Looking for Hidden History on Interstate 8 in California

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Not enough history is taught these days. Thank you for your efforts.

[@tommurphy4307]

don't blame the teachers- blame it on the lack of interested pupils

[@2-old-Forthischet]

@@tommurphy4307 I have to disagree. The teachers make a huge difference when it comes to young children. I sent my son to private school starting in the grammar years. By the 4th grade, he knew what he wanted out of life as a career and he attained it. I know people who worked for public school districts and the main goal there is revenue generation for the school. More specifically, daily head count and graduation rates are THE main topic for federal dollars. This is why "Johnny" can't read after high school.

[@P_RO_]

@@tommurphy4307 Maybe you never had a good teacher- they could get their pupils fascinated in even the mundane by showing what was interesting about it. Sort of like these videos. Kids haven't changed but the teachers and their curriculum have.

[@rtalways]

You're one of the reasons why I'm glad I have KZbin this is part of the positivity of the internet pure family Entertainment

[@DMLand]

Your videos are like taking a trip with a knowledgeable acquaintance: nothing slick about them, just interesting places with a relaxing and knowledgeable host.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@gunningopher]

Thanks for the video. I've been a surveyor for Caltrans for over 30 years. A few years back we re-paved the section of I-8 between SR 111 and the Arizona border. Prior to that, you could see where an earthquake (1979 I think) cause a surface rupture on the freeway (about 3 1/2 miles E of 111) that shifted the road about 4'. I always got a kick our of driving across that and looking in my mirror to see the lines of the road shift on each side of the asphalt patch. I don't drive that way much these days, but I want remember to look and see if it is still evident in the road. We smoothed out the shift in the alignment when we re-built the road in 2018.

[@LeannMyway]

Wow you sparked my interest I must see this I tried to google map the area but can’t see anything. Thanks for the information.

[@gunningopher]

@@LeannMyway Go to Google Earth and hit the clock. You'll be able to go back to images before we re-paved the road and see the asphalt patch that was there. It is a couple hundred yards long.

[@tommurphy4307]

WHAT IF IT SHIFTED BACK THE OTHER WAY 4 FEET??

[@gunningopher]

@@tommurphy4307 I only tectonic plates and fault lines worked that way, LOL. It would be a lot quicker to travel to Europe!

[@petahe01]

I driven through there many times. I never seen it. I must have missed it.

[@conniewojahn6445]

People, places, things, come and go, leaving behind stories which fade over time. You've captures a few. Thank you.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@MK-fc2hn]

Everything is dust in the wind.

[@Rodriguez-g5g]

Honestly Noone cares and legends never fade its history

[@TheStuport]

Just a phenomenal presentation Steve! Your easy and smooth delivery makes your shared journeys so much fun. I wish The Whole Sidetrack Posse could come along but I'm quite sure your Wife and Son didn't pack enough "Sammiches" for everyone!🤣 The Drone Shots are so appreciated in being able to see what you are talking about. The details shared from your research really explain the Times before Modern Interstates. I wanted to also say just how much I cherish your desire Steve to honor the privacy of others when needed while filming. Absolutely shows your true character and that is not lost in here! I shall check out the links to your posted videos! Thank You so much for always taking care of Your Fans! MOO From COW-lumbus, Ohio 👋

[@SidetrackAdventures]

haha thanks! There's only so much room in the car unfortunately.

[@TheStuport]

@@SidetrackAdventures 🤣

[@cattlerepairmancattlerepai9414]

I am far from California and Arizona but am strangely fascinated by your stories and images of the traces of history. Please keep up the great work!

[@haroldhunter4671]

Having been a truck driver for several years, driving mostly Indianapolis to the west coast I loved seeing the sites you are showing on your 'Sidetrack Adventures. Many thanks for jogging my memories, it is almost like seeing for the first time. California was my favorite state, so much and such diversity. Mountains, desert, beach coast hwy.'s scenic views with historic areas. Thank You very much. Same as I remember after 30 years.

