El Mirage, AZ Sunset

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle is a settlement built by the Southern Sinagua, a prehistoric culture that once flourished in the Verde Valley of central Arizona.The Southern Sinagua were skilled farmers growing corn, beans, squash, and cotton.

Grand Canyon NP on Kaibab Trail Shuttle Route

Our 2nd day in the park we took the Kaibab Trail/green route shuttle to the eastern side of the south rim. This photo was taken at Yaki Point view point.

The Grand Canyon overwhelms your senses. Its story tells of geologic processes played out over unimaginable time spans as a unique combination of size, color, & erosional forms...277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep.

Grand Canyon NP Village

Grand Canyon National Park

Good view of the Colorado river from viewpoint along the Hermits Rest shuttle route. By 5 or 6 million years ago the Colorado River flowed across the Colorado Plateau on its way from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California. Each rain washed desert soil into the river. The heavy sedimented river created a powerful tool for erosion.

West end point of the Hermits Rest shuttle. Stop offers great vistas and small gift shop.

Views along Hermits Rest Route

The red shuttle bus route, called Hermits Rest Route, takes you 7 miles west along the south rim from the Grand Canyon Village. The horses & mules are heading back up to the south rim on the Bright Angel trail. The trail head is in the Grand Canyon Village area.

We saw several Big Horn Sheep during our stay. One of the shuttle drivers said he hadn't seen one in 2 yrs, so maybe we were just lucky.

Grand Canyon NP view at Mather Point

Mather Point is close to Canyon View Information Plaza.

We are standing on the south rim of the canyon. Behind us is the north rim, which is about 10 miles away. The drive to the north rim from the south rim is 215 miles.

Arriving at Grand Canyon National Park

The south rim entrance to the Grand Canyon is located about 50 miles north of Williams, AZ.

This mule deer & several of his brothers welcomed us at Trailer Village inside the NP.

We were warned to watch out for the wild pigs, because they do not like dogs. A small dog was attacked by one of these fellows the day before we arrive.

The free shuttle bus system throughout the park is great. This is the shuttle bus stop right at the entrance to Trailer Village, where we stayed.

London Bridge Lake Havasu City, AZ

Lake Havasu's London Bridge spanned the Thames River for about 80 years before being dismantled and brought piece by piece to Arizona in 1964.

Jan and Ted on the canal front over which London Bridge was rebuilt. Water way is part of Lake Havasu.

If you build it they will come. The moved & reconstructed bridge is the #2 most visited site in Arizona...2nd to the Grand Canyon

Highway AZ 95 between Parker & Lake Havasu City

Lake Havasu formed by damming the Colorado River just above Parker, AZ. A huge area created for boating & all types of water sports.

Lake Havasu is 45 miles long and has an abundance of coves and inlets for exploring.

The life blood of the entire area, the Colorado River winds its way through the Mohave Valley on its course to the Sea of Cortez, Mexico( which it never really reaches) from its origins in the Rocky Mountains near Grand Lake.

Exploring Joshua Tree National Park

Examples of the many varieties of desert vegetation that can be seen throughout Joshua Tree NP.

Front of Welcome Center

Cholla Cactus Garden is dominated by jumping cholia, named for its tendency to attach itself to the unwary.

Far vistas throughout the Park.....

Joshua Tree National Park....

Joshua Tree NP is an eclogical melting pot, two great deserts the Mojave & Colorado blend together in a vibrant landscape featuring plants and animals represetative of both.

29 Palms, CA

29 Palms is known as the city of murals. Above shows William & Elizabeth Campbell, who homesteaded the area in the 1920's. The Campbell's donated the land for the first school in 29 Palms.

Minerva Hoyt persuaded President Roosevelt to establish Joshua Tree National Monument in August 1936. In 1994 the Monument became Joshua Tree National Park during the term of President Clinton.

Local Spanish style church

29 Palms is at the main entrance to Joshua Tree National Park.

Rio Del Sol RV Park, Big River, CA

Located right on the shores of the Colorado River on the California side. Great spot for boating & 4 wheeling

Luckily didn't see any of these neighbors.

On the Road to Big River, CA

We left Las Vegas Tuesday AM after finally getting our main
AC unit on the RV repaired.
Good thing as the weather is getting continually warmer.

Big River, CA is located on the Colorado River with in 7 miles of Parker, AZ. The town has been developed by the local Indian tribes & has some very nice homes & RV Parks located along the river.

Las Vegas Sign

 

The WELCOME TO FABULOUS LAS VEGAS sign is a Las Vegas Strip landmark funded in May 1959 and erected soon after by Western Neon. The sign was designed by Betty Willis. Willis embarked on developing a sign that was unique in its shape, style and content. The sign is a 25 ft tall classic roadside pole design, mounted offset on two flat poles. In a nod to Nevada's nickname "the silver state" across the top of the sign are white neon circles, designed to represent silver dollars.
The sign is currently located in the median at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South. The sign, like most of the strip, sits in the town of Paradise and is located about four miles south of the actual city limits of Las Vegas.
The sign is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places...a must see and a photo op for any Las Vegas visitor.

The Family

 
One more photo inside Planet Hollywood, Miracle Mile of Shops. Sort of like being at a middle eastern market place with lots of shops. The extremely high sky scape really catches your attention when you're there.

Planet Hollywood Las Vegas

 

We met up with Cameron & his USMMA buddies at Planet Hollywood for lunch. Colin, Cameron and PJ had a good time meeting young ladies at Cheese Burger, a restaurant inside Planet Hollywood.

 

 

Hoover Dam

 

 

 

Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression in the 1930's. The hard work of all involved had the Dam completed under budget & ahead of schedule. The Dam was original called Boulder Dam, but the name was later changed to honor President Hoover.

 

Boulder City, Nevada

 
This photo is of Jan in front of the Boulder Dam Hotel in Boulder City. The hotel is a historic jewel and houses the very well done Hoover Dam Museum
 
Inside the Hoover Dam Museum a depiction of the immense scale & complexity of the project.
 
View of Lake Mead created on the Colorado River by the construction of Hoover Dam