Our next installment in the "Virtual Tour" series over on the 'roadwaywiz' YouTube channel is scheduled to take place on Saturday (4/25) at 6 PM ET. Come join me and members of the AARoads community as we profile Interstate 8 across southern California and discuss the history and features of this highway, all while enjoying a real-time video trip along the length of the freeway Yuma, AZ and San Diego, CA.
A link to the event location can be found below:
As you tour east on interstate 8, about 2 miles before exit 65, you will see a small sign, IIRC, saying leaving LaPosta reservation. The next 400 feet on the south side of 8 was the property of my residence 2009-2016
One of the last gaps in I-8 to be built was the bridge over the Colorado River and Territorial Prison in Yuma. I remember when they started building the crossing in the late 1970's. My dad was stationed at the Marine Corps base and I was in elementary school. Back then US-80 went through Yuma. Now US-80 is truncated way back East in Dallas. The gap in I-8 put a lot of traffic onto E 32nd Street and 4th Avenue (which make up Business Loop 8). Back then I remember watching movies at the Crest Drive-In just across the main runways of MCAS Yuma. The drive in was torn down years later, in part to make room for more runways and a new Yuma airport.
I have some fond memories of Yuma. My brother and I had lots of fun catching lizards and other creepy crawlies in the desert next to the base housing area. I don't know how many lizards or anything else anyone sees in those parts now since a lot more land around that area has been converted into irrigated agricultural space.
Have this in my garage:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/3776/33434110541_9c5c8b6147_3k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/SWsyeK)IMG_5189 (https://flic.kr/p/SWsyeK) by Max Rockatansky (https://www.flickr.com/photos/151828809@N08/), on Flickr