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:
who knew there was a place called that..very neat.
Gill
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.
What a name for a community.
An Arkies Musings
exZellent! lucky you to catch that sign!
Leslie
abcw team
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 ^_^
That IS a great place. Though I think Q is harder than Y.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
I too am always looking for Z words.
What a great find!
Z is for...
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
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.
Great sign and post for Z day. This is such a fun one.
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
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.
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!
That's the best ! lol !
Gattina
ABC Team
I love it when the perfect shot wanders in front of the camera!! Great find!
What a brilliant opportunity and so well taken advantage of!
That word has a buzzy feel on the tongue--rather like playing a kazoo!
Your Z is very interesting, Chris !
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.
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