so long Vegas area

Heading out of Las Vegas/Henderson area today. We sure have enjoyed the last week and a half or so in this area and are really enjoying the warm weather. But alas - we must begin our trip north. brrrrr

We have been spending our days along the Colarodo River in the Lake Mead Recreation Area. Specifically Willow Beach which is about 30 miles or so from Henderson - 14 miles into Arizona over the Hoover Dam. I was a bit skittish about going over the Hoover Dam because in 2008 we saw it from below. But since they have walls on either side of the bridge and you can't look down you don't really know how high you are. The road and bridge are so nice now without having to decsend down into the dam. The road down into Willow Beach is fairly steep with a descent of about 1200 ft. The benefit of this was the nice temps.

Willow Beach is a very nice area but the campground was closed and so we had to boondock. Which as ok with us but not so much with the Ranger. But we did manage to stay there about 7 nights total and enjoyed the water and area very much. This is a great area for boating, fishing and duck feeding. We met a nice couple from Germany and spent a night around the fire with Monty and Lana a couple from South Dakota/New Mexico. They were great and even let Derek take Cassia out in one of their inflatable kayaks.

The big news of the last week is that we hiked down to the Arizona Hot Springs at the 4 mile mark last Sunday. This was quite the feat and not for the faint of heart. The hike down was ok - beautiful through the canyon - red and white rock. Now I really wish I could post the pics! Derek carried Cassia on his back and I carried all the supplies. Good thing we ran into a group at the bottom by the river to direct us to the hot springs. Even though we read about them on the internet I don't think we would have found the location without help. A LOT of climbing is involved - including a metal 20 ft ladder with water spilling down. That was very challenging for me and after my grumbling all the way up was embarrassed to find a couple at the top! sheesh.

But what a beautiful hotsprings - a series of pools in the rocks and easy to find your own spot. We talked with a couple from Las Vegas. They told us about the back route out. They weren't sure if we could make it with Cassia since there were a few steep areas - but said it would take about an hour off the return trip. How could we ignore that! so a while after they left we headed out the back way. I won't say it was easy - actually it may have been one of the most difficult hikes either of us have done - but we made it back and were VERY thankful to see our rig. A great hot springs to visit we highly recommend it but that will be our first and last time! we were sore for days after!

So today we move on - destination tonight is Ash Springs about 100 miles north of Vegas. There is a warm springs there and free camping at the Pahranagat NWR. We plan to stay a few days although temps are much cooler then here - 60s and 30s. After that a stop in Nampa Idaho early next week to visit a friend and then north though middle of Washington.

We estimate arrival into Canada late next week. Our winter trip is winding down. To be honest we are happy to on our way home - cooler temps and all. This has been a trying 4 months on the road.

We have seen and learned many things.

on the road - again

Well we are no longer at Holtville and are actually over 300 miles north. We headed out Thursday morning to Brawley for some groceries and then onto Slab City east of Niland. We have mentioned the Slabs before I think. Slab City is a very famous area (just google it) and so we just had to go take a look for ourselves - some love it some hate it. Well, we actually enjoyed our time there although could only stretch our stay 3 nights  - but in the few days we were there we experienced Salvation Mountain, the hot spring pond - by ourselves no less, walked by the canel, had dinner among the locals at karma kitchen, and Saturday night music at The Range. You may recall from Derek's blog that Chris McCandles (sp?) stayed at Slab City. We enjoyed the people there a lot but the garbage - not so much. It sure is something to see - I wish I could post our pics of Salvation Mountain!

Sunday we continued on with a stop at one of our favourite places - Salton Sea Rec Area. We were allowed to go in to the parking area for 1/2 hour for free. So we made the most of it showing Cassia the shore and all the birds. After that it was on to Mecca and east through Box Canyon to the Interstate. We then headed north to Needles, Bullhead City and Laughlin. We planned on staying the night at BC but it was still early and much busier then we thought and so headed towards Las Vegas. By the time we got to Searchlight it was getting dark so we stopped for the night. Not really the best decision because we were at 3,500ft and so very cold - went down to -5C at night.

Today we came into Henderson and stopped at the Chamber to find the library. Busy busy place. We wanted to check in and check on the weather. Bad news - the is a storm in our path! Actually we are quite disappointed because we are a bit road wary and were looking forward to home. Now it looks as though we should delay our trip north by a week or so. Since we can't spend the rest of the week parking lot hoping we will head south of here to Willow Beach looks like we can camp there for $5 a night. We were originally going to go that way to hit Arizona Hot Springs but decided to forgo but looks like we will go there now.

We did take a trip to Ethel M Chocolate factory today something we had read in a magazine a while ago. They offer free self guided tours and samples afterward. Well it was ok but pretty disappointing - the tour is very very short - the samples very very small and the prices very very high for their chocolates in the store. But we sure did enjoy the walk through their cactus garden!

So - here we are - stuck in Las Vegas of all places. Might take in the strip but not sure - 'we've been there done that' - but may be a good way to pass a day.

Enjoying the Springs

Well we have been at the hotspring now for just over a week. Time sure seems to fly here much more then other places. Our days are full between lots of walks by the canal, soaking in the hotspring and visiting with friends. The Holtville BLM is a pretty social place since you meet people at the hotsprings. I met a very nice lady there yesterday while with Cassia. She was very calm with a lyrical voice. We talked about many things from raising children to living without a lot of 'stuff'. She has a place at the Slabs where we plan to stop in on our way up. Her name is Hazal and she told me how to find her there so she can give us a tour. Much appreciated since we hear both good and bad about the Slabs - but definitely want to stop in and see for ourselves.


