Company (today's Exxon/Mobil) had built a combination Travel Trailer Park and Service Station at the crotch of Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 outside Casa Grande, AZ. My father owned an Esso Service Station in New York state. Esso was one of Humble Oil's brand names for their stations nationwide. Enco and Humble being the other two. That is how he learned of the station in Casa Grande. He put in an offer to manage it, was selected and we were off for Arizona. We never made it. On our way out, we visited the Grand Canyon and passed through Prescott, AZ and my folks absolutely fell in love with it. So much for the Exxon Trailer Park. It has since gone out of business and has been plowed over. The desert has reclaimed it and there is a lone sign along I-8 marking its past location.

  • @wondersteven
    @wondersteven Рік тому +2

    Thanks for taking us along I8. My sons own a travel store/gas station in Why, Az. (~50 miles south of Gila Bend on AZ85) and my youngest lives in CG. I worked the store for them back in 2015, traveling from CG to Why everyday. Wish you had produced this back then as that is a very long boring drive without knowing the history. I have even stayed overnight at the rest stop by Yuma a couple of times and never knew anything about the B-17. Very interesting and enjoy your history videos. Perhaps you will do something similar down AZ85. If so, stop on in to the Why Not Travel Store.

  • @jerroldkazynski5480
    @jerroldkazynski5480 Рік тому +3

    And it's always amazing to learn about the technology the USA used back in the day. I've seen measurements of soil thickness in AZ valleys, thousands of feet down to bedrock.
    Thanks again for a great video.

  • @ksr1177
    @ksr1177 Рік тому +3

    Was just on the 8 heading to Padres spring training never knew about those spots. Thanks for the cool video and history lesson.

  • @peterhodgkins6985
    @peterhodgkins6985 Рік тому +5

    You've answered a question I've had for over 50 years! I watched that Big Horn Station building fall to ruin during my hundreds of trips past it, and then in recent years someone started renovating the thing. I never knew until this video what the heck the building was! Now I know.
    Thanks!

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +2

      Glad I can help. I'm also glad that its being looked after and not left to just be destroyed by the elements.

  • @craftergin
    @craftergin Рік тому +4

    I like to think that my family stopped at those places on Highway 80 on their way to relocate in San Diego from Nashville in 1955. I was born later. Love your channel!

    • @IEchuckie
      @IEchuckie Рік тому

      But maybe conceived along the way?

  • @dustyh.4717
    @dustyh.4717 Рік тому +9

    How you find out so much hidden history is amazing. The variety of maps and aerial pictures are great [as are your quips]

  • @TravellingTechie
    @TravellingTechie Рік тому

    The I8 Brings back fond memories! When I was training for my commercial airline pilot's license in AZ, we had to complete a 300 nautical mile 'qualifying cross-country' navigation exercise. On one leg of the flight I had to follow that Interstate down to Yuma (where we landed in our Piper Warriors). I remember being at 7000 feet, with not that many features to follow; just the road, stretching out for miles (and also the railroad). There was a 10 mile wide corridor that followed the I8 for general aviation to fly down, as either side of the road were Air Force ranges, and very restricted airspace (and used as a way to reduce smugglers bringing drugs across the border by air). You could also see the remnants of abandoned Air Force relief landing runways along the way near Dateland from WW2. I just remember that view as we cruised along...

  • @markcatanzaro9699
    @markcatanzaro9699 7 місяців тому +1

    I've been back and forth on that highway more times than I could even guess and I found this one exceptionally fascinating ❤ thank you

  • @thetrimoon
    @thetrimoon 6 місяців тому +1

    You’ve got a great presence in your videos, I love to listen to your stories and history of the location to your visit. I travel with you to places I will never be able to go to and you make it fun and interesting and I also like the fact that your family goes with you a lot.

  • @johnbrownlee7623
    @johnbrownlee7623 Рік тому +3

    Good Job Steve.............................JB......

