Needles, California - The end of road trip #49

Located in the California desert, just past the western border of Arizona, Needles was a little railroad town.  The growth of the town was directly related to being situated on both the path of the newly created Route 66 and a stop on the Santa Fe Railway. This particular railroad stop was home to the popular El Garces Harvey House, built in 1908 as a dining establishment where travelers could get a warm meal and good service at the lunch counter or in the more formal restaurant dining room.

Wagon #277 was made by Studebaker Wagon Company.  This wagon was used in the filming of 

20 Mule Team in the early 1940's.  It was brought to Needles in 1947 where it stood in front of the 

El Rancho Motel until 1962.  The wagon was then given to the city.

During his childhood, Charles M. Schulz briefly lived in Needles, CA, and although he and his family did not stay long, the desert clearly made an impression on the youngster. Of the nearly five hundred single-panel strips Schulz produced, many take place in the desert where Snoopy's brother Spike lives.  Spike lived alone in the desert, often making friends with coyotes and conversing with the saguaro cactus – sometimes even decorating the cacti with lights to serve as his Christmas tree

Peanuts strip originally published on August 15, 1979

This street on the high school campus is named for Dave's Uncle Bill.  He was a long time, beloved teacher at the school.

We were able to have dinner with Steve & Julia, friends and previous co-workers who recently retired and moved to nearby Topock, Arizona.  We were their 1st visitors since arriving. 

Road trip #49

We were gone 72 nights

Took 3,807 pictures

Drove 2,526 Motorhome miles

We found the 

Cheapest gas in Littlefield, AZ for  $2.67 on 10-23-25
Highest priced gas in Rico, CO for  $3.57 on 08-26-25
Cheapest diesel is a tie between Yuma & Holbrook, AZ for $3.11 on 08-21 & 8-22-25
Highest priced diesel in Monticello, UT for $3.55 on 10-05-25

A BIG Thanks to our neighbor Gregg for looking after things.