Friday, May 3, 2013

Time to Head North

We arrived back in Wickenburg to cold windy weather for the first few days but after that it turned HOT.  And when it gets hot in the desert things come out that I don't like such as:

                     Yes that's a rattle snake that was in our park but I am happy to say it is dead!!!

Then we had a nest of Africanized bees in the hill right behind the camper.  We didn't know they were there and when we opened the door to go in the camper several of them followed us, luckily they went straight to the lights and we were able to kill them.  The next day we reported it to management and that afternoon the bee charmer treated the nest.  He told us this was his 3rd call that day.  He sprayed the nest with some kind of a smoke and then sealed it up with Great Stuff foam.  Let me tell you there was some pissed off bees but they were gone by the next day.


On a happier note the warm weather brings out beautiful blooms on cacti.



This was our picture window view during our stay in Wickenburg.  We would see coyotes in the wash in the mornings, along with folks on horse back and ATVs.  The Weaver Mountains often had snow making for a pretty sight.


We made preparations to move North with our destination being Mill City NV to meet the Escapees Prospecting and Metal Detecting Club.  On the way there we made 3 stops.

First was Lake Havasu.  We stayed at Cattail Cove State Park which is about 10 miles south of the lake.  This was a very nice park right on the Colorado river with a boat ramp and beach area. 

The Desert Storm Poker Run boat race was happening that weekend so on Saturday we headed to Lake Havasu to check it out.  These boats are crazy fast doing 179 mph and are longer then our caravan.  The rooster tails they make are something else.
 After observing the races we went to the London Bridge to wandering around and get out of the heat as it was triple digits, you could feel the tops of your feet sizzling in the sun.

On April 18, 1968, Lake Havasu city founder Robert P McCulloch purchased the bridge from London.  Each block was meticulously numbered before the bridge was disassembled. The blocks were then shipped overseas through the Panama Canal to California and trucked from Long Beach to AZ.  Construction was completed in 1971.  The bridge is AZ second biggest attraction after the Grand Canyon.

Now this is a real party location.  I don't know if you ever watched the TV show "Party Heat" where
police officers try to maintain order during gatherings in Lake Havasu.  Well it is just like what we saw on the show.  People partying and cruising up and down the water way in their big boats looking for a spot to park.  It is all about being seen.  
                                          This is the first time I have ever seen a floating beer pong table.
                                And of course the police were out in force stopping party goers.
Crazy I tell you just crazy!  You can walk along the water way, sit on a bench and just watch the sights.  We did just that for awhile then had an over priced beer at the locate watering hole before heading back home.  All in all it is a place you have to experience.

Our next stop was Laughlin NV.  We arrived on Sunday which was the last day of the Laughlin River Run bike week.  We had no problem finding a site a the Riverside Casino RV Park as alot of the bikers were on their way home.  The nice lady put us in a big pull through site so we didn't have to unhitch the Tahoe as we were only going to be there for 2 nights.  The park has a shuttle that comes by every 30 minutes and carries you down the hill to the casino.  It was 102 that afternoon so we caught the shuttle to the casino and chilled out in the movie theater.  After the movie we wandered around the casino.  You gotta love casino carpet with all the bright colors and patterns.


 Now we are not gambling people because we have enough smarts to know that we are Losers when it comes to gambling.  Mark did play a little bit of poker at the bar which meant we got free drinks and when he broke even we stopped.  Now there is a water taxi that will take to other casinos down the strip so we paid $4 each and jumped on board.  It was evening by this time and things had cooled down so we walked back through all the casinos along the strip checking out the sights.  Once back at the Riverside we checked out this awesome car display they have for free.  I highly recommend seeing it.

This is a 1934 Buick 61 Touring Sedan for sale $150,000.  Now that's Style!!!
Afterwards we took the shuttle home.  This is a good stop over point with things to do for little money and stores to stock up on supplies on the AZ side.  The next morning we met our friends Danny and Terri Baker from Kingman at Harrah's Casino for brunch.  It was great to see them and catch up, thank you both for coming to see us.  But I must say it doesn't take much to persuade Ms. Terri, aka "Queen of the Slot Machines", to go to a casino!  You go girl, I'm happy to know someone that's a winner in a casino.  After bunch we headed to Bull Head City which is on the AZ side to fuel the vehicles as prices were better.  The temps were 105 so we chilled in the caravan for the rest of the day.

Third stop was Las Vegas where we stayed at the Sam's Town Casino RV Park which was nice and right off of 95.  The spots are tight but for a few days and the location it worked just fine.  We stored the toy trailer in a storage lot that the casino provides and had both vehicles on our site.   
We have been to Vegas before but there where some places we wanted to check out.  We watch the show Counting Cars on the history channel.  Most people in Las Vegas bet with chips, but Danny “The Count” Koker bets with cars.  He also owns a bar and tattoo shop.  Not being interested in tattoos we made our way to Count's Vamp'd  Rock Bar and Grill.

It is a very cool biker bar with displayed memorabilia of bikes and cars that the Count has created.  The show Counting Cars is playing on TV screens and  there are scheduled rock bands on certain nights.  The staff was very accommodating to the patrons as there was several folks there that would never probably be there if it wasn't for the show.  As a matter of fact "Horny Mike" was there chatting it up with the customers.  Well I had to get a picture.

