Giant Rock - Aliens, Exploding Hermits, and a Time Travel Machine

[@บัวสีโรเจอร์-ศ9ฝ]

You're still making excellent videos in 2040 and beyond, the Integratron works! Great stuff Steve. 👍

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Wow, that's great to hear lol.

[@davidroberson8030]

Way to go Steve 2040 and kicking butty

[@RAJ_E3]

Just don’t tell him what happens in 41…

[@triggerMB]

In 41 the venusians take him to do videos about the solar system.

[@Former_Pilot]

Thanks for the trip down memory highway. I got my private pilot's license in the late 60s at Rose Aviation in Hawthorne. During the years following that, I would make many trips to camp under the wings of my aircraft and I've had many meals in the old cafe there. I remember some of the stories and saw VanTassel in the cafe a few times but never spoke with him. He sort of weirded me out at the time. Food was good there which seemed strange because I wondered where their customers came from. These are fond memories. I'm now 75 and don't fly anymore so these are now memories of my misspent youth.

[@fredferd965]

In the late 1960's my friend Ed and I were newly licensed pilots. We got with our instructor, Bill, and rented a Cessna 172, and flew from El Monte to Giant Rock. Bill loved good food and he took us there. They had a little cafe out in the middle of nowhere. We landed on the big dirt strip and went to the cafe, run by flying saucer cult people. The place had a normal counter - looked like a typical 50's cafe. They had numerous framed, noterized space encounter testimonials fastened to the walls. They were also selling plastic flying saucer model airplane kits at the counter. "No funny remarks," Bill advised us. Ed and I sat down, and Bill went to the restroom. While he was gone a guy tapped me on the shoulder. I looked and saw a man in a green zoot suit. He was wearing a purple paddle tie with a flying saucer image on it, along with the words "I believe." The man looked at me and said "Do you believe?" I could only say, "We just flew in from El Monte." He looked at me again and said, "Oh, good!" and walked away. The hamburgers were delicious. Bill liked to fly over nudist colonies and wag his airplane wings, so I shouldn't have been surprised. The rock was not cracked back then. The saucer cult people also had a huge tower with weird reflectors and other stuff hung all over it. From the air you could see it for miles.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Hmm, a personal story, and interesting addendum, thank you.

[@fredferd965]

You're welcome!! Great memories!!!@@conniewojahn6445

[@IEchuckie]

They scared away the aliens with all that junk flying

[@fredferd965]

We WERE the aliens....@@IEchuckie

[@lloydwellington5271]

This story sounds like I wrote it. We would take the 172 out there and grab lunch once a month or so. The locals were quite a strange group. But always a good time.

[@RobertDeloyd]

I live about 8 miles south of Giant Rock. Back in the 2000s when a small part of it cleaved many years ago, as you can see in your video, it caused my house to shake like an earthquake with a giant thump. My friend Stoney would drive out there to the cafe to buy apple pies to jaw a spell with his friend, the owner, and his wife.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Did Stoney bring bought apple pies and stories to share with you? Would've been nice. Sharing some of the craziness makes it more fun.

[@IEchuckie]

My friend "stoney". Fits perfect for out there. And that is how legends are made

[@sentry2236]

Jaw a spell?

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@sentry2236yes , for a spell.

[@arcanewyrm6295]

​@@sentry2236Talk for a while.

[@robertfansler7800]

This was a favorite subject covered by Art Bell’s Coast-to-Coast AM radio show. Van Tassel and the alien Val-Thor were also discussed.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Good discussion, I hope. Entertaining as well as enlightening. Maybe some day someone will make a movie about this?

[@apocyldoomer]

Robert, I listened with utter fascination to the Late Great Art Bell on Coast to CoastAM, for many years, but I cannot recall this particular Broadcast, guess I missed that one. BTW, George Noory , whom I detest, ruined the Coast to Coast broadcast, I haven’t listened in for an untold years, just do not like this dude, who dyes his hair and Mustache, he’s a buffoon! I am surprised He lasted this long! Good Day!

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@apocyldoomerall you can say is that he dyes his hair and mustache , and this is enough to cause you to hate an individual? Get help…. need a hug?

[@guaporeturns9472]

Car was stolen , stripped and ditched

[@okanaganrider4332]

I used to listen to that show. It came in kind of weak, but was fun to hear every evening

[@cynergy4]

I had also heard that Critzer may have blown himself up, hard to say. When I was a teen in the late 60's, my dad lived in Morongo Valley, and he took me out to Giant Rock. The room under the rock was still intact and we ate at the cafe which had newspaper clippings of UFOs on the wall. I am so thankful that he helped me to experience this fascinating piece of history! I now live just down the highway from the rock.

