Trip #149 (80): Fare thee Well Death Valley & CO River Redneck Riviera + Usery
Feb 9 - 27, 2026
Tuesday, Feb 10 -
Winslow
Winslow, Homolovi and
dinner at La Posada. #47 we picked. Cool and windy of course, colder at night.
Nice blinking wind turbines in the distance, no one ever mentioned that. Ugh
what a sight -- a long line of RED blinking lights on the SE horizon all night.
Wed & Thurs Feb 11
- 12
Bullhead City/Laughlin
along the Colorado River at Davis Camp #15 (water and electric) county park.
Not bad but kind of a one-nighter. Getting there going thru Kingman (lots of
construction traffic, and no place to park the rig for In n Out) then farther
west thru some STARK ugly-ass mountain area to end up at the river. Of course,
our site was right behind the sewer station, which of course someone propped up
the larger cover so it stunk like sewer with the wind. And this place needs a
weed whacker. And I had to fling away two giant piles of dog shit behind us.
And yes, lake bugs... other than that... Not too busy in our short term
section, but the long term area was ass to elbow with trailers from all over.
First night did a recon drive down to Walmart for provisions. Next day did more
shopping at Harbor Freight (found out bike pump isn't working - 20 yrs old). So
that and Safeway, and Family Dollar for yarn... Bullhead got our dollars. Later
rode the bikes appx. 6 mile loop around the dam to the north then down thru Laughlin
to what else, In n Out for a salty protein style double-double. Many birds, and
2 ducks begging. This was along casino row, not too busy but some huge tall
buildings. Riding back we passed several RV camps and RV dealers, when Bill
says, hey, wanna go see a Brinkley? Sure. Wow, big, Interesting, but kinda
normal and big. Great weather on the warm side, biked in shorts, maybe 70. Nice
light dinner. Not a strong signal but managed to eek out some youtube watching
with the booster. First time out with YouTube and not Dish.
Friday & Saturday,
Feb. 13- 14❤️ - Boulder Beach
Next two nights at
Boulder Beach, #B-21 on Lake Mead outside of Boulder City, NV. Interesting
campground place, lots of mature leafy trees like an oasis while surrounded by
dry mountain desert—and of course the big lake. Nice day, beautiful weather,
maybe 70?, set up then got on bikes to ride uphill to the visitor center. Next,
well why not ride the old railway trail with tunnels to the actual dam? So we
did, about 8 miles one way; hoping we have enough bike batter charge (we did).
Being an old standard rail-way which brought supplies for building the dam, the
path was wide and flat, going thru 5 different tunnels. Walked in the final
part, no bikes allowed. And now, 25 years after 9/11, people are again allowed
to drive across the dam, just to access parking I believe. Very busy gift shop
down there, so checked it out for marbles and we headed back out.
Next day, also very
perfect tho a bit cool at 57 in the am, 10 am we rode bikes the other way,
north, on their still fantastic trail system, went about... can't remember (12
miles total?), up to the fish hatchery and beyond, climbing one very tall
incline before turning back. This would eventually take us to Henderson, but
felt like riding on the moon. Thank goodness it's cool out. Came back, cleaned
up and headed for town! Could see the Vegas strip in the distance, but opted to
skip the action cuz, who cares, and went to two RV dealers for a second look at
Brinkley and a new look at Airstream 10 year after our new one. (Shocker,
nothing's changed for the better.) Got a good close look at Brinkley, and tho
better made than 90% of trailers out there, it's just not right for us, so many
good points, storage, more floor space, full fridge, sliders, comfy chairs, but
felt like a square white student apartment. Looked at the 30 foot Airstream
Classic with a side dinette, still a bit weird with a TV behind your head, but
does have the nice couch at the back. Liked the 30 just fine, even had twins,
but two things are not great on the new ones: woven flooring and weird cotton
blinds. Why Airstream, why???? Do they not talk to real campers? "Hey,
this floor design will hold the most dirt, yeah! Use that!" Wanted Mexican
for dinner so chose Flaming Fajitas in Henderson, super super busy this
Valentines day, what are they the only place in town? Not bad, not great, but
knew better than to try a marg. My burrito arrived near cold so sent it back
and got a whole new diner. Well ok then.
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Feb. 15 - 17 - Death Valley
They say a big rain
event off the coast of California is headed our way almost cancelled out of
Death Valley -- but with 3 nights of FULL hookups? No way!! We can hunker down
in luxury. Which we did on Monday.
Left Boulder City
Sunday am without ever actually seeing the town *** do that next time *** but
instead stopped at Albertsons to stock up -- as half the town of seniors was
doing, "for the big storm" it seemed. The drive to DV was at least 2
hours, we thought it would be shorter, wasn't, going thru Pahrump, famous (to
me) from Live PD! Arrived to beautiful weather, about mid 60s, and a totally
renovated park! But first, as we approached out site #45 for FULL hookups, we
see a man in a rental RV filling up with water, in our spot - the entire camp
and he is using our spot. We thought he hadn't left yet, but no, he just
stopped at the wrong one for water -- also spilling it all over so we had a wet
pavement after that. What else, could barely speak English and since he pulled
in front ways, I knew he could never back it out right. Right again. First he
backed over the big rocks across the road, did the Austin Powers, then back
over the site sign that rock was holding up. 🤦♀️ Like watching a comedy movie. He overfilled his tank
so water was pouring out all over. Then 5 minutes later they drive by again and
she asks in broken English where the dump station was. I told her out on the
main road, not knowing it was 2 spots behind us. Boy they must be on a fun
trip. Anyway, (talk about ranch and oasis and renovations walked over, etc.