[@williambliss6087]

Doc Bruce Wallace, a San Diego optomitrist, drove the plank road in the 1920s. When I rode with him on Highway 80 in the 1950s he said that it was necessary to pull off with two tires in the sand in order to pass oncoming traffic in your model T. My father, William Bliss, laid out the original freeway in Mission Valley, Highway 80, as county engineer. He would always grouse about stoplights on freeways which there were in Mission Valley for years. There were still farms in the valley at that time and we would go fishing in the San Diego river. City engineer Charles Walker was seriously injured by a bull in a field in the valley as he was surveying for the city in the late 1950s. He tried to save the transit as the bull charged. I've lived all over the world in the intervening years, but San Diego is always a part of me as a native son.

[@73sporty]

Thanks again for letting me hitchhike on another adventure.

[@charleshaggard4341]

Dad was stationed around Long Beach during WWII and he would talk of coming home on leave to ETex on Hwy 80. Can't imagine going through all those miles of desert with WTex not being much better in the summer. Without AC. Thanks Steve.

[@usernamestartup]

My grandmother's sister and her husband took the plank road to San Diego in the 1920s. So it was fun walking on it sixty years later.

[@SRG558]

Thanks Steve, for sharing all of your wonderful videos. I've been a history buff ever since my third grade teacher walked into class in 1963 and let us kids know that President Kennedy had just been assassinated. At 70, I'm about to retire and hit the road and your videos have given me some great suggestions of places to visit. My first road trip will be Route 66, starting in LA which will include many of the places you share in your videos. I'm still quite busy with work, and so I watch your videos late at night. Not only are they fascinating, interesting and a joy to watch, I must say your choice of background music is fantastic as its so, so relaxing to listen to! Thanks, and keep up the great work!

[@petecollins4925]

Another fascinating dip into the history of the 'youngest' part of the USA. Even though much of that history is relatively recent from the past couple of hundred years it shows how quickly people and places can be lost to the mists of time. As a foreigner I really do appreciate this off the beaten track look at America, it highlights things that would be overlooked by an average tourist like me. Love the way you present it too, your unhurried and easy narration is a natural gift.

[@stevenkaskus6173]

Mr. Buck never thought his peaceful valley would have so much noisy traffic.

[@ROMOROMO-ub7tm]

We appreciate your teachings Steve. Much love and respect.

[@stephenmiller5023]

As a 63 year old San Diego native myself I can attest to Mission Valley being farm land & having seen Cattle ranches there as a very young lad . Before there was ever an 805 freeway or overpass above I -8 , there was cows & the San Diego river flowing gracefully through it all . I remember in the mid 60’s riding along in our ‘55 Ford Ranchwagon and my parents commenting on how much the river had flooded one winter leaving cows stranded for days on small isolated little islands out of reach of rescue or other cattle . Also wanted to comment on the little town of Boulevard and the old Gas station / auto repair shop that’s there on old 80 , along with McCain valley road just a bit East of it , as John was an early settler & pioneer here in So Cal and there’s an awful lot of history here tied to him concerning his involvement with bringing the area into current history population wise. Thanks Steve for all you share with us On your videos . I’ve watched quite a few now & agree with the comments here concerning your easy going narrative & keeping private things “ Private “ & not intruding where politeness seems to be lost on others when videoing things sometimes. Our whole San Diego County is just Full of hidden surprises and historical gems if one just takes the time to look & occasionally get off the “ Beaten path “. That old Garage at the base of mountains East of Rock tower was “ Miller’s garage “ ( no relationship to me or my family) and as is found in some old historical information had quite the owner , with a penchant for a bit of mischief and practical jokes , one of which was his telling of weary customers during auto repairs to “ Hike across the road to south & climb his marked trail to see the springs “ . Once the people hiked up to top they were greeted by the remains of some old metal bed springs from a rotted old mattress😆. He never tired of telling folks “ I never said WHAT KIND OF SPRINGS were up there” 😉. Aaaah , the good old days ….

