General George S. Patton, Jr.

This did not look like the Patton I was expecting. Oh yea, I was expecting to see George Scott who always seemed to "play" Patton in movies. No wonder I had to look twice.
Picture to left includes George S Patton in Europe, far right.

Who of us knew that General Patton established Desert Training Camps in the California, Arizona and a part of Nevada deserts. They were created based on the thought that the U.S. troops needed to receive realistic training in the deserts before going to North Africa to aid the British in fighting the Germans...you know World War II.

As shown in the rendering below, marking camps and rivers, including mountains:

The area Patton choose 16,200 acres of land which was sandy and full of dry salt beds, flat and wide valleys, rocks and gorges. Elevations ranged from sea level to 7,000 feet. Temperatures hit 120 in the summer and freezing in the winter. There wasn't much water but a lot of snakes and cactus. General Patton referred to the area as "the land that God forgot". Must have been perfect for fighting in North Africa, though. Some of the guys got fooled, however, cuz they never saw the deserts of Africa but the deep snows of Europe.

The memorial is along I-10, east of Indio in Southern California in a spot named Chirico Summit. Inside the building is a wide collection of articles from WWII, including vehicles and prizes taken from the Nazi's. Outside many of the vehicles used in the desert training excercises are to be found.

The outdoor chapel appears today as it was built in the 1940's. It was used by the boys on a daily basis; before they were heading out or just as a place for quite contemplation.

All in all the stop is well worth the nominal fee of under $5 and a good way to spend a couple hours out of the hot, sunny desert.

Glad to let you know I am finally back on line and once again able to upload pictures. Watch for more exciting places to visit in the next few days. Traveling with Katydid, TTFN