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Deserts are probably one of the harshest environments out there. With very little water and often extreme temperatures, they certainly aren’t places many ordinary people want to explore. Or are they?
You might be surprised to hear this, but today more than one billion people (yes, “billion” with a b) live in and around deserts. The reasons for that are a few, the most important of them being the fact that humans are simply very adaptable. We have figured out ways to survive and even thrive in places where very few animals can. Dubai, Casablanca, Phoenix, and Las Vegas are all desert cities with thousands of people enjoying their everyday lives.
Still, that doesn’t make the uninhabited parts of deserts any less menacing. Especially with all the weird things people come across there—such as the ones on this list. Scroll down to see the oddities that people have captured while out in the desert.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
A Desert Rose In Yemen
ॐBoyGanesh 2 years ago (edited)
For a short window in the early 2000s it was incredibly easy & encouraged to visit this island via short flights from Sana’a. It’s the “Arabic Galapagos,” with a much more primitive infrastructure. Tho, the guesthouse owners are really awesome. I recommended Socotra to a friend visiting Yemen two years ago and he said there were no longer flights to the island. So, being able to see this on bloom is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you’re visiting Yemen and have the option to go to Socotra, DO IT!!!!!
Hiking in the desert is probably one of the weirder pastimes that people willingly subject themselves to. It sounds uncomfortable, dangerous, and totally not worth it. Nonetheless, there are many enthusiasts out there. And, unsurprisingly, some of them get lost in the wilderness once in a while.
A lot of the times, this happens to people that get comfortable with danger and forget how treacherous nature can be. This is what happened to Ed Rosenthal who, one fine day in September 2010, decided to go on his usual 4-mile hike. He’d done it plenty of times, so he only took a small bottle of water with him and went on his merry way.
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#2
Libyan Desert Glass
Rebecca McManus 2 years ago
Shush, if everyone thought the same there would be none left in the desert
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Christof Irran 2 years ago
"... created by lightning strikes"?! HA! Dream on! It was freak'n aliens, testing nuclear hyperdrives for their kids' space buggies.
Corvus 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure it was Protoss High Templar casting psionic storms in the desert :P
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Mabelbabel 2 years ago
The pharaoh Tutankhamen had a pectoral (chest plate) which had a yellow stone in the centre carved into the shape of a scarab beetle. There was a fascinating documentary about it a few years ago-it was made from Libyan desert glass but for many years no one knew what it was or where it came from. It was thought to have been formed when a meteor hit, or exploded close to the ground and the heat melted the desert sand. I can't remember the name of the documentary-it was shown on British TV. Well worth looking out for.
Bored Birgit 2 years ago
Yes, I saw a documentary in German TV about it. It was " just" glass, but very valuable because of its rareness.
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Boris Mohar 2 years ago
NOT by lightning strikes. "Ideas about how the glass formed include melting during meteorite impact, or melting caused by an airburst from an asteroid or other object burning up high in Earth's atmosphere."
#3
10,000-Year-Old Giraffe Engravings In The Sahara Desert
Johnny Cakes 2 years ago (edited)
10,000 year old engraving. Tusken Raider "Lets walk up it and sit on it" ugggggggg
TheBadHalfofHel 2 years ago
I love giraffes. To think they have been around for 10,000 years .... amazing! I am seeing animal my 100x ancestors drew in pictures.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
the last time the earth's nutation put the sahara in a tropical or savannah zone was 10 000 years ago. Giraffes do not normally inhabit the desert. Ergo, if a drawing of a giraffe is found in the sahara, it was made about 10 000 years ago. People tend to only draw what they've seen.
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censorshipsucks 2 years ago
no, Giraffes do not walk further north than kenya. Go look at a map of africa. On the right is kenya and ethiopia, which is roughly the furthest north they will go. On the right is the congolese jungle where they WON'T go because you can't walk through it if you are a giraffe. Almost zero animals go into the sahara at the north.
Load More Replies...During the hike though, Ed decided to take a little detour to explore the canyons. The views were beautiful and he was enjoying it until he realized the sun is setting and he has no clue how to get home. Whoopsie-daisy!
The man decided to stay put and not wander anywhere else in case he got even more lost. A couple days passed and he was parched, so he started praying for rain. Miraculously, his prayers were answered and he made attempts to get people’s attention with fire, but even then there was no sign of anyone around. That was not until the sixth day when the helicopter that was looking for him spotted Ed on the Canyon floor.
After a few days in the hospital, Ed recovered. Unsurprisingly, he swore off hiking in that area ever again.
#4
Swirling Patterns In Rock, Nevada Desert
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
This photograph was posted on Redditt, and when asked about the location, the photographer, Dustin Wong, explained that he wouldn't divulge the location in order to protect the area.
Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 2 years ago
*takes a nap on the fancy rocks* *pounces Bouche's tail sticking out from the fancy rocks*
Leslyn Raso 2 years ago
I have lived in Nevada most of my 68 years. There is no Rock, Nevada. There is however the Black Rock Desert where burning man is held. The playa is a protected area with the exception of the 2 weeks the burners are there.
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Found This Little Guy Abandoned In The Desert
Alison Hell 2 years ago (edited)
I wish nothing but horrible, nasty things for humans that abandon, abuse, neglect animals.
Louise Clarke 2 years ago
And nothing but good things and happiness to those who rescue animals and help animals
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Sergio Bicerra 2 years ago
Lets not focus on the idiots that left him, but think about his future happy life.
Verena 2 years ago (edited)
Pet shop. If you get adopted by an animal out of the blue, some serious shopping is necessary. This person does the right thing, taking him along instead of leving him all alone in a strange car
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#6
Rare Super Blooms In The Desert Of Joshua Tree, CA
Mojavedog 2 years ago
Lol! Ouchie plants. Can I borrow that? I’m often around ouchie plants
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Jaime Zwicker 2 years ago
We actually see beautiful flowers yearly in the spring here in the Mojave Desert. Super blooms are considered when we have a large amount of flowers in a single season.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
This is one of our deserts in flower season. https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/locals-enjoy-namibias-wildflower-season
Accidentally getting lost is one thing. But going to the desert to run 155 miles in extreme conditions is on a completely new level of dangerous. But, surprise, surprise, people do that every year.
#7
Found A Wild Watermelon Plant In The Sahara Desert
Cassie 2 years ago
Colocynthis citrullus - Technically edible, but you'll be disappointed by the hard, bitter pulp if you're expecting sweet, soft watermelon.
Mega-Ladonna 2 years ago
Perfect for someone who might find themselves stranded alone in the desert. Basically food AND hydration.
Melanie Wicinski 2 years ago
It's not the Sahara Desert. Sahara means desert, so you just say Sahara.
xWILTED_ROSEx 2 years ago
Apparently its hard and bitter not like normal watermelon :(
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crazy_stupid 2 years ago
So someone in the desert had eaten watermelon a day or so before and...
#8
Bobcat Sitting On Top Of 40-Foot-Tall Cactus In The Arizona Desert After Being Chased By A Mountain Lion
A B C the Third 2 years ago
I think that's the exact desciption of bobkitty's facial expression 😅
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#9
Walking Mesquite In The Sonoran Desert
Marathon des Sables is a 9-day long race that happens in the southern Moroccan Sahara. People pay thousands of dollars to participate in what’s called a “self-sufficient adventure.” This means every runner has to carry all their own supplies for the whole week with them. The only thing they get at the rest stations is water and a place to sleep. Sounds enticing?
#10
An Old Man I Met In The Desert Of California
Powerful Katrinka 2 years ago
"Troll sat alone on his seat of stone, And munched and mumbled a bare old bone..."
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Jessica Bertram 2 years ago
they look like good, strong hands, don't they...😢
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#11
Found A Rabbit Abandoned In The Desert, Taped In A Cereal Box
Indecisive_Bee 2 years ago (edited)
Ok what the actual f**k is wrong with people
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Chickie 2 years ago
What is WRONG with people?! I hope there is a special place for them when they pass...a very special hot place!
Alison Hell 2 years ago
if you believe in that.. meanwhile, whilst they are alive, I hope they burn in their own personal hell.
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#12
Million-Years-Old Whale Fossil Found In The Sahara Desert
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
This is why people in the 19th century realized that the world is not static and changes over time. They kept finding things like this and realized that Noah's flood made no sense.
Ingmar Sweep 2 years ago
If I'd find this in the desert, I would conclude that Noah's flood did make sense.
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Melanie Wicinski 2 years ago
Not the "Sahara Desert." Sahara means Desert. So... it's redundant.
Doug the Special one 2 years ago
You will also find that over the years the climate has changed and it's not always by humans. just ask the dinosaurs.
Nothankyou 2 years ago
Not once in the Bible it says the world is 10k years old, only says "in the beginning..."
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
it's calculated from generation ages starting with assuming that up to "methusela", people lived like 900-ish years. So if you know this one begat that one, and that one begat the next one, and you assume they begat at an age of 25, you can get an age for the world of 5000-10000.
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Well, for Italian policeman and former Olympian Mauro Prosperi, it sounded like something he’d enjoy. So, back in 1994, he went there and was one of the fastest people out there until he was met by a sandstorm which threw him off course. He started running in the wrong direction and kept at it for a while until he realized he was probably mistaken.
#13
This Is Wonderstone. A Natural Rock Found In The Desert Of Utah
Indeed 2 years ago
bro idk what kinda bacon u eating but if its looking like that STOP
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Sharon Peters 2 years ago
Opal and Gold mines available to the public (for a fee) just outside of Las Vegas. Please leave the strip if you ever visit, so much more to see/do
I’m A Black Cat 2 years ago
Really, that's what I thought. Take a small piece and leave the rest
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MacintoshID 2 years ago
I have a huge chunk of that type of rock sitting on my front porch. Not all that rare if you know where to look in that region. It is very pretty, but really fragile too when you move it.
