Thursday, April 30, 2009

Leaving Parker

As we leave Arizona, I want to share with you a few special pictures that I've taken the last few days.

We have seen much beauty in the desert this winter and spring, but nothing is more beautiful than to see Old Glory flying high in the sky. 

May she ever wave freely.

Old Glory Old Glory1Old Glory2God bless America

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Wednesday in the Parker Area

The view of the Colorado River from our site.from our site at Blue Water RV Park by the Colorado River Our first adventure this morning took place on Parker Dam Road.  The following pictures were taken from the California side of the Colorado River.on the California side of the Colorado River on the California side of the Colorado River - Parker Dam Road from   Parker Dam Road on the California side of the Colorado Riverfrom Parker Dam Road on the California side of the Colorado River - manmade from Parker Dam Road on the California side of the Colorado River

Parker Dam, the deepest dam in the world, from the California side of the Colorado River....from Parker Dam Road on the California side of the Colorado River ... from the Arizona side.  No one is allowed to walk or stop on the dam.  There was a security guard present.  The dam is also closed to tourist from 11:00 PM - 5:00 AM.from Parker Dam Road on the Arizona side of the Colorado River It's a wildflower weed, but it's still pretty.from Parker Dam Road on the Arizona side of the Colorado River We pulled into the Buckskin Mountain State Park found they had a nice cactus garden.  I said nice, not awesome... nothing was blooming.  This is an Ironwood tree.Ironwood tree I like the way they identify the plants.100_4696 100_4697The views of the river are so relaxing.from Parker Dam Road on the Arizona side of the Colorado RiverIf we could have gotten this man's attention, we'd have given him $20 for a ride!from Parker Dam Road on the Arizona side of the Colorado River"Anybody home?"is this my front door or back door?My man loves the water... have I said that already?  I know we will be going down the highway most of tomorrow, but I pray you have a wonderful birthday.from Parker Dam Road on the Arizona side of the Colorado River - Buckskin Mountain SPOk, so we've just had a too relaxing of a morning... time to shake things up!  This is Cienega Springs Road and we are driving the five miles through the Buckskin Mountains to Nellie E Saloon, which is closed except on the weekend.Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 miles This drive reminded us of our trek through the Aqua Fria and the Tonto National Park last March which took five and one-half hours to go 54 miles.  This five miles took forty minutes.Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 miles Don was told by several people that we just had to see this place, even if we couldn't get in.  The lady in the office here at the park where we're staying said that the owner, Ken, started this business accidentally over thirty years ago when he took a cooler of beer up in the mountains while four-wheeling and other four-wheelers started buying cold beer from him.  (excuse the reflection of Clifford sleeping on the dash)Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 miles Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 milesThis is the owner's home and the saloon is behind.  Check out the pictures on their website.Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 miles - owners house Also, read about this chapel that he built.  Notice the old rusty Model A to the left of the chapel.Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 miles - chapel This is as close as we could get to take pictures.  Both entrances were closed.Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 miles Well, now, we started back to Highway 95 and I kept looking behind us to see if we were being chased.  We made it out of there in twelve minutes!Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 milesWe met one car the entire trip...  I think she lives in the big house.Cienega Springs Road to Nelly's Desert Saloon about 5 miles Deciding we had been jostled around enough, we came back to the Quantum for a sandwich and a nap.

For dinner, we went down the street to the El Serape Restaurant. It was pretty good.  When we got back to the Quantum, we walked down to the river to watch the sunset.sunset on the Colorado River, Parker, AZsunset on the Colorado River, Parker, AZsunset on the Colorado River, Parker, AZsunset on the Colorado River, Parker, AZsunset on the Colorado River, Parker, AZ And my favorite.  I didn't even realize the cranes were flying!sunset on the Colorado River, Parker, AZ

We are so blessed.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Awesome Day

It's 12:50 AM, Wednesday.  I just finished filing the pictures I took today and I'm in great need of sleep, but.... I just have to post a few pictures.  I will be back and update this post, so come back soon.

In the meantime...

Colorado River -going down the road out of Parker to Lake Havasu City Bill Williams WNR - dead treeLake Havasu City - we rodeLake Havasu City - London Bridge Dixie Bell taken by the CaptainLake Havasu City - London Bridge Dixie Bell100_4516Historic US 66 to Oatman, AZHistoric US 66 to Oatman, AZHistoric Route  66 to Oatman, AZOatman to Kingman... thank you very much, Mike Moore. Historic Route  66 to Oatman, AZ to Kingman, AZHistoric Route  66 to Oatman, AZ to Kingman, AZ - wild donkeysback on AZ 95 to Parker, AZWe are so blessed. 

Monday, April 27, 2009

On the road again (so original)

I woke up this morning around 6:40, stretched and said, "Good morning, Lord.  I love you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me.  Thank you. Father."  Immediately a dove cooed a couple of times.  The smile in my heart made it's way to my lips.

Add to that the blessing of two new Saguaro blooms this morning. 100_4279100_4277(close-up of Saguaro bloom for Margie) Saguaro flower up close100_4279 2 Add to that the blessing of having Toma and Jim as neighbors.  Sweet Jim took our picture.  Toma is so tall!Toma is so tall!NOT!100_4282 We sure are going to miss Toma & Jim  and her flowers.100_4284100_4287100_4288 Toma's oleander hedge100_4289Oleander in the Arizona morning sun.100_4290Snap Dragons.Toma's snap dragons So now we are on the road again, headed for Parker, AZ.  Construction on Hwy. 85 from Gila Bend to Buckeye. Sure needs work, very rough.  (lots of variety in THIS post)100_4292

The Saguaro in the desert are blooming, lots.

12:00 noon, stopped for a sandwich.

Prisons on the left and right of the highway, acres and acres of prisons.

Big landfill on the right.

Huge nursery on the left.  May be part of the prison.

Going.down.the.road... 100_4294

Passing Buckeye, AZ. "Hi, Jody!!" (We've been online friends about 12 years.)100_4299

Nice traveling day. Overcast. Slight breeze, but not too bad.

Mmmm, guess the wind is blowing harder than I thought. 100_4311

I know this is all terribly interesting to you.  I'm just entertaining myself.  I wonder what this is?100_4314

I didn't venture into this area of the Rest Area. The sign kind of scared me. "Poisonous snakes and insects inhabit this area."100_4302

Talked to Kathy and Tom Burge, friends we met in Coffeyville.  They are in the Black Hills of SD for the summer.  Got ten inches of snow Saturday and they lost electric power, but everything is good now. Great couple.

Talked to Leslie. She has an interview at a new bank in Round Rock at 3:00 PM today. Also, there's a family interested in leasing their Waco house for a year with an option to buy after 12 months.

LaNae is taking her nursing school entrance exam today.

BTW, have you clicked on the Blogger's Choice widget at the top to vote for my blog?  Thank you!

This can't be good. (pardon the bugs on the windshield)this can't be good. Destination, Parker, AZ, in view.  3:00 PM.Parker, AZ  in the distance We are parked 50 yards from water!!!Bluewater RV Park, Parker, AZ My wonderful hubby is oh.so.very.happy.my baby is happy Local fowl.100_4325 We ate in tonight.  (not duck... chicken) Just relaxing and being very grateful to have arrived safely. 

We are so blessed.