Cartago, California: Lemon House Inn

We stayed in the Lemon House in 2022. It's interesting to say the least. A few spiders and cockroaches, but if you get past those it was a nice little stop. The main room is obviously round with a microwave, sink, mini-fridge, separate bathroom, large bed and bunk bed, some chairs, and a table. You can book it on Air BNB. My daughter was two at the time and still talks about it! The inside of the room has a fascinating echo effect depending on where you stand; a whisper on one side of the room can sound like its coming from behind you on the other side.

Of course, everyone using the Roadside America app is stopping by to take photos all day and night, so be aware: privacy here feels a little bit less than normal.

I just drove by the orange building, and it's for sale.

It's for sale. Just think, it can be yours.

For Sale with adjacent motel. Currently painted lemon yellow. According to the Real Estate agent who we met on-site the motel rooms were remodeled two years ago. Also love the T-Rex sculpture made from auto parts and horseshoes.

A few days before the Labor Day, 2010 weekend, we stopped at the orange hut on 395 (closed) and then pulled in at Gus' jerky gas station. We asked the gentleman behind the counter if he was relocating to the orange hut up the road. He smiled, shook his head and said the orange hut was put up by the locals and "who knows what the heck they're up to!"

The orange hut is still a mystery, but at Gus's, make sure to try the "sweet and spicy" beef jerky. Excellent!