Pictures in the attached link.
Wed. Feb. 8
Left Yuma at 7:30 am 56 degrees and cloudy. Arrived at World Wide RV in Mesa at
11:30. Phoenix area looks very neat and clean. We left the trailer to have
repairs done and drove over to see where our park is and popped in to visit Bob
and Nancy who are in a park a block,from ours. After we picked up the trailer we
stopped at a tire shop to have a slow leak repaired...there was a screw in the
tire. It is a beautiful day ... 77 degrees. Checked into Superstition Sunrise RV
park at 3:50. Terrible time to get into site as the streets are quite narrow.
11:30. Phoenix area looks very neat and clean. We left the trailer to have
repairs done and drove over to see where our park is and popped in to visit Bob
and Nancy who are in a park a block,from ours. After we picked up the trailer we
stopped at a tire shop to have a slow leak repaired...there was a screw in the
tire. It is a beautiful day ... 77 degrees. Checked into Superstition Sunrise RV
park at 3:50. Terrible time to get into site as the streets are quite narrow.
Thurs. Feb. 9
Gave the trailer a good cleaning. Lots of Yuma dust and dirt on everything.
After lunch Caddo's picked us up and we hiked Superstition Lookout. After we
drove over Gold Canyon and they came back pepper and happy hour.
After lunch Caddo's picked us up and we hiked Superstition Lookout. After we
drove over Gold Canyon and they came back pepper and happy hour.
Sun. Feb. 12
This morning we hiked Hieroglyphic Canyon
through a beautiful area of the Superstition Mountains. The hike in was 2.8 mile
with an elevation change of 560 feet. A variety of ancient petroglyphs adorned
the large flat rocks at the end of the trail. We Spent the afternoon at the
pool. Beautiful day. The couple next door came over for a drink. They are
staying in the park for a month.
through a beautiful area of the Superstition Mountains. The hike in was 2.8 mile
with an elevation change of 560 feet. A variety of ancient petroglyphs adorned
the large flat rocks at the end of the trail. We Spent the afternoon at the
pool. Beautiful day. The couple next door came over for a drink. They are
staying in the park for a month.
Tues. Feb. 14
We drove 50 miles to Maricopa to meet Wayne
and Marilyn Brocklebank at their course The Duke for golf. We arrived early so
we could have lunch before our tee off. Beautiful day when we teed off but by
the 14th hole the wind got up, turned cold and it clouded over and poured rain.
It rained for a few holes, quit and the sun came out. The course was lovely and
we had a good time. Went to Brocklebank's for a nice salmon dinner after golf.
They bought their home last year when they were down, a beautiful 2 story in a
very nice subdivision surrounding the golf course. They invited us to spend the
night but we left about 9:30 to head back to Apache Junction.
We drove 50 miles to Maricopa to meet Wayne
and Marilyn Brocklebank at their course The Duke for golf. We arrived early so
we could have lunch before our tee off. Beautiful day when we teed off but by
the 14th hole the wind got up, turned cold and it clouded over and poured rain.
It rained for a few holes, quit and the sun came out. The course was lovely and
we had a good time. Went to Brocklebank's for a nice salmon dinner after golf.
They bought their home last year when they were down, a beautiful 2 story in a
very nice subdivision surrounding the golf course. They invited us to spend the
night but we left about 9:30 to head back to Apache Junction.
Thurs. Feb. 16
Today we left at 10:30 to drive the 150 mile
Apache Trail, a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It
was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians who originally used this
trail to move through the Superstition Mountains.
The Trail winds steeply
through 40 miles (64 km) of rugged desert mountains, past deep reservoir lakes
like Canyon Lake and Apache Lake. The narrow, winding road is unpaved from just
east of the town of Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Dam; there are steep cliff drops
and little in the way of safety barriers.
Our first stop was an old movie
set, then on to Goldfield Ghost Town an old mining town. Back in the 1890's
Goldfield boasted 3 saloons, a boarding house, general store, blacksmith shop,
brewery, meat market and a school house. Just when it looked like the town would
outgrow Mesa, the vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and the town died a
slow painful death. After several unsuccessful attempts to reopen the mines, the
town did come to life again from 1910 on and off until 1926.
Next stop was
Tortilla Flat for lunch where we spent longer than planned because there was a
band playing on the patio. Good entertainment and sunshine.
After many stops
for pictures and to just stand and stare in amazement we arrived at Roosevelt
Dam. We were hoping to walk up to the Tonto National Monument but it was too
late in the afternoon so we decided to come back another day and enjoy the last
100 miles of the trail.
