We found a lot to like exploring downtown Lancaster.  Light traffic and wide boulevards were a nice relief from the San Fernando Valley crowds.  We met with Angela Riley, executive director of Destination Lancaster, and joined her as we viewed the murals along the well planned Lancaster Boulevard with ample space for free parking.
Here we also visited the Museum of Art & History, (MOHA) and was led on a tour by Curator Andi Campogone. We thought the scope of the post war and contemporary art collection  outstanding and displayed well the talents of local artists.
Just a few weeks before our visit Andi had produced the Pow! Wow! Festival where local and visiting artists redid or developed new murals on buildings stretching for blocks on  Lancaster Boulevard.  Here too is located the Aerospace Walk of Honor that recognizes the achievements of  pilots from nearby Edwards Air Force Base..  In the six days of Pow! Wow! 25 artists painted 19 walls.
 Part of the Lancaster Blvd. downtown scene is Don Sal Cocina & Cantina which is spacious with an attractive bar and lounge, huge dining room of booths and tables and an expanded outdoor patio as well.  Don Sal is family owned and also has a successful restaurant in Rosamond.  At  the Boulevard Restaurant we enjoyed one of the most inclusive buffets we have ever experienced.  Actually it included two buffets, one styled as classic American, the second, in a separate area, completely Mexican. 
We chose the traditional American buffet which here demanded a truly hearty appetite.  We were particularly  awed with the selection of desserts and shamelessly made a few trips back for more.
We also viewed the Mexican buffet which included some fifteen separate dishes and entrees. 
Added to the scene that included a completely filled restaurant was a six piece Mariachi band, traditionally costumed and a perfect match to a memorable dining experience
Don Sal Cocina & Cantina is located at 706 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, Ca 93534, Tele., 661 941-2301, web www.donsalcocinacantina.com.  Hours lunch Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday Night Karaoke 9 p;.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Antelope Valley folk still take pride in the truly old west beginnings of ranching and cowboys so the Broken Bit Steakhouse is a perfect match.  Here one finds a bar, lounge and restaurant offering the decor and ambiance of the old west while serving classic American cuisine.  Steaks here are Black Angus grilled over an oak fire and arrive just as ordered with hint of smoke flavor.  The menu is large and includes seafood, chicken, lamb chops and short ribs. 
At the bar small batch whiskies are featured along with all traditional cocktails and some craft beers and an excellent selection of wines, some from local wineries..
Our dinner opened with a selection  of appetizers that included Quail slices, stuffed peppers and fried Brussel Sprouts, then our Filet Mignon which arrived heaped with  mushrooms and with the largest baked potato I've seen in a long time.
The choice of other entrees included wood fire grilled salmon, sagebrush chicken or Poblano, stuffed Pobano pepper with goat cheese and rice.  The other steak choice was a 10 ounce ribeye.
Just as delightful as the food was the western atmosphere of the restaurant as well as the attentive, efficient staff.  We also had the opportunity to meet Chef Jouil Mick and compliment him on his culinary skills.
The Broken Bit is located at 41955 50th Street West in Quartz Hill, Ca. 93536, Tele. 661 943-8228, web www.brokenbitsteakhouse.com.  Open for dinner only.
We have traveled many roads in many countries and five continents but  we took a ride on our first musical road in Lancaster.
Lancaster's Musical road started as a Honda automobile television commercial where engineers designed cracks and ridges in the roadway to a recognizable song,  in this instance the William Tell Overtune.   At first it was located on a street inside Lancaster but it soon became so popular with local folk that it soon became a crowded attraction.  The alterative was to move that section of road to the outskirts of town which has been done.  We took the road and then returned for an encore.  This old one well remembered the William Tell as the background music for "The Lone Ranger" radio and TV shows.  So I could not resist shouting "Hi Ho Silver Away".