[@spirral9]

My Dad got stationed at Miramar in '68. I remember we went on drives around San Diego back then after we got here, also going to some of the first Padres home games in '69. I have a vague memory of seeing cows in the valley as we drove around, and Dad saying that there were a 'couple of dairy farms around here'. They were on the south side of the stadium, just beyond the parking lot. I remember seeing the cows just sitting on the grass, enjoying the 'cool of the evening', if you will. Good times! And over the years, I have seen some pictures of the cows in the valley from that time. Thanks so much for all the history you cover. It answers a lot of wondering questions I've always had from that time. Thank you Steve!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The San Diego Historical Society has a picture of Jack Murphy Stadium with cows in the foreground. Its hard to believe now.

[@spirral9]

@@SidetrackAdventures I did find one picture of the cows near the stadium 'back-in-the-day'. I don't know where I could post it here though. But it clicks the memories for sure! 🙂

[@superman9772]

a lot of my memories are from traveling on this route... thanks for putting your travels onto video and sharing it

[@malcorub]

My family and I live in El Cajon near the 8, my office is in Mission Valley near the 8, our beach of choice is Mission Beach near the 8 and I drive to Texas and back a couple of times per year via the 8. Definitely my flagship interstate, learned somethings about this road from your video that I otherwise would not have known despite how often I drive it.

[@Javelina_Poppers]

Love your videos Steve, you talk clearly and plainly and impart lots of information to us great unwashed who travel vicariously through your adventure videos. You talk of some of these places deteriorating, unfortunately there's lots of thoughtless vandals to help them along.

[@conniewojahn6445]

People who think they have the right to vandalize always make me angry. Hopefully, someday they'll be on the receiving end and find out what it's like to have something of theirs mutilated or destroyed. Karma?

[@Javelina_Poppers]

And why do these people's travel kits always include cans of spray paint?

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Yeah, I don't get why people want to vandalize these things, but then again two people recently were caught vandalizing the Coliseum in Rome so I guess nothing is safe.

[@xfirehurican]

This info is not only entertaining, it's IMPORTANT. Thanks for documenting these roads, the multitude of byways, and the overall history of these noteworthy attractions. BRAVO ZULU!

[@Coltbreath]

Stay hydrated Brother Steven it’s hell this year in AZ similar to the extended heat wave in 2019 we are at 30 days in a row above 110

[@SidetrackAdventures]

We brought lots of water. Anytime we got out of the car it was like opening the oven.

[@Coltbreath]

@@SidetrackAdventures I bet! Love your interstate content I’ve been sharing with the family!

[@tommurphy4307]

see you in alpine on the way to the beach. were getting a brand-new jack-in-the-box uptown! jumbo jacks on me!

[@robertbarringer6464]

Great video Steve! What I like most about your channel is that you go to places I'll probably never get to see myself. I'm a lifelong Californian and just when I think I've seen all there is to see here you present yet another awesome video that reminds me that there are still many more wondrous places to explore. Thank you Steve and I'll look forward to your next episode next week.

[@DeidresTravelAdventures]

I usually get bored with long form videos, but not with yours! So relaxing to watch and I love learning about these hidden little gems that you find 🙂

[@actualfacts1055]

You would probably enjoy travelling the Pacific Highway in Australia between Sydney and The Gold Coast, it's sort of their version of Route 66 only along the coast.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I would for sure.

[@kevinconrad6156]

Good video Steve. You did miss something. The secondary building at the Winterhaven Ag Inspection Station was the "border" in the 'Up in Smoke" movie.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

haha I didn't know that.

[@daveogarf]

Thank you so much for the look at all the things I missed while living in SoCal (''83 to '03). To me, you're like having Huell Howser back again!

[@tommurphy4307]

speaking of newberry springs.....

