Our Last day in Zion

For our last day in Zion we took a ride through the park on the rode we will be traveling on tomorrow. I won't be able to tow the Jeep tomorrow because of the tight corners and narrow rode plus we had to get a permit to go through a mile long tunnel with the motorhome. The tunnel is an arch and only has 13 foot clearance at the highest point of the arch so all traffic must be stopped so I can drive through the center of the tunnel. Joyce will follow me with the Jeep.

Joyce wanted some colored sandstone.

Joyce and Mac looking for that special stone.
This is the tunnel I will pass through tomorrow.

It seems that ever since Florida, we have been plagued with high winds wherever we go. It doesn't matter where we have stayed, we always seem to have at least one day of high winds. Which reminds me that when we were driving here the other day, we were doing about 65 MPH on the highway when a Dust Devil hit us broadside. I did see it coming in the direction of the highway and I knew we were going to get hit, but I didn't realize how hard the hit would be. It tossed the motorhome around and forced us into the other lane. Not the type of thing I want to experience again.

Anyways, just around noon time the winds started to pick up in the park and the tour bus driver said this high wind was very unusual. Joyce and I knew it was the Wind God that was following us everywhere we go. As you can see below, a tree fell about 60-70 feet in front of where we are camped. The tree didn't damage the small trailer but the branches did make it difficult for the people to get out of there trailer.

Hiking and Biking Zion

I woke up at 4:00 AM by the sounds of heavy gust of wind and our large awning was flapping with that wind. I knew that if I didn't get up and put the awning in there would be a good chance of the wind damaging it. In the process of going out to put the awning in, Joyce woke up also.

I did get the awning in but now it took us a while to get back to sleep because of the wind noise so we weren't too surprised when we woke in the morning at 10:00 AM. Wow, we still had to take Mac for his morning stroll so we didn't get on our way till after 11:00AM.

You can't take the 6 mile scenic drive in your car because the road is closed to tourist traffic, so the park has tourist buses that offer free shuttle to all seven scenic overlooks and hiking paths. By using the buses, it eliminates the heavy traffic and problems with parking. There are so many buses running that you don't have to wait anymore than 6 minutes for the next bus to come along. This works so well that it should be done in all of the National Parks!

So off we went to catch a bus and ride to the end of the loop so we could work our way back. Some of the hiking trails were rated difficult and not for the lite of heart due to the height, so we stuck to the easy ones which still gave us a good workout.

AS ALWAYS, CLICKING ON THE PICTURES WILL ENLARGE THEM.

The stop at the visitors center. A view along the way, can you see the shuttle bus at the base of the mountain? After hiking up and down 3 miles of mountain paths, it was time for a snack. If you click on this picture and enlarge it you'll see the natural stone arch. I had to zoom in on 8x power to get this shot.

We have a Hummingbird feeder on the window by the kitchen table. We can have our dinner and watch the Hummingbirds feed, it's really cool.

After getting back from our hiking, we rested for a short while then went for a two mile bike ride, check out the video below for a sample of our ride.

We are in Utah

We weren't able to post for a few days because we couldn't get a signal. We stayed at a Fed Campground just at the Utah border. Price was $4.00 per night with no hookups but the scenery was breathtaking.

The Virgin river ran by close to the campground so we took a hike aqlong the river which also took use along some cliffs that we had to climb up.

Joyce climbing through a tight spot, while looking for snakes.
Cactus flowers along the hills.

Joyce in the Virgin River
View for camp

Another view from camp

We are now in Zion National Park and here's a shot of our site.

Hoover Dam and the Strip at night

Headed to Hoover Dam for the morning to see what changes have been made since the last time we were there.
They are in the process of building a new bridge that will divert the traffic from the Dam. So thanks to 9/11, you will no longer be able to drive across the Dam.

Hover Dam, the water level is about 100 ft. below normal.
After leaving the Dam, we drove about two miles to Lake Mead and parked right on the water so Joyce could get her toes wet.

Then about 6:00 pm, we went to the strip for dinner at the Harley Davidson. We had a table outside right on the walk so we could people watch while enjoying our dinner. We then spent the rest of the evening doing the tourist thing and walking in and out of the casino's.

We took the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower to get the pictures below.

A shot of the strip
Other direction

It was a beautiful evening and as always, Vegas was alive with the lights, people, and traffic. We have decided to spend a couple more days and try to take in a show.

Viva Las Vegas!

Just arrived in Vegas

The Video says it all!!

Desert Bar

I had read about the Desert Bar in another Blog, and I knew we weren't that far from their location. It took us about 45 minutes to get to the dirt road turn-off. Then a 5 mile ride through some BLM land with a lot of abandoned mines and 4-wheeling trails. Then there it was all alone in the desert and totally off the grid. All the electricity for the bar and home is produced by solar panels. The buildings are cooled by Swamp Coolers and water is pumped from a well by the free electric from the sun.

Bar

Another shot of the complex
Some of the vehicles that arrived.
Steel Church
Back side of the property

A shot of the senery on the way back to camp.

Route 66 to Oatman, Ar.

Oatman was about an hours ride through some scenic desert land. We traveled on the famous Route 66, winding our way through the mountains and desert.

Get Your Kicks!

Main Street Oatman is shared by the Wild Burro's that come down from the hills for the free food that the tourist give them.
Where did the Burros come from?
History on Oatman

After leaving Oatman, we continued on route 66 that took us into the mountains where there are past and present gold mines. The rode was dotted with a lot of abandoned homes and stores, as well as old mine shafts.

The rode was very curvey and there were no guard rails so if you were not paying attention or going too fast, this was your fate.

A view along the way.

You can see the mine openings in the hillside.

Old VW camper, that is expandable foam insulation on the back of the bus, someone was living in this thing.

A fixer upper

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

We say good bye to Quartzsite.

We have moved along about 60 miles north to Lake Havasu RV Resort. Our internet connection is very slow which makes it difficult to post so I will not be posting as often.
While traveling here we drove along the Colorado River and the scenery was so beautiful we forgot to take pictures, duh!

We are staying in a high end RV resort where you can purchase a pad like the one in the picture below. A pad with just crushed stone, water, and sewerage, starts at $80,000.00. You must pay $75.00 a month fee plus your tax and electric

A bit on the "Hot" side!

Took a short ride to the area of the Dome Mountains. This mountain area has rough dirt roads that travel up and around the mountains and give access to areas which have been mined for gold. The road is very narrow and rough so I took my time in the Jeep and had no problem getting up the mountain.
You must watch where you walk because some of the old gold mines are still open. I found a couple of open shafts that were about 30 feet deep straight down. Looks like people are still digging for gold but all we saw was rocks, Joyce did find some with nice coloring in them.

Joyce mining for ????

Desert Cactus in bloom

Working our way up the mountain road.

One of the open mines, this one tunneled in about 30-40 feet with two vertical shafts.

Temp. outside the Motorhome at 2:30