#14
A Desert Oasis In Peru
Johnny Helfridge 2 years ago
"Huacachina" in case anyone wants to see it on google maps. It's like 10 minutes from a nearby city.
#15
The Odd Yareta Plant, Grows In Chile In One Of The Driest Deserts In The World
kitten levels tokyo 2 years ago (edited)
This is where Gumby (the green claymation character) was born.
Prosperi didn’t lose his spirit, though, he kept at it. He walked until he found a shrine. Inside, there were bats that he ate for both water and food. He “set up camp” in the shrine, hoping to find a way out, but after another sandstorm hit, he thought he’s done for. So, he decided to end his life by cutting his wrists. However, he was so dehydrated, his wounds clotted pretty much instantly. For him, it was a sign to carry on.
#16
This Shrine To Dogs That Have Passed, Stuck Randomly In A Desert Wash
Katrina Nixon 2 years ago
But maybe they're all playing together now and eating peanut butter all day , that's what I like to think.
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Leigh 2 years ago (edited)
I totally agree if you want to make a memorial you can always use biodegradable materials.
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Ships Of The Desert
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
The Aral Sea. It's in Kazakhstan. It was the fourth largest lake in the the world but the USSR diverted water for irrigation and it dried up. Feel free to tell me that humans can't change the climate after we turned a massive lake into a literal desert.
Rostit. . 2 years ago
i dont think anyone here thinks humans cant change the climate..
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LizzieBoredom 2 years ago
They're hoping the accumulation of camel spit will float it out.
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Julia Mckinney 2 years ago (edited)
I love it. The ships of the desert, hanging out with the ships ON the desert!
Mojavedog 2 years ago
Yes, that happened in California as the rich white farmers diverted water for irrigation and dried the Native Indian’s Lake Tulare that they relied on for sustenance, ceremonies and other necessities. After the heavy rainfall from 2022, the lake has reclaimed its land, flooding many of the farmers fields. Retribution
Black nigha 2 years ago
These ships were stranded millions of years ago when this water body dried up due to climate change
#18
A Wet Road I Found In The Desert
Cassie 2 years ago
When I was a kid, my dad was traveling through Arizona, I believe it was, for work and took me along. It was sand for miles with mountains off in the distance and the road crossed a bit of a gully. A truck had stopped there, just ahead of the gully, and wouldn't move. My dad started to go around, but the guy jumped out and flags us down, warning us not to cross. "Don't you hear that?" he asked. I listened and there was a sort of rumbling. Within seconds, a wave of water came from the direction of the mountains, generally along the path of the gully, and washed violently over the road. It settled out just like this when it passed.
Kevin the Manager 2 years ago
Huh. I can just barely make out "ACME" stamped on the ripples...
Load More Replies... Emmydearest 2 years ago
🎶 follow the desert wet road, follow the desert wet road, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the desert wet road 🎶
TheBadHalfofHel 2 years ago
Flash floods are a real thing and kill many. Be awzre6of your surroundings and the local weather.
LizzieBoredom 2 years ago
We have a few of those in Alabama. I think the road marker guys sell moonshine on the side.
Susan Reid Smith 2 years ago
Death Valley and areas around it looked like this late summer 2023 after Tropical Storm Hillary passed through.
So, Prosperi started walking towards the clouds. He drank his urine and ate everything he could find: ants, mice, snakes, and leaves. Eventually, he saw something moving in the distance. It was a herd of goats with a little girl. After nine and a half days, he finally found people.
#19
Found "The Final Countdown" By Europe Cassette Tape In The Desert
T5n 2 years ago
I like that song I’d personally go with “ it’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)” by REM
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TheUndeadOfNight726 2 years ago (edited)
it's the final countdown, nee-noo-ee-noo, nee-noo-ee-noo-neee
LizzieBoredom 2 years ago
It's ironic that I've heard 'The Final Countdown' at least 500 times.
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Some Iron Filings That We Collected With A Magnet Out In The Mohave Desert
Powerful Katrinka 2 years ago
I used to live to do that as a kid growing up in the high desert.
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
Imagine all the Wooly W***y personalities you could make with these filings.
Riley Quinn 2 years ago
Seriously BP??? You censored the brand name of a child's toy?? Enough is enough. Who the hell are you protecting?
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#21
A Prada Store In The West Texas Desert That Is Never Open For Business
StPaul9 2 years ago
Prada Marfa, by Elmgreen and Dragset in Texas. 'Opened' 2005, it is designed to slowly deteriorate, a statement on our temporary luxuries. Located in Texas, it has been shot at, graffitied and basically man is helping it get wrecked. People are stealing from it and that's totally the point.
