Dec. 12 – Finally in Arizona!

A leisurely drive through a few rain squalls brought us finally into Arizona. We stayed at a BLM camping area just north of Quartzsite.

Our first Arizona sunset of the season!

Our first Arizona sunset of the season!

Dec. 11 – Kaleidoscope

A beautiful ceiling decoration in Las Vegas.

A beautiful ceiling decoration in Las Vegas.

Dec. 10 – HCTM

The reason for the long stay at Lake Mead wasn’t just because of the weather,  it was a great place to ride out the nationwide freezing temperatures though. The microclimate by the lake was pretty pleasant comparatively. We wanted to stay close to Las Vegas to catch a show by our favorite group of the undead; “Here Come The Mummies”!  We were waiting out the last storm in Beatty and Robert checked out their website and saw that they would be in Las Vegas tonight! So we got tickets and a room at Bally’s because they are on The Strip and have big-rig parking behind the building for our camper. A walk of less than a mile brought us to the Hard Rock Cafe where they performed and we had a BLAST!

The anticipation before the band came onstage!

The anticipation before the band came onstage!

What a horn section!

What a horn section!

The climax!

The climax!

 

Dec. 9 – Hoover Dam

From yesterday, our first view of the dam after a steep descent down stairs to the new parking garage.

No dogs allowed on the dam so we had to be satisfied with views from the garage.

No dogs allowed on the dam so we had to be satisfied with views from the garage.

A closer view showing the art deco visitor entrance.

A closer view showing the art deco visitor entrance.

Turning to look downstream there is the view of the new bridge to lighten traffic on and to secure the dam.

Turning to look downstream there is the view of the new bridge to lighten traffic on and to secure the dam.

 

 

Dec. 8 – Old Railroad

The Visitors Center at Lake Mead had a holiday sale and free hot beverages and sweets, what an unexpected treat! It fueled us on our 7 mile roundtrip hike on the old railroad grade to Hoover Dam. Check out fantastic chronological photos of construction of the dam HERE.

The fairly level gravel trail went through 5 tunnels opening to views of the lake.

The fairly level gravel trail went through 5 tunnels opening to views of the lake.

The campground we are at is in the trees to the far left.

The campground we are at is in the trees to the far left.

Some of the tunnels had been refurbished after arson fires.

Some of the tunnels had been refurbished after arson fires.