Monday, morning was
semi nice, but cloudy drove Badwater area, did a small natural bridge hike, a
slog in soft rocks and sand (yeah I'm whining), I got a full mouth of tooth
pain out of the blue - low barometric pressure, it's a REAL thing, look it up.
Came back and stayed inside waiting for rain all day. Got 20 spritz drops but
constant wind and gusts for 10 hours. The total dumbasses who arrived in their
Mercedes van nextdoor, decided to set up their pop-up shelter thing RIGHT
behind us in gale winds; took four of them to hold it while he carefully
pounded in the stakes and placed a 10 oz rock on top of each. Then they left.
We watched it start to blow apart but thankfully it did not dislodge and fly
into us (must have been those little rocks), which is what we were expecting.
Finally they returned, when into panic mode and took it down. They must be new
at this. Why they set it up at sunset in a hurricane for nothing, I have no
idea. Stupid. Finally the wind stopped at 11:30. Had a great carnitas dinner
tonight, never made it over for the ice cream parlor, too shitty out.
Tuesday - Woke to a
beautiful, cool sunny morning like last night never happened. Got out for an 8
mile bike ride on Hole in the Wall dead-end canyon. A plowed road, but more
soft sand and loose rocks, a biking slog - AND YES I'M WHINING AGAIN. We pushed
ahead uphill for 4 of the 6 miles one way before agreeing to turn around - it
never got better. They actually had reserved camping along that road.
About when we finished
the ride the winds picked up and was half a hurricane for the rest of the
afternoon. Walked over to the ice cream parlor to finally imbibe... but the
place was packed, service was so slow so after standing in line I finally read
the menu board -- $7 for a SINGLE scoop? $15 for a milkshake? Eh, nevermind,
and we went over to the mercantile and got some ice cream bars there, for about
half the price. Not that we are THAT cheap but there is a thing about being
taken advantage of -- not today Joe, not today. Got Bill a new DV hiking
T-shirt (and a bag of bagels) and headed over to the visitor center as the
clouds were gathering overhead. Still nothing but wind and ominous clouds.
Gotta visit the Inn
tonight, last chance. I have decided I don't need to visit this place again.
Records say we were here in 2013, 2017 and now 2026. At lease we got to see the
$20 million renovations. Yes went over to the Inn (the Oasis), dark out now but
went thru the long entry tunnel and wandered around, felt like a trespasser.
Finally found the pool but so windy we went inside and found the main floor was
the third floor, which had registration, the lobby and the restaurant and bar.
Took 2 seats at the bar for one round, talked to lady next to us as Olympics
were on the TV - said she was a curler, so got some insight. When we left the
wind had really picked up to where there was blowing dust across the road back.
Well it blew like this till 1am, with gusts up to 53 mph. Some metal under this
trail flexes in the wind so it was a night of BANG BANG ... BANG. Finally some
light rain came at midnight. Then, in the morning, it looked as if nothing had
happened with blue skies and the same dirt outside. I was expecting to see
tents wrapped around trucks and trees down, but I guess it was just another day
in DV.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 - 19
- (cancel Palm Springs) Lake Havasu city south
The long day's drive
from DV to south of Lake Havasu City to Cattail State Park (pull thru #23),
about 8 miles south of the city. Nice place on the river but nothing around.
Cool and still windy as we left DV, driving out the same way we came, along the
west side of Las Vegas. The mountains all around were covered in fresh snow
from the storm last night, and one small pass we went thru had snow to the
desert ground, Spring Mountain. No problems tho. Pahrump was on the edge of big
snow clouds but we stayed ahead and went south to LHC. Didn't arrive until
about 5:30, dealing with the state's time differences, I think it was 5:30.
Cold and windy uneventful evening, lotsa knittin'. Got down to the low 40s
Thursday, 19th
Beautiful cool morning.
This pull-thru site is on the end so it has a large side yard. So, can we sit
still long enough to enjoy it? Doubt it. Need to work on the bikes, brakes are
sticking. We really beat the crap out of them on that last trail. Walked maybe
a mile or so along the river trail running into a large party of rug rats
school outing. Got more windy as the day went on but we drove the bikes back 11
miles to town -- dropping off 7 kitty blankets at the best looking and funded
humane society I've ever seen -- and rode the island trail, ending up at London
Bridge. It was sooo windy but we did it anyway. Couldn't pick a place for
dinner so decided to eat at the trailer. It was then that it happened......
Bill made super strong gold margs before dinner, then later I had a small wine
as I prepared the big dinner. Then, right after came the sour stomach, then by
10:30 came the projectile firehose barfing, a few rounds of that. It was a long
weary night. Throw in some fever and chills.
