Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Z IS FOR...

Z  IS FOR....
I have been waiting for this one because I had it all ready.   This is not the first time this has been used on ABC Wednesday, but I only remember seeing it one other time a couple of rounds ago It is exciting to me because I came across it so unexpectedly.  It is another photo taken while on our tip to Lake Powell in September.

We were tootling along on I -15 when I saw it -- this road sign:

This was taken on our way back, through the car window. I was so excited because I now had entries for X, Y and Z for ABC Wednesday -- the hardest letters to do and I found them all on this trip.

Zzyzx is a small settlement or community claimed and founded by Curtis Howe Springer in 1944. There were some mineral springs there and it was begun as a spa for the elderly.  Springer made up the name Zzyzx, pronounced zaiziks, so that it would be distinguished by being  the last word in the English language. 

It is located in San Bernardino County on hwy 15 between Baker and Las Vegas.  It is a legal and actual name for this location, recognized by the government. It was originally known as Soda Springs and there are still some historical artifacts to be seen there, including the remnants of salt mining and a salt mill, as well as some wall drawings and evidence of a wagon stop.  Some unusual birds and other wildlife are also found there. 

Unfortunately the spa did not do well and eventually became a hangout for illegal drug activities. So the twelve thousand acres owned by Springer, were reclaimed by the government.  Today it is used by the California State University as a Desert Studies Center.

All the above information has been culled from Wikipedia, 

Zzyzx is somewhere I would love to go and explore for myself. I think I should have been an explorer in another life as I love going to out of the way places -- something which my sons seem to have inherited from me also.

This is my entry for the letter Z in ABC Wednesday.  This would be an excellent time for you to join us as we begin the 12th round next week.  Cheers to Mrs. Nesbitt , our founder and to Roger Owen Green our worthy leader.  

To see some more intriguing words beginning with the letter Z please click HERE.

20 comments:

Gill - That British Woman said...

who knew there was a place called that..very neat.

Gill

Richard Lawry said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
photowannabe said...

Fascinating!!!
I would have taken a dozen pictures of this too.
Terrific find. I would love to explore it also.
Have a great week Chris.

Richard Lawry said...

What a name for a community.
An Arkies Musings


Leslie: said...

exZellent! lucky you to catch that sign!

Leslie
abcw team

carol l mckenna said...

What a unique post and photo for Z ~ you should be excited ~ it is a great find for 'Z' ^_^

(A Creative Harbor) aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^

Roger Owen Green said...

That IS a great place. Though I think Q is harder than Y.


ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I too am always looking for Z words.

Chubskulit Rose said...

What a great find!

Z is for...
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Wanda said...

Yes, Chris I think you are an explorer at heart. Who else could find XYZ in the same picture. My hat's off to you. An A+ for the last of Round 11.

Carver said...

Great sign and post for Z day. This is such a fun one.

mrsnesbitt said...

I can imagine you shouting out "Ah ABC Wednesday!" I know I do such things - Jon is getting use to it all be now, bless.
Denise ABC Team

snafu said...

Only in the USA could you find such an odd name. I would have gone for the much more straightforward Zion Park, but that Z is special. Well done.

LOLfromPasa said...

This is great! I know that sign - have driven past it many times travelling to Las Vegas from Pasadena. Perfect choice and most interesting supporting information. Cheers!

Gattina said...

That's the best ! lol !
Gattina
ABC Team

lisa said...

I love it when the perfect shot wanders in front of the camera!! Great find!

Scriptor Senex said...

What a brilliant opportunity and so well taken advantage of!

Morning's Minion said...

That word has a buzzy feel on the tongue--rather like playing a kazoo!

claude said...

Your Z is very interesting, Chris !

Alan Burnett said...

One assumes that when it came to naming the road, the road sign makers had a look around to see what spare letters they had left.