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Traveler's Monument - Soda Lake
Traveler's Monument is a pretty interesting place, sitting on the dry bed of Soda Lake in California's Mojave Desert, along the old Mojave Road. The monument is just a bunch of rocks piled up by people crossing the treacherous terrain and adding to the pile. The tradition is to take one rock with you and add to the pile when you get there-just a simple yet meaningful way of remembering your trip.
That's what I find most interesting about the monument: the secret message, written on a plaque at its topmost point. Only people who have gone to the place can read it, since it's sort of an unwritten law to keep the message to oneself, thereby adding to the mystique and allure of the monument.
The area is remote and rugged, so you'll need a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to get there, or you can hike in from Zzyzx-but be prepared: this is the desert, so bring plenty of water and be ready for the elements. Part of the trip itself is its charm: isolation, history, and colloquial camaraderie with others who have been there before.
