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