Tucker Cahooter 2 years ago
I'm sure someone will travel there just to bang on the door repeatedly and call out "Are you open?"
Stardarling 2 years ago
It’s cool, but definitely not unexpected. When I went there were several influencers having full on photo shoots, which I wouldn’t care except I couldn’t get a single good picture of me because of their huge camera set ups. And it’s a free, public venue
Janet Graham 2 years ago
Sure its not an opening to another dimension? The shopping dimension?
Gary Geracci 2 years ago
Best place for that overpowered Brand,Where it cannot do any more Taste less harm.
He returned to Italy soon after, where he promised to come back and complete the marathon. Which, of course, he did in 1997. And then, nine more times, the last one being in 2017 when he was 62 years old. What a legend!
#22
Abandoned Star Wars' Set In The Tunisian Desert
sbj 2 years ago
How come it's still there? Surely some diehard Star Wars Fans would have taken it
Midoribird Aoi 2 years ago (edited)
Because billions of other diehard fans would have tracked them down for such sacrilege.
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Eric Williams 2 years ago
Dammit George! you're supposed to take that sh*t with you when you were done!
Phoenix 2 years ago
They should have cleaned up after themselves instead of leaving garbage in the wild.
TotallyNOTAFox 2 years ago (edited)
Filmsets are quite an exception for the "no littering" rule - they can be very benefitial for the local economy due to tourism
Load More Replies... Nadine Debard 2 years ago
Some sets are in Tataouine, Tunisia. In French, 'Tataouine' is an expression to say that a place is far, far away. 'C'est à Tataouine, ce truc' (you can add some rural precisions like Tataouine-les-Oies). The original name gave the Tattooine planet's name.
Glenn Cuneo 2 years ago
Lukes home was rebuilt 10 years ago. http://www.markdermul.be/savelars/
Alicia Kessinger Bader 2 years ago
George Lucas & his minions should have taken it apart & left the place better than it was when they arrived!
#23
Found This Skull While Out Riding My Quad In The Arizona Desert Today
Duane Johnston 2 years ago
It from a horney toad. Common in Mojave desert and large parts arizona
#24
Hotdog Stand In The Middle Of The Desert
All in all, deserts are dangerous, so be safe out there. Better yet, don’t go hiking on your own. And make sure to grab a camera in case you spot any oddities that are similar to the ones on this list.
#25
Abandoned Train Tracks In California
It was a 11-mile hike in a super cold windy desert but there were amazing tunnels and bridges everywhere it was definitely worth it to see what happens over time.
SkyBlueandBlack 2 years ago
Goat Canyon Trestle. It's in the Anza-Borrego in San Diego County.
silowew628@picvw.com 2 years ago
I destroyed this in Red Dead Redemption 2, I guess they rebuilt it.
Jojo on the Gogo 2 years ago
Technically its closed to the public. It is a brutal, long, hot hike. Not for the faint of heart.
JayWantsACat 2 years ago
There's a YT channel that essentially did that. They rode bikes to get to the tracks and then walked them.
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Bill Swallow 2 years ago
... Didn't I see this on one of those 'Engineering Marvels' or 'Mysteries of the Abandoned' type programs?
#26
A Train Sits Abandoned In The Arabian Desert Nearly 100 Years After Being Ambushed By T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence Of Arabia) And His Infamous Rebels
The CareTaker 2 years ago
You’re seeing an Ottoman supply train still resting where it was ambushed by Lawrence of Arabia 104 years ago on the Hejaz railway (modern day Saudi Arabia)- https://wondersofthepast.quora.com/The-wreckage-of-a-train-ambushed-by-Lawrence-Of-Arabia-in-1917-still-lying-in-the-desert-in-Saudi-Arabia
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Stumbled Upon A Strange Doorway While Hiking In The High Desert Today
Anime dude101 2 years ago
I played minecraft dungeons, out of the way folks. me and my hammer of gravity will show any bucko in there that it's hammer time.
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TotallyNOTAFox 2 years ago
Yeah, I saw "The Hills have Eyes"... so if you need me, I'll be running in the opposite direction
David 2 years ago
A friend of mine made a door /doorway something like this down in Mexico except steel. American but a man in Mexico gave him use of a large piece of land. Kind of near Puerto Vallarta but way off the beaten path. He built a large tree house with different 'rooms' just off the river. From Puerto Vallarta you take a boat about 45 minutes to a small village - then you hike from there a ways to get to the treehouse. ANYWHO.... there was a natural cave in the cliff side and they framed in a metal door to have a place to store a bunch of their stuff between the times when they were down there. I've only seen a bunch of photos but the place looks very cool. This was like 15 years ago. I am unsure of its current status.
MacintoshID 2 years ago
More common than you realize. A great deal of the US desert regions have been explored for mining and used by the federal government for testing locations.
UnpopularPanda 2 years ago (edited)
I can read DAN and ANGELA if I squint, anybody able to read the name/text in the middle to the right?