  • @swankles3877
    @swankles3877 Рік тому +8

    I appreciate these small historical items, even if it's just a piece of angle iron marking the county line. Great job Steve 😊

  • @alparker8661
    @alparker8661 Рік тому +1

    Rolled on this freeway from the 805 to Gila Bend at 80 mph.a few years back, then cut up to the 10. Not a place to have car trouble. Thanks for pointing out these interesting sites.

  • @glennbellman1100
    @glennbellman1100 Рік тому +2

    About mile 78 east of Yuma near Sentinal was a Stuckeys gas station with gift shop on north side of hwy. The concrete foundation is still there with sign post. I used to stop there in the 70s.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +2

      I did a video on Stanwix Station and stop at that gas station foundation and the ranch house nearby. I wasn't aware at the time it had been a Stuckey's though.

  • @fabiovilaca8856
    @fabiovilaca8856 2 місяці тому

    I'm from Brazil. I simply LOVE your videos about the Routes in California and Arizona. Big Hug from São Paulo/BR.

  • @eileenirwin2778
    @eileenirwin2778 Рік тому +3

    Thanks, Steve. Another great and interesting video. See you next week. Until then, stay safe in your travels.

  • @Surfguitarist59
    @Surfguitarist59 Рік тому +1

    Excellent video. I live in San Diego and have driven I8 to Yuma hundreds of times. Even cool history on the "short" drive from Dago to Yuma. I just love this history stuff.

  • @CactusAtlas
    @CactusAtlas Рік тому +12

    Man, feels like we were just out that way (especially Sentinel - shame we didn't have time for the train depot). 😅 Great history on those places! So much history to be found. 👍

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +4

      The Sentinel / Agua Caliente area is such a cool area to explore.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +3

      Thank you. I appreciate it.

    • @billstrehl9822
      @billstrehl9822 Рік тому +2

      @@SidetrackAdventures and I appreciate your efforts!! Will check out the places in the video on my next I-8 trip. Keep the videos coming and happy journeys!

  • @cridenh2owo257
    @cridenh2owo257 Рік тому +1

    i appreciate you making this video. While I still believe that I-8 is Arizona's most boring interstate, it's interesting seeing there is indeed something to it, and that someone cares enough to make a well made video about it. Great content.

  • @juliojames5986
    @juliojames5986 Рік тому +5

    Steve, You do a great job on these videos, obviously you have spent time in research ! I have, in years past, driven right by some of these places, wondering about things out there, but never slowed down 🙁 Thanks for taking us along , on these very interesting, intriguing videos ! 👍🏻🤠

  • @davekelly9657
    @davekelly9657 Рік тому +7

    Thank you for sharing all this history with us. So much of these places are just disappearing. Totally forgotten. I will never understand the blatant vandalism. It's just wrong.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲

  • @elrobo3568
    @elrobo3568 Рік тому

    I was stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson from 1966 to 1970 and those markers were used for the U-2's to calibrate their cameras and test different films. A special film was developed to show certain plants such as poppies and marijuana which were grown on special fields in the area between phoenix and Tucson. The different crops would show up as different colors and later the technique was used in Mexico to spot illegal growing so Paraquat could be sprayed on them to kill them. Unfortunately the growers just harvested the poisoned plants and sold them to their clients and many people were poisoned by the Paraquat. I later patrolled this area and found several old structures and emergency landing fields along the route. I lived here since 1966 and watched the freeway kill off many business and small towns as I-8 was built. Thanks for the video.

  • @29madmangaud29
    @29madmangaud29 Рік тому +2

    Well thanks for teaching us more about our beautiful desert, and what's around here! I've now lived here for 40 yrs. and you've shown me many things, I've heard of but never yet seen!

  • @joewenzel5142
    @joewenzel5142 Рік тому +1

    Those calibration markings very interesting.

  • @trumer-and-co
    @trumer-and-co Рік тому +5

    Very cool. I love these types of hidden away little gems of history. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

  • @anonymustly7818
    @anonymustly7818 2 місяці тому

    I'm really enjoying your channel. You seem to travel a lot of the same roads & highways I remember traveling on as a kid during summer road trips around the country to visit family.
    My brother & I would BEG my father to stop at every roadside attraction we passed. I think half the time he did, it was just to get us to shut up. You're bringing back a lot of forgotten memories!

