Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Final Day of the Trip

We spent a few nights in Golden Valley, just a few miles from Kingman, where we had a great time visiting with friends, Ron and Linda..  Saturday found the four of us ‘yard-saleing’.  It was hard to tell who was the most pleased with their bargains.

The last leg of the trip took us from Golden Valley, Arizona through the corners of Nevada and California back into Arizona and Yuma on new (to us ) roads.  final1

final2 Antique vendor wagons caught our eye at a  small restaurant from the past near the tiny community of Vidal.final3 final4 When we began seeing irrigation canals and green fields, we knew we were nearing our winter destination.  final5 The stretch from Quartzsite to Yuma boasts some of the most impressive desert life in the area.final6 Yuma produces much of the lettuce consumed in the U.S.  The fields as we arrived had been planted and were under various stages of growth.final7

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final10 After 64 days and 6638 miles, our trip from Indiana to Yuma was finished.   final10b

Last day:final11

Friday, October 2, 2009

Afternoon in Las Vegas

Welcome to Las Vegas sign

Las Vegas gaming didn’t appeal to us, but we did decide to check out some of the free shows we’d heard so much about.

The road we took into Las Vegas passed the famous Las Vegas Welcome sigh,  created in 1959.  Even then, it cost $4000 to build and install.  It is now on the Register of National Historic Places.

We parked at Sam’s Town, and took the shuttle bus to the strip.vegas1

The first casino we visited was Caesar’s Place, and the opulence is unbelievable.

2009-09-30 -4- NV, Las Vegas - Caesar's Palace Casino-9 Perhaps most amazing though was the circular escalator.  Not quite sure how that is engineered.vegas3

The fountains are beautifully lit with concealed colored lighting.  One hosts the show,  Fall of Atlantis, complete with animatronics and fiery effects.

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Just to the side of the fountain is the 50,000 gallon saltwater aquarium.  Feeding time provides another show of its own.

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Next on our list was the Bellagio, hosting several attractions. 

The Conservatory is outstanding.  With a pleasant mix of whimsy and nature, it boasts approximately 40 trees (some as high as 40 feet), 1500 shrubs and 10,000 plants in its 13,500 square foot area. 

2009-09-30 -7- NV, Las Vegas - Bellagio Casion-6  The plants are changed five times yearly, providing seasonal displays.  It truly is amazing.  Be sure to check out our slide show link below. 

The outside fountain show, however, was perhaps our most memorable part of the afternoon.  Located in the quarter mile long lake in front of the Bellagio, the water show is choreographed to classical and popular music.  Water soaring as high as 460 feet from 1,214 jets takes your breath away.  You want it to continue for hours instead of minutes.vegas7

By the time we ate, we were tiring of all the walking, and caught the shuttle back to Sam’s Town, where we watched the Sunset Stampede, a symphonic journey through the Wild West.  The animatronic animals seem very lifelike as the animals and water come alive to the music.vegas8

We left without seeing the night lights on the Strip … that will have to wait for another time. vegas9 

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Hoover Dam

hoover1 Hoover Dam stretches from the Nevada shore of Lake Mead to the Arizona shore, trapping the waters of the Colorado River to provide energy to much of the surrounding area.  When finished in 1936, it was the largest dam in the world, but that claim was passed to the Grand Coulee Dam, when it was opened in Washington.  Hoover Dam now ranks 38th in hydroelectric energy in the world.

As of this writing, the Hoover Dam is still open to vehicular traffic, but a new bridge is underway within a few feet of the dam.  Once opened, the dam will be open to tourist foot traffic only.

There are two tours that take you inside the dam.  We took the shorter, lasting about 45 minutes.  For pictures of the dam, lake and from the tour, click on the map.

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