This past week in Holtville was the 64th Annual Carrot Festival. It is a big deal here with a week full of events. The big day was Saturday with the parade and midway. We came in for that. Cassia really enjoyed the parade - ohhing and ahhing all the sights. She partiulcarly liked seeing the horses.


We were also invited to the Ranch and went there in the afternoon. The ranch is a area behind someones house - Mexican American. They have been playing music there for years - a combo of Mexican and Snowbirds. We sat and listened to some good music and had a wonderful buffet dinner - free! We met up with our friend Rose from Nelson and had a great time. We headed out early since it was 3:30 and Cassia was pretty much sleeping standing up. She was asleep not even a minute in the truck headed back home.


The weather is much warmer now after last week with a cool northern wind.

Town of Tumco and back to the hotspring

Well we pulled back into the hotspring BLM today - found a great spot on the south side of the interstate this time a little corner all to ourselves.


Yesterday we had a fun filled day with our Sask friends Ken and Val. They were so generous to pick us up at our Walmart parking spot and take us to a breakfast buffet. We haven't eaten like that in a very long time. A great buffet for $6 each. After that we toured the town a little and stopped at a few RV places for K and V to check some rigs out. Later in the afternoon we headed back to Walmart - did some stocking up and said our goodbyes. K and V are staying in Yuma for a few days but will be heading this way so hoping to see them in Holtville.


Since we were late heading out we spent the night on Ogilby Road. We went up a bit to be by ourselves and ended up parking at the trail head to the historic gold mining town of Tumco. So this morning the three of us headed up for a hike. It was great - we took some great pics - too bad I can post them. Not much remains of the town that at it's height had a population of 500. I haven't googled it yet but you could probably find info on it.


After that we packed up and headed to the hotspring. Once parked and unhooked we headed here to Holtville to use the library and to get some water.


Good news! we have officially be offered the positions of Campground Managers of Skihist and Goldpan Prov Parks just north of Lytton. Very excited about our summer.


Heading back to camp now and a very much needed soak.

Full Circle - back to Yuma

Well it took about a month but we are back in Yuma. Although beautiful surroundings parking near Ajo - Ajo itself is a difficult town to be near. There is not much in the way of services and it is very very expensive. So we decided to head out on Tuesday to Yuma and back to Holtville. The hotspring is calling our name and good to be using less propane. On another note - we were visited every night on Darby Wells Road by the coyotes and saw one close by in the afternoon. At the laundry mat I met the lady parked the nearest to us - they are from 108 Mile Ranch. Such a small world down here I find. The lady we were talking to this morning at the laundry is from Edmonton.


Our timing was great to leave because on our way out of Ajo we stopped at the library to check email. We  had one from our Val and Ken that we have been trying to meet up with. Turns out they are headed to Yuma also - what luck. So we will hopefully finally rendezvous with them tomorrow. We are taking advantage of our day today by doing some laundry and spending sometime at the Foothills Library - surrounded by snowbirds of course.


Cold and windy night last night. The trailer was 3 degrees this morning and our propane ran out last night. A least it ran out here at $2.35/gallon instead of up at Ajo where it was $3.09/gallon.


Hoping for warmer weather but at least we will have the hotspring.

Ajo and Organ Pipe National Monument

We made the trip from Ironwood Forest National Monument to Ajo on Wednesday - a nice trip. Once here we were unsure where to park and so stopped in at the Chamber of Commerce to see where people boondock which we found out to be along the Darby Wells Road just south of town. So we headed there  - it was late afternoon - and so needed to find a spot. After traveling the entire road and back to Ajo we still hadn't found anything. Not many RVs and not many pull outs off the main road.


Road worn and getting late we headed down to the Organ Pipe National Mounument knowing that there was a campground there. We spent the night there which was good and not too expensive. After enjoying the morning there and then a visit to the Visitor Center which was great we headed back to Darby Wells Road determined to find a spot.


Well we did find a great spot this time about 6 miles in. We are surrounded by Saguaro Cactus and such and great red mountains to look at. The most common site are the Border Patrol trucks going by. We were visited by some very bold coyotes last night. Too bad I can't post pictures - Derek got a few pics of the coyotes and we have some taken some great ones of the cactus here and Cassia.


Big news today - Cassia is 20 months old!  ya for Cassia - she is growing like a weed and understands so much. Her new words this past week were UP and DOWN. She also knows very well about the prickles of the cactus and is thankfully very careful around them.

Picacho Peak State Park

Well we thoroughly enjoyed our 24.5 hours at Picacho Peak State Park and yes we each had two showers - hot hot showers! We also got to dump and fill with water. We met two great couples from BC. One from Kelowna headed all the way to the Florida Keys. The other from Galiano Island spending some time in the area before they head home like us in early March. We were happy to pass on information to both couples who are in this area for the first time.


While at the park we filled out an application form to be camp hosts at a Arizona State Park for next winter. We put Picacho as first, Roper Lake 2nd and Catalina SP as third. Really hoping for Picacho - it is so beautiful there. Camp hosts get their site and full hook ups - work 4 hours a day 5 days a week. We would be so excited to work at this state park! fingers crossed.


We just heard back from our Sask friends - seems that we got our signals crossed. They are headed probably to Mexicali which is west into California where we were in December. So we are now just west of Tucson. Since they are not coming this way we are going to continue on to Ajo for some boondocking.


We will wait in that general area until we can meet up with our BC parks friends when they head this way at the end of February. Then we will head north with them - destination - Skihist Provincial Park for the spring/summer/fall season.