  • @walterbartholomew692
    @walterbartholomew692 Рік тому +1

    your Interstate 8 video could have included -- the community of Dateland which had 3 military airstrips on the north side of Interstate 8 for touch and go landing practice during World War 2 for B25 bomber pilots stationed at Yuma. This can still be seen on Google Earth maps. The Dateland area was the location of 2 of General Patton's desert training camps, A post office, general store, cafe, and motel was located at the intersection of what old AZ Highway 80 and Yuma County Highway 64E (replaced by Interstate 8), just south of the interchange at Interstate 8 mile marker 67). The Dateland community today has a regional elementary school, post office, and I-8 interchange businesses.

  • @AceMBP
    @AceMBP Рік тому +1

    Another interesting use of word Corona... It came to my attention the Roswell crash occurred in Corona NM. These are always interesting thanks!!

  • @danieltorgerson3593
    @danieltorgerson3593 Рік тому

    My intimate history on this highway began as a teen. I spent a lot of time on Interstate 8 between 1973-74-75 when I was 14,15 to 16 years old. I used an old CB radio rigged to a Radioshack battery pack to hitchhike. I got to be known as the Golden Thumb. Many truckers became regular rides from Yuma to as far away as San Antonio, Texas. The Jack Rabbits and Rattle Snakes lined the highway at night as if they just wanted to watch the lights of the sparse traffic passing intermittently through the night. Cooling off in the Gila, and Colorado rivers and enjoying the geothermal hot tub beside the highway in the Imperial Valley just before El Centro heading west. I undertook many long treks in my youth. I walked the entire length of Interstate 8 just prior to entering the U.S. Navy in San Diego in 1976. Thanks for the video reminder of an old stomping ground. My Brother ran an extreme marathon from Yuma to El Centro in June six years in a row to raise money for Navy Relief and Special Olympics, qualifying for carrying the torch during the 1984 Olympic Torch Relay in Southern California. Good Times, good memories.

    • @williamhiles7404
      @williamhiles7404 9 місяців тому

      There's also a geothermal hot tub pool located just north of the I-8 bridge that goes over the Highline canal east of Holtville.
      LedHed Pb 207.20 🎶 🎸 🎹

  • @brkaz5864
    @brkaz5864 Рік тому

    Just discovered your video and thank you! Am 73 yrs old now, and you've brought back many fond memories. Early to mid 60s grandmother would drive from Tucson to Holtville, CA to visit her sister. Tucson to Casa Grande by what was called the Casa Grande Highway at that time. At Casa Grande she would take Highway 84 to Highway 80 which later became Interstate 8. Long drive in her old Pontiac and we would only go in the winter as summer trips without AC through that stretch of desert were not advisable.

  • @fabcakegirls
    @fabcakegirls Рік тому +3

    Thank you for all of your videos. We're in SD and drive often to AZ to visit friends. I truly enjoy your finds and the history you share❤

  • @HeRacesTheSun
    @HeRacesTheSun 11 місяців тому

    Thank you for pronouncing Casa Grande correctly, it's nice & refreshing, most say it wrong including 'professional' news reporters.

  • @glennk1931
    @glennk1931 Рік тому +3

    Great video. Have driven this road many times during my trucking days. Being it was at night, it was a very quiet trip. A couple of Border Patrol checkpoints en route to San Diego. Thank you for your time and effort in making this video. Throughly enjoyed this.

  • @luisvaldes1568
    @luisvaldes1568 7 місяців тому

    I love the sky shots! The sky looks different out in the great wide open. I have drove this stretch of road lots of times. Thanks.

  • @jonathanhansen3709
    @jonathanhansen3709 Рік тому

    Are use interstate eight in Arizona , every time I visit my son, who lives in Coolidge, Arizona. Hate the traffic through Phoenix. Didn’t realize there was this much history there. Thanks for showing it.

