Another odd gem on the historic Route 66 path, Elmer's bottle ranch is an emporium of glass folk art that has served as a true recycler's dream destination for years.
Located on Elmer's own property, visitors are welcome at all hours of the day to stop by, have a conversation and navigate through his maze of glass consumerism (most of the bottles are of the soda and beer variety). The multi colored bottles glisten in the California sun, and the desert wind reverberates against their hollow shells to create a blissful soundtrack as you peruse around the property. It's sorta magical, and probably as close to heaven as I'll ever get.
The whole scene here is pretty epic. Imagine if you were a corn farmer and decided to take acres of your land to grow corn over the winter. Fast forward a few months, and Boom! you have an entire field of beautiful, symmetrical corn, for miles on end. Now, substitute that corn crop with giant totem poles of glass and homemade art, and imagine what that looks like. Thus is the scene here at Elmer's.
Unfortunately, Elmer wasn't around on the day I came by, but I was able to chat it up with his wife.
She's a lovely woman who seemed to really appreciate when travelers stopped by to gawk and stare. I got to hear stories about Elmer's hoarding obsession— as she pointed to a large van that served as their "collection mobile"— and learned a bit about the histry of the place. After our inspirational chat, I've now made it a personal goal to hang out at the garbage dumps around town, and wait to see the duo action.
Bravo, Elmer! Keep the dream alive. Not only is your name amazing, and very fitting for a guy living in the desert, but you've given us hope for the world. Dude also has a pretty sweet beard.
Also, if recycled bottles are your thing, don't forget to check out the equally amazing Tio's Tacos and Noah Purifoy's Desert Art Garden.
HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?
Operating for over 15 years, Elmer Long's bottle ranch has turned one man's obsession into wonderful art.
According to legend, Elmer's fascination with bottles began in 1952, when he was a child in Manhattan Beach. While visiting trash sites with his father— a collector himself— Elmer became enamored with bottles and other types of discarded materials, thus leading to a massive collection between the two of them. I guess you can say that it ran in the family.
Upon inheriting his father's prized collection of bottles, he decided that creating art out of them seemed to be the next logical step. Starting in 2000, Elmer was actually able to quit his job within two years and the rest is history.
Now, Elmer's property is home to over 200 trees, a number that will continue to grow as long as the USA keeps chugging soda and beer (meaning: forever).