Catlady6000 2 years ago
I think it may be Ian? As for the middle part, the last two letters may NE. Would love to know more about this!
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#28
This Salt Mine Trench In The Mohave Desert
Sharon Peters 2 years ago
Mojave/Mohave, depends on if you're in AZ v. CA or NV or near one of the native tribes' land, all the same desert
#29
Button To Save People From Crossing The Desert From Mexico
Rostit. . 2 years ago
most americans dont understand how dangerous that trek is. I suspect if they did, they would let the folks in who actually survived. The amount of dead people out there is insane. I knew a guy who did it 4 times. First time when he was 14. Last time when he was 19. He said he saw people die on the hike the second time he did it. He's legal now.
TeenieMeanie 2 years ago
Years back there was some kind hearted soul who would leave gallon jugs of water throughout the desert for people making the crossing. He got arrested. US border policy is absolutely cruel.
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Lily Braunekatze 2 years ago
In the words of that great military leader Admiral Ackbar " It's a trap!"
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
sad that mexico is rife with druglords and gangs because of the "war on drugs". If the USA legalised drugs and monitored their use like Portugal does, and ended the "war on drugs", mexicans' lives would improve and their internal crime levels would go down, making it less interesting to try get into USA. The "war on drugs" was basically created as a pretext to raid black and hispanic areas/slums. It has no solid scientific reason to continue.
Trish Greene 2 years ago
Honestly, they should take that stupid wall and build it around Washington, DC.
Susan Reid Smith 2 years ago
There are laws about how much help water one is allowed to give to someone who may be an "illegal" when encountering them in the desert. Before then being expected to turn them in. One of those places is near the state park where the awesome trestle is, Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
H Nunya 2 years ago
Why U.S border patrol? And let me see if I got this right. This button is basically a surrender button? Or a button to ask for a ride across the desert? If the U.S border patrol is actually willing to do that, it’s only temporary right? And then they take the people/person right back across? Or does the U.S border patrol drive across the desert to bring people back to a place they were trying to escape from?
#30
I Did Not Just Find Al Capone’s Old Hideout In The Desert. I Just Skated Al Capone’s Old Pool? I️ Love Living In My Van
Brian Droste 2 years ago
How do you it was Al Capones swimming pool? Apparently many more people has come across it to the way it looks.
H Nunya 2 years ago (edited)
At first I thought it was a swimming pool that was drained. I was thinking it could have dried up after Al Capone left and was converted into a skate park of sorts by people like OP. It would be hard to skate in a pool. And then I thought that maybe Al Capone was a skateboarder! He might’ve drained it while he was still there, or it might’ve been dried up before he even got there. And then I realized that it seems like it was designed for skating in the first place, and that means Al Capone must’ve liked to shred.
#31
House Abandoned And Retaken By The Desert In California
Jan Rosier 2 years ago
one advantage... if the disks needs to be redirected, there now is easy access
Maya Baggins 2 years ago
I don't wanna say I'd dig it out with some friends, but I'd dig it out with some friends
Skip Reynolds 2 years ago
No, Mojave Desert. Where the movie "Bagdad Cafe" was filmed.
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Julieta S. 2 years ago
My house after I go on vacation and ask my daughters to dust off the furniture a bit while I'm gone
#32
Obelisk In The Desert, USA, UT
Alicia Kessinger Bader 2 years ago
Supposedly there is a turquoise/sterling silver necklace at the top of one of these. Whoever can successfully climb up can have it ... it's the getting down that is the real test!
Bill Swallow 2 years ago
I wish Zelazny was still alive. This really needs / needed to be featured in one of his stories.
#33
Desert Finds
Blondie23 2 years ago
Thank you! I came to comments to see if anyone was going to reference this!!!!
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Colleen Glim 2 years ago
It is I think I remember and episode from the desert when David tennant was the doctor
Load More Replies... The Original Bruno 2 years ago (edited)
Massive deserts are associated with low global temperatures and low carbon dioxide levels. Lotsa skeptics point out that more carbon and more warmth brings more life, but the point they miss is that mammals (including) are evolved for relatively harsh conditions. More life means more reptiles, more gigantic bugs, more parasites and more things that make life hard for warm-blooded creatures.
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liam newton-harding 2 years ago
The rear wheel arch, and bush look like a hooded, crouching man.
#34
Abandoned Cinema In The Egyptian Desert. The End Of The World Cinema
Glenn Cuneo 2 years ago
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/end-of-the-world-cinema#:~:text=At%20the%20southern%20tip%20of,to%20be%20its%20premiere%20night.