[@Bloody1369]

As a former San Diegan now Arizonan, I've made that drive more times than I can count. You did a great job. If you ever decided to do an update one thing you can add is the old graves off Ogilby Rd, just before the railroad track. Supposedly, the grave date back over 100 hundred years and are those that attempted to make the journey across the desert. At least according to a couple of border patrol agents I have run into out there. I don't remember how many there are but I have photographed them a few times. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@tommurphy4307]

actually, they were nosy shutter bugs....and that was BEFORE social media

[@azmike1]

That was great! Thank you so much for this effort. I lived in Lake Havasu City for 30 years so I traveled the * back and forth many times over the hill to SanDiego and back. The town of Julian, in the mountains above San Diego was a favorite of ours.

[@sandyzalecki1145]

I love all your videos, but the ones in the southwest are the best for me. I have driven I-8 from Casa Grande to San Diego many times but I didn't know anything about the history along it. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I think I remember that but don't think its there anymore, but I may just not have noticed it.

[@barneyevans6940]

Our family came to San Diego in 1963 on Old Highway 80, stopping at Viejas to take a picture. We used to go up to Laguna a lot in the 60s and 70s, so I watched the freeway get built over the years.

[@SpanishEclectic]

Wow! Thanks for braving the crazy heat for us! I last drove this route in October of 2021, but have been this way numerous times. So many memories. I used to play at the Presidio as a kid, running over the huge bumps in the lawn that cover the huts of Spanish soldiers. I recall one last farm in Mission Valley, with a white house and a neat square of green fields. The area near Octotillo has all kinds of interesting structures beyond the old gas station you can see from the Freeway. A lot of the historic adobe structures in Southern California were in rough shape as far back as the 1890s. Many were reconstructed, especially in the 1920s & 1930s. The Araz "Station" is a prime example. I almost wonder if the photo is of a reconstruction, as it looks so perfect. For me, I don't care if it's not the 'exact original', as quality restoration is our only way to 'go back in time'. Your videos are always so fun! I love your low-key humor and sincere efforts to provide the most factual information. Stay cool!

[@kalslaffin]

Definitely one of my favorite videos you’ve ever made, & I’ve watched them all, hope to see this series continued!!!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. I'd like to do more like it in the future for sure.

[@rclooking99]

Very nice video! Amazing that so much history hides in plain sight.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@janblake9468]

We drove over the Yuma dunes a few times in the 1950's. I remember seeing sections of the plank road alongside the paved highway. One time, we stopped to walk out to the plank road to have a close look at it.

[@davidmckibbin4440]

same here

[@vinloy23]

You have one of the best channels to watch and learn. I also like your quaint selection of background music. Bravo.

[@stevej7139]

Having spent my first 62 years living in east county San Diego I've explored all over the place, there are a lot of things not far from interstate 8 some older than others. At the Buttercup rest stop on the 8 midway between Yuma and El Centro roughly, if you turn south into the desert and around to the left of the first hill you see that wash will take you back to the local Competition hill when people like to race up the hill but more importantly if you are a Star Wars fan, they filmed the desert scenes for Return of the Jedi about 100 yards back from that hill, there may still be remnants from the ship they blew up(sort of) and set on fire. Then if you go south from the rest stop but turn east along the freeway and go to the next wash over my friends found a cannon ball from long ago in that wash, not sure but I would guess there was a battle there at some point likely the war with Mexico, a metal detector would turn up a lot more I'm sure.

[@robertlyman9789]

Lots of dune trips inthe 90s 2000’s

[@johnbell877]

Another great video Steve. One of the best things on youtube, for this native Californian.

[@monkeypuzzler]

Love your videos, mate. Really well researched and brilliantly presented. Gives me a real sense of going on an adventure with you.

[@petehealy9819]

Fascinating, and beautifully done! I love your calm, friendly style, and appreciate your thorough research and insights. So glad I discovered and subscribed to your channel recently!

