Thursday, August 30, 2012

AUGUST 29 - DEATH VALLEY BUS TOUR

WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 29, 2012
 
 
We officially began our FANTASY  RV TOURS adventures today.
and look at the Western National Parks
to see our itinerary.
 
We boarded our Luxury bus at 7:45 AM,
and left the driving to PAUL,
and the Narrating to BILL.
 
We were conveniently seated
in front of a DVD screen so we
had no problem viewing a
 National Geographic video
that was shown as an educational tool,
about Death Valley.
 
i.e. The highest point is 11,600 ft. for Telescope Peak. 
The lowest point in North America
is 280 ft. below Sea Level
 at Badwater Flats in Death Valley.
 
  The Park stretches over 3 million acres.
 
For every 300 ft.down,
the temperature increases by one degree.
 
The green color rocks have Copper,
 and the light colors have Borax
which we saw at the Badwater Flats stop.
 
Our first stop was at ZABRISKIE POINT
where we were advised there would be
an uphill climb to the viewing point.
 
Everyone on the bus took on the challenge!
We all reached the peak.
It was well worth it
 
 
ZABRISKIE POINT view at 8:59 AM.
 
 
BADWATER BASIN
 
 


 
BORAX SALT Crystals
 
 
BADWATER BASIN pool view at 9:47 AM.
 
Our next stop was at the FURNACE CREEK VISITORS CENTER,
where the temperature registered 120 degrees at 11:00 AM.
I took a picture just to prove it was really that hot.
Believe me, it felt that way too.
 
 
 
I was surprised that there was even
educational information posted in the Ladies Room.
Again, I took a picture for the valuable information
on this sign.  I have to admit, I thought about it
as the day progressed.  Fantasy was quick to
offer us a bottle of cold water every time we got off the bus.
 
 
 
 
We had a wonderful Buffet luncheon at Furnace Creek Inn,
and had time to wander through their outdoor
displays of old wagons and Borax mining
equipment.  I could not help but notice
this distressed appearing bird on the lawn.
 



Borax hauling Wagons
 
 
 
 
 
Old Stagecoach
 
Our final stop of the day was for a Tour
of SCOTTY CASTLE
which is part of the National Parks Service.
 
Our lovely Ranger Guide, Mindy, was dressed in
the period costume of the 1940's, complete with stockings
that had a seam down the back.  How many of us remember those days?
 
She had a very lively way of
telling us the history of SCOTTY'S CASTLE
which you can learn more about at:
 

 
Mindy our Park Ranger Guide.

 
The entry way into the living areas.
 

 
 
Mindy telling us about the furnishings in this living room.
 

 
Russ looking my way,
as Mindy tells about the GREAT ROOM.
 
 
A desert Cactus that has its
own kind of beauty.
 

 
One of the few Sand Dunes we could see from a distance.
Taken on our return trip to Pahrump, NV.
The afternoon light made it more interesting
than when the other side of the bus
could see it on the way to SCOTTY'S CASTLE.

 
I love sky pictures.  This was taken
just before 6 PM,
when we finished our Tour.
 
 
 
NOTE:  We will be traveling to
 St. George, Utah on Thursday.
We are not sure of our
 Verizon Service
while there for the next three nights.
It may be a few days before I am able to post again.
 
Direct contact via the St. George RV Resort
for Emergencies only:
435-879-2212.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

AUGUST 27 - 28 - PAHRUMP, NV

MONDAY and TUESDAY
AUGUST 27 and 28, 2012
 
 
We were ON THE ROAD AGAIN, Monday morning,
by 10 AM, to travel 81 miles via Interstate 515,
to Nevada Rt. 160, through Pahrump,
to NEVADA TREASURE RV RESORT,
the Rally spot for the beginning of our

FANTASY RV TOUR

 
It was good to have gas prices in the
$3.62 range, rather than $4.15
a gallon we paid a week ago
in California.
 
We are now facing temperatures of at least
100 degrees during the daytime.
It is still 88 degrees, at 9:30 PM.
 
 
This is the type of terrain we saw for
most of the 81 miles journey.
At one point we were advised to be
on the lookout for Wild Horses
and Burros.
I think they were too smart to venture out.
It was hotter than blazes.
But then you wonder,
where could they hide to get away
from the intense heat and sun.
 
 
This is the first big Cactus,
I have seen but certainly expect to
see lots more in the days ahead.
 
 
 
TUESDAY
 
 
We spent the morning shopping to get all the last minute
supplies we expect to want, to get us through this week.
We stocked up on our favorite fruits,
breakfast proteins, and some
veggies for salads and dinner.
 
We bought me a time piece to make sure
I would get back on our Tour Bus on time,
in case we did not have cell phone service,
to tell me the time.
 
