Week 874-875 - Back to the Desert - 05-20-2023

Back to the Desert

Exiting Palm Creek Resort, we head to the desert.

Who are we kidding? Palm Creek is in the desert, it just doesn't look like it!

Our first stop is The Palms in Yuma, Arizona. Our long time friends from Paso Robles, gifted us an RV site right next to theirs. We spent five days enjoying their company, playing pickleball and eating well.

We met new friends Lisa and Dave who live just a few miles away from daughter Melissa and Mario. Our hosts Steve/Susan and Lisa made some fabulous meals. We'll see all these folks when we get back home.

Next stop is one of our favorites, dry camping in Quartzsite, Arizona. During the two-week RV Show, there might be as many at 250,000 visitors. This time in 100 degree heat, not so many.

The moon showing thru the ocotillo plant. Its nice to have a 30-zoom camera to close in on the moon.

The sun is up. Mandy says "it time for a hike". She leads the way.

1) "This hike is tough".
2) "You know I don't like hikes".

"Now this is a hike I can get behind".

"Hey folks, I made it to the top!"

Do you like privacy? We enjoyed it on Dome Rock Road.

Two days was great, now off to Laughlin, Nevada for hookups and a pool. Our first view of the Colorado River.

1) Our site at Don Laughlin's RV Resort.
2) Pickleball was happening at Rotary Park in Bullhead City, Arizona across the river. Play started at 6:30 am to avoid the afternoon heat of 102.

Our RV site view of the Laughlin casinos. The Riverside Casino pool is at our disposal.

Alongside the pool is Corn Hole Toss. After winning 21 to 8, Ellen said "I'm good at this game!"
Pete says "This game is stupid!"

Oatman is a town in the desert 28 miles southeast of Bullhead City. We took the JeepShip on the shorter 15 mile route 155/10. And yes, this is the route highlighted by Google Maps. The paved 28 mile option that we took back is much quicker, but not as scenic.

Founded in the early 1900's, gold was found in 1915. About $10,000,000 in gold. Population exploded within one year to about 3,500.

Around 1924 most miners left. Today, Oatman is a tourist town with a 2020 population of 102.

The town can be a host to wild burros, descendants of those from the miners. Many of the businesses play off the name of burros or jackasses.

Oatman is also a favorite for bikers as it is along the famous Route 66.

We avoid appointments and reservations whenever we can. But, on our route was a stop at Cummins Care in North Las Vegas. We are not fans of Las Vegas and avoid all freeways by diverting thru the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This peaceful drive adds 23 miles and is worth it. Stop along the way at lake overlooks or even hike to the lake for a swim.

Cummins has locations called Cummins Care Centers for motorhomes. Service is great, albeit the most expensive. We got our annual oil changes for the engine and generator. We stayed free for two nights with 50 amp power and can stay anytime we are in the area!

Our last stop for this leg of our trip is Tonopah, Nevada. The road is delightful for most, not so much for this burnt trailer.

We can never get over the beauty that God has put on the Earth.

Who would have thought you would see such scenes in the Nevada desert.

Tonopah has the Tonopah Station Hotel/Casino with RV parking. We have stopped there when we were not towing.

Pull thrus are available at Tonopah RV Park. Easy in and out and economical with full hookups and cable. And a nice view to boot.

Next week we will leave the desert for greener pastures.

With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy

Photos from May 2023