[@ramong2277]

Another gem because of the research and historical pictures you add Steve. 👍👍

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@boomtownrat5106]

I love mysteries like the Araz Stage Depot. From what I gathered from some websites, this was once known as Pilot Knob Station, an early settlement of the area. I like to use my imagination to think about the purpose of that building and the people who have used it.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I saw the speculation about it being Pilot Knob too, but then read somewhere else Pilot Knob was in a different location. Its amazing that so many people traveled by in the last 100+ years and there isn't better documentation of what this was.

[@boomtownrat5106]

@@SidetrackAdventures So, basically that building and possible community are lost to us. Like you noted, for many years people would of traveled past this area but no mention of it documented anywhere. We will have to create a new history for it. Let the imagination juices flow…

[@tommurphy4307]

could have been a whorehouse for awhile

[@danhenson7366]

I love exploring vicariously through side track.... this is how our ewu crew started but they took a different turn........ Please keep doing exactly what you're doing, we love it.

[@tettazwo9865]

Thank you, again!

[@aboyandhisdog]

Outstanding as usual, Steve! You're the best!

[@donalddodson7365]

Thanks! Always fun to see places I either heard about from my Dad or have been near, myself.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you very much for the support!

[@PinInTheAtlas]

Another interesting expedition Steve. We were never able to find his grave! Thanks for sharing.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Its easiest to get to from the east rather than from the ruins if you ever get back out there.

[@johncamp2567]

I appreciate how this strung together the locations in previous videos. Your videos are always enjoyable and informative and you save us the cost of gas…and the HEAT!! Thanks!!

[@tommarshall333]

I thoroughly enjoy you Vlogs. Was a 4th Grade Teacher for several years so spent lots of time "exploring" California's history. Keep up the great job.

[@ceciliacrocker390]

So you tought false history, 😊 lol. I am sure the government Thanks you...🫡🤑🤔😔

[@fshtank]

Im a native (Northern) Californian then moved to SoCal for 13 years and now I’ve lived in AZ the past decade. Your videos are striking a chord with me with each mile. Fantastic stuff. I’d love to see some NorCal stuff too. Gold Country HWY49 and along HWY101 + HWY 1 between Santa Barbara and Monterey/San Francisco - if you’re looking for ideas for new adventures. Keep bringing them. I keep watching. Thanks for doing these.

[@trumer-and-co]

Thanks Steve! I love all the research that you do to show us just how Southern CA history and surrounding areas have changed over the years. Really enjoy your videos and look forward to where you take us next week.

[@kimburke3189]

My dad used to take us on excursions like this when we were young. We would say "I wonder what is down that road" and he would say "Let's go see!" We went on wagon trails and got to see things most people don't get to see! I love your videos! Thanks!!!

[@richardmcgrew2167]

I was born in San Diego an have lived here for 71 years. I love your videos. You do a good job. I have learned a lot from your videos. You have showed places I didn't know existed., and many that I have visited. Keep up the informative and interesting videos.

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

What I realized I like a lot is watching the miles go by on the interstate! I used to love to travel and see the country. So that brings back fond memories as well as the roadside stops. If I were a young man today I would love to travel Route 66 from end to end!!

[@armoredsaint6639]

My friend you have a Huell Howser California’s gold vibe and that is one of the biggest compliments I could ever give anyone. Thank you bud!

[@robertlyman9789]

Needs his own TV show

[@plmintexas509]

Great job Steve showing details of these interesting places. Thanks for sharing them with us.

[@JeffGloverArts]

ANOTHER winner! Thanks so much for doing these and making me want to travel these trails. I think I8 is next!

[@michaelsimonds2632]

Wonderful Video! Thanks, Mr. Adventures. Gotta love it!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ZacJonathanD]

Found your account a while back while binge watching some Billy the Kid videos. That turned into me binge watching your other videos. Now I'm subscribed and watch your videos as soon as they come out. Thanks for the constant informative and interesting vids!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@roywhitman7109]

I don't live anywhere near your travels, Steve, but I really enjoy your videos! There's some beautiful scenery & I like your historical information! Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you like them!

