Day Trip to Sedona

We loved Sedona last time we were in this area so decided to go again and took the 89 from Williams down to Sedona which was beautiful following the river and very green - would be a great ride on a bike.

We visit Tlaquepaque which we explored last time also - great setting and we look around the shops full of art, goodies and clothes etc.  Most are expensive thou as they are aimed at the tourists, so we don't buy anything.....

Going up a side street we find this lovely hotel with a great courtyard for wine & cheese but alas it is not time and we need to get back - shame!

Williams / Grand Canyon South Rim

4th of July - Independence Day

This is our second Independence Day celebration in the US and this time we are in Williams on Route 66.

Small town parade was a bit of fun and the town really got into it.  We have been to Williams before but it was totally different this time - like it had been brought to life - the town looks like they have had an injection of get up & do it, a bit like Tirau back home.

Daryl getting patriotic and I have dressed in red, white & blue!





A varied parade of all sorts proceeds with everyone waving flags following the national anthem.

Even the dogs got into it!

Davy Crocket came to town.....

Followed by the Trailer Club with these cute kitted out trailers that have a bedroom and full kitchen in the rear.

After the parade there was dancing in the street for a bit more fun!

Next stop was the Grand Canyon, South Rim as Libby is studying this at school and so we take some videos to share with the kids.

Daryl standing on the edge as usual!

Back in town we find the Rodeo on and call in to check out the action.

This is the real stuff......

 

A long day as we head back to camp to relax for the dinner and then headed down town and found a little bar with live music that was right up our alley only it finished about 3 songs later!  Bummer!

Needles - Kingman - Seligman - Williams

On the way fro Needles to Williams we call into Kingman to visit Mr D's for a photo stop and to check out the train on display there again.  You just don't realise how big those things are until you get up close to them.

Moving on we cross over two bridged where the other half is missing as they reconstruct or add on to the bridge - a weird feeling when you are up high and can see over the edge to nothing.

We decide to divert into Seligman as neither of us have been there before and it is part of Route 66.

Seligman turned out to be quite cool for a look around and a break from travelling and we check out all the shops for any treasures.

Daryl finds a treasure in The Astronaut's Beach music record with Tom McMullun's 32 roadster on the cover.

Oatman / Bullhead City & Laughlan

Eehaw came to talk to us as we drove down the road but was not impressed we did not have any carrots!

Of course, we are heading out to Oatman, where we went in 2012 for a bit of fun with the donkeys (burrows) as they rule the town and are the main attraction.

Daryl stops to catch up on the goss back home with Bruce Carter, especially the rugby!













Next we look around Bullhead City and try to find a new plug for the RV.  We give up on this and head for Laughlin, Nevada across the river but make a final attempt at the Home Depot with success.

Another hot day and we find carpark under cover and head into the casinos to cool off.  Not very exciting to us but we find some lunch and being the last of the big spenders, bet $1 each....wow!

More speed boats along the Colorado River, so many and they just seem to drive on the same side as the road without accidents.

The heat is getting to us both and we head back to camp for an early night and an early start tomorrow heading to Williams which will be cooler than Needles.

Needles

On the road again....... happy behind the wheel once more!

Long roads as far as the eye can see with traffic going both ways - lots of people heading for Vegas for the long weekend.  With traffic delays our trip takes around 6.5 hours.

We arrive at the Needles Marina RV Park and set up - once we are in we decide we have a pretty good spot with a river view to watch all the action as there are plenty of boats and jet skis making the  most of the long weekend - this is like going to the beach at Xmas back home.

Camped in the corner site on the rivers edge.

Pretty views down the river, nice houses on the Arizona side across the river - we are still in California.

Dipping our toes in the Colorado River to cool off - it's hot - very hot around 108F and you pretty much melt as soon as you go outside the air-conditioned camper.







Sunset in camp tonight is gorgeous and we turn in after a big day driving.

Around 1.30am I wake up as the wind has risen and the awning is out and getting knocked about - it gets rough fast and I wake Daryl up as we need to get the awning down quickly before it gets ripped and warped/bent.  We secure it down as the wind gets frantic - like a tornado. 

A few minutes later the cell phones start beeping loudly and we get a flash flood warning.  A very scary moment as we are camped on the river.  The power goes out and Daryl secures everything that we can.  He talks to the neighbours who say it hasn't flooded here since 1984 and no one is pulling out, so we sit tight and wait until it settles again before going back to bed!

A bit scary and so much for a good nights sleep!

Bakersfield

Our grandchildren attend Birchville Primary School and today we video chatted with the class about our travels.  Say were so excited and it was great for us - we will be keeping in contact with them as we travel so they can share our experiences.

The following day, Daryl heads into LA with Duane, leaving around 3.30am to drop a car off and then look at other items.

Daryl is checking out a tow dolly for the car, which we think will be much lighter and easier to haul and get into camp sites with, and he brings one home with him.  He just has to wire it up - a quick job I am told....

After two more days of hot sweat in the garage, we head down to AAA to register the tow dolly only to be told that as we purchased from a dealer it must go through the DMV - the next available appointment is the following Wednesday at 11.20am!  Daryl wisely asks for an appointment in Taft about 40 minutes towards the coast and we get one tomorrow - phew!

Another day of sorting, including the trip to Taft, where we become legal and get our number plate.  Great as we are looking forward to heading off on our way to new adventures.

I am madly trying to find to campground we can get to that has room.  As it is a long weekend here, being the 4th of July, everything is booked out!  After about 10 parks, I finally manage to find a park in Needles, for two days and then Williams for the following two days, to get us through the holiday weekend.

We check over our trusty stead and load the car on, ready for an early start.  Duane's cooking breaky before we head off in the morning and Diana has arrived for the long weekend.

Daryl, Diana & Duane

Good company, good food and great friends - once again we can't thank Duane enough for his hospitality and friendship - we learn so much every time from Duane and how the US works.