Friday, 20 & 21 -
move to Parker: Buckskin State Park
With noon checkout and
2pm check in, we went down to Safeway in Parker to get a few things. I was
freeeezing in that store even in my winter coat. Back to Buckskin #51, great
spot on the end with large green yard and perfect weather. Well, not for me, I
went back to bed under two blankets and slept for the day. Bill went for a bike
ride. Later had some soup and back to bed to sleep thru the nights. WTH?? The
lost day.
Saturday, 21st
Feeling better, enough
to stay awake and take short walks, but nothing major. Went to the little store
run by a woman volunteer who loves this park and her job, and just basically
hung out. Not much else to do except hike, biking is limited but Bill did the
route again, and I napped. Small dinner and watched borrowed movie Hickock,
which we will leave in the library at this park (came from Havasu). Can't say
how perfect the weather was, mid 60's, even tho I was cold mostly, but on a
normal day I would have enjoyed a hike in that sun! BTW we seem to get great
spots when we book last minute on wandering labs.
Sunday, 22nd - Usery
for 4 days
In rebooking over
skipping Palm Springs, Willard missed a day, so we were able to add one day to
the next location, Usery in Mesa. So we will have one night and have to move.
At least that worked out. Temps to be warmer.
Longer yet boring ride
to get here, with a Glendale stop for --
you guessed it -- In n Out!!! And of course Walmart. Arrived later in the day
to our single night spot which turned out to be right next to the bike trail it
was a fabulous site remember number 28. That's a good one. Lots of birds they
buzzed through my food. Get out for a short bike ride. Warm in the day time to
switch to shorts and cool at night
Monday
Had to move sites,
probably got in a quick ride and a quick shower for the day and move to the
other site after a quick trailer dump.
Moved to number 16, pull through along the road and that one bird would ever
well maybe one bird would visit because the hawks were on patrol and they knew
it. Not long after changing sites, we were closing up to go to the mall, when
all of a sudden a dust devil hit us dead on and almost tore off the awning /
Bill ran out to hold it down we were both trying to hold it down it was
something else. Meanwhile he watched the pop-up fly away toward the neighbors
site. It ended up in a cholla and totally mangled so that's the end of the old
free pop-up. Since it's about 89° we went to the superstition Spring mall to
walk around, and then went to Walmart and got a new pop-up, and then had an
early dinner at cheesecake factory which absolutely sucked to me this time. A
dirty knife and Carnitas that were 50% blubber not the greatest however the
cheesecake we took home was.
Tuesday
Got in a quick ride and
made a trip to Queen Creek to go to the botanic garden. Probably a hot 30 mile
drive down there could not believe Queen Creek holy shit every retail you've
ever heard of is clustered and a quarter mile area. The place has exploded in
the last 10 years it says population has doubled. So we go to this botanical
garden only to find out it's basically an event and wedding venue with one
small hillside of flowers that they claim are all edible. Nice place but not a
botanic garden it was total bullshit and after having the employee tell me how
great it is he offered my money back and I took it. That was a crock but at
least we got to see Queen Creek. With a stop at the best and largest Trader
Joe's I've ever seen in a hot dog at Portillo's we made our way toward Main
St., Mesa to visit some airstream camping world to see some used 30 footers -
but nothing I would want to be in.
Wednesday, February 20
Slow start today
because I slept in so Bill got in an early bike ride. Later we both went out
for a longer ride and his throttle kept going on. Getting warmer by the day it
says 82 but it's warmer than that but being on a bike is a little cooler. I
don't wanna stand in the sun. The nature center is still shitty for gift shop
items. Later we showered turned down the air and went to get my last Amazon
pick up and unto the shipper station mall area for some Kohl's and a grocery
run not too exciting today but the car says 89°. Came back for chicken dinner
and started doing some packing. Just saw a Facebook post that said death valley
is gonna have a super bloom dammit we were just there.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Time to move on toward
NM. And it's going to blast up into the 90s so definitely time to move on. Long
day of driving among all the trucks, going as far as SkyCity in Acoma. Spot #6
full hookups $19, such a deal. Came by way of Holbrook then to I-40. Family
Dollar up at the corner so after setting up we took a walk among the semi
trailer in search of yarn. Nope, no yarn, the only Family Dollar in the country
with no yarn. Unbelievable. But Bill got ice cream as a consolation prize.
Pretty nice out, sunny, but the wind makes it feel cooler. Came prepared to make
pasta sauce with the best Roma maders I've seen in a LONG time -- where did we
get those... Bashas I believe, most excellent. Not publix rocks.
Friday, Feb. 27
Got colder than the
phone said, of course. 32º when we both got up at 6 am. Went to bed early last
night 10:30 (Bill the usual 10:10), what is it about a days' drive that always
makes me tired? Sitting in the passenger seat knitting all day is so
strenuous...
RIP:
Robert Duvall, Gus!, Rev. Jesse Jackson, (dirty prince andrew arrested), Robert
Carradine, David Soul, DJ Daniel, Neil Se
