Vegas & Hoover Dam

We've decided to make the drive to Vegas to meet up with our girl Melissa and our good friends Barb & Brian from Washington. It's an easy 3 hour drive through the desert. We stopped here just last spring and being non-gamblers and non-smokers they were the only reason for our return. I must say though, it's great being able to walk around anywhere with a drink in your hand and the people watching is superb.

A trip to Las Vegas isn't complete without watching the water show at Bellagio. 

It was Tim's first annual 59th birthday! 

Tim and Brian

Barb, Elmo and Renee

And Elvis was in the house

Cheers to the Camper Girls!

It was wonderful to spend some time with Melissa. She is Tim's mini me and just adorable.

Tammy - this is for you. You Walking Dead freak.

While in the area we went to the Hoover Dam. We didn't take the Dam Tour because we've been on other dam tours and didn't want to spend $30 each for this one.

This view is from standing on the dam looking at the newer Tillman Bridge.

You can see how far the water has recessed over the years. They say if the water goes much lower, the dam will not function properly to produce electricity.

Here we are atop Hoover Dam. The plaque on the sidewalk notes Nevada on one side and Arizona on the other side.

Barb is rubbing the toes on the guardian angel for good luck. Apparently it worked because the next day she won some cash!

This is the view of Hoover Dam from the Tillman Bridge

LHC & Oatman

Mom came with Chris and Chuck Cherry for the long MLK weekend. Their timing for great weather was perfect. We went for a boat ride on Lake Havasu.

Here is the London Bridge

During the winter (snow-bird season) it's pretty empty in the Channel. When the weather warms up and all through the summer this is packed with people and boats.

 Paragliders in formation over the Island

We missed the morning mass ascension of hot air balloons but this is where they have the festivities

 Me with mamacita & Chris.

 Then we drove to the old mining town of Oatman. They sell lots of stuff in the gift shops, but it's known mostly for the free roaming burros.

 This collection of leather hats for sale reminded me of Kaela shopping for one in Scottsdale. She would have been happy to have so many to choose from.

 This is one of many "pick it up" Chuck's stories. While driving to Oatman he saw this on the road. He was just itching to go back to see exactly what it was and if worthy, add to his extensive collection of stuff. On our return trip we circled around and located it. He pulled over, jumped out and tossed it in the back of the truck. At a safe location he stopped to reexamine his find and as you can tell, he is quite pleased with himself. A 36 inch saw blade. 

Since we had missed the hot air balloons the day prior, we stopped at Lake Havasu City on the way home. In the Knights of Columbus parking lot there were a dozen balloons filling up. We had a front row seat. They are beautiful.

I found this picture on the internet. It looks like a painting but it's a photograph. 

Rollin' on the River

Last year we stayed at Pirates Den on the Parker Strip in Arizona. We were very lucky to have waterfront for the month of January. We weren't guaranteed front row this year so we went across the river to Sundance RV Resort.  It's not the same - we're not at the Den. And the sites are tight. But it is worth it. We are so happy to be here. Take a look.

Rene and Traci paddle boarded over from Pirates Den to welcome us. Here they are headed home. The boat shuttle should be up and running shortly.

 This is Joe and Cindy's organic garden by the river

Our view from the outside...

the inside.... (it looks like we are floating on the river)

across the street.....

and on the river with our friends

We call him dash-hound

 We've had crazy cold weather. Just 30 miles north Peggy had enough snow to make a snow cone size snowman. We had some flurries and very cold temperatures.

We'll be back to in the 70's in a couple of days.