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Article and pictures by Natasha Petrosova In a middle of October , the Mojave Desert is cool by desert standards.  The wind is blowing strong, the air is dry and the dust and rocks get into everything.  A few brave live here.  However, eighty years ago , this desert was alive with trains, people, stores, cars, and cafes .  Many of those buildings still stand here but only a few are occupied.  By the mid -20th century there was no longer enough to live here for.  Not enough trains or cars passing through, not enough commerce to sustain a community.  Neither there are enough dedicated citizens to reinvent the towns.  Most of the buildings are left as they were with an impression that former occupants had every intention of coming back.  The mostly wooden structures still stand, baking in a heat, swaying by the wind and collecting dust.  Those who travel and explore Mojave Desert will notice that this desert is fill...

Article and pictures by Natasha Petrosova Amboy Crater was recognized as a national Landmark in May 1973 for its geological and visual significance.  Although it is not unique Amboy crater is a great example of very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone.   Amboy Crater is an extinct  cinder cone type of volcano that rises above 70 square kilometer lava field in Southern California.    It is located in Mojave desert of the old Route 66 .     The cinder cone estimated to be 79, 000 years old.  The interior has a lava lake .  Lava flows are as old as Amboy Crater itself .  The last eruption was approximately 10,000 years ago.  Amboy Crater is one of the few extinct  volcanos along the Route 66 and the travelers from 1920s-1960s  could boast to their friends about climbing a real volcano.  After Interstate 40 was opened the visitor and tourist to this area had decreased .   Yo...

Ludlow  Article and photography bt Natasha Petrosova Ludlow is one of the small towns that stands along the historic route 66 .  Route 66 was called a "Mother Road" - stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California.  This 2448 mile road opened in 1926 and was not completely paved till 1937.  It crossed 8 states and three times zones,  Songs were written about it " Get your Kicks on Route 66" and 1960's television series was inspired by this iconic road.   Towns that had sprung up were deserted when Route 66 was replaced by more modern four-plus-lane highways, which became very necessary as America became more prosperous and mobile.     It said that town Ludlow died not only once but twice, although today there are still about 10 residents that reside there.  Ludlow was first established in 1882 as a water stop on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad and named after rail car repairman Wiliam B. Lud...