It's Monday the 9th as we start this post in Zion - our home until Friday morning. Arrived, as scheduled, last Friday afternoon. Prior to Zion we had a three night stay at Big Bend of the Colorado in Laughlin, NV, and a two night stay in Valley of Fire State Park 50 miles north of Las Vegas.
Big Bend is a very clean state park located on the banks of the Colorado River. It's relatively new and has full RV hookups (water, electric, and sewer).The river level is down dramatically from what we experienced our last time here and very sad to see. The drought in the West, the population growth, and the increase in agricultural irrigation are really taking it's toll on the Colorado.
We did not visit any of the casino's in Laughlin, but were tempted to do so. What we did do is make a big scenic loop drive around the area. Drove from Laughlin to Golden Valley and on to Kingman AZ where we got on Historic Route 66 and drove it up over the mountains to the old mining town of Oatman. From there we continued to Hwy 95 and back north to Bullhead City where we crossed back over the Colorado to Laughlin.
Valley of Fire SP has been a stop for us about four times now over the years of Western travel. It's full of bright red sandstone formations, very remote, but still only an hour drive to Lake Mead to let Breezie swim in the lake. There are several marina's on the north shore of Lake Mead between Vegas and the State Park. All are no longer in operation due to the drastic low water levels, but the boat launches are still available to use and make a good place for dogs to get into the water. They are concrete and therefore also make a great drying off area to keep Breezie free of sand and dirt before getting back into the car.
Here are the pictures we selected for you -
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| Big Bend of the Colorado State Park Campground |
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| Looking up the Colorado from Big Bend towards Laughlin |
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| Restored 1953 Bel-Air police car in front of the Kingman police station. We got on Rt 66 in Kingman |
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Many sections of Route 66 can be found across the US.
This is the longest section that is still maintained |
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| Old gas station still open but more of a junk store. No gas! |
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| Rt 66 winding it's way through the Arizona mountains |
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| More of Route 66. It is quite scenic |
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Downtown Oatman, AZ on RT 66
An old mining town now just a tourist trap noted for the wild burrows that wonder through town looking for people to feed them |
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| Blue Boy at home in Valley of Fire |
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| Campfire and cocktails |
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| Everywhere you look is visually gorgeous |
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| Arch Rock...an example of wind and water over millions of years |
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| Ancient petroglyphs |
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| Jim reaching for my wine that I stashed in a cubbyhole at camp. He thinks he's being sneaky! |
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Boat launch on Lake Mead where we took Breezie to get wet in the Colorado.
If you look at the far shoreline the "normal" water level is at the top of the white colored rocks.
It has to be over 100' lower then it should be. |
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| Breezie swimming |
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| Canyon Hike |
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| Road trippin' through Valley of Fire |
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| Full Moon.....view from camp |
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| Happy Hour and I'm happy. Climbed up onto this alcove that was at camp behind the rig. |