The Wal-Mart clerk
very resourcefully suggested
one that I can wear around my neck
on a lanyard, because I don't like
to wear a watch on my wrist.
 
Our TOUR group gathered at 2 PM,
for our first official business.
 
The event of the afternoon was
a visit to Pahrump Valley Winery
where co-owner
Gretchen Loken
gave us a very informative
tour of the Vineyard area, and
then took us inside
 to see the Processing Room.
 
 
Co-owner Gretchen Loken

 
Vineyards already picked in early August
because of the dry summer.




POMEGRANATES 
 
 


Display room with the 240 bottles
 with AWARDS they have received.




This Premier Winery
was established in 1990,
as the first Winery in Nevada.




Rita and Russ
 
 
 
Golden Sunset
was as early as 7:12 PM.

 
 
The clouds took on a Pink Gold glow
by 7:20 PM.
 
 

Day is Done,

Gone the Sun,

From the lake,

From the hills,

From the sky;

All is well, safely rest,

 God is nigh.

 
 

Monday, August 27, 2012

AUGUST 26 - HOOVER DAM and LAS VEGAS BY NIGHT

SUNDAY
AUGUST 26, 2012
 
We gave ourselves the luxury of
a leisurely Sunday,
 to prepare ourselves
 for our busy week.
 
Rita spent the morning
getting our Blog up-to-date.
 
We went for lunch and then drove
to Hoover Dam,
just a sixty mile round trip
from Arizona Charlies, where we are camped.
 
 
 
The Lake Mead side of the Hoover Dam.
 

 
 
 This bridge is a by-pass of the Dam bridge.
Russ says when he visited in 1979,
this bridge was not here,
and all traffic had
to travel over the road on the
top of the Dam.  Today,
we walked on that surface,
into Arizona.
 
 
 





Lake Mead was formed
when the Hoover Dam was completed.
 
 

 
Boaters are taking advantage of the
Lake Mead Recreational Area,
within sight of the Dam.
 
 
We returned to Arizona Charlies to
have their buffet dinner.
A real bargain for $11.95,
with a great Salad Bar,
Prime Rib,
and several other choices.
 
At 8:50 PM
we headed into Las Vegas,
to see the lights on THE STRIP.
 
We drove THE STRIP
from one end to the other
and back again, a total of 20 miles
round trip.
 
 
Seeing it from our Truck was
enough for both of us.
The sidewalks were packed,
the traffic was sometimes five lanes on both sides,
and there was a center mall with Palm Trees.
 
 
The SIDEWALKS were packed.

 
Traffic was five lanes deep,
when I took this photo,
with an equal number coming toward us
from the opposite direction.
 


DENNY'S


 
HARRAH'S

 
 
MARGARITAVILLE


 
 



STATUE OF LIBERTY
 
 


DISNEY
 
 
 
 
PARIS and the EIFEL TOWER
 

 
 
THE FLAMINGO


 
The STRATOSPHERE
 
 
THAT CONCLUDES OUR TIME IN LAS VEGAS.
 
We came away WINNERS.
 
Nothing Wagered,
Nothing LOST.
 
 
 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

AUGUST 25, - DRIVING TO LAS VEGAS

SATURDAY
AUGUST 25, 2012
 
Our day began at 7:15 and it was already 75 degrees.
We were ON THE ROAD AGAIN by 9:57 AM.
 
The landscape was dirty
 and the gravely roadside was littered with glass debris.
 
By Noon we stopped at a Burger King for lunch.
The Garmin said we had 85 miles to go,
and it was hard to tell where there
might be another town with food.
 
The Cactus along the road are like trees
 
 
 
We began to see mountain ranges
 all around us,
and clouds that
 added interest to the views.
 
 
 
 
 
Our elevation climbed to 4700 foot,
 and then we headed downhill
to test the new brakes.
Praise the Lord,
Russ could feel the improvement.
What a relief for him and me, too.
 
It was 1:03 PM when we crossed into NEVADA.
We were driving along side
 of  IVANPAH DRY LAKE
 
 
NEVADA sign
 
 
IVANPAH DRY LAKE
 
By  1:45 PM we began to see the Las Vegas skyline,
so I had to take a few pictures to prove we had
arrived here.
 




After we settled in at ARIZONA CHARLIE'S
 CASINO and RV PARK,
we ventured out to attend 4 PM Mass at
St. Viador's.
 
This cloud formation was
captivating as we drove
to the Church.






The Church was surrounded with a Patio Garden,
similar to what we found at the MISSIONS on Sunday.


 
 
 
Russ in front of St. Viator's
in Las Vegas, NV

 
The scene behind the RV Park
was almost like a post card.
 
 




We ended our day early (8 PM),
with this neon sign out front.
 
It had reached 100 degrees
in the shade and still felt
that warm as we walked
from the Casino where we had dinner,
 to our RV.