Time along the Colorado River and the passing of a true gentleman

Monday, January 13
We didn't plan a lot today which was a good thing because we didn't get a lot done! We popped into Parker to find a few things. We checked out a couple of Laundromats in case we need to use one over the next few weeks. We stopped at Walmart and joined the throngs of people shopping there. What a zoo! Stopped for diesel fuel which was a much more reasonable cost of $2.99/gallon versus the $4.09 we paid back in Palm Springs. We headed back to Emerald Cove as fast as we could to get away from the crowds in Parker. They have desert truck races coming up soon and I can't imagine what the traffic and crowds will be like then!

Tuesday, January 14
We decided to do our laundry here at the RV Park. It was only 25 cents more per load than in town so for a dollar we avoided driving back 8 miles to Parker. We also filled up a 30 pound propane cylinder here as well. Their cost was about 30 cents a gallon more than in town so my fill cost about $2 more here. Pretty good deal and a lot less hassle.

This is the reason we run away in the winter!! These are Celsius temperatures but at this point the Fahrenheit scale is about the same. Too damn cold!

Wednesday, January 15
Lake Havasu is about 40 miles from here. We were there a couple years ago and weren't too impressed with the traffic and touristy feel to the place. We figured we would give it another go so off we went. It's a pretty drive along Lake Havasu and thankfully traffic moved at a reasonable rate so we could enjoy the scenery.

Rugged mountains along the Colorado River.

The Parker Dam power generation facilities.

Parker Dam. Above the dam is Lake Havasu.

Wildlife refuge along the end of Lake Havasu

We stopped for a bite of lunch near London Bridge and then a walk along the channel. Not nearly as busy today as it was last time. I think we hit Spring Break here last visit so I'm sure that affected the size of the crowds.

Fountain outside the Visitor Center.

Robert McCulloch bought the London Bridge and brought it here to Lake Havasu and rebuilt it. Stone by stone!

The London Bridge

The channel that goes under the bridge. The water is very low this year.

Pontoon boats are popular here.

Thes scale lighthouses are functional. They are models of famous lighthouses around the US.

There is a ferry boat that shuttles folks across Lake Havasu to the Havasu Landing Marina and Casino on the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation. The Band operates the ferry and for a measly $2/head round trip they take you across about 3.5 miles of the Lake. We never actually went inside the Casino. We just got off the boat and joined the lineup for the return trip.

Lake Havasu City extending way up into the hills.

Nice calm day on the lake.

Fisherman trying his luck.

The newly opened Casino. The ferry docks here.

We stopped at Smith's Foods for a few items. This is one of the stores that has a bar inside. The offer $2 draft beers all day. What a concept!

$2 draft beers in a grocery store! WooHoo!

You have to watch out for these wild Burros on the road. A couple of miles down the road a car had just hit and killed one.

Tribute to a great friend and RV'er
George Yates passed away this morning after a battle with cancer. I've followed George and Suzie's blog for years (Our Awesome Travels). We had the good fortune to first meet them at Pilot Knob Resort in December 2017. We were only going to stop and say hi but with George that was not going to happen. We had to sit down and visit a while. We pestered and peppered him with questions and of course I had to see what was cooking on the Weber Q and take some measurements for the windscreen he used.

Our first meeting with George and Suzie on the right. We also met Bill and Pat Richards that same day. (http://patsyischillin.blogspot.com/ )

He commented on my blog post that night:
"So nice that you stopped by, and met us, glad that you are enjoying this area and your first time here in the southwest.
It is always fun to share stories and tips with each other and meet new people.
No doubt we will cross paths again."
The next visit with George was at Dome Rock BLM just west of Quartzsite. It was just them and us and we had a great chat on a wide range of things. George has been on the road for a dozen years and has some very sage advice for those of us willing to listen......and we were!

Cheryl, George and Suzie

If you notice our avatar picture in Google or Facebook it is courtesy of George and Suzie. It was taken at Dome Rock the day we visited with them.

George was instrumental in getting Bloggerfest going. It was a group of bloggers or wanna-be bloggers that got together 'just because we could' (one of George's favorite sayings). This pic below is from January 2018.

George is on the far right sitting.

George leaves a big hole in our RV'ing family. He always had sound advice and plenty of patience for us newbies. After a dozen or so years full-timing you learn a thing or two and he was more than willing to share his vast knowledge. His smile would light up the great outdoors. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the love of his life Suzie, his children and extended families. As much as we have lost an RV buddy they have lost a husband, father and grandfather.

George, I leave you with one last sunset over Emerald Cove RV Resort. A place you have stayed many times. How appropriate we had a fabulous blazing sunset. A tribute to you my friend. Rest easy.

........and that was Our View From Here!