  • @RWX348
    @RWX348 Рік тому +9

    Thank you Steve for another great informative video! I love getting off frenetic I-10 at Casa Grande (coming from Tucson) and onto I-8, which is so much less stressful, as I head to points west.👍

  • @holtwebb
    @holtwebb Рік тому

    You're knocking it out of the park. Great stuff. I used to live in San Diego (1999-2007) and you look so familiar...

  • @garyrobbins9197
    @garyrobbins9197 Рік тому +4

    What a great clip! I recently drove all of I-8 from San Diego and Casa Grande. Wonderful.
    I have a suggestion; I stayed the night in Gila Bend for the first time, after driving through it dozens of times. I even subscribed to their weekly newspaper after reading it. More Gila Bend please!

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +3

      I do plan on getting to that area more. I'm not sure if you've seen it, but I did a Gila Bend video last year: ua-cam.com/video/POwYkCHbh64/v-deo.html

  • @carlcotton1753
    @carlcotton1753 Рік тому +2

    That was another grand adventure! Thank you.

  • @davidhull1481
    @davidhull1481 2 місяці тому

    William Faulkner wrote that “the past is never dead, it’s not even past”. You show us the proof of that with every one of your videos. Even though I have absolutely no connection to your area I appreciate your efforts.

  • @milt6208
    @milt6208 Рік тому +3

    You are an experienced Desert Rat. And you know how special it when it rains and why we dance when it does.

  • @davidmclaughlin2796
    @davidmclaughlin2796 9 місяців тому

    That's another great video Steve. If you didn't do this good work, so many of these places would never be described. Thanks as always.
    David

  • @contrafax
    @contrafax Рік тому +1

    I have been the entire length of the 8 several times and never knew any of this, thank you.

  • @dan-fr9dn
    @dan-fr9dn Рік тому +2

    I love the old west. great video.

  • @giveabighand
    @giveabighand Рік тому

    Hey thanks for that! I always drive through Gila Bend on Highway 8 on my way home from Tucson. There is a silence and Godly presence along those lonely miles.

  • @mondobondo49
    @mondobondo49 2 місяці тому

    My Dad was stationed in San Diego in the early seventies and we would all pile into the Ford Fairlane and take 8 east to Phoenix to visit Grandparents. Good memories.

  • @kristinakahila8914
    @kristinakahila8914 Рік тому +3

    I like your background music.

  • @FEdeRioBravo
    @FEdeRioBravo 7 місяців тому +1

    Growing up I lived in Yuma, AZ. I lived a couple blocks from the MCAS & Airport . Waiting for the school bus I witnessed a military jet crash on take off into a hanger and a biggest explosion. double the size of the two story condos. 1979 Circa.
    Traveled I·8 from early 1970's and 1980's Yuma to San Diego & Yuma to Phoenix.

  • @davidmussack4529
    @davidmussack4529 Рік тому +1

    That was really neat. I grew up in Arizona but hav never traveled I-8. Thanks a bunch.

  • @cmichaelhaugh8517
    @cmichaelhaugh8517 Рік тому

    Fascinating! Every time I drive that route I see new and interesting things.

  • @craignevels3530
    @craignevels3530 Рік тому +2

    Very interesting! Keep 'em coming!

  • @ceciliavillasenor9130
    @ceciliavillasenor9130 Рік тому

    Thank u for spotlighting my neck of the woods I'm from the Imperial Valley,Cali. My dad used to tell me about the plank road.

  • @hollymerchant9550
    @hollymerchant9550 Рік тому

    These videos teach us how we're not to get attached to stuff but remember the people and the true grit nature they must have had. Simply amazing! Thanks for the videos.

  • @DW-qe7qe
    @DW-qe7qe Рік тому +1

    Thanks Steve for another interesting video. I’ll be looking for some of those sites next time I drive I8.

  • @johnvrabec9747
    @johnvrabec9747 9 місяців тому

    When you mentioned that the weather took a turn for the worse, IMO, rain is a turn for the better lol I live southeast of Phoenix, and I always welcome those drops of water from above, especially this summer.
    Also watched your California Interstate 8 video, will be on this road again November for a trip to SD. I always have the intention to check out a few of these historical locales, but, am in too big if a hurry to either get to the ocean or get home!

