On the road to Peoria
Peoria, Arizona: I believe it is not a good idea to stay
in a casino after midnight. This morning I opened my wallet and
found 37¢. What exactly happened between that veal chop and me left with 37¢
in my wallet? It is all a blur. I know you all read this blog to learn about fun
RV destinations, but take it from me... Momma was right. NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS
AFTER MIDNIGHT.
It was time to get out of Dodge Las Vegas.
Actually, we really like Las Vegas. But we have a family rule - 3 night maximum.
We were here four nights. See what happens when you break the rules? Thank
goodness Mandalay Bay doesn't have a blackjack table with a 37¢
minimum.
After exercising and shipping orders, we hit the highway out of town before I
could lose our last thirty-seven cents.
Our route today took us over
Hoover Dam.
Always an interesting drive, it is even more interesting these days as a new (dam
bypass)
bridge is being constructed (your tax dollars at work, thanks to Mr. Osama bin
Laden) so traffic will no longer have to drive over the top of the bridge. Seems
there is the possibility a vehicle - loaded with explosives - could potentially
blow up the dam and the entire Southwest of America would be flooded, then have
no electricity or water. I am not a
scientist. I am not an engineer. I am not a detonation expert. (Let's face it,
people, I am a RV Goddess.) But I am fairly certain there is not a vehicle
capable of traversing a US highway that could be filled with enough explosives
to blow up Hoover Dam.
Just saying.
Approaching the dam - this photo was taken out the
window above our TV cabinet.
Yes, I was standing while DT was driving (at 5 mph)
and I was not wearing a seat belt.
This photo was taken from the dam, looking out to
the nearly-completed bridge
We are now over the dam. This photo looks back at
the dam.
And the entire project has just snowballed into a
huge new road system. New roads in the desert need
bridges to cross arroyos and washes. Next blasting
must occur to create places where animals (sheep,
coyote, rare turtles, etc.) can safely cross under
the new roads. Does anyone (other than me) find any
of this a bit curious?
Our route toward the Phoenix area
took us over Hoover Dam, south on 93 to Kingman
(where we purchased 95 gallons of diesel), a
few miles east on I-10, then south on 93. 93 is one of
the prettiest drives in the country. The desert has
received a lot of rain and everything is very green.
Greener than we have seen in years and years.
The rocky cliffs are filled with
Palo Verde, mesquite, saguaro and prickly pear cactus. We also
drove through miles of Joshua Tree "forests". (Sorry,
I am an Oregonian and just can't call a field with
the occasional random Joshua Tree a forest, no matter
what the BLM says.)
Mile after mile after mile. This was
our view. It was gorgeous.
Finally we arrived at our destination - a dusty,
unmaintained RV
park behind a dusty, unmaintained motel at highway 101 and
Highway 60 in Peoria, Arizona. Why are we here? This
campground is 3 miles from the baseball stadium
where the Seattle Mariners hold Spring Break Practice.
Plus, my Dad is joining us for a week of Ichiro! Dad
arrived in his motorhome to this campground last
night and we will be together for sometime enjoying
the sunny southwest.
DT grilled lamb chops. I made a salad with mixed greens,
pears (from the fruit bowl in our room at the W hotel in Los Angeles
last week, no kidding), Oregon hazelnuts and Oregon blue cheese - topped
with a vinaigrette made with Oregon olive oil and orange juice. The
chops were accompanied with sautéed sugar snap peas and carrots. It was
a pretty and delicious meal.
It would have been nice if I would have a captured a photo of Dad... or
DT... or even the lamb chops. Sorry. I forgot. Tomorrow.
In other news, the University of Oregon announced today basketball
coach, Ernie Kent (Duck basketball standout and our classmate in the 1970's)
will not be returning for the 2010-11 season. Thank you, Ernie. I
know you bleed yellow & green. I appreciate everything you have done for
the University of Oregon.
And though not even one person on
the entire planet has asked... or cares... about my
opinion, there is only one
person I want to replace you as Head Coach of the
Fighting Ducks:
A girl can dream.
Until my next update, I remain, your yellow & green
buff & blue
correspondent.
RV Park: Coming soon. Can't
find a website or any information for this joint.
Maybe it is just a mirage?