On our way home we cruised the strip.  No matter how many times you go to Las Vegas it is always fun to see all the lights and the people, this town has just has electricity in the air.

The next day we went to Count's Kustoms.  Again the staff was very gracious to the visitors taking the free tour of Danny's custom car collection.





Next stop, Rick's Restoration also a show on the history channel.  Again the staff was very accommodating to the everyone with tours every 20 minutes but no pictures allowed inside the shop.




Last stop was Gold and Silver Pawn Shop which started it all with the show Pawn Stars.  I had been there 3 years ago and was lucky enough to get my picture with Rick but things have changed since then.  Last year when we were in Vegas we went by the shop on 3 different occasions and the line was too crazy to get in.  But this year we hit it just right.




The next day we went to the Valley of Fire State Park which is North of Vegas.
This park is Nevada's oldest and largest state park.  It derives it name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs.  They have a campground, hiking trails and several points of interest spots. 


My pictures don't do justice to this wonderful place so here is one I found.

Anyway you get the idea, be sure to visit this park when you are in the area.

Next stop will be Mill City NV to do gold prospecting.

==========================

Don't forget to stop by my Etsy store and check out my hand made jewelry.

Just click on the link here or the side banner at the top of the blog.


Thanks for following and have a great day!





  

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Back On the East Coast and Peep Week

Hi everyone!  We enjoyed our time back home visiting family and friends, and of course it was Peep Week at the Beach with my Sistahs! 
                                        The first person we had to visit was our grandson Reed! 


Reed will be 4 in June and we miss him so much.  He is wide open and one of the reasons we will be heading back to the east coast this fall.  This boy loves batman and swinging on his swing set.  We were going to take him to the park but no, he wanted to play at his own play ground and have a picnic.  If we didn't have to fly home we would still be pushing him on the swing!
The hardest part of full timing is missing this sweet boy.

We were staying at Sistah Karen's house while she and Stuart were in Mexico.  No trip home would be complete without seeing my Aunt Ruthie in VA.  I drove up on Sunday and had a great visit.  My Aunt Ruthie is my inspiration, nothing stops this wonderful woman and I hope to be half the great lady that she is.



                 Thank you Ruthie and Cliff for a nice time.  I even got Ruthie hooked on Slotomania!
                            I picked up Karen and Stuart at the airport on my way back home.

                                 ========================================

Azalea Festival was happening which is a big deal in Wilmington.  We got together with Lori and Greg Rooker and headed downtown.  It was kind of cool to be a tourist in your own town.  When we lived here we rarely went downtown.  Wilmington is really a pretty town right on the Cape Fear river.  We first went to Level 5 which is a bar that has a good view of the Cape Fear bridge and USS North Carolina battleship.




We had dinner at the Copper Penny and then did the river walk, it was a wonderful evening.  Thanks Lori and Greg for joining us!

                           ===============================================

Mark's brother Lynn and his wife Susan invited us to the GOT-EM-ON Live Bait Club cookout at Carolina Beach.  It was a nice day to be on the beach enjoying the sunshine, good food, friends and family.



Lynn doing what he does best...COOK.

Susan's strawberry cake raised $75 for a good cause.

Thank you both for including us, we had a super time.

================================

We saw as many folks as we could but still didn't see everyone.  Many a wonderful meal was shared with friends and we thank you all.  We got our fix eating the things we can't get on the west coast.  Nothing is better than fresh seafood from the east coast.  Every time we go back I have to have some catfish.  My BFF Tammy,


her husband Jeffery can cook some catfish and he knows when I am in town that's what I want for dinner.  Thank you both for 2 wonderful meals and the use of your vehicle during our stay. 

=================================

Peep Week at North Topsail Island was just what the doctor ordered.  Time with my Sistahs to rejuvenate my soul, nothing is better.  The weather this year was abit chilly but we did have some nice days to walk the beach.


Sistah Julie, Kari and Gini

While ran into a family that was staying in the house behind us and they were fishing on the beach.  All they were catching was Blow fish.

They are the cutest things.


Sistah Martha is a serious shell seeker and found lots of treasures.


As always creativity flows from this unique group of women that I am lucky to call me Sistahs! 

Julie has a new grand baby arriving soon so she was busy.

Quilts and changing pads.

Sistah Kari and Karen pinning Kari's quilt top.

Beautiful painted papers by Kari.


                                                 Vintage jewelry created by Sistah Martha.


The list goes on and on, but of course we found time for wine and food!



Thank you Sistah Karen for bringing the Sky Lanterns.  It was amazing that night as the moon was hiding behind the clouds and as soon as we starting lighting the lanterns it came out and shinned down upon us.

                                                           The YSA Sistahood forever!



                        +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Now I have to tell you all about my store that I have opened on Etsy.  As you know I make jewelry and was busy as a bee during Peep Week making new designs.  So click on this link and it will take you to my store named Wandering Designs.   www.etsy.com/shop/WanderingDesigns
Don't forget Mothers Day is around the corner so shop early for your loved one and give her a beautiful hand crafted pair of earrings or bracelet.  They come gift wrapped guys so what could be easier!

                                   ========================================

I just want to send out a big Thank You to Karen and Stuart for letting us call your house home!

 
                                                    Stuart I will have a gin and tonic please!


                                                ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                                                         This is for my wonderful husband.