[@chrisnorcutt9060]

You lived In Morongo Valley My Father House Was In Flamingo Valley Ca and We We’re Out There All The Time 👍🙏

[@rcwagon]

That's the FBI's story and they are sticking to it.

[@petecollins4925]

Loved every minute of this one Steve. Where would we be without a few eccentrics in this world to cheer the place up, and those darned Venusians get everywhere don't they? Fascinating stuff as always, I do enjoy the offbeat history of the area. And that boulder - wow, enormous.

[@johnwestover5784]

I am proud to say I have now watched every video on your channel. You have a great deadpan sense of humor - keep up the amazing work. I really enjoy the quirky history you find, the real history you find, and how you can make the mundane just a little more interesting. Hoping you can find ways to explore and document the deserts on the other side of the Mexican border.

[@tonicastel2390]

Very interesting. I love finding strange & unique attractions like these off the main roads.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Although a pretty good description, "strange and unique" is an understatement.

[@IEchuckie]

Just ask Stoney

[@johnchedsey1306]

The Mojave is an endless treasure trove of wacky historical oddities. Keep 'em coming!

[@billofrightsamend4]

Seriously? This was in the Mojave? Never heard of it.

[@zapcodeknock4503]

The Mojave has quite a buzz

[@28Josereyes]

Such an incredible piece of history! I’m sure millions in our country don’t know about this huge boulder in Giant Rock I never heard about it and the history of it makes it even more incredible and interesting. I love California and I love your videos they’re highly interesting and entertaining. Thanks for teaching me history 💯

[@andyjay729]

Cool! Speaking of giant rocks in the Mojave Desert with weird histories, you should cover Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park, which...well, I don't want to spoil it too much, but let's just say it involves former Byrds singer Gram Parsons. Seems like the CA desert is a general magnet for weirdness.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Anyplace in southern California is a magnet for weirdness. Hot, dry desert terrain does that.

[@IEchuckie]

It's full of demon democrats

[@JSees]

Flying burrito Band member Gram Parsons , his friends stole his body from the LA morgue and brought it out there to cremate him, because they said that's what he would have wanted. Needless to say it didn't go well.

[@JSees]

Flying burrito Band member Gram Parsons , his friends stole his body from the LA morgue and brought it out there to cremate him, because they said that's what he would have wanted. Needless to say it didn't go well.

[@JSees]

Flying burrito Band member Gram Parsons , his friends stole his body from the LA morgue and brought it out there to cremate him, because they said that's what he would have wanted. Needless to say it didn't go well.

[@IndridCool54]

Hey Steve, good morning! I lived in Long Beach in the late seventies and used to go out to Giant Rock often. Cool place! Weird stories. We always called it Giant Rock Airport… for obvious reasons. 👍🏼

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I imagine it was pretty interesting back then.

[@johnnypkbond1251]

Thanks, I remember visiting that spot seven or eight years from now. Good times.

[@cliffordsmith3764]

I've been out to Giant Rock multiple times when I was a teen. My dad's best friend, Bill, would take me flying anytime I wanted to go (I split the cost of the airplane rental with him). Giant Rock was one of my favorite places to go. I met George Van Tassel on one of our trips there. Bill warned me to not make light of flying saucers or extra terrestrials as George would take offense so I kept my mouth shut. I've been in the hermits house too. It's sad to see that the house and George's restaurant are no longer there. A lot of good memories there. Thanks for the tour.

[@stephenmiller5023]

Yet another WAY COOL video from you Steve . A little known fact about Van Tassel’s integratron is it’s built entirely without any nails or fasteners ( supposedly) and legend has it that if a person is so inclined to use or be able to use “ Dowsing Rods” like the kind people used to find water sources in arid lands , that if you held a pair in your hands and walked to the center of the building the rods would cross & uncross as you approached and then passed through the center of the room ! At least according to a book about it I have a copy of that describes that adventure. Interesting things lay all over our Deserts & mountains & all it takes is someone like you ( or I ) to go out with a sense of adventure to explore . Thanks again for sharing this one here Steve 😎👍

[@conniewojahn6445]

Seems there are a whole lot of "interesting things" in southern California deserts.