[@biscuitboy3617]

I always enjoy your exploration videos, and your accounts of history that accompany them!

[@andreajohnson1796]

Going to and from California , thats the lonely road to drive , wow what a memory. Thanks for sharing Steve always a blessing

[@wilsonpicket8505]

Thank you. Great memories from growing up in SD. I was a teen in the early 70's, and definitely remember a few farms in MV. I bought a guitar from some "hippies" that lived in a big white farmhouse under where the south end of the 805 bridge is now in MV.

[@deanjennings5684]

I really like your music and straightforward presentation!

[@MausMasher54]

I carry a two iron when exploring the boonies to move snakes and such critters....

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I have to start bringing my hiking stick.

[@tommurphy4307]

they don't like sand wedges??

[@MsRmaclaren]

Keep up the great work. Love your videos!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks so much!

[@terised]

Loved watching you drive through San Diego and Imperial counties, the unique palm trees, beauty of the desert, sunny skies. Brings back many wonderful memories, and I didn't realize I-8 was only completed in 1979, the year I moved to San Diego.

[@tommurphy4307]

they had construction problems with the big bridge at pine creek

[@The_Robert.Fletcher]

I really enjoyed this, Steve. Well done and thank you.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eastbaykidd8574]

Nicely done, Steve. 😎👍I have driven this stretch of highway close to 100 times over the last 30+ years and I like to think I know quite a few things about it but thanks to your work here I have learned even more.

[@johncarson7472]

Thank you so much for your series. I love highway history and I find your show so entertaining and educational I am an ER doc living in and always tuned into your videos early. Thank you so much!

[@RennyRoo18]

The old plank road and stage Depot - my grandparents came to San Diego from Northeastern Utah back in the ‘40s, it’s amazing to think they rode on those paths and saw these things. I wish they were still alive to ask! My other grandparents took many road trips across the US via old Highway 80. Wish they were still alive to ask as well. Love the old history and abandoned things, I am literally obsessed lol.

[@ChrisW-17]

Thanks for taking us along on another fascinating road trip through time. Glad to see you back in familiar territory! One of my favorite drives across those mountains. Have you thought about doing old Rte 66 Barstow (or even Cajon Pass/Victorville) to Needles?? Lots of forgotten places out there. Definitely off the beaten path now.

[@tommurphy4307]

that part of R66 is awesome- love newberry springs

[@RWX348]

Thank you Steve for another great history adventure!

[@pwn3d_d1rt]

Just came to say I love the channel, find it super interesting and tune in often from Canada!

[@pennysaufley8974]

I was born and have lived my whole life in San Diego. Thank you for all the videos!

[@garyleibitzke4166]

If you have a 4X4 you can drive those old stage roads. I've done it many times.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I did a video on them not too long ago but ended up walking them most of the way. I'm not sure my car is high clearance enough to tackle it.

[@leesmith1526]

Thanks for covering the plank road. I remember seeing it in the early 50's when we went to Arizona rock hunting.

[@andybobandy641]

Well done, sir! I love these. Keep on rollin'!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you like them!

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

Thanks Steve for another interesting video. Traveled many times on I-8 while in the Navy.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@craftergin]

That was great, Steve! My parents arrived in SD in the mid-1950's via Hwy 80. Brought back a lot of memories of my mom taking us on road trips on the I-8 in the 1960's. In 1980, my brother moved his family to Prescott, AZ and we drove over there MANY times using I-8 to the AZ95 (Quartzite) to the 10, etc. Good stuff! I can't believe the plank road is still with us!

[@melodyhart2017]

I love your videos,I joined a month ago,and every video is a treasure !

[@edwardaustin740]

Another great episode. Thanks Steve.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

Perfect music in all of your videos.

[@wondersteven]

The few times I traveled I8, I just about only remember the place where you were below sea level. Thanks for the ride.

[@pigoff123]

It is always sad to lose farms.

