Lake Mead and Valley of Fire State Park

Just outside of Las Vegas is one of our favourite areas. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a beautiful spot to camp over the lake, and Valley of Fire State Park is a spectacular area of bright red/orange sandstone formations with great hiking.

Hanging out at Lake Mead with new friends

We meet a new friend, Jody, while hiking in Valley of Fire State Park, and she comes to join us camping at Lake Mead for a few nights. She and I quickly become best buddies, laughing and carrying on. Poor Brad. She also has the cutest little dog, BooBoo, whom Grady attacks. Poor BooBoo.

A night at the campfire with Jody and Grace, whom we first met last year outside of St. George. Strangley, we run into Grace and her hubby Greg camped here at Stewart's Point; in fact, they are in our favourite spot. Such a strange coincidence.

Grace takes Brad out kayaking on the lake on a very calm day.

Carroll Shelby Museum in Las Vegas

Brad is in heaven, surrounded by so many Shelbies and Mustangs made into Shelbies. From the old Cobras to the new Shelbies, including a Shelby 1000 pictured here (that's 1,000 horsepower and it's barely street legal!), there's a wide assortment of everything ever touched by Carroll Shelby.

Inside the shop. Shelby is not a car manufacturer. They only modify cars. The old style Cobra seen here is a brand new car, and neither of the two vehicles in the foreground have an engine in them - yet. This tour was very interesting and worthwhile, and best of all it's free. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cars in general and Shelbies in particular, and tires of Las Vegas strip.

Hiking

On the Arches Trail in Valley of Fire State Park, a group of horsemen/women ride past us. Smart - the sand in the wash on this hike is deep and going is tough. Even the horses are sweating and it's only about 55F today.

A hike into the Bowl of Fire in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It's a stunning outcrop of very red/orange rock against the brown Muddy Mountains.

We hike from the main road in Valley of Fire State Park with Jody through Wash #3. This area makes us all think about Orange Cremesicles because the rocks are striped white and bright orange. Sadly, no ice cream can be found within 20 miles.

Brad and I have hiked this wash before and we know there is an area of rock with beautiful, colourful striping. We're very happy that we actually are able to find it, after a 3 year absence. This is a small section of rock wall about 3-4 feet across.

Another abstract section of rock wall about 1-2 feet wide. Reminds me of an alien spaceship looking for a landing site.

Last one - these are just so cool. This one is probably only about 1 foot wide.

Partying at the Porters' Project and Party Place, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

It's great to have such wonderful friends down here in the southwest. We join two other RV couples at the Porters' Party Place for the American Thanksgiving. There is a lot of eating and drinking, a bit of swimming (temps are a bit cool even though the pool is heated) and much hot tubbing.

Brad working hard Paul and Sue built a house in Lake Havasu City two summers ago, leaving a life of full-time RVing for a part-time home, part-time RV lifestyle. Fortunately for their friends (including us - YAY!) they added 3 spaces with RV hookups outside their beautiful new home, and they love having visitors. Especially since a visit is the perfect time to get some help with heavy work, like planting a 6-foot palm tree. Brad, Tom and Dave help Paul plant two trees this week. Brad also takes the opportunity to fix a crack in the outer shell of our trailer (with a lot of advice from everyone) and replace our truck's driver's side mirror which broke requiring an electronic part.

Hiking Lizard Peak

Sue takes Brad and me up Lizard Peak, about a 2-3 mile steep hike. At the top is this picnic table which was carried up the difficult trail we just climbed. That's determination! This view looks down the Colorado River, south towards the Parker Dam.

This view looks north towards Lake Havasu City.

The Boat Parade

Christmas is less than one month away, the lights are being hung all over town, and we attend the annual Boat Parade at the canal. This cute little tug also has fake smoke puffing out of its stack and takes a spin (literally) every once in a while.

Probably the most lights on one boat.

Santa and his sleigh. Ho Ho Ho!

Hiking SARA's Crack

Every year when we are in town (sometimes for the fireworks in February, last year for Christmas at the Porters') we have wanted to hike SARA's Crack, but it's been too hot or we've been too busy. This year, we finally do it. The Crack is a short slot canyon with a bit of rock scrambling required.

This is the biggest drop, and a rope is provided. I do great at first, until my heel steps on the rope and I go off balance and smash my elbow into the wall to my right. I'm not really hurt, and we all have a good laugh.

Sue shows us the slide method.

Paul show us all how to do it right!

The 2.5-mile trail leads down to Lake Havasu in a pretty little cove where we sit and have lunch with the ducks and coots (not just the 3 old coots we walked down with LOL!) before making the 2.5-mile trek back. So glad we finally get to do this cool hike.

A Christmas Lights Walk in the English Village of Lake Havasu City

Paul, Sue, Brad and I walk along the canal at the London Bridge to see the Christmas lights. This is the English Village lit up like Clark Griswold's house! Have you ever seen so many lights?

Paul, Brad and Sue with the London Bridge in the background. It is a beautiful, warm evening with no wind.