Cross Country Trip 2013

May 9,10, 2013

Thursday May 9, 2013
We got up early because we wanted to go see the watch tower at Desert View. When we were taking our picture last night at the entrance we met three guys, 2 form New York and one from Philly, who told us about the tower. They said it was a must see. It was built in the 1930's to add an extra visitor center for the Grand Canyon. It was 25 miles from the canyon village so we don't know how many folks actually get to see it. Maybe a hidden secret.

A couple of stops before we got to the tower.

From one of the stops you can see the tower. Look right in the middle of this picture. You can see it.

Headed to the top, one floor at a time.

This is from the second floor.

This is some of the art work inside the tower.

The Colorado River from the tower.

Put the quarter in and you can see almost anywhere.

Had to try to looking through the scope at the rapids on the river.
Then took a picture through the scope, it worked!!!!!!!

Arrived back at the campground and packed up Buttercup and hit the road. We had to back track on 64 to I-40 and head west. We got off of I-40 and rode on Route 66, The Mother Road, for a lot of the day. We stopped in Seligman. What a cool little town on Rt 66.

Can you imagine, people just stopping and taking pictures.

This is the Snow Cap, a famous dive on Route 66.

It has it own transportation.

And Restroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A great place to shop, The Rusty Bolt.

Dennis and his friends.

We ate at the Snow Cap, we saw a couple of locals who said it was the best.

Dennis got a OREO shake (imagine that).

A couple of cheeseburgers and fries for us

Bikers along the way.

There was a restaurant called Road Runner

but we were worried that this might be a sample.

Again a couple of locals said they had just hit it on the road and brought it to town.

Back on the road headed to California. When we left Arizona it had been snowing, sleeting, and cold rain. It wasn't long before we were getting close to the CA state line that the temperature was getting warmer. Great change in landscape and in the heat. But they did have a vehicle inspection stop. They wanted to know if we had any cactus or firewood from the east.

We stopped at a place called Desert View RV Park.

What a gem in the middle of no where. So pretty Dennis actually went to the pool. It was still a little cool but we both got our feet wet. Palm trees, mountain views, and the Colorado River near by.

The Colorado River.

Our escort to our site, nice touch for a pleasant stay.

A couple of pork chops for supper, TV, the blog, and then off to bed. Need to decide if we will go back a few miles to a ghost town called Oatman or head to Yosemite National Park. We have heard they might not be open because of the amount of snow that they have had. We will see what the morning brings.

Robin and Dennis

Friday May 10, 2013

Well, we decided to stay and ride to the the ghost town of Oatman.

Robin loves taking pictures while riding.

Way to much fun. Wait until you see the video.

Entrance to Oatman, the ghost town.

Glad we did - what a neat little town. It wasn't far, so Dennis decided not to fill up with gas. This is important information so I will get back to that. Here are some pics of the town.

The mules run the town!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the hotel that was built in 1902 I believe. It also was the hotel that Clarke Gable and Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon.

In the bar/restaurant they had walls of dollar bills.

We heard that there were at least 75000 one dollar bills.

We did our part.

Then Robin found a gold mine.

So she made me dig and dig.

Looked what I found, a big nugget of gold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But only a fool would believe this! or maybe drive a man to his grave!!!

If you look closely at some of the burros, you can tell why they say they are stubborn.

They really can't hear what you say half of the time. Look at the broken ear!

After some lunch then back to the camp site. Remember I had mentioned that Dennis did not fill up the motorcycle with gas. He usually fills up when he reaches 180 miles. He was at 168 miles and according to the town folk the closest station was about 20 miles. I am worried because there was nothing on the road that we took to get to Oatman. So I told Dennis lets coast out of town as if we had just robbed the local bank. So we did! It was amazing, we actually coasted without turning the bike on for almost 10 miles. Again, hardly any traffic so we just coasted and coasted. It was way to funny.
Finally we turn the bike on and went to a station to fill up. Had over a gallon left in the tank so we were okay but was just another adventure for us.

Notice just enough hills and all going downward to coast!!

After we got back to the campground we took the car and went to a park where we could stick our feet in the Colorado river. Robin picked up some rocks from the river to bring back home to Virginia!!

The Colorado River

Had the car washed and picked up a few things at the grocery store. No pics here, sorry.

Made a mojito and a vodka tonic and went to the pool.

We forgot to show this yesterday but we actually had something right across from where our motorhome site is located. I am sure it will help us remember where home is! You won't believe your eyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we had to play it today!