Flying my Cessna 170B, the Hawkwagon, took me from the busy airspace of Southern California to the quiet expanse of the Mojave Desert. This adventure was a chance to uncover a hidden side of the Golden State—far from the beaches and cities—where history and nostalgia collide along Route 66.
My first stop was Giant Rock, near Landers, California. This massive boulder isn’t just an impressive geological feature; it’s tied to fascinating stories of UFO enthusiasts, a prospector who lived beneath it, and nearby military operations. Landing on a rugged dirt strip, I was greeted by desert adventurers who were just as curious about my plane as I was about their off-road vehicles.
Next, I headed to Amboy, California, a legendary town on Route 66. Its centerpiece, Roy’s Motel & Café, is a slice of Americana that feels frozen in time. Nicole, who helps keep Roy’s running, welcomed me and made sure the Hawkwagon got its photo op in front of the iconic vintage sign.
This journey wasn’t just about flying; it was about connecting with people and places that capture the spirit of adventure. From navigating around restricted military airspace to exploring a forgotten desert town, every mile reminded me of why I started Adventure Alaska—to share unique stories from the cockpit and inspire others to explore.
If you love Cessnas, aviation, or the magic of Route 66, this trip has it all. Come along for the ride, and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to join more adventures with me and the Hawkwagon.
*Get Your Adventure Roasters Coffee - https://adventureroasters.com/*
Follow along for behind-the-scenes moments, epic photos, and updates from our latest Alaskan explorations: https://www.instagram.com/therealbrettbaker
Be part of the adventure: https://clearedtoadventure.com/Flywithme
Some of my favorite aviation brands:
Bentley Air - http://www.bentleyair.com/
Clemens Insurance - https://www.clemensinsurance.net
Alaska Gear Company - https://alaskagearcompany.com/
Acme Cub Training - https://acmecubtraining.com/
Here's the gear we're using in this video:
DJI Mini 4 Pro - https://amzn.to/3LqGSsg
Bose A30 Aviation Headset - https://amzn.to/4cLosOo
GoPro HERO12 Black - https://amzn.to/3Ld901K
Re-Fuel Case for GoPro - https://amzn.to/3RWZYtE
Insta360 X4 - https://amzn.to/3W9VAd3
10' Insta360 Selfie Stick - https://amzn.to/4eUooh5
Apps that I use everyday while flying and adventuring
Flight Planning and Logbook - https://foreflight.com
Land Use and Ownership - https://www.onxmaps.com
Spotify, Music on the Go - http://spotify.com
*⚠️ 👀 If you try to learn to fly from YouTube, you might end up on the news—and not in a good way. I have thousands of hours flying airplanes and helicopters, and I take every precaution to limit risk, especially in Alaska, where things can get serious fast. Off-airport flying isn’t something you just ‘try out’—get proper training from a CFI before you even think about it! 👀⚠️*
#Cessna #AdventureAlaska #Route66 #FlyingAdventures #BushPlane