Day 32 & 33

 

We left Laughlin yesterday for California. We heard about a old silver mining town east of Barstow that looked fun so off we went. The name of the town is Calico and it sits up in the mountains with beautiful canyons. Because it was a little late by the time we got settled in we had to put off touring the town until today. But we did get here just in time for the sunset. So we climbed up the hill a little way for a better view. 

Here are the pics around town. We enjoyed seeing the old town except for the 40 mile an hr wind. 

I was setting in the camper and looked out the window and this is what i saw. If you look close you can see what I am talking about, if not look at next pic. Keep in mind we had steady 40 mile winds with 60 gust. 

Yep, it is Carvel climbing the hillside!  I walked up the canyon and met up with him and we had a good long hike, unfortunately I didnt have my phone to take any pics but Carvel took a lot with the camera. I may add them when we get wifi. We had planned on leaving here this evening but the high winds grounded us hopefully we can get on down the road before wind comes back tomorrow night.  Night all!

Day 28-31

Still in Laughlin enjoying the sights. I have to say the Colorado river is beautiful, crystal clear and blue. 

Here are the sights around campground

Beautiful lake behind Davis Dam

Day 27

We heard last night about a abandoned gold mining town about 30 minutes from us, so we decided it would be a nice day trip for us.  We traveled outside of Bullhead City into the desert then up into the mountains to the town of Oatman. We parked and got out to explore what was obviously going to be an unusual place.  A little history about the place, it had been a booming gold mining town during early 1900's, which at its peak was home to nearly 10 thousand people.  Because it was such a thriving town when route 66 was being built they decided to route it thru the town. After the rise and fall of the gold prices and the impact of the war, Oatman soon became practically deserted. Today about 150 people call it home. They have tried to maintain the  little town with shops and and an atmosphere that attracts tourist. 

Yes, those are burros, they are descended from the original burros that were used in the mines. They were released when the mines closed and now these burros just roam around the town. 

Those are real dollar bills that people have pinned to walls and ceiling in hotel's restaurant. There are three or four rooms filled with thousands of dollar bills, unreal!!!

After leaving Oatman we decided to check out the Laughlin strip. It is really   awesome with the casinos right on the river front. 

Day 26

We left Az this morning heading into California to take ca hwy 95 north into Needles. We crossed over the Colorado river as soon as we left. 

We headed north on 95 and saw a sign for the Blythe Intaglios. I had read about them and couldn't pass them up so we decided to stop. The road was dirt as most of the roads are in this area except primary highways. So we found a wide spot parked the camper and walked about half mile up hill to these ancient drawings. They are really amazing and hard to believe they have survived so many years.  The signs said these were the only ones in the US the others are mainly in South America.  Not the best pics hard to get high enough to get a good  view but can see some of them. 

It was couple hours to our next stop right outside Laughlin Nevada. We plan on being here a few days. 

Day 23-25

  

After leaving Quartzsite we headed a few miles down i-10 to River Breeze RV Resort. A nice campground on the Colorado River.  We got lucky and got the last site available and we are right on the river!  This is a snowbird park in winter and boaters paradise in summer.  We were hoping to kayak but it is too windy and the water is swift.  I am really disappointed because it is beautiful and crystal clear.  

Yesterday we decided to venture into California which is the ither side of river. After riding a few mlles we decided to go into Joshua tree National Park and spend the day. Before entering the park we came upon the General Patton museum and decided to check it out. It is a privately funded museum that is well done and appeared to be continually improving.  I learned a lot about the area and the impact the military has had here. 

We headed into Joshua Tree National Park and drove for miles seeing the many landscapes of the desert, actually 2 deserts that come together. Pictures cannot begin to depict the beauty and elegance of the undisturbed nature within this almost 800,000 acres park. My only disappointment was I didnt get to see a mountain goat or any other cool animal