[@joekursch973]

I found your channel recently and really enjoy your presentations. Your videos are a great reminder of the history that is all around us when we take the time to seek it out. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@michaelwertz6689]

Fantastic historical journey of a route I've driven too many times to count.

[@CarsandCats]

Another great video! I really miss Southern California. Thank you for making it feel like I am back.

[@donaldcarter1206]

Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

[@toddcunningham2410]

Interesting fact of Interstate 8. It’s the only Interstate in the USA where the two directions (East & West) of highway are over 1.5 miles apart, and at times you can’t see other other side of the highway. In the Mountain Springs pass on the back side of mountains between San Diego and Imperial counties, the eastbound lanes traverse the pass through In-Ko-Pah Gorge near Myers Creek. The westbound lanes were placed on a different routing through Devil's Canyon. The engineers basically cut two separate highways through some of the most extreme terrain imaginable. Also I-8 is the only highway to reach 4,180 ft above sea level and as mentioned 53 ft below sea level. The desert view tower is an interesting place, and worth a visit at least once. Very cool views with landmark tags in the towers crows nest to see.

[@brentboswell1294]

Was just there for work...in the Imperial Valley. When I was a kid, there was a water tower along I-8 with "Sea Level" marked on it at the dry river bed (we used to vacation in San Diego every year). Saw some of the sites driving back to San Diego on I-8. You mentioned old US Route 80. Part of the history of this route is in two auto club routes: the Bankhead Highway and the Dixie Overland Highway. You can probably find remnant route markers on the old highway routes. The Dixie Overland Highway markers are concrete with "D-O-H" imprinted in them with a brand when they were wet...

[@tommurphy4307]

the stamps made in the fresh concrete by local contractors actually give more info like the date, the company, and the direction the construction progressed. very few of the markers you describe are left in san diego county because much of the contours and roadsides have been modified for safety over the years. many more are still there in imperial county.

[@Rfk1966]

Another fun I-8 video. It’s worth it to drop down there and get off I-10 for those of us to your north. Way less traffic and much more scenic than I-10 east of the Imperial/Coachella Valley.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

We were just talking about this today for an upcoming trip.

[@schaffermatt]

Seeing the last farmhouse in Mission Valley is worth the whole video (which is also worth a lot!).

[@jc85364]

Hey Steve, just to let you know, I've worked for Union Pacific for almost 20 years, and as long as Ive worked here, it's been pronounced ay-raz. That could possibly be the wrong pronunciation. But that's how we railroaders say it when we are discussing Araz Junction (a railroad control point on the Yuma Subdivision.) I love your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I probably have the wrong pronunciation to be honest. Never heard it spoken before, only written so I had to take a guess.

[@glennfoster2423]

Jc85364, I lived in Tucson for almost 10 years back in the '70's, got to know several "old head" SP men, and I remember them saying A-razz. That was the junction for the Inter-California railroad that ran south into Baja California to Mexicali. On the US-80 road, the roadway dipped sharply under the I-C. May I also respectfully suggest to our able story teller that the name of the prehistoric lake is likely pronounced ka-WHEE-yah, similar to the State of Cohuilla.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Really wish small community America would experience a renaissance. It's sad to see all these smaller places, towns, farms sites just succumbing to erosion and neglect. Thanks for keeping memories alive.

[@tommurphy4307]

so, i assume YOU live in a small town? my town has about 4,000 people but is unincorporated and is included in a census-designated place (CDP) that has over 15,000 people. as far as i know, we have no erosion or neglect issues and our town is growing but is limited by the cleveland national forest which all but surrounds us (and will undoubtedly keep us a small town going forward).

[@daveh4283]

Great video Steve

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@MichaelTitera]

Great summary of the hidden spots in I-8, San Diego Steve!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@kevincrawford7943]

Fossil canyon, Laguna mountains, the rez

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Fossil Canyon is a little far from the freeway but that would have been a good hidden pre-history addition.

[@nancybaker8187]

Great show! Took me back to my adventures in AZ