Tempe, AZ to Las Vegas, NV

Travelling back home today.  Got up, Bry went and got McDonalds breakfast so we didn’t have to cook and clear up as we have a long drive home.  We leave the park at 8:30 and head home.  I have an idea that I should video and do a talking commentary mainly for PawPaw as he can’t see too well these days and he likes my accent. J  So, I get Bry’s I-phone and do a short video on the way to Wickenburg.  On way to Wickenberg Video.  We stop at a Mobil station at 10:30 on US93 between Wickenburg and Kingman at marker 195.  This station is RV friendly with separate pumps and parking for RV’s. There is a Jack in the Box and DQ here but we are not eating here today, too early.  We have decided to go back over the Hoover Dam as it cuts some miles off our trip.  We didn’t go this way on Friday as it would have been extremely busy and with the checks on vehicles would have taken us longer probably than doing the extra miles.   Stopped at Wickieup again at 12:15pm and made some sandwiches for lunch.  On the road again at 12:45pm.  Went over the Hoover Dam and took another VIDEO, there wasn't any big delays.  We had to let them inspect the motorhome, this is routine, before going over the Dam.  The new bridge that they have built over the Colorado River as a bypass for the Dam is pretty much finished and I found out later will open next week.

Arizona Cardinals v New Orleans Saints - Cmon you Saints!!!

The boys are going to the Arizona Cardinals/New Orleans Saints game today and I am going to stay in Lily with CoCo and do some work.  I put the game on tv, put my feet up, set up my desk and away I go.  Managed to get most of my report written, unfortunately the Saints lost but you win some and lose some. This time they left it too late to make a comeback.  Cardinals 30 – Saints 20, Cardinals scored a touchdown in the last seconds which makes the score seem farther apart than it was for most of the game.  The boys bought Whataburger in with them as Bry loves these and they are not in Vegas.

Apache Palms RV Park, Tempe, Arizona

 Get woken up about 7:00 as the awning is flapping in the wind.  Slept pretty good.  Had coffee, made breakfast and packed up and headed out about 9:15.  Filled up with gas, wow it takes a while to half fill the tank!!!  Leave Laughlin, Arizona bound.

Stop at the Wikieup Trading Post  11:05am  on US93 between Kingman and Wickenburg so Bry can stretch his legs and CoCo can pee.  Sue went shopping, have warned Bry it is fatal to stop anywhere but he doesn’t listen.  He bought me a frog ring which sits really nicely on my little finger.  My mum had bought me a frog ring when I left England for the States in 1993 but unfortunately I lost it a couple of years ago.  I still have faith that it is in the house somewhere and will turn up but until that time this one will substitute nicely.  

Arrive at Apache Palms RV Park at 2:30pm, it is smaller than we thought and the area leaves something to be desired but there is a public transport tram system right by the front gate.  Also a SMALL swimming pool and spa and it is clean.  Have a pull thru site which works well.  Decide to hook up and then go to eat.  We have found out there is an Applebees nearby so off we head.  Have lunch/dinner.  I am in need of some liquid refreshment and have 2 White Zinfadel Sangrias, mmmmm.  Feel better now.  For those of you that don’t know me that well I don’t drink very often but sometimes get the urge for one.  This was one of those times!!!  We went to the Ace Hardware store and bought a couple of bits.  I advised Ryan to always look in the sale aisles!!! Ha!! Ha!!  And went to Safeway.  We always seem to have a need for something, will have to get out of that habit.   Back to Lily for some rest and relaxation, this travelling sure does tire you out.   

