Having spent a couple of winter seasons there, we still know some folks in that area, and had a really nice visit.
We took a day trip down Interstate 10 to Rooster Cogburn's Ostrich Ranch. I really enjoy the birds and the other creative displays for the animals that he has.
They have changed a lot since we were there last.
We also tripped down to Tucson and drove around to some of the Sonoran Desert locations to witness some of the waking up of the desert!
It was just a bit early, but we did get in on seeing some big fat Saguaros, and other blooming flowers and Cacti. The bloom of the Saguaro is the Arizona State Flower.
Another day we spent looking at Real Estate in a 55+ Golf Community. It is always good to have a plan for the future and that community is beautiful. A person couldn't want for much in there, and when the time comes to hang up
the keys, it is definitely on the top of our list! We spent a couple of evenings playing games with our friends. I have never played darts competitively, and got the high score of the evening and helped our team knock out the top scoring team for the season! Beginners luck, but they were greatful! Then we played a game of washers (like horseshoes, but inside) and I didn't fare so well with that, but DH was on a good team that won. His back isn't cooperating much with letting him play golf right now, so was a good diversion.
We bid them farewell after a week and headed up to Buckeye and the Glendale, by Phoenix. We had to visit the Cabelas store in Glendale. Credit points were burning a hole in his pocket! I got a nice pair of pink cammo flip flops out of the deal! We have been to that area before, so the drive was not bad, and we got to have lunch with one of DH's hunting buddies that comes to Nebraska in Pheasant Season.
We pressed on from there and headed north and west to the metropolis of Bullhead City Arizona on the east side of the Colorado River. On the West side of the river is Laughlin Nevada. We visited several services in Bullhead and drove around to see the area. Slipped into two of the casinos on the Laughlin side and made a usual donation. Not big losers, just paid a little to have fun. We didn't spend all our time in the Casinos however, we took a side trip to Oatman, AZ,
an old Mining town that has been turned into a tourist trap. Their Volunteer Fire Department is strong there, so we spent a little on shirts to support them. Most of the town is shops and places to eat.
The old Hotel was the site for a gunfight in the street and wild burros are pretty tame and walk around being fed special Alfalfa pellets that are for sale at several locations.
After a few hours walking around, we loaded back up and headed for town to pack up for Monday's departure.
All trips cannot be uneventful. Luck does not operate that way!
On our way up to Bullhead City, the battery tray came unhooked and pushed the Battery door open! We rode along for several miles by Parker AZ without being able to pull over. Thankfully when we found a spot to safely pull over, it was a simple fix and nothing was harmed or broken! The most recent event happened on this last trip from Bullhead to Pahrump Nevada..when we got ready to pull out, the step wouldn't retract.
That is definitely not good! With no one available to fix our problem we crossed our fingers and held our breath as we drove over the Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, the new Bridge across the Canyon by the Hoover Dam.
It is very high but with the high sides, you barely know it's a very long way down! While here we have several exploring side trips.
It was a beautiful day when we travelled through Las Vegas, the usual gritting of the teeth through the traffic and construction, and we arrived safe and sound in the town of Pahrump Nevada, stopping at an RV dealer before checking in at the Resort. after about a 4 hour trip and waiting for them to diagnose our problem, I was ready to be done for the day! We're set now, and we'll spend some time exploring Death Valley and more of the desert. It is really starting to warm up and the snow left on the peaks is really melting a lot every day. After a trip to Home Depot this evening, the battery tray problem is a thing of the past, and as soon as the parts arrive, they will fix our errant step! No more moving until that is taken care of!~ We have to venture back into Las Vegas a couple times too. Time moves the fastest when we don't want it to!
Come north my friend, it's beautiful here (when it's not raining)
ReplyDelete