Peoria, Arizona: I believe it is not a good idea to stay in a casino after midnight. This morning I opened my wallet and found 37¢. What exactly happened between that veal chop and me left with 37¢ in my wallet? It is all a blur. I know you all read this blog to learn about fun RV destinations, but take it from me... Momma was right. NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT.
It was time to get out of Dodge Las Vegas.
Actually, we really like Las Vegas. But we have a family rule - 3 night maximum. We were here four nights. See what happens when you break the rules? Thank goodness Mandalay Bay doesn't have a blackjack table with a 37¢ minimum.
After exercising and shipping orders, we hit the highway out of town before I could lose our last thirty-seven cents.
Our route today took us over Hoover Dam. Always an interesting drive, it is even more interesting these days as a new (dam bypass) bridge is being constructed (your tax dollars at work, thanks to Mr. Osama bin Laden) so traffic will no longer have to drive over the top of the bridge. Seems there is the possibility a vehicle - loaded with explosives - could potentially blow up the dam and the entire Southwest of America would be flooded, then have no electricity or water. I am not a scientist. I am not an engineer. I am not a detonation expert. (Let's face it, people, I am a RV Goddess.) But I am fairly certain there is not a vehicle capable of traversing a US highway that could be filled with enough explosives to blow up Hoover Dam.
Just saying.
Approaching the dam - this photo was taken out the window above our TV cabinet.Yes, I was standing while DT was driving (at 5 mph) and I was not wearing a seat belt.
This photo was taken from the dam, looking out to the nearly-completed bridge
We are now over the dam. This photo looks back at the dam.
And the entire project has just snowballed into a huge new road system. New roads in the desert need bridges to cross arroyos and washes. Next blasting must occur to create places where animals (sheep, coyote, rare turtles, etc.) can safely cross under the new roads. Does anyone (other than me) find any of this a bit curious?
Our route toward the Phoenix area took us over Hoover Dam, south on 93 to Kingman (where we purchased 95 gallons of diesel), a few miles east on I-10, then south on 93. 93 is one of the prettiest drives in the country. The desert has received a lot of rain and everything is very green. Greener than we have seen in years and years.
The rocky cliffs are filled with Palo Verde, mesquite, saguaro and prickly pear cactus. We also drove through miles of Joshua Tree "forests". (Sorry, I am an Oregonian and just can't call a field with the occasional random Joshua Tree a forest, no matter what the BLM says.)
Mile after mile after mile. This was our view. It was gorgeous.
Finally we arrived at our destination - a dusty, unmaintained RV park behind a dusty, unmaintained motel at highway 101 and Highway 60 in Peoria, Arizona. Why are we here? This campground is 3 miles from the baseball stadium where the Seattle Mariners hold Spring Break Practice.Plus, my Dad is joining us for a week of Ichiro! Dad arrived in his motorhome to this campground last night and we will be together for sometime enjoying the sunny southwest.
DT grilled lamb chops. I made a salad with mixed greens, pears (from the fruit bowl in our room at the W hotel in Los Angeles last week, no kidding), Oregon hazelnuts and Oregon blue cheese - topped with a vinaigrette made with Oregon olive oil and orange juice. The chops were accompanied with sautéed sugar snap peas and carrots. It was a pretty and delicious meal.
It would have been nice if I would have a captured a photo of Dad... or DT... or even the lamb chops. Sorry. I forgot. Tomorrow.
In other news, the University of Oregon announced today basketball coach, Ernie Kent (Duck basketball standout and our classmate in the 1970's) will not be returning for the 2010-11 season. Thank you, Ernie. I know you bleed yellow & green. I appreciate everything you have done for the University of Oregon.
And though not even one person on the entire planet has asked... or cares... about my opinion, there is only one person I want to replace you as Head Coach of the Fighting Ducks:
A girl can dream.Until my next update, I remain, your yellow & green buff & blue correspondent.
RV Park: Coming soon. Can't find a website or any information for this joint. Maybe it is just a mirage?