Riverside RV Park, Laughlin, Nevada

Bry, Sue, Ryan and CoCo are heading out for a long weekend to Fort Apache, Nr. Tempe, Arizona.  Bry & Ryan are going to watch the New Orleans Saints v Arizona Cardinals football game on Sunday.  It will be Ryan's first live football game. We are accompanied by “Milly” a teddy that was sent to us by her family in England who reside with my brother Ray, sister-in-law Julie and my beloved Mum.  Milly will accompany us on our travels and keep her family back in the UK up to date on her travels.  This is her first trip. We also have “Siddeley” the Saints bear as Bry & Ryan are going to the Cardinals/New Orleans Saints football game on Sunday.  It will be the first time Ry has been to a professional football game. Bry has been a Saints fan all of his life, through thick and mainly thin but his patience finally paid off when they won the superbowl in January. We can’t leave until Bry gets off work but then we go.  We have been driving about an hour and a half when we realize that we have left the game tickets at home.  Sue will not point any fingers here but it wasn’t her!!!  We are just outside of Searchlight – it has taken us a while to get here because we are towing “Tilly” – our 2010  Chevrolet Malibu – it is her maiden voyage as a TOAD (towable vehicle).  It is our maiden voyage out of Nevada.  The tow cable that connects the electrics so the lights etc work on the car hasn’t got a long enough lead and keeps working loose, consequently the plug has been damaged from dragging on the road.  We decide that we will park and Bry will drive the Malibu back to Vegas to get the tickets and call Camping World who installed the tow bar to see what we can do about the cable.  He sets off at 2:00.  At 3:15 he tells me he is heading back, he has a new cable and plug from camping world and the tickets.  I ask him if we should stay at Laughlin tonight as it is probably at least another 4 hours to Fort Apache and we decide to do that.  Ryan calls Riverside at Laughlin and they have plenty of spaces so we are OK.  At 4:15 we head off for Laughlin, arriving about 5:00.  The site is not that good, mostly gravel but it does have hook ups and a pull thru site so we don’t have to unhook the car ready for a quick exit tomorrow.  We are all exhausted and so cook Hamburgers, eat, watch a movie (Avatar) and go to bed.

NASCAR - Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Ready &Waiting!!!

February 2010  – Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Nascar Infield 

5 days @ the infield on Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Can it get any better!!!! 

Thursday February 25, 2010 – Bry arrives today and sets up ready for Sue, Ryan & Bree to arrive tomorrow (some of us have work & school L)

Friday February 26, 2010 – Practice Day today & Bry gets the layout of the land, as he worked here for 6 years he really already knows his way around pretty well.  We also camped in the infield in 2006 In our trailer.  Ok the rest of the gang all arrive, about 4:30 after school & work, with Olive Garden, yummy!!!  We take a look around – everyone is in a good mood and looks like it will be a fun weekend, even if a little cool.

On top of the world, well not quite

Saturday February 27, 2010 - Up pretty early.  Bree makes breakfast, Woo!! Hoo!! – Thanks Bree J.  Go for a look around before the racing starts.  The trailers are all open selling different racing gear for each of the drivers.  Of course, we look at Dale Earnhardt Sr.  as Bry supported him  for years and continues to collect his stuff even after his death, which we were so saddened by. At least he died doing something he loved and his legacy continues.  We watch part of the race from the roof of the motorhome with Bree’s Dad, Terry, and a friend, Tom.  We have weekend passes to the Neon Garage, which lets us go into the garage area and watch the teams working on the cars.  Today we also get to go right into pit lane and watch by Kevin Harvick’s pit stop as his team cheer him on to a win!!!!  J  It is sooooo cold, who would believe it is Las Vegas.  Finally back to the motorhome for a BBQ and to get warm. 

Tired but happy at the end of the day

Sunday February 28, 2010 – Race Day has arrived – We decide to watch the race from the Neon Garage area and go early to make sure we get a seat with a table.  Get good views of turn 1 & 2 and can see 3 & 4 on the big screen by us.   Terry & Tom join us again and we have fun watching the race.  Back for another BBQ, everyone is really tired and we just sit around waiting for the crowds to leave before we head on home to get back to work/school tomorrow.  Bry stays until tomorrow when he will pack up and leave.