End of an Era

 Remember the lonely call box along the side of a desolate highway? They were like a beacon of hope. You knew that if things got bad, it could serve as your lifeline to get help. I never had the occasion to use one (thankfully), but I did reference one on a regular basis.

For years, when we would hike out in the remote eastern end of Joshua Tree National Park, we would often meet at the "call box turnout". There are very few turnouts in this area, so finding one paved or semi-paved (where you won't get stuck in soft sand) is a big deal. When the location has a call box, it makes it even easier to identify. Added bonus: The call box has reflective material on it, making it easy to spot at night.

 

So imagine my surprise when I was driving by recently on my way to another remote hike when I noticed the call box turnout was missing its call box! Oh no!!

Yup, no call box. It used to be located near the end of the old asphalt, standing proud for all to see. I mentioned it to my friend Mark, who summed it up best: "I'll miss my headlamp picking up its reflection on those late nights hiking back to the car in the dark. It was sort of a friendly beacon, letting you know you made it back safely!"

 

From a local newspaper (Victorville Daily Press, July 22, 2025):

"The hundreds of iconic yellow call boxes that have lined freeways and highways for more than 35 years will soon be a memory in the rearview mirror as transportation officials have begun the process of removing the devices, which they say have been rendered obsolete by cell phones."

 

Yup, like wristwatches, alarm clocks, paper maps, landline phones, and a slew of other stuff that is now done on our phones, highway call boxes are officially obsolete! Not sure if this is something going on just in my neck of the woods or across the country, but it does seem inevitable. After I got over my shock, I got back in the Jeep and continued on to my next adventure. I passed by this old Joshua Tree National Park sign. It looks ancient, and the road where it's located looks almost hidden and rarely used. Sounds like the perfect spot for a future visit!

 

I wanted to hike up this wash because there are some pictographs at the entrance to the wash. There might be more further up the wash? Perhaps a long shot, but you never know. At the very least, I would enjoy hiking up a wash that looks to be seldom visited, and one I had never hiked before.

This tree appears to be barely surviving. I was impressed by the network of bare branches and roots. Very odd.

 

This Ocotillo tree didn't survive.

 

Due to recent rains, much of the area was green. This in spite of the fact that this is low desert and one of the hottest areas in Joshua tree. You must totally avoid this area during the summer months. On this day, there were areas (photo above) that felt like I was strolling in a park!

 

 

 

Tilted rock.

 

 

I didn't find any petroglyphs, although I barely scratched the surface of exploring the area. I did run across "O.A.O." scratched into a huge boulder. Probably some old miner working the area years ago.
 

Not too far away, more initials, dated January 1931. I wonder if MJD knew OAO?

 

 

There were some flowers to admire during my hike, even though it was late December. I've learned that many desert plants are forced to be opportunists, and will bloom whenever water is available, somehow knowing it could be many more months before the next rain.

 

I need to really hustle down the wash and back to my car. I'm meeting a couple friends for some night photography. Stay tuned, and thanks for dropping by!!

   

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

 

PS: If you see a call box, stop and take a picture for the grandkids!