"19/#13 In And Out In California But Not The Burger Joint

Lake Havasu was fun but it was time to hit the road again. Since we have been keeping our days to 300 miles (give or take) we don't have to get up at the crack of dawn. Awake by 8am, shower, a cup of coffee, and check e-mails and we are on the road by 10am. Six hours of driving puts us about 300 miles down the road by 4pm and gives us time to check in, set up, have dinner, and relax. We can now relax during the driving part of our travels. This is our new normal and I like it.

Less than an hour after leaving Lake Havasu City we crossed into California. Yes that is our final destination but not quite yet. After the agricultural cavity check, which wasn't really that bad, we traveled west a little ways before heading north. We crossed some imaginary line somewhere in the desert and were suddenly in Nevada. Goodbye California. See Ya later! US 95 North is so much nicer in Nevada than California. On the California two lane winding road we were left to wonder if there was anyone else out here in the desert. In Nevada the almost straight four lane looked like most good highways just with a lot fewer places to stop. But Las Vegas was in front of us, so not to worry.

We arrived at Henderson and had to make an emergency bladder relief stop, so I figured it was also a good time to stop for fuel. We found diesel for $2.89 a gallon while everyone else was getting $3.05 or more. Thank you bladder! Then we drove through Las Vegas and the "Bedrock" interchange (see any Flintstone episode) and made it to open road with just 100 miles to our destination. We should arrive by 3:30pm. Perfect, right? I spoke too soon.

Just after the construction and shortly after entering the Piute Indian reservation that ominous and all too familiar thump, whap,whap,whap sound hit our ears as our tire pressure monitor simultaneously started screaming we lost pressure in one of the trailer tires. Got off the road before the tire could do any real damage and started our impersonation of a NASCAR pit crew. About the time I was getting ready to jack up the trailer Wild Life Officer Smith (no relation to Yogi's Ranger Smith) pulled up behind us with lights flashing. He offered to help but sensed we knew what we were doing and just stayed there with his lights on to protect us. He also told us where we could get a new tire since I DO NOT travel without a spare. Thank you Officer Smith..

A quick turn around, a short drive back into Las Vegas and just about two hours behind schedule we were back on the road with a brand new tire. Arrival time now 5:30pm. Just after the park office closes but still early enough to get settled in. A full day of driving with sudden bursts of stress and we were exhausted. Mary called it an early night and I was not far behind.

I am signing off as it is now morning and I am on my second cup of coffee before some local exploring near our home here in our home in Beatty Nevada because.......


Home is where we park it,
Frank an Mary