Trip East - Las Vegas Strip

 Drive into Las Vegas to check out the Strip.  Gary has never been. Looks like we are almost there.

Now we just have to find parking

Tucson dreams of becoming a Chocolate Lab

We don't gamble so no Casinos for us - Not Sorry!

We continue on down the Strip

It's St. Patricks Day

Feel like I'm back in the Big Apple

Lots of neat architecture

and lots of elevator rides - Tucson is not a fan

I'm trying to

Lots of Can Can girls around and it was cold out

Gary got a little behind

Probably the closest I'll get to Paris again

and the one thing I wanted to see was the Fountains at the Bellagio - but they don't turn them on until 3:00 - its 11:30 and no dogs on the strip after Noon

Of course everyone wants a picture with Tucson when they come to Vegas!

We've both had enough!

Trip East - Las Vegas

We head out of Quartzsite and follow the Colorado River

Pass through Lake Havasu City

Home of the London Bridge - will stop here on the return trip

Our first stop is Lake Mead Recreation Area.  We go by Hoover Dam first and drove in.  Had to stop and have the inside and all the compartments of the RV searched before we could go over dam.  

Couldnt find parking for the RV with the tow vehicle so just did a quick drive through.  The water is down 183 feet from the full level.  The lake shoreline is 550 miles.  That's a lot of water gone!  The bleached stone is where the water used to be up to.

We continue on to our campsite at Las Vegas Bay

 

We stopped at the Las Vegas Bay Overlook.  Here's the view of Lake Mead

The wash that goes under the bridge on the road is dry

Where we are the water should be just below us.

No hookups, but water and bathroom available.  Not bad for $10 a night.  Only 1/2 hour drive to the Vegas Strip

The campground sits on a bluff 

Tomorrow we head to Las Vegas!

Tucson - Final stretch - 1st 2 weeks in March

We went to the Gaslight Theater to see Two Gun McGraw

 

 and just when you think it is safe, more snow!

 Tucson loves it and now we dontnhave to drive all the way up Mt. Lemmon to see it.

I take Tucson for a wall along the wash

 

It'sa Winter Wonderland

 

The snow melts and the Air Force starts practicing for the upcoming Air Show

 

We drive down to Green Valley to see our friend Marcia play Cello at her Church

On the way back we stop at Mission St. Xavier.  They have finished renovating the exterior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 still working on the inside

The Park has a yard sale and I sell seom of my rocks and flower plates.  A woman saw my painted rocks and asked me to make a Memorial Stone for a friend who passed away.

A final walk along the wash

We go to Jack Furrier to get tires checked and oil changed in car and RV.  While checking fluids they found water in the differential.  They said they couldn't work on it but recommended someone nearby.  We called and they said they might be able to squeeze us in tomorrow, we explained the situation and that we needed to get on the road tomorrow and they said to bring it on over and they would take a look at it.

Got to the shop and they looked at the differential and said it needed to be drained, cleaned and oil replaced.  Also said that had we driven it one more day it would have been toast.  A goods wink for sure.  

Had gone to Pizza Hut for dinner.  Found a coupon on the floor for a free car wash.  Went to the car wash and passed Jack Furrier on the way and called and got appointment for oil change for day before we were leaving.  They found problem with differential and sent us to place to repair it that was able to squeeze us in same day

Just about ready to leave

Tucson gets settled in his spot

and we are on our way.  First stop is Quartzsite to visit friends.  We pass by Picacho Peak.

Then through Gila Bend

Flowers are starting to bloom in the Desert

We make it to our friends,  Steve and Sharon's house

We manage a hike in the desert between rains.  

Hate to say goodbye.  Had a great time playing cards, visiting and eating good food!

Next stop Las Vegas.