A great day
Fri. Feb. 17
Today was grocery shopping in the morning and
the swap meet (flea market) in the afternoon. Typical flea market stuff. Rick
bought a new pair of binoculars.
Sat. Feb. 18
Cleaning and preparing dinner this morning.
We met the Brocklebanks at Painted Mountain for golf. A beautiful warm day,
perfect for golf. The sun was starting to set as we were hitting on to the green
on the 18th. They came back for dinner.
Cleaning and preparing dinner this morning.
We met the Brocklebanks at Painted Mountain for golf. A beautiful warm day,
perfect for golf. The sun was starting to set as we were hitting on to the green
on the 18th. They came back for dinner.
Sun. Feb. 19
Took a drive to the downtown Phoenix. It is
one of the nicest cities we have ever seen, very clean and so new looking. All
of the freeways around the city are beautifully landscaped with flowering
shrubs, different types of cacti, various colors of stone in different patterns
and walls with images of geckos, cacti, quail and native patterns. Majestic
mountains look like paintings against the blue sky in every direction you look.
Awesome!
Rick wanted to go to Cabellas on the other side of Phoenix, a good
opportunity to see more of the area.
Mon. Feb. 20
Today we went to the Premium Outlet Mall at
Anthem to pick up some Oshkosh for our little Cooper. Spent a few hours looking
around. Stopped at Olive Garden on the way home for a late lunch. Still as good
as ever.
Tues. Feb. 21
We decided to finish the Apache Trail today
going the opposite way. We packed a picnic and drove straight up to Tonto
National Monument and walked 1/2 mile up the side of the mountain to see the
well-preserved remains of cliff dwellings that are over 700 years old. After our
lunch on the shore of Roosevelt Lake we made our way back through the mountains,
driving through Globe, Miami and Superior. All 3 communities are mining towns
with huge open pit copper and gold mines. At our highest elevation we were over
4500' with snow capped peaks on mountains a short distance away. An absolutely
spectacular drive.
Wed, Feb. 22
Today we golfed at San Marcos Golf Resort in
Chandler. A retired airline pilot from north of Houston Tx and his son joined
us. We enjoyed spending the afternoon with them. The course wasn't as nice as we
had hoped but it was a warm sunny day, so all was good.
Fri. Feb. 24
Beautiful day 80 degrees and sunny. We went
out to Rancho de Tia Rosa in Mesa, a Mexican restaurant for lunch. An attractive
Mexican Hacienda with a beautiful courtyard and decorated with Mexican
artifacts. We sat in the courtyard and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Spent the rest
of the afternoon by the pool
Sat. Feb. 25
Left at 11:00 to go up to Tortilla Flat for a
burger and beer and to enjoy the live entertainment in the sun. Left after a
couple of hours and stopped at Filly's Saloon on our way back into Apache
Juction. Their patio was packed and the entertainment was good. Two couples from
Gilbert a suburb of Phoenix joined us at our table. We had a great afternoon
visiting with them. The bad quit and said they were going to play at the Legion.
It happens to be a few blocks down the road from our park so we walked up to the
legion for an hour. Big day...early to bed.
Left at 11:00 to go up to Tortilla Flat for a
burger and beer and to enjoy the live entertainment in the sun. Left after a
couple of hours and stopped at Filly's Saloon on our way back into Apache
Juction. Their patio was packed and the entertainment was good. Two couples from
Gilbert a suburb of Phoenix joined us at our table. We had a great afternoon
visiting with them. The bad quit and said they were going to play at the Legion.
It happens to be a few blocks down the road from our park so we walked up to the
legion for an hour. Big day...early to bed.
Mon. Feb. 27
We met Marilyn and Wayne Brocklebank at one
of the courses on their gold card, Club West Golf Club in the foothills. 80
degrees and windy today. They have wind a dust warnings out. This was an
experience...have not golfed in a wind storm before. We teed off at 2:15, we
could see the dust blowing in clouds above the golf course. What a shame because
the surrounding mountains would have been beautiful on a clear day. As it turned
out we had a great afternoon despite the wind and dust because the course was so
incredible, winding through a subdivision of gorgeous homes. The sun was setting
behind the mountains on the 18th hole. After golf we found a Mexican restaurant
for dinner. Great day!
