The fading sign still reads "Chinese Fast Food”. Once a roadside restaurant, it has become a canvas with color and creativity. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el Don
Between a BTS concert in Las Vegas and the long drive home with my cousins, we found a different kind of magic, this one lurking off the shoulder of Route 15. These photos capture the weird, wonderful stops that turned a routine trip into a genuine roadside quest. The alien-eyed attraction of Alien Fresh (don’t leave without the beef jerky), the dreamy boulders of Seven Magic Mountains, and the unexpected charm of Liberty Sculpture Park (check out the trinket box before you go in). The concert was electric, but the desert scenery and its oddities were a show of their own. This is a story about what happens when you stop rushing toward the main event and start paying attention to the strange, beautiful margins of the road.
During our drive home, we embraced spontaneity, which led us to a vibrant display in the desert; the Seven Magic Mountains on the way out of Nevada. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonThe concert may have ended, but the memories remain. My cousin’s hoodie reminds me of the BTS concerts, our road trip and the moments we shared. The best souvenirs are the stories behind them. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonBright colored statues were stark against the endless desert sky. What looked like a quick roadside stop became one of the most memorable moments of our road trip. Sometimes the places you never planned to visit leave the biggest impression. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonSeven Magic Mountains wasn’t the only attraction drawing a crowd. This ice cream truck took the opportunity to get more customers by offering cold treats in the Nevada desert. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonJust off the highway, where the desert meets a bizarre and giant UFO, green aliens and some surprisingly good beef jerky can be found. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonAn abandoned Chinese restaurant covered in what people call graffiti, but I call art. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonAlien Fresh features a giant alien holding a flying saucer above it that welcoming travelers with jerky flavors suspiciously good for a random roadside stop. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonWhen visiting Alien Fresh in the Nevada desert, this car’s customized “ALIEN” license plate adds a quirky touch to the roadside attraction. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el DonThis road trip reminded me that beauty often lies outside the car window, in unique landscapes and roadside attractions, not just your final destination. Photo by Samantha Chavez / el Don
As of June 6, 2020, updates on this page have been discontinued. Here’s what we know: As the county begins to reopen, what does that mean for you? Orange County bars, gyms,
In the early 1970s, and again in 1979, gasoline shortages triggered by conflicts in oil producing regions resulted in gas rationing and long lines locally. My brother and I were in our
As a college student, especially one without a job, I’m always looking for ways to eat without spending a fortune. If I spend money on food, it’s usually to order some greasy
As the sun sets on El Camino Real Park in Orange, you hear cars passing by, making the drive home from work. In between cars, you hear music you would normally hear
I transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara in 2017 and graduated three years later during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over that period I learned more about myself outside
If you drive 90 minutes east towards Palm Springs on any given Sunday, you’ll find the Beaumont Outdoor Market. Since the late 1980’s, these merchants have functioned as a thriving desert micro-economy,
Samantha Chavez
