February 12 to February 17, 2012 - The Steps, Lake Havasu, and Fireworks

This is our site here at the Steps” – John and Geri; Sue and Bruce, Us:

On Friday, Bill and Shelly joined us:

And here we are:

And this is our group – there was almost 100 rigs – :-))):

 

We met Rusty on Day 2.  This is his rig – that he built.  He was a very interesting fellow and camped up the hill from us:

 

 

So many times when we meet people like Rusty, we tend to ignore them and I am just as guilty.  But for some reason, I wanted to hear his story.  He spent 30 years in the service, retired and started walking and camping.  Two years ago he built this because he is having health issues and can no longer sleep in the elements.  And I keep thinking – “There but for the grace of God, go I.”  Later in the week, Andy and I talked with him at his campsite and when we said goodbye, he said “God bless you”.   I wanted to give him a hug.

So while we were here, we did some walking around the hills and washes:

 

  

  

At the top of the hill – Renada, Mike, Geri, John, Sue, Bruce, me, Andy”

The boys did some exploring in the Jeep:

We went to the Lake Havasu Elks once for ribs and the second time for prime rib – YUM!

We also had a great potluck picnic – Ed’s birthday party; and a BBQ at Kathy and Dennis’s house in Lake Havasu (Thanks for having us – :-))

And, of course, the AWESOME fireworks show!

   

And videos – click on the links below:

Fireworks 1

Fireworks 2

We have had a wonderful time at the Steps but alas, it is time to move on.  Tomorrow we head to Parker for a few weeks so stay tuned.

 

 

February 11, 2013 – Travel to “The Steps”

We left the lush farmlands of Yuma:

 

 

Into the rain:

 

For years we have seen this balloon/blimp as we headed to and from Yuma:

I knew it had something to do with Border Patrol but not sure exactly what they did.   Well, I came across an article about them.

“The helium and air filled radar blimp (or Aerostat) is known as Yuma's border-watching “eye in the sky” It is tethered at Yuma Proving Ground and hovers about two miles above ground as it scans the desert for low-flying aircraft that could be bringing illegal drugs into the United States. The Yuma aerostat is one of eight along the southern border of the U.S., with additional crafts in Texas, New Mexico, the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico and, closest by, Fort Huachuca. The system of blimps is known as the Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) program and is owned by the U.S. Air Force.

An aerostat has operated at YPG since 1989. About two dozen people work around the clock at the Yuma site.

The aerostat can detect activity up to about 230 miles away. All radar data is transmitted to a ground station and to the Air-Marine Interdiction Center at March Air Reserve Base in Southern California. A cable keeps the 208-foot-long aerostat tethered to the ground.”

Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/program-84953-aerostat-tars.html#ixzz2Jtfgomig

So now we know what they are – although there is now talk about grounding them because of budget cuts – :-(((.

I see clear skies ahead:

Whenever it rains, the desert starts to turn green – notice the grass – cool:

 

 

As we approached Parker, the topography changes.  From this point north, we followed the Colorado River:

 

 

Awesome, isn’t it!

This is part of Lake Havasu and the Bill Williams Refuge.  In the distance notice the golden color – I call it the wheat river – :-).

We arrived at “The Steps” where we will be for the next week seeing old friends, meeting new ones, going to a birthday party, and seeing the fireworks at the Winter Blast.

We were here last year so I won’t be posting any history.  Here is the link:

http://thehitzels.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-15-2012-travel-to-steps-near.html

Stay tuned for our adventures this week – :-)

Stats:

Miles Traveled: 136 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona: Avenue 8 1/2 E; E County 6th Street; South Laguna Dam Road (Ave 7E); US-95; Stopped at MM 165 - “The Steps”

February 20, 2012 – A Short Move

After saying some of our goodbyes, we made the short move (with a stop to Wal-Mart first) to Earp, California (about 20 miles) and are now at Emerald Cove – one of the Colorado River Adventure parks.  We were hoping for a river site but we are one back – maybe next season – :-))

Here is our site:

Upriver: Downriver:

Part of the welcoming committee:

The kitties are happy:

After cleaning and doing laundry, Andy and I checked out the rest of the park – and stopped at their Happy Hour – :-))).

We hope to do some sightseeing while we are here so stay tuned.

Life isn't about how to survive in the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

February 17, 2012 – Geocaching and Fireworks

A good day for a walk in the desert – :-):

We found out that there was a geocache about .4 miles away so off we went.

Bob, Gretchen, Andy, Don, Glenda – starting our trek:

The wildflowers are blooming:

 

And cacti all over:

We are still marching along:

More cool cacti:

YEA!  We found it:

Well, we got so excited we said “Let’s find another.”  Turns out, my tablet and Gretchen’s phone told us there was one only .7 miles away.  So off we went:

Cactus on the side of the hill – they are hardy:

More flowers – what a contrast on the desert floor:

And the road goes on:

We have to go where?

Finally!  Turns out that it was .7 miles as the crow files.  And we had to go around quite a few hills not up and over.  The boys coming back from the cache:

Break time:

Modern Petroglyphs:

We decided to make our way to the highway but then we still had over a mile to go – :-):

Almost there:

What a great hike – but we did learn a lot more about reading our GPS and tablet.

After a rest and supper, off we went to the Winter Blast.

Oh MY and more OH MY!  Awesome! Breathtaking!   There are no words to describe it.  It was like the Grand Finale over and over again.    Here is a video of some of it.  Now just imagine this going on for almost an hour – WOW!  And before and after the public show, there were hours of fireworks – some good some not – Cool.

 

 

 

Another great day – we are so blessed!