We met Marilyn and Wayne Brocklebank at one
of the courses on their gold card, Club West Golf Club in the foothills. 80
degrees and windy today. They have wind a dust warnings out. This was an
experience...have not golfed in a wind storm before. We teed off at 2:15, we
could see the dust blowing in clouds above the golf course. What a shame because
the surrounding mountains would have been beautiful on a clear day. As it turned
out we had a great afternoon despite the wind and dust because the course was so
incredible, winding through a subdivision of gorgeous homes. The sun was setting
behind the mountains on the 18th hole. After golf we found a Mexican restaurant
for dinner. Great day!
Tue. Feb. 28
Cooler today...in the mid 60's. A weather
front moved in with the wind yesterday. Laundry and ironing this morning. Went
to Costco this afternoon to pick up our supply of alcohol for the wedding.
Amazing prices. Gassed up the truck for our trip to Lake Havasu tomorrow. $4.05
per gallon!!!! It has gone up 30 cents a gallon since last Thursday.
Cooler today...in the mid 60's. A weather
front moved in with the wind yesterday. Laundry and ironing this morning. Went
to Costco this afternoon to pick up our supply of alcohol for the wedding.
Amazing prices. Gassed up the truck for our trip to Lake Havasu tomorrow. $4.05
per gallon!!!! It has gone up 30 cents a gallon since last Thursday.
Wed. Feb. 29
Left Phoenix at 9:50 to avoid
the morning traffic. Route took us across I10 to 72 and then on to 95 before
Parker. What an amazing drive between Parker and Lake Havasu City, mountains
along the Colorado River were so rugged and a deep rich brown colour. Arrived in
Lake Havasu at 3:00 to Campbell Cove RV Resort. It sits on a hill overlooking
the lake and the mountains, elevation 735 feet.
Thurs. Mar. 01
Today we went for drive to
find a new park. We were thinking of moving in a week to the California side of
the Colorado River. We crossed the Parker Dam and headed south along the river
on Parker Dam Road. All of the parks we visited either didn't have a wifi signal
or no Cable for the TV. Stopped for lunch at Di's Diner. Checked out a few parks
on Arizona side of the river, decided to stay where we are for the week, then
move on.
Today we went for drive to
find a new park. We were thinking of moving in a week to the California side of
the Colorado River. We crossed the Parker Dam and headed south along the river
on Parker Dam Road. All of the parks we visited either didn't have a wifi signal
or no Cable for the TV. Stopped for lunch at Di's Diner. Checked out a few parks
on Arizona side of the river, decided to stay where we are for the week, then
move on.
Fri. Mar. 02
Took a drive today to Oatman and
Kingman and were pleasantly surprised to find that our tour took us on Route 66
a winding road through the desert and mountains.
Our first stop was Oatman,
an old Gold Mining Town dating back to the late 1800's. In it's prime Oatman and
it's neighbor Goldroad were the largest gold producers in Arizona. Today it is a
busy tourist (ghost) town. Burros come in to town from the hills and wonder the
streets looking for food. They are descendants of the burros used in the mines
and released when the mines closed. There are 3500 wild burrows in the mountains
outside of town. There was a gun fight on main street when we arrived put on by
volunteer actors. After checking out the shops we listened to a country singer
while having lunch at the Oatman Hotel...Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent a
honeymoon night here, after marrying in Kingman, in 1939. After leaving Oatman
we had an incredible drive winding our way along the road to the top of the
mountain and down the other side. While in the mountains at the highest
elevation the temperature was 48, Lake Havasu was 68.
.
Sat. Mar. 03
We had a 2:00 tee off at
Emerald Canyon Golf Course at Parker. It was a beautiful day in the high 70's
and sunny. We golfed with a nice couple from Phoenix who have a condo across the
Colorado River in California. The golf course was Carved out of the mountains
and canyons overlooking the Colorado River, with many challenging elevation
changes. Par 3's were spectacular. The sun was setting while on the 17th whole,
a 155 yard par three for ladies, 200 feet above the green. Wow! It was a par 4
for men. As the sun was setting it turned the surrounding rugged mountains
brilliant orange. Breathtaking.
Sun. Mar. 04
Beautiful day today...in the 80's and sunny.
Did some grocery shopping this morning. After lunch we biked down to the
Bluegrass Festival on the Beach. Sat in the sun and listened to the music for a
couple of hours.
Beautiful day today...in the 80's and sunny.
Did some grocery shopping this morning. After lunch we biked down to the
Bluegrass Festival on the Beach. Sat in the sun and listened to the music for a
couple of hours.
