Sign Up  /  Login

To Gila Bend..... AND BEYOND!!! LbNA #60155

Owner:AZJokester
Plant date:Nov 22, 2011
Location: 401 E Pima
City:Gila Bend
County:Maricopa
State:Arizona
Boxes:1
Found by: Squatchis
Last found:Jan 20, 2014
Status:FFFFFa
Last edited:Nov 8, 2015
Okay, so it's far cry from Buzz Lightyear going to Infinity and Beyond, but it works right?!?!? :D

"The Best Western Space Age Lodge, a Gila Bend landmark, was one of five futuristic-themed lodges opened by Al Stovall, a friend of President Eisenhower and supplier of metals and plastics to the Federal Government during WWII. The Lodge opened in 1965 and was the fifth Best Western establishment in Arizona. Other Sotvall lodges included the Space Age Lodge at Disneyland, the Inn of Tomorrow, the Cosmic Inn, and the Galaxy, all of Anaheim, California. The Gila Bend lodge is the last one to retain its novely, other-worldly appearance. Carole and Duke Fox, part-owners with the Stovall family, began managing the motel in 1977. In the mid-1980's, Best Western required the lodge to update its look to maintain its franchise membership, but the Foxes were carful not to loose the space exploration/travel theme. Tragedy struck in 1998 when a neon sign on the restaurant shorted out, the roof caught fire, and the structure was nearly burned to the ground. After the fire a large banner was placed across the charred structure proclaiming, Attacked by aliens!". The restaurant was resurrected and new additions included a new flying saucer over the motel lobby and beautiful painted murals in the resaurant, motel lobby, and Outer Limits Converence Room. Spacmen prance along the eaves overlooking the parking lot and satellites cling to the roof area. A geodesic dome by the swimming pool is a replica of the first building erected on the moon. The rooms are accented with space art, pictures of the NASA program, and photos of U.S. military aircraft. The Space Age Lodge and Restaurant is a nostalgic reminder of the beginning of American space exploration and a one-of-a-kind location along Roadside America." (courtesy of www.arizonaguide.com)

To find this out of this world stamp, park in front of the Best Western Lobby facing the pool. Now there should be a cluster of palm trees in front of you. If you go around to the side closest to the pool, your find will be in the "V" next to the biggest palm tree trunk covered by dead palm frawns.

Please be super stealthy and discreet and rehide well!! :)

Happy Hunting!! :)

Yours in 'boxing,

~ AZJokester ~