A Visit to the Dunes

On our way to Yuma, Sonny and I drove through the Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area. The dunes are along the edge of California's Imperial Valley and stretch for nearly 40 miles covering 127,000 acres.  Silver screen backdrops have been set here since 1913, including Star Wars' episodes. I was interested in renting something to take a ride on so Jim and Janice took us to Glamis to check out the rentals. It was mid day and quite warm by the time we got there, discouraging riding and since it was mid week, there wan't much rental activity.  We moved on to Brawley, CA for lunch at Christina's Mexican Restaurant. While we waited for our food, we taste tested drinks "jamaica and horchata". Yummy and sweet. Our next stop was the "official center of the world" in Felicity, CA. The Museum of History in Granite was also on site. Founded on May 11, 1986, the community was named after a town mentioned in Jacques-André Istel's book Coe the Good Dragon and inspired by his wife, Felicia.

Dune riding vehicle 

This is what we really needed for dune riding.

Artwork outside of the Glamis store.

Break time in the dunes

A unique attraction of the town of Felicity is the Museum of History in Granite. The museum exhibits granite monuments made from Missouri Red Granite. Each is 100' long. Subjects include a Korean War Memorial, Quest for the Sky - The History of French Aviation (Recipient of the Air and Space Medal in Europe in 2003), The History of the French Foreign Legion, The History of Arizona, The Wall for the Ages and the eight monument History of Humanity. The History of the United States of America Dedication is on Washington's Birthday 2014. The History of California is being edited. Smaller monuments include the Felicity Stone, a Rosetta Stone for the future located at the center of the History of Humanity monuments. 

Sonny has his foot on the "center of the world" making a wish before he is handed
his certificate by the docent.

The 25 ft (7.6 m) high section number 12 of the original stairway of the Eiffel Tower is the entrance sculpture at Felicity. In 1983, the government of France removed approximately 500 ft (150 m) of the original stairway. Built with the technology of the 1860s, the weight of approximately 54,000 lb (24,000 kg) was causing sway at the top of the then 94-year-old tower. Twenty sections were sold at auction on the tower on 1 December 1983. Most are in museums and a few in private hands. Section 12 was bought at auction in June 1989 at the Chateau de Cheverny. The installation of the 6,600 lb (3,000 kg) section required engineering and a building permit. It serves no practical purpose, but is part of the spirit of Felicity.

The gnomon of the 15 ft (4.6 m) Sundial at Felicity is a three-dimensional bronze of Michelangelo's Arm of God painted on theSistine Chapel ceiling. The arm was sculpted and cast in bronze in New England. The rock is local but the installation required the assistance of a mining engineer and a special drill.

Interior window of the chapel. 

Sonny and Jim relaxing in church.  I'm looking out the door to the
granite monument.