#35
These Mud Cracks In The Mojave Desert Were Pretty Cool
The CareTaker 2 years ago
I loved when this happened in my backyard {much much smaller scale} it was so much fun to pick them up gently and then very softly with a soft rock "shave" and smooth the mud, you could then "paint" on it with water, or scratch stuff that looked like "runes" into it, it was one of the huge things we did when we roleplayed as lil kids, to the point that we would make huge pads of mud to dry out like this, I still like to pick up random lil mud "plates" like this to leave lil messages in them so people can find them when i go out
#36
Dozens Of People Have Left Frogs Near The Mojave Road In The Middle Of The Mojave Desert
Person Administering Mail- Karen from The BetzJitomir Law Firm 2 years ago
The sign does say frog parking.
#37
Staircase In The Desert Outside Las Vegas
VonBlade 2 years ago
🎶 There's a lady who's sure, that her knees are quite old, and she's up the stairs to a small landing.
Load More Replies... The Original Bruno 2 years ago
Grand Staircase National Park was a little disappointing, tbh....
Eric Williams 2 years ago
There's a time portal at the top. You just have to step off and trust.
Fly_Agaric_Frog (They/Them) 2 years ago
The "shadow" is just a rag or something :)
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MacintoshID 2 years ago
Dumping is very common in the deserts around Las Vegas. Once found an entire 20+ years of paperwork from a business that was closing, who hired a company to take all of his old files and shred them professionally. We (late husband was a ranger and he patrolled the southern part of NV) were not surprised to find it, but the poor business owner was shocked. The shredding company was also shocked, and did clean up the entire mess the next day.
#39
An Outdoor Sculpture Of A Specter And A Bicycle In The Desert
Pa Pa Panda 2 years ago
Unfortunately probably in memory of a cyclist killed at that spot. In the bay area of California if a cyclist was killed in an accident fellow cyclists would paint a bike all white and chain it to the nearest pole in their memory.
#40
A Village In The Middle Of A Desert. By Far, One Of The Coolest Places I've Ever Seen
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
It would be a far nicer picture if that blonde woman would get out of the way.
Rob Chapman 2 years ago
A resort in an oasis, and an annoying "influencer" that has to be the center of attention.
River Markham 2 years ago
she could just be a tourist wanting a nice photo-
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Mimi Downhouse 2 years ago
I really doubt that is the... "coolest" place you've seen... it's probably one of the hottest ;)
#41
An Old Abandoned Miner Town Graveyard, That Is Bigger Than The Actual Town. In The Middle Of The Atacama Desert
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
Atacama Desert in Northern Chile. One of the driest places in the world.
Laura Deckers 2 years ago
The Atacama is the driest place on earth, other than the poles. It receives less than 1 mm of precipitation each year, and some areas haven't seen a drop of rain in more than 500 years.
Load More Replies... #42
Chinese Lion Statue On The Side Of The Road In The Middle Of The Mojave Desert
Šárka Součková 2 years ago
According to all the pictures from the Mojave Desert it seems there is a lot going on in this place :D
#43
Ancient Rock Art I Found In The Desert In Israel: Hunter And Ibex
Eric Williams 2 years ago
Cecil! you can't use a blowgun on an Ibex! Remember what happened last time?
#44
Off-Road And Hiking To Utah Monolith
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
Oh man I forgot about these things. They never figured out who was behind them IIRC.
Barbara Turner 2 years ago
I jumped up and down. Hooted til my throat was sore. Threw bones in the air. Nothing happened.
Stellar Wind 2 years ago (edited)
There was an exceptional amount of vandalism attributed to the people hiking to the monolith. Garbage, human waste, vandalism, etc. Here is the wikipedia article. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_monolith
Celtic Pirate Queen 2 years ago
My husband finally talked me into watching "2001 A Space Odyssey". Yeah. There's three hours of my life I'll never get back. What a POS.
#45
My Friend Traveled To Egypt And Found This Crazy Awesome-Looking Object In The Middle Of The Desert. Meteorite?
CD Mills 2 years ago
It may be 11 years old but I've never seen it before! Don't be a fart stinking the place up.
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Kevin the Manager 2 years ago
Oooooh! That's one of the extremely rare black Everlasting Gobstoppers! Lucky!
Ryan Ploski 2 years ago
its a prophecy stone! this is whats known as a psuedomorph, its a rock thats replaced another rock and taken its shape. this is limonite/hematite after Marcasite/pyrite.
#46
Found In The Nevada Desert
Rob Chapman 2 years ago
And then, one day, the Scooby Gang's adventures abruptly came to an end.
Norman Beattie 2 years ago
I always stop in and look around Goldfield, NV I just love the cars, trucks and busses stuck in the ground.
Javelina Poppers 2 years ago
The other ones nose in the ground further up the hill, was someone carpet bombing with old beaters?
Tsunami Bigwaves 2 years ago
That actually a place in Goldfield I believe. Possibly Mena I can't remember.
Irene Carlyle 2 years ago
"mena" is aacgtually Mina, Nv a small town about 80 mi. north. This scene is Goldfield, NV near US 95
Load More Replies... #47
The Remains Of A Piano Found Miles Into The Middle Of The Desert
Persephone 2 years ago
Settlers often dumped their heavy belongings when they realized just how treacherous the trail was thru the west.
