Funny.bytes
a look at the lighter side of BLM issues

Journey to the Center of the Crater

Way back in time, a volcano erupts in a flat desert area.

It's 1854 - two men are surveying the land near the volcano that erupted way back in time. The younger assistant points towards the crater with interest. The older surveyor, much too busy, waves him off. They load up a covered horse-drawn wagon with their survey equipment and drive off. The younger assistant, with a sad expression, watches the crater as he leaves. The scene fades to show a portion of the orginal survey plat, depicting section lines, the volcano, and railroad tracks.

It's 1885 - The FB Rail Road is carrying passengers through the desert. A family is sitting in a passanger car, father is reading the News Bytes newspaper while mother and son are watching the sites. The son points out the window as they come near the crater. Mother and father take a peek, then father, not interested, goes back to reading the paper. The son watches out the window with a sad expression as the train moves away from the crater. As the train leaves, a view of the caboose reveals that FB RR is the Funnybytes Rail Road.

It's 1958 - The scene opens with a large black and white console television set. The set changes to color, showing a family traveling in a large classic "woody". 1950's style music plays on a car radio as the family drives through the Desert on Route 66. A desert water bag hangs on the front of the car to keep the car cool while traveling through the hot desert. Father drives the car while mother enjoys the sites and son reads a comic book in the back seat. The son glances out the window and puts down his comic book. He sees the crater and points at it trying to get his parents to take notice and perhaps stop. Mother and Father observe the crater, then Father looks at his watch, realizes he doesn't have the time, and drives on. The son watches out the window with a sad expression as the car moves away from the crater and past Roy's Motel and Cafe along Route 66.

It's 1975 - electric guitar music plays on a car radio in a green "muscle car" as a family drives through the desert on Route 66. Father drives while mother and son enjoy the sites. The son notices Amboy crater and when he points that direction, mother and father watch as Amboy crater gets closer. Mom and son get excited, but lose their excitement when they think Father is going to pass it by. Father glances at mother and winks at her. They come to a sign "U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark, Needles Field Office." A lizard moves on the rocks in front of the sign. The family turns at the sign and drives towards the crater. They park their car. The boy jumps out of the car and runs ahead on the trail that leads to the top of the crater. When the boy gets to the top, he jumps and lets out a "whoopee!"

Amboy Crater is an excellent example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone.

Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973, it is managed by BLM to protect its visual and geological values.

Located about 75 miles west of Needles, California, on Historic Route 66, an estimated 25,000 people visit the site annually.

For more information on Amboy Crater, visit this website:
http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/needles/amboy.html

Animated "Flash" version of this page.

Funny.bytes are bought to you by the News.bytes Team, Bureau of Land Management California