March 12, 2005
Wandered around mall. Found an electric krumkrake maker at the mall but didn’t purchase due to a mix up. Found a turtle gift bag. Went to get more dog bones at Trader Joes.
March 13, 2005
Packed up the trailer, did laundry in preparation for next leg of journey. Spent some time in the pool and hot tub.
March 14, 2005
Left Phoenix for Lake Havasu. Nice drive; the desert is green and blooming. Saw the London Bridge. The tourist shops around it are in need of renewal as many shops are closed and look in state of disrepair. Shops that are open are VERY expensive. Walked over the bridge. Saw that part of the railing was missing, perhaps a car ran into it. They were working on it. Upon first seeing the missing railing thought that perhaps London Bridge was falling down. Noticed that the bricks in the bridge were numbered, this was to aid in the reassembling of the bridge once it got to the U.S. Toured the city and were impressed by the road layout. It was very windy.
March 15, 2005
Drove to Bullhead city, Moon River Campground. Took a look at the stores in town and obtained newspapers showing events, buffets, shows etc.
March 16, 2005
Ate breakfast at the Avi casino buffet. Food was good, but french toast was tough. Left with a waddling gait.
Drove up to Oatman to see the wild burros that come into town to beg for carrots. Many of the shops sell carrots to the tourists to feed the burros. The burros are mostly friendly and enjoy being fed and scratched, but will follow and sometimes mob individuals who have carrots.
The tourist shops are the most reasonably priced that we have seen this journey. They know that their burros are an attraction and actually have burro items available without them costing an arm and a leg. Other places we’ve been lack what is most prominent in the town or if they do have it, it’s priced too high. The shops are not duplicates of each other for content; so, it doesn’t get boring after the first couple of shops.
They staged a robbery and gunfight for a bus full of tourists from England. The gunfighters are members of the Shriners. Proceeds from donations and purchase of gunfight souvenirs goes to the Shrine hospital. We thought the acting far better than that which we saw at Old Tucson Studios
Toured the jail, which posts that their $1 admission goes to maintain the public toilets in town.
Left Oatman, which is on Route 66, to Kingman following a section of the old Route 66. Was a narrow twisting, turning, climbing road with beautiful views, wildflowers and interesting rock formations. Saw some wild burros in the distance when we stopped at an information sign. The sign suggested that during the Dust Bowl Migration, people would pay locals to either tow their cars or drive their cars over this section of Route 66 because of the road conditions.
Encountered a Little Debbie Snack cake thrift store. Packages of Little Debbie snack cakes for 75 cents each.
There’s a stretch of road between Kingman and Bullhead city that is perfectly straight for 10 miles. After going straight for 10 miles one goes up a hill. Going down the hill is a 10 mile venture at a 6% grade with two runaway truck ramps one at 3 miles, one at 9 miles, followed by notice that there is a stop light at the bottom of the hill
March 17, 2005
Went through outlet stores in Laughlin, Nevada. Was intrigued by some of the souvenir shops that were selling the cheap souvenirs cheaply. Went through the Riverside. Saw old car display. One cute convertible from the 30s that got 50 mpg; one that was one of the first front wheel drives; a vehicle that was customized for John Wayne–the roof was raised by 6" which was the same amount they raised the roofs and doorways of the adobe buildings at Old Tucson Studios that he used in his movies. Saw the watch shop...lots of watches but lacking in the turtle department.
After a nap, we went back to the Flamingo for buffet dinner. Best buffet that have ever experienced. Good corned beef, chicken, salmon, excellent beef stew made with Guiness beer. Beer or wine was included in the buffet price. Put a few dollars in the slots...they ate them happily. Wandered through several of the casinos. The Colorado River Belle looks like and may have been made out of a riverboat. Around it is a moat filled with koi. Some of the koi were 2' long!
March 18, 2005
Went up to Oatman to mail postcards and finish up on a little shopping. Only two burros were in town. Took pictures. Went to the Oatman Hotel and saw honeymoon suite of Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. Saw room that was haunted by ghost that they call Oatie. Decided didn't wish to stay as guest; figure ghost wouldn't allow me to sleep. Also seemed cold/drafty given that the wood stoves of old are no longer there. Some of the rooms had showers small closet like space with concrete floors with drains also with sinks. Common toilet to all the rooms found down the hall.
On way out of town saw the burros wandering into town. Two burros were standing by road hoping for something other than carrots.
Went to Avi swap meet. Found a turtle birdbath. Mostly it was booth after booth of the same stuff. Napped. Updated diary.
Text Trip Diary--January 1-7 Text Trip Diary--January 8-14 Text Trip Diary--January 15-21 Text Trip Diary--January 22-28 Text Trip Diary--January 29-February 4 Text Trip Diary--February 5-11 Text Trip Diary--February 12-18 Text Trip Diary--February 19-25 Text Trip Diary--February 26- March 4 Text Trip Diary--March 5-11 Text Trip Diary--March 12-18 Text Trip Diary--March 19-25