Sherry Errera 2 years ago
All the way from a Boston-based piano maker to boot! Wonder which desert....perhaps the remains of a photo or a music video shoot with no "arrangement" to ship it outta there.. Lol!
Brian Droste 2 years ago
If they had the means to ship it to the desert, they should have the mans to ship it back.
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Maggie Mae 2 years ago
From one of the Original European Families struggling to Bring everything they Owned to a Land Wild & Free!
ROSESARERED 2 years ago
There are some piano keys along a track in the Simpson desert, Australia...one of the explores, Stuart I think, had to leave it behind, could transport it anymore. Crazy what they thought they couldn't live without...
#48
I Found A Notebook At A Burnt-Down House In The Desert
not_at_school ;) 2 years ago
that looks like some sort of cult book lol. just in time for spooky season
The CareTaker 2 years ago
oh, I used to make these! My sister was into witchcraft, and had me make notebooks with fake and really looking runes and "spells" Then I would use tea and other stuff to make it look aged and use primer and alcohol to use a controlled fire in spots on the edges, so it would look like the fire would touch some spots but wouldn't be able to touch others! and she would leave some of them in places or carry them, she had her whole 6, 7, and 8th grades thinking she was this witch that could kill, funny enough she did turn out to be Wiccan after all and we laughed after all this, The reason for this was because she was overheard telling people about me, {a tall, albino man with a black suit who always picked her up =slender man??} about my job, writing and studying myths and such
Sans Serif 2 years ago
As long as it isn't a 'Kardashian demon' I'm fine...
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#49
I Stumbled Upon This Tombstone Out In The Desert
JMil 2 years ago
Anyone know why the cardinal directions are rotated? Also, the 1026 and 1029?
Valentin Iulian 2 years ago (edited)
Some Christian denominations (Eastern Orthodox myself) build their churches/houses of worship with the altar section towards the east. By extension, in cemeteries, people are buried with the head towards the east as well. If you were facing the grave, East would be straight ahead, West would be behind, and North and South to the left and right respectively. As to why would anyone want to mark this on a tombstone, no idea. It's anyone's guess. If the cardinal directions are indeed accurate (assuming the person who performed the burial had a compass on them) and since this is a desert, perhaps it's to help those who get lost and stumble upon the grave to find their way.
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Sven Grammersdorf 2 years ago
"On October 29, 1998, Scott Joseph Merrill hid among rocks overlooking a road upon which Charles Watterson, an employee of Emery County, was operating a road grader. When Mr. Watterson approached Mr. Merrill's location, Mr. Merrill approached the grader and repeatedly shot Mr. Watterson, killing him. Mr. Merrill then took Mr. Watterson's belongings and left the scene." https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnutah/6150359388
Never Snarky 2 years ago
It must be maintained by somebody. In much too good of condition to look like that since 1998.
#50
Really Tall Mailbox In The Desert
Surenu 2 years ago
So close to the power lines... it's for e-mail (electric mail). I'll see myself out.
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Obviously this is for the bills. But there's a house in my town that has a mailbox up higher than the usual mailbox height, that is labeled Bills in red. Lol, they also have an air mail, email, fan mail ect with different items added to the post to illustrate all the different mail types. I think it looks awesome!
#51
Atacama Desert Clothing Dump. Some Clothes Were Never Used And Still Have Tags On Them
Spannermonkey 2 years ago
That reminds me, don't forget to separate your recyclables, avoid single-use plastics and save petrol by car-pooling! Every little bit helps! . . . . . Bahahahaha!!!!!😂🤣
#53
Unexpected Sight At A Crossroads In Death Valley
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 2 years ago
What kind of vampire got buried at this crossroads? Must have been a teetotaler.
Blue Bunny of Happiness 2 years ago
Obviously, Brits have been there, we all know that a cup of tea cures everything
#54
Ships Abandoned In The Desert That Was Once The Aral Sea
TheUndeadOfNight726 2 years ago
Somebody call the Jawas, they're gonna have a field day salvaging all this
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Jods 2 years ago
Not due to climate changes. The Ruskies being very naughty.
Load More Replies... #55
Found This In The Desert Near The Great Pyramids Of Giza
Fora Nakit 2 years ago
No. You should notify authorities and tell them exactly where did you find it.
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Richard Michael 2 years ago
Are you even allowed to keep that? I'm pretty sure you just broke several laws, some international.
#56
There's A Hobby Horse Off Of A Dirt Road In The Middle Of The Arizona Desert
Tucker Cahooter 2 years ago
I pity the guy who has to travel all the way there to collect the weekly takings
TiNaBoNiNa 2 years ago
Naw, he lives in a cave just to the right of the picture.
