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We’re having a party, and you’re invited!
That is to say, the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs is having a party — and they invited me, so I’m inviting you. What’s the reason for the party? Thanks to your generous donations, they have a new roof!
The Bagdad Cafe sits on a lonely stretch of old Route 66 just outside Barstow, offering refuge to hungry travelers for decades. After a movie of the same name was filmed there in 1988, it became a popular desert road trip destination — especially for European and Japanese tourists (for some reason, the movie wasn’t well known in America).
It’s one of those fantastically quirky all-American roadside attractions — a funky little low-slung bar and cafe out in the middle of nowhere, walls covered in dollar bills and autographed 8x10s of the various celebrities who’ve stopped in over the years, as well as patches and flags left by visitors from all over the world! Reading the handwritten inscriptions from the incredible numbers of international tourists who have stopped here, you can see just how much of an impact this movie has made on people’s lives — it’s really something special.
But as the years went by, the desert sun took its toll on the Bagdad Cafe…and the lockdowns resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 proved to be too much for the little cafe to survive. Times got so tough that the owner, a sweet little old lady named Miss Andrea Pruett, ended up sleeping on a mattress on the floor, with buckets and coffee pots strategically placed around the room to catch the raindrops leaking through the old roof.
I had been to the Bagdad Cafe before the troubles started, and made a short video about my visit — although it was early in my YouTube career, so the production values were pretty rough. Still, the folks helping Miss Andrea reached out to me, and asked if I might like to come back to film an update — and maybe help raise a little money to at least fix the roof.
So last year I did just that — and thanks to your overwhelming generosity, they did in fact raise enough money to fix not just the roof, but the ceiling, too! And ever since the work was finished, we’ve been talking about having some kind of party to celebrate… and the time has finally come!
On Saturday, April 26th, the parking lot of the Bagdad Cafe will fill up with food trucks, musicians, vendors, classic cars and more — and since my neighbors didn’t want to do a fire department fundraiser this year in Tecopa… I figured I’d do my spring Wonderhussy meetup at the Bagdad Cafe, too!
It works out perfectly. The Bagdad Cafe is right at the crossroads of the desert — 2 hours from Los Angeles, 2 hours from Las Vegas, and 2 hours from Pahrump (and just a few minutes from Barstow). It’s the perfect springtime road trip through the beautiful Mojave — no matter which direction you’re coming from, you’ll pass by many places where I’ve shot videos over the years.
Since the cafe is right on Route 66, it’s a great place to cruise out in your classic car — or on your motorcycle! And if you’re coming in your van or RV, guess what? The folks at the Bagdad are welcoming everyone who wants to dry camp onsite overnight for free!
My friend Mike Z is bringing his 4×4 Astro van — and what’s more, he invited all his Astro van buddies… so there should be an interesting turnout. I’m looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible!
The party starts at 12 noon, and goes all the way till 5, at which time I’m headed to the official afterparty down the street a couple miles at the Barn — a funky little Route 66 bar and grill serving ice cold beer and delicious burgers, plus live music. I’ve never actually been inside, but it’s one of those places I’ve always wanted to check out — so I’m really looking forward to blowing off some steam there… and you’re all welcome to join me!
It’s shaping up to be a fun weekend, and with any luck, we might also raise a few more bucks to help Miss Andrea get her kitchen up and running again. I remember the delicious breakfast I had on my first visit, before the pandemic — it would be really cool to do that again sometime in the future.
But mostly, we just want to have a good time. With all the craziness going on in the world these days, it would be nice to get together for an old-fashioned celebration of everything GOOD about this country — our beautiful deserts, our endless lonely highways, our hard-working small business owners… and the kindness and generosity of our people.
Here’s to us! Hope to see you there 🙂
PARTY INFO:
SATURDAY, APRIL26, 2025
12pm-5pm Wonderhussy Meet-n-Greet at the World Famous Bagdad Cafe 46548 National Trails Hwy, Newberry Springs, CA 92365
5pm – ??? Afterparty at The Barn 44560 National Trails Hwy, Newberry Springs, CA 92365
*FREE DRY CAMPING at Bagdad Cafe, and limited additional space at The Barn. Port-a-potties and food trucks provided, gas station nearby. LEAVE NO TRACE!!!
