LA to New Orleans via I-10

[knorberg]

I'm taking 5 days to get from Los Angeles to New Orleans and am looking for obscure, "off-the-beaten-path" locations to visit along the way off interstate 10.
Any ideas?

[Mark Sedenquist]

I'm taking 5 days to get from Los Angeles to New Orleans and am looking for obscure, "off-the-beaten-path" locations to visit along the way off interstate 10.

Hmmm. Well, thousands of people drive past it every day, but "The Thing" at exit 322 near Benson, AZ comes to mind -- if "tacky" is of interest. It's not that obscure, but I can count on one hand the number of people I know that have stopped at the Blythe Intaglios just north of town. And then there is always Tombstone -- I like it best at dusk. The Blue hole is kind of surprising and The Judge Roy Bean visitor center in Langtry, Texas is obscure in a good way. But my first choice would be the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, TX.

[Robert Schaller]

In New Mexico, take SR11 south from Deming to Columbus, NM and see the place where Pancho Villa invaded the USA in 1916! There's a great little museum in the old RR depot, and a state park nearby that are both worth a bit of your time.

Ft Bowie is not too far south of I-10 on a dirt road (take the 366 exit at Bowie, AZ, turn south on Apache Pass Rd./Graham County Rd.)

The fort has NOT been restored (so it is a ruin) -- it is a 1.5 mile hike each way -- so it is best to do it in the morning and you'll need to carry a couple of water bottles. Wear a hat as well. There is a ranger on duty at the site, a visitor center/museum and restrooms. If you like history, this is a very special place -- Apaches (including Cochise and Geronimo), the Butterfield Stage Line and the Army (both Union and Confederate) all encountered each other there -- with often dramatic results.