  • @davidadams6945
    @davidadams6945 3 місяці тому

    I enjoy your desert Southwest adventure videos. Being a SoCal desert rat, I am familiar with most of the places you visit, but I always learn about something new to check out. I am guessing my wife and I have traveled I-8 from San Diego to the I-10 junction and back, probably 30 times. We´ll check out these points next time we go to Tucson.

  • @R32R38
    @R32R38 Рік тому +1

    Those calibration targets remind me of the airmail directional arrows.

  • @chuckw1021
    @chuckw1021 Рік тому

    You make it interesting and you're a Padres fan. When I drive through that area now I have some history I can share with my wife. Thanks

  • @dezertraider
    @dezertraider Рік тому +1

    ALWAY GREAT JOURNEY WITH YOU STEVE..THANK YOU..SAFE TRAVELS..

  • @leslieclaire
    @leslieclaire Рік тому

    Thanks for sharing this info. I often driven that stretch and had no idea of it’s history.

  • @UniusPoenitentis
    @UniusPoenitentis 9 місяців тому

    Thanks for this very interesting video. I've driven I 8 so many times and had no idea of these different sights/stops along the route! I really appreciate your videos!

  • @garthreynolds1437
    @garthreynolds1437 5 місяців тому

    My mother was born in yums 1935 then raised in gila bend. Thank you for posting this

  • @jamescrabtree3469
    @jamescrabtree3469 Рік тому +1

    Love your videos. I live in imperial valley so this is in my backyard. I go to those places you've visited, but you've been to places I've never seen. So appreciative of your history! Hope to run into you out on the trail, safe travels sir. Aloha

  • @sjh60633
    @sjh60633 Рік тому +1

    You always have some of the most interesting videos on UA-cam. I don't know what it is about the desert, but seeing all these ruins, old buildings, etc is really fascinating.

    • @SidetrackAdventures
      @SidetrackAdventures  Рік тому +3

      Yeah, so many places in the desert where things just didn't work out and people just left it all behind.

  • @irvinwilson3245
    @irvinwilson3245 Рік тому

    You should do a tour of Gila Bend if you haven't already. Also if you trace the route of old U.S. 80 towards Phoenix you'll come across the Gillespie Dam Bridge which is pretty cool to see. A lot of traffic crossed that bridge until 1956 when U.S. 80 was re-routed. Search "postcard Gillespie Dam Bridge" and you'll find an old image from the 1920s. Great channel you have!!

  • @jerryshepherd1645
    @jerryshepherd1645 Рік тому +1

    I love your video I traveled that highway many times trucking west A old trucker from GA.

    • @bobcourtier4674
      @bobcourtier4674 Рік тому

      I drove it many times for Digby, (Did I Go Broke Yet). This guy makes pretty good videos. He says there’s no restroom, he’s standing in the biggest restroom in the country

  • @Dave-mi3jy
    @Dave-mi3jy Рік тому

    Really enjoyed your video, I’ve always had a fascination with the desert southwest. Thank you.

  • @wingrider687
    @wingrider687 Рік тому +2

    Simple but interesting... thanks!!

  • @joann5051
    @joann5051 Рік тому

    Thank you for the history lesson. I've passed Highway 8 turn off heading to Casa Grande and back again to Phoenix for work and never knew where it went to. 🤔

  • @terrybarker9694
    @terrybarker9694 Рік тому +1

    Legend has it Jimmy Hoffa was paved over at mile marker 150 .

  • @Porsche996driver
    @Porsche996driver Рік тому +1

    Sentinel train station, sounds and looks fit for a western movie ha. I need to drive out to the Yuma area, reasonable drive from SoCal! 👌🏼

  • @sandyzalecki1145
    @sandyzalecki1145 Рік тому

    Interesting. My parents lived in Casa Grande for almost 35 years and a didn't know anything about those markers. Thanks for the info!

  • @ScratchGlass9
    @ScratchGlass9 Рік тому +1

    Thanks Steve ! Another fun, informative trip. Always a pleasure. Cheers from dreary Detroit 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