Mon. Mar. 05
We golfed at Emerald Canyon again teeing off
before 2:00. It was moving along much better today so we were able to get our 18
in well before sunset. Rick shot 89, I shot 91. Golfed with a couple of nice
guys who stay at the park across the street for the golf course for the winter.
On the way home we saw 2 mountain goats standing against the dusk sky up on a
cliff.
Tues. Mar. 06
Getting ready to leave today, laundry and
cleaning. After lunch we took a drive down to the London Bridge which is the
original London Bridge built in 1831 and spanned the River Thames in London,
England until it was dismantled in 1967. The bridge, that was bought by Robert
P. McCulloch, the founder of Lake Havasu, from the City of London. Lake Havasu
is planned community he established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Havasu after
purchasing 3500 acres for $75.oo per acre. An engineer who helped design Disney
Land designed the lay out for the City of Lake Havasu. The bridge was completed
in 1971 (along with a canal) that links an island in the lake with the main part
of Lake Havasu City.
Getting ready to leave today, laundry and
cleaning. After lunch we took a drive down to the London Bridge which is the
original London Bridge built in 1831 and spanned the River Thames in London,
England until it was dismantled in 1967. The bridge, that was bought by Robert
P. McCulloch, the founder of Lake Havasu, from the City of London. Lake Havasu
is planned community he established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Havasu after
purchasing 3500 acres for $75.oo per acre. An engineer who helped design Disney
Land designed the lay out for the City of Lake Havasu. The bridge was completed
in 1971 (along with a canal) that links an island in the lake with the main part
of Lake Havasu City.
Wed. Mar. 07
We arrived at Boulder Oaks RV Park in Boulder
City at 12:30 and were given a beautiful site over looking part of Lake Mead and
the mountains. Boulder City is about 20 miles from Las Vegas at 2510 ft.
elevation. After setting up and having lunch we took a drive downtown Boulder
City which started out as a semi-permanent town to house workers who were
building the dam. We then took a drive out to the dam which is only 5 miles from
the park and walked across the the new bridge that overlooks the dam. On the way
back to the park we stopped at the Hacienda Hotel and Casino and left a little
$$ in the slot machine.
We arrived at Boulder Oaks RV Park in Boulder
City at 12:30 and were given a beautiful site over looking part of Lake Mead and
the mountains. Boulder City is about 20 miles from Las Vegas at 2510 ft.
elevation. After setting up and having lunch we took a drive downtown Boulder
City which started out as a semi-permanent town to house workers who were
building the dam. We then took a drive out to the dam which is only 5 miles from
the park and walked across the the new bridge that overlooks the dam. On the way
back to the park we stopped at the Hacienda Hotel and Casino and left a little
$$ in the slot machine.
Thurs. Mar. 08
We went back to the Hoover Dam today to take
a guided tour. Gorgeous sunny day around 70. Our tour started with a film about
the planning and construction of the dam, which took 5 years to complete
starting in 1931. Following that we took an elevator 550 feet down to see the
turbines, then back to the surface to view the dam and and Boulder
Canyon
Fri . Mar. 09
We went out to brunch
this morning downtown Boulder City to a restaurant featured on Diners, Driveinns
and Dives, The Coffee Cup. We had the featured dish, Huevos Ranchero...tons of
food and mmm good. We decided to bring Todd and Jess for breakfast on our way to
Sedona. After breakfast we took our bikes to a bike trail on the edge on Boulder
City that connected with the trail that is built on the old rail line that was
constructed to move building material onto the Hoover Dam Site. It was the most
beautiful and interesting ride we have ever been on over looking Lake Mead,
weaving around the mountains and through 4 tunnels. A beautiful sunny day...75
degrees. We biked 12 miles and the last 3 miles were all up hill to the
truck...thought I was going to die.
Sat. Mar. 10
We started out after breakfast to get some gas in
Henderson 15 miles up the highway, then while looking for a Home Depot we found
ourselves in Vegas. Didn't realize it was right next to Henderson, so we took a
drive from one end of the strip to the other. We checked out the RV park at
Circus Circus were we will be moving to next Saturday. Looks very nice and a
perfect location. Our next stop was Goodsprings a ghost town 20 miles south of
Vegas that has the Pioneer Saloon. We stopped for a burger and a beer and were
in time watch a young couple get married. You can have a shotgun wedding there
for $99.00. A beautiful, sunny day...75 degrees.