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#57
Abandoned House In The Desert Of Utah
#58
Out Deep On A Desert Hike, I Found A Secret Spot Someone Has Been Returning To For A While
#59
Random Piece Of Street In The Middle Of The Desert
Tucker Cahooter 2 years ago
Funding cutbacks means that's all they could do this financial year. Road to be completed in 2056
#60
The Erosion On This Sand Dune Has Left The Fence Post Suspended Above The Sand
Anime dude101 2 years ago
The force is strong in you, little pole but you have much to learn. Teach you, I will
#61
Abandoned Shack In Mojave Desert, CA
#62
Abandoned Helicopter - Mojave Desert
#63
Three Half-Days Of Driving And Cycling In The Southern Utah Desert Paid Off. I Found The Dilapidated Building
Pedro 2 years ago
He spent 3 days searching a specific radius within a certain area, I gather. He has a full suspension with no water bottles and his camelback is on the ground by the backwheel. You can't travel 3 days with just one camelback of water. He must've lodged or camped somewhere at the end of each day of search. I'm speculating, of course.
Load More Replies... Richard Henderson 2 years ago
Why is the front of it lifted up like the edge of a table cloth?
#64
Spiral Made Out Of Rocks In The Desert
Alicia Kessinger Bader 2 years ago
That is a primitive labyrinth designed for meditation, introspection, & relaxation. Basically the same as in the French Chartres Cathedral floor.
TheUndeadOfNight726 2 years ago
We live our lives taking each second for granted but what if you knew how much time you had left? (subtle reference)
#65
Desert Roses, Near Dammam, KSA
#66
Old Taco Bell Express In The Desert
#67
Jar Of Pickles Bleached White By The Sun, Found In The Desert
#69
This Bizarre Art Project In The Desert, 40 Miles Outside Of Las Vegas. People For Scale
#70
Abandoned House In Mojave Desert
#71
Vintage Soda Machine In An Abandoned Desert Town In Nevada
Tucker Cahooter 2 years ago
Looks like someone lost their temper with it when it just swallowed their coins
#72
I Discovered An Old Car Graveyard In The Arizona Desert
Skara Brae 2 years ago
Most likely some rancher towed his old cars to a corner of his property. He was nowhere near a car wrecking yard.
#73
A Renaissance Era Shipwreck In The Middle Of The Desert Dunes
Richard Henderson 2 years ago
It has the correct number of fingers though. Are you sure?
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#75
Stopped At A Traffic Light, And Noticed Someone Carved A Question On A Sand Dune
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What do you think ?
Appalachian Panda 2 years ago
Thank you, BP. This is the sort of fun and interesting stuff we want to see on here. Not the articles that are trying to encourage us to buy worthless garbage on Amaz0n.
SkyBlueandBlack 2 years ago
Yes, there's a bunch of weird s**t in the Mojave. That's because there's a bunch of really strange people in the Mojave.
Susie Elle 2 years ago
If I had the opportunity, I'd take a year to explore the US and Canada.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/eerie-fascinating-pictures-kolmanskop-desert-diamond-ghost-town
Load More Replies... ॐBoyGanesh 2 years ago
Deserts are some of the most vibrant, effervescent places on earth. I live in a subtropical rainforest 27 miles (50 by car) from an awesome one called the “Ka’u Desert.” I recommend hiking its trails! - https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/kau-desert-hi/
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
Hawaii's big island is amazing. Volcano, snow, desert, jungle, green beach, black beach.
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Amanda Silliker 2 years ago
These kinda make me sad. Who tapes a bunny in a box and leaves it in a desert?
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
Wait you all need to see Kolmanskop. Abandoned german town in Namibia. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/eerie-fascinating-pictures-kolmanskop-desert-diamond-ghost-town
Appalachian Panda 2 years ago
Thank you, BP. This is the sort of fun and interesting stuff we want to see on here. Not the articles that are trying to encourage us to buy worthless garbage on Amaz0n.
SkyBlueandBlack 2 years ago
Yes, there's a bunch of weird s**t in the Mojave. That's because there's a bunch of really strange people in the Mojave.
Susie Elle 2 years ago
If I had the opportunity, I'd take a year to explore the US and Canada.
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/eerie-fascinating-pictures-kolmanskop-desert-diamond-ghost-town
Load More Replies... ॐBoyGanesh 2 years ago
Deserts are some of the most vibrant, effervescent places on earth. I live in a subtropical rainforest 27 miles (50 by car) from an awesome one called the “Ka’u Desert.” I recommend hiking its trails! - https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/kau-desert-hi/
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
Hawaii's big island is amazing. Volcano, snow, desert, jungle, green beach, black beach.
Load More Replies... Amanda Silliker 2 years ago
These kinda make me sad. Who tapes a bunny in a box and leaves it in a desert?
censorshipsucks 2 years ago
Wait you all need to see Kolmanskop. Abandoned german town in Namibia. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/eerie-fascinating-pictures-kolmanskop-desert-diamond-ghost-town
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