Nevada to Arizona

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005

Highway 160 southeast of Pahrump – no trees, no signs of civilization (except for a few cars and trucks on the road), long stretches of flat ground with scrubby grasses and bushes – to some this would be a boring drive. But not to me. I amuse myself by imagining what it was like for the early explorers and settlers as they crossed these areas.

After a cold night (25-degrees), the sun is quickly warming things up. It is a gorgeous day in Southeastern Nevada. Soon the flat roads changed to foothills, and a sign noted that I was driving through the Spring Mountain National Recreational Area.

Before I knew it, I had topped the pass and was coming down the hill on the outskirts of Las Vegas. No matter where I looked I saw new home construction “shoulder to shoulder.” The homes looked close enough for people to join hands between windows.

I’m sure glad I was driving through mid-morning. As it was, there were masses of vehicles and semi-trucks and the Interstates are under construction. Finally I made it through my various road changes and was headed south towards Laughlin and Bullhead City.

I passed a map-dot named Cal-Nev-Ari. It had a small casino, motel, and “immobile” mobile and manufactured homes. Next came Searchlight, Nevada, with truck stops and a McDonald’s.

Once I made through Laughlin, across the Colorado River, and through Bullhead City, I continued south to the Oatman Highway turnoff to the Blackstone RV Park where I spent the night. I was treated to a beautiful sunset. (photo) I’m expecting tomorrow to be a super interesting day – Oatman and historic highway 66!