For those who can’t make the event, but would like to support the Bagdad Cafe’s kitchen fund…here’s a link to their GoFundMe:
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**The Golden Roses of Bagdad Cafe**
The morning sun was just beginning to peek over the mountains as Sarah Jane stood in her driveway, eyes wide with excitement. A delivery truck had just arrived, and the driver was unloading a rather large box with her name on it. As he carefully placed it on the ground, Sarah Jane’s heart skipped a beat. She knew what was inside: Randy’s golden roses.
She had heard about them for weeks now—how Randy had been collecting these stunning, golden-painted roses and planned to send them for a special cause. The fundraiser for the Bagdad Cafe at was fast approaching, and Sarah Jane had been brainstorming ways to make it memorable. Little did she know, these golden roses would be the perfect touch.
Randy had been kind enough to send her dozens of them, each one shimmering in the light, as though touched by magic. They were delicate yet bold, painted in a rich gold that caught the sunlight in a way that made them almost glow. Sarah Jane carefully carried the box into her home, her fingers brushing over the soft petals of one of the roses as she gently opened the package. She could already imagine the joy it would bring to the people at the fundraiser.
As she unpacked the roses, an idea began to take shape in her mind. She could already picture the scene: donors walking up, holding out a crisp $20 bill, eager to support the Bagdad Cafe and take part in something unique. Sarah Jane would hand them one of the golden roses, and as a special bonus, they could take a picture with Wonderhussy herself, holding the golden rose proudly. What could be more magical than that? A golden rose, a photo with a local legend, and a meaningful donation for a great cause.
Over the next few days, Sarah Jane shared her idea with the Bagdad Cafe team, who were all on board. The plan was simple yet powerful: for each $20 donation, a donor would receive one of Randy’s golden roses, and the opportunity to pose for a photo with Wonderhussy herself. The festival organizers were thrilled about the idea, and Sarah Jane could already see it in her mind—an endless stream of smiling faces, holding their golden roses, beaming next to Wonderhussy.
The morning of Bagdad Cafe arrived, and Wonderhussy, set up a special station in the middle of the festival grounds. The booth was adorned with golden roses in vases, sparkling in the sunlight. A sign read: “$20 Donation for a Golden Rose—Take a Photo with Wonderhussy and Support the Bagdad Cafe!” It was simple, but it caught the eye of every festival-goer who passed by.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. People flocked to the booth, eager to take part in the unique experience. There was something enchanting about holding a golden rose—its beauty, its rarity, and the idea that they were contributing to such an important cause. Some donors posed for photos alone, others with their families or friends, all of them holding the golden roses close, smiles as wide as the desert sky.
Wonderhussy, with her trademark humor and charm, was the perfect host. She posed for pictures with each donor, her warmth and friendliness making each person feel special. The photos captured more than just the golden roses; they captured a sense of community, of coming together to support something bigger than themselves.
As the day went on, Sarah Jane watched in awe as the donations poured in. The golden roses weren’t just symbols of beauty; they were catalysts for generosity, for creating memories, and for raising the much-needed funds for the Bagdad Cafe. The Bagdad Cafe would be able to continue its work, all thanks to the kindness of so many festival-goers.
By the end of fundraiser, Sarah Jane felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Not only had they surpassed their fundraising goal, but they had also created an experience that people would remember for years to come. The golden roses had worked their magic, and the event had been a resounding success.
As the sun set behind the mountains that evening, Sarah Jane sat on the porch, sipping iced tea and reflecting on the day. They had made a difference. The golden roses, Randy’s thoughtful gift, had done more than raise money—they had brought people together, sparked joy, and contributed to a cause that would make a lasting impact on the community.
“Here’s to golden roses,” Sarah Jane said with a smile, raising her glass. “And to making the world a little brighter, one donation at a time.”
Wonderhussy clinked her glass with hers. “To golden roses and the people who make things happen.”
And as the stars began to twinkle in the clear desert sky, Sarah Jane couldn’t help but feel that this was just the beginning of something truly special.
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