Today we are driving to Laughlin on a more roundabout route through California and exploring a new dirt road that seems interesting with some mines and natural features along the road. The main dirt road is large and good however soon we decide to explore a few side roads that are more narrow and quite rutted but take us closer to the mountains.
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| Road starts big enough | Lots of mines on the way |
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| One lane road | Looks good but is quite bumpy |
Soon we park by the side of the road and start walking up the mountainside towards the ridge where we know a natural vent is located. The climb is off trail and a bit difficult but the views make it worth it - the views are surprisingly scenic from our chosen hill.
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| This is where we want to climb | Lots of roads up - but they peter out |
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| Climbing through the "Inner Basin" | View back from our vantage point |
On the ridge we walk along for a few hundred feet continuing to enjoy the views before finding with a bit of difficulty the vent. It is quite a surprise to see this sudden fissure in the mountain even if we were expecting it. We walk carefully around it trying to ascertain the depth which is not impressive at first glance but then we notice that it continues further down into the darkness.
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| Up in the saddle | Great view |
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| Our goal for the climb | Interesting natural vent |
As we descend the views are still breathtaking especially given that the sunset is approaching and the sun is coloring the rocks in some beautiful and unexpected ways.
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| Surprisingly impressive view | We can see far far into the distance |
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| Mountain in sunset light | There are even some clouds |
Arriving at the car we continue on our journey but we still stop a few more times to take pictures of the mountains in the sunset and of a very weird construction made of sneakers near a campground before it gets completely dark and we have to drive non stop to Laughlin.
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| Beautiful colors | Such a contrast |
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| Sunset from the road | Weird sneaker pile-up on the way |
After arriving in Laughlin we decide to celebrate with a more luxurious dinner than usual - the food is quite good and we go full to bed as we have a long day planned tomorrow.
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| Luxurious dinner in Laughlin | Good steak |
Today we plan to explore the area around Cal-New-Ari especially the road towards the Colorado River that supposedly has some interesting sights. But before leaving we have to buy some gas and so we travel to the Arizona side for both gas and some nice views of the Laughlin skyline including our hotel.
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| View of the river from hotel | Inside the room |
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| Laughlin from the other side of the Colorado River | Our hotel |
After that it is a short drive to the Loran Station Road which supposedly is paved but only in theory as there are big holes in the pavement and the washes have also done a number on the it. This is no problem for our jeep of course and we enjoy the drive and the birds both natural and artificial.
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| Loran Station Road - supposedly paved | But it is in disrepair |
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| Natural flight... | ....artificial flight |
There are also some side roads to explore as we try to get a better view of the abandoned Loran station. The Loran stations were very important before the age of the GPS as a navigation system however the whole system including the post that we are skirting was decommisioned in the early 90s.
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| Side road - good condition | Becomes worse after a while |
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| Loran station outlying building | Loran station in the distance |
We continue on the road but stop before a big descent and decide to walk down as we are not sure of the state of the road. It is not bad actually but walking is more fun and allows us to enjoy the views without being stressed by the drive.
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| Driving through the desert | Going down into the mountains |
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| Down in the valley | Impressive views |
It also allows us to get closer to the animals and birds - there are lots of rabbits here and also quite a few phainopeplas. The road passes an active mine that we avoid and then continues through the valley passing other remnants of habitation in the area.
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| Rabbit on the way | And a phainopepla |
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| Garden/foundation on the way | Water tower |
Our turnaround point is at an abandoned cabin that certainly has seen better days. It is great fun exploring it carefully and seeing how people lived far from civilization (at that time).
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| Our goal in the distance | Lots of trash nearby |
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| Getting close to the cabin | First look inside |
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| Entering - very carefully | Probably was cozy at some point |
Returning we enjoy the great views especially with the sunset lighting the hills just right. We get to the car just as it gets dark and then we have a long careful drive to the main street after which it is an easy short drive back to Laughlin.
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| View from cabin | You can see far in the distance |
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| Sunset on the road | Blazing hills |
Today we decide to eat dinner at the hotel and just buy from one of the take out places in the lobby - the food is acceptable and very filling and as a bonus we can eat it in our hotel room while watching the TV before packing as tomorrow we are driving back to Phoenix.
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| Hotel from a distance | Another part of the casino |
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| Our dinner | Chili hot dog |
Today we start with a more substantial breakfast so we are not hungry for the rest of the day. Again the food is quite good and refilled we start our day after checking out of the hotel and taking the luggage to the car.
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| Breakfast - quite good | And sweet |
Today we intend to spend the morning in Laughlin and we start first with the Gem Show that is in the Conference Hall right inside our hotel. It is smaller than in previous years but still there are quite a few stands to look at and even a few fossils. Afterwards we decide to walk along the promenade which this early is not as busy as usual.
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| Hotel with conference center | Looking up |
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| The promenade is under repair near hotel | Water taxi dock |
There are quite a few birds along the way, ducks, moorhen nothing really special, but still fun for us to follow as they go about their business along the river's edge.
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| Lots of moorhens | Decided to swim a bit |
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| Close up of one | And a mallard |
We continue walking along the promenade passing the different casinos which also seem more empty than usual, maybe this year is a bit of a down year in Laughlin. We soon arrive at the end of the skyline but before turning back we decide to visit one more thing at the last hotel on the promenade - the Riverside Casino.
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| Walking the promenade | Another nearby casino |
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| Quite a few casinos in fact | Another water taxi stop |
Specifically we want to visit a part of the Car Museum at the casino. We have visited it before and now the museum is split in two parts one in the casino and one outside. Today we plan to visit only the outside part as we have limited time and it is more easily accesible. While it is a small part of the museum it has some interesting cars including a Delorean similar to the Back to the Future one, an old electric car and one of the first models of the Ford car which are always fun to see.
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| Vintage car museum | Back to the future car - more or less |
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| Muscle car | Electric car - possibly |
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| Old Ford car | This one looks cool |
After leaving Laughlin we decide to take a short loop hike on the Arizona side in the desert - the weather is great and the area seems scenic and deserted however soon we find out it is not as we hear shots in the distance so we got the loop hike short and return to the car just in case for safety.
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| Arizona desert - not as secluded as it looks | No trail today |
There is one more interesting place that we want to pass through before returning to Phoenix so we take a short detour on our return. The claim to fame for Oatman is that they have lots of tame donkeys wondering the streets at all times and we have seen them before but today they are more hidden. Finally we spot a few just when we are about to give up and satisfied we continue on through the mountains back to the interstate and then home to Phoenix.
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| Arriving in Oatman | Claim to fame = Tame wild donkeys |
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