[@desertwaters_808]

If I'm remembering correctly, we were told that it was built entirely of Doug fir in the shipping yards of Seattle, like a boat hull, with no metal as you mentioned.

[@IEchuckie]

Venus screws. Not of this world

[@JSees]

That is true, just a metal cap ring holding the wood rafters in place. It is a phenomenal structure and the lower floors' ceiling is like a stringed instrument

[@JSees]

That is true, just a metal cap ring holding the wood rafters in place. It is a phenomenal structure and the lower floors' ceiling is like a stringed instrument

[@CarsandCats]

Grand Slam video! This one hit right out of the park. You had me at "Giant Rock", but you add UFO's, dynamite and government raid and man oh man Howard Hughes was just the cherry on the top.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks!

[@StrongmanTaylor]

I have driven by this a bunch on the 247 and never stopped. I will next time. Thanks Steve.

[@vanceviter]

Thanks Steve for all your great videos. The amount of research you put into your videos is amazing.

[@susanphoenix74]

The Burning Man of its day! Great stories!

[@davidjoe3368]

My father has been a pilot since the early 60's, and he use to fly out to Giant Rock back in the 60's, and he told me that he would meet and talk to Mr. Van Tassel when he would go there, and he said that Van Tassel told him more than once, I saw them again last night! My dad said he loved listening to Mr. Van Tassel's stories. I sure wish I could have been there also, but my dad was a witness to Mr. Van Tassel's time there! Amazing place, with an even more amazing history!

[@CarsandCats]

"You must have been living under a rock all of these years!" Now I know where the saying came from. Thank you.,

[@seannichols-uj9hf]

You got this story about as accurate as anyone. Van Tassel was a genius of marketing and his crowds were huge for a time before social media. Another good story is that of Willy Boy. His grave is a few miles from Giant Rock on top of Ruby Mtn. Thank you!

[@lisatilfordfenske6916]

I lived very near giant rock for a decade and in Joshua Tree for 30+ years, as a child I remember going to the van tassels giant Rock and the integration (time machine) while van tussle was alive and working on the structure, with my father, who talked at length with him about the structure and his alien encounter. I remember there was a piano under the rock and Mr. Van tassel gave me a coke. The rock actually broke during the 1992 Landers earthquake. Also when you fly over giant rock you notice something you can't see from the ground. That it is the hub of a giant wheel with spokes, or ancient trails leading from its center out, in every direction, giving credence to the story about it being a gathering place for early indigenous peoples. I love your videos and was thrilled to watch this one, filmed in my own backyard. Keep up the good work!

[@chrisnorcutt9060]

We Played The Piano Under The Rock 🪨 and We Lived In Long Beach ca and Went To Poly High School School and My Father Retired In Flamingo Heights Ca Off Old Women Spgs Rd and Brother Still Lives There A lot Of Memories 👍🙏

[@TheStuport]

This was absolutely a fun trip Steve. By the way, Very glad to see your original Padre's Hat back where in belongs! I have heard of the Giant Rock and pretty sad that Frank Critzer died while pretty much minding his own business. I have seen The Integratron on another YT channel shown by a Lady and her sister who went there for Physical and Spiritual Enlightenment. Not a whole was said about George Van Tassel but something about an Alien's visit was mentioned! I'm glad this Dome is protected as a Registered Historical Place! You are right about the need to see The Giant rock in person to get a sense of it's size! You always Deliver The Goods Steve and Family! Many Thanks! Cheers and MOO From COW-lumbus, Ohio 👋👽

[@ScratchGlass9]

Hi Stuport. Cheers from "THE" BIG house.! 🇺🇲✌🏼

[@TheStuport]

@@ScratchGlass9 Cheers Bruddah! LQQKING forward to "The Game" on November 25th! Regardless of Rankings or Records...This Thunderdome Slobberknocker will STILL be a legit fight! But as I tell my sons...it's just a game! So losing sucks but it is not death!🤣 Hope The Tony Crew is doing as good as can be in this mucked up world! Salute

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I really wanted to check out the inside, but as I didn't plan this trip far enough in advance everything was booked up for weeks.

[@UnknownAtlas1]

Keep up the good content bro you got this

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Appreciate it

[@aboyandhisdog]

Congratulations, Steve...you made it through without cracking up once!👍👍

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I actually had to cut a part out when I talked about Van Tassel's book because I just couldn't say it without laughing. He wrote a book called "I Rode a Flying Saucer". And for some reason just saying that I couldn't get through filming.

[@aboyandhisdog]

@@SidetrackAdventures 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍

[@renoholland7090]

Thank you Steve. We enjoyed it ,as always, and we are looking forward to the next one.

[@corn677]

Man, this was a fun one, Steve. A great watch. Muchos thank you's/1

[@socalpal8416]

Always fun to view your videos Steve! Thanks for your efforts.

[@johnkaper1129]

Very interesting, short and sweet and to the point. Well done, thank you. May the force be with you!

[@jeffreysalomone6354]

So many fascinating places in the Southwest, and you seem to find them all. Great video- awesome story. Thanks!

[@jefflunt9615]

Thanks Steve, loved this one. Never heard of it before.

[@hazcat640]

Steve, this was a fun one! Love these quirky places you find. 👍

[@stevef.8041]

Another crazy good video! Love your dry sense of humor. Audio / video mix is perfect. Well done.

[@TheRunningFatGuy]

What a story! Thanks for putting this together.

[@anthonywarthold]

Have you done Hwy 6 between Tonopah and Ely ? Project Faultless would be great to see as well 👍🏻

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

Thanks Steve for all your Time Traveling, 👍

[@dipaoloboat]

My dad brought me here a few times as a child in the 1960s. The room was there then, but you couldn't go inside. I believe the Cafe was in operation too as I recall alot of cars parked in that general area. The Integratron was the big attraction and it was just standing there with nothing else around it an it appeared to be like an abandoned structure. My dad related to me while we were there the exact same story as told in this video. I was surprised to see a big chunk broken off the rock, obviously in my memories the rock was still intact. Thank you very much for producing this video, it the first time I've seen the place since the 60's.

[@davidmclaughlin2796]

What a great video, thank you as always. David

[@AwakenedWarrior]

I noticed in the old picture. How they had a deck and steps up the side of the rock that has now broken off. Im sure when they drilled the holes into this rock for support. That is what caused the the peice to break off after time. I bet if you would have looked closer. You could have spotted the drill holes somewhere along the edge of the peice that had beoken off. Good job. Peace...

[@ScottDLR]

Awesome story, thanks for the vid Steve.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@janossario3527]

I love and appreciate your content! Please, keep it coming.

[@ramong2277]

Absolutely fascinating video Steve! Humans are such a curiosity..

[@Lizerator]

So fascinating! I had no idea. Another great video.

[@paean109]

This was fascinating to learn of. Thank you.

[@jerrysullivan8424]

When I met George Van Tassel a few years ago he said that you would be doing this video. He told me to tell you that you are doing a good job with this channel and to keep it up, :) you met George on one of your trips but did not realise it. . lol

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The Integratron worked!

[@herbertcourtesie2459]

George is always "around", for he lives in the spirit of thousands of people who had an open mind to the nature of cosmic life. In the 50s, this movement was deemed as weird. Today, many people are seeking answers about possible cosmic life. If they open wide they will obtain answers. During present times, many of us are using cosmic energy to evolve and continue transforming our nature to accompany planet Earth in its transformation into a higher vibrational home. Join the select crowd!

[@IEchuckie]

Good drugs

[@johnslagboom1836]

Definitely one of the wilder and more interesting of your adventures!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Not many opportunities to talk about aliens from Venus unfortunately.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Very Cool Place, Love The Boulders.

[@erichughes9098]

Thank you Steve for an interesting video. The desert is full of interesting people. 😎👍

[@dfmayes]

I had never heard of Giant Rock or the Integratron. I'm not a backroads explorer so I really enjoy your videos. Thanks!

[@Snowcrash777]

I use to party at Giant Rock with my best friend when I lived in Joshua Tree back the 90s before that piece fell off. It was a killer place to turn up the tunes and howl at the Moon. There may have been beer and some roll your owns involved lol!

[@buckwheatsofia]

Wow this was very interesting! Never heard of anything in this video. Thanks for sharing.

[@tacticalbreadman7409]

Interesting Steve. another good one ............... until next week ✌

[@nworbydnar]

These are so much fun to watch. Thank you for all the effort

[@Coltbreath]

Great Story Steve! Thanks Again!

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

Another interesting story! Thanks, Steve.

[@everybodyyogastudio212]

I friggin adore your channel 😂 thanks for never disappointing ❤

[@boonarga]

One of your best. Very interesting and enjoyable.

[@TrzCharlie]

What a cool story, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@angellacanfora]

As someone who is obsessed with the Mojave desert, I'm really enjoying your videos! You're like a cross between Huell Howser and Patton Oswalt! (That's a good thing!)

[@Madd642003]

I learn so much watching your channel. Thank you

[@1a1u0g9t4s2u]

Definitely a sidetrack attraction. Thanks for sharing

[@leighsayers2628]

Great story telling ..very interesting ..thank you ..

[@keithcrampton1438]

I AM LOVING YOUR ADVENTURE STEVE BECAUSE I USED TO RIDE MY LITTLE MOTORCYCLE AT BIG ROCK!

[@melissam1636]

My parents were of the group who flew into Giant Rock. They eventually lived there for 6 months. My older sister remembers George Van Tassel She said his wife made great pie that she sold at the cafe

[@RENunez-sd6ov]

When I was at the Rock back in the 1970's we were able to go down into the room. The guy carved Shelfs into the rock for books and other things, Bummer you can't go into the room anymore. And the cafe had pictures of this space craft docked to the top of the rock, someone drew this, saying this is what they saw. And other cool stuff about ALEINS! Right on Steve cool story.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's really cool. I'd have loved to have seen that. Its too bad they couldn't have preserved the room but I guess there would have been no way to protect it from vandals.

[@brandonevershed5362]

Cool. I've been to Palm Springs many times, never knew about Giant Rock, not too far away!! :)

[@johnnygreene5447]

Great job. Awesome video!

[@barbaramai7610]

Love your videos, Steve!

[@joefoltz4297]

Thanks again for another amazing adventure. I'm definitely going to be there Nov 1st before heading into Joshua Tree. Thanks again

[@jimlangley840]

Really nice job ! When will you install the new car smell ?

[@stebbinsmile5908]

I visited giant rock many times before the rock broke thanks Steve for the info you provided watch many of your videos you got my subscription today keep it up for those no longer able to the explore

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

Thanks Steve! Very interesting!

[@cleokey]

Always enjoy! Thanks

[@mikebavoso26]

Thank you so much, now I've heard everything

[@LeslieIsgrigg]

A great place to have visited, I loved it, stationed at MCB 29 Palms 1974 - 1978. Great story, thanks a bunch, the integratron looks a lot different than when last i saw it.

[@dustintaber]

This was definitely one of your most interesting videos due to the crazy stories

[@stealthfighter2923]

I’m not from Venus, but I’m pretty sure that getting the Integratron to work requires ingesting LSD.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Maybe, unfortunately the only person who knows how the live forever machine works died.

[@billthorne1]

Thank you,, I enjoyed your trip.

[@glennk.7348]

Congratulations on 100k!! 🎉😃

[@dwight7651]

nice Steve... well done

[@Albisriede]

Another good one. I'll check it out this winter : - )

[@wolfeadventures]

These videos are very well done! Very interesting.

[@jacquecaeser9078]

Hey Steve, great channel.

[@TheDaubSquad]

Fantastic! What an amazing story!

[@bradbo3]

Graduated HS in 29 Palms in 88…..and never knew about the Giant Rock. Cool video.

[@anthonybaransky137]

You got a great style for narraration. Good luck🙂

[@GramsMusick158]

Very cool! Another place that I will have to take a road trip to.

[@apocyldoomer]

A very interesting story and structures, I was in the USAF during the early 80’s, at the old George AFB. In Victorville/Adelanto High Desert region of Victor Valley, and I never heard of half of these Towns and Giant Rock, and Integatron, (Sic) or even Area 51! I have an open mind and damn I didn’t know about these places back then! Great stuff Steve, as usual, thanks!

[@berthaduniverse]

Been there a few times doing nightscape photography, and I never knew about where the actual room was, I had thought it was just part of the north or south overhangs. Another fun adventure, thanks.

[@coloradoken3159]

I could use some rejuvenation. Roughly how far back/forward in time do I need to travel for it?

[@radsdad1]

Good one, Steve.

[@lastofthemohicans1]

Been waiting for this one!

[@daveh4283]

Great video Steve

[@ultraviolet9863]

i learned a lot from this one. thanks

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dantheman9852]

Very cool. Gives me the mental aspect and view of being like a small bug with the great drone views. 😀 also looks like a dump site for gravel. Maybe made by giants of the past.

[@chriscapune7873]

😀👍very cool adventure!! 🐈‍⬛🐾👍🍻😎

[@dianeday1297]

Ever hear of Skull Rock outside of Congress AZ? It's pretty cool, too.

[@bloodyeyeful]

I never knew any if this. Thanks for the education. Blessings.