*Birds we’ve seen on our 2010 trip so far: white-wing dove, Gamble’s quail, western tanager, roadrunner, violet-green swallow, California condors
*National Parks/Monuments visited on 2010 trip so far: 11
*State Parks visited on 2010 trip so far: 2
*Total number of Jr. Ranger badges so far: 12
[Click on any picture to enlarge…then arrow back to the blog]
Originally our plan was to go from the Grand Canyon to Zion National Park, but all things are always subj
ect to change. We decided to take a little detour so we could add 2 more states to those where The Folly has spent the night, CA and NV. Along the way we stopped in Kingman, AZ, to stock up on groceries and grab some more In-N-Out burgers! Then it was on to Needles, CA, just over the AZ state line, and located on the Colorado River. We stayed at Northshore RV Resort, nothing fancy, just gravel sites, but nice staff and a nice view of the Colorado River (thank goodness there weren’t many other campers there to block our view). They did have a little pet beach area which gave the dogs a chance to swim in the river, and what a blast they had! I hadn’t planned on letting them get wet so didn’t bring the camera, but another lady was there with her dogs so how could I resist letting them play. 
The next morning we headed for Valley of Fire State Park in NV, but along the way we stopped at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (http://www.nps.gov/lake) and Hoover Dam (http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/). Coming up over a hill, we were am
azed at how blue the water was in Lake Mead…absolutely beautiful! This area is quite an extraordinary mix of desert, water, mountains, and canyons…a little something for everyone.
After arriving at the Lake Mead visitor’s center, the ranger behind the desk noticed Russ’ Jr. Ranger badge and asked us if we wanted their workbook. After finding out it probably wouldn’t take too long to complete, we earned another badge over the next couple of hours!
Going to Hoover Dam had not initially been on our itinerary as we had been there about 15 years ago, and we knew there were a lot of traffic delays due to the construction on the new bridge bypass. But according to the ranger, traffic was relatively light that day so we though
t “we’re here so let’s go”. Since 9/11 all vehicles crossing over Hoover Dam have been required to stop at a makeshift security checkpoint. There’s a separate line for semis, trailers, and RVs, and the officer needed to look inside each of the outside basement compartments and take a quick peek inside the RV. Though we’re not sure just 
how much he could really detect from these brief looks, we’re happy to comply as they do their job helping to keep us all safe. Once the bypass is completed later this year, there will be no more need for the checkpoint so traffic flow will be faster and smoother. This new Colorado River Bridge is just south of the dam connecting AZ
and NV across the Black Canyon, will be 2,000 feet long, and will rise nearly 900 feet above the Colorado River. Just look at the size of the cranes needed! If you’d like more info on this impressive project, go to http://www.hooverdambypass.org/.
ect to change. We decided to take a little detour so we could add 2 more states to those where The Folly has spent the night, CA and NV. Along the way we stopped in Kingman, AZ, to stock up on groceries and grab some more In-N-Out burgers! Then it was on to Needles, CA, just over the AZ state line, and located on the Colorado River. We stayed at Northshore RV Resort, nothing fancy, just gravel sites, but nice staff and a nice view of the Colorado River (thank goodness there weren’t many other campers there to block our view). They did have a little pet beach area which gave the dogs a chance to swim in the river, and what a blast they had! I hadn’t planned on letting them get wet so didn’t bring the camera, but another lady was there with her dogs so how could I resist letting them play. 
The next morning we headed for Valley of Fire State Park in NV, but along the way we stopped at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (http://www.nps.gov/lake) and Hoover Dam (http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/). Coming up over a hill, we were am
azed at how blue the water was in Lake Mead…absolutely beautiful! This area is quite an extraordinary mix of desert, water, mountains, and canyons…a little something for everyone.After arriving at the Lake Mead visitor’s center, the ranger behind the desk noticed Russ’ Jr. Ranger badge and asked us if we wanted their workbook. After finding out it probably wouldn’t take too long to complete, we earned another badge over the next couple of hours!
Going to Hoover Dam had not initially been on our itinerary as we had been there about 15 years ago, and we knew there were a lot of traffic delays due to the construction on the new bridge bypass. But according to the ranger, traffic was relatively light that day so we though
t “we’re here so let’s go”. Since 9/11 all vehicles crossing over Hoover Dam have been required to stop at a makeshift security checkpoint. There’s a separate line for semis, trailers, and RVs, and the officer needed to look inside each of the outside basement compartments and take a quick peek inside the RV. Though we’re not sure just 
how much he could really detect from these brief looks, we’re happy to comply as they do their job helping to keep us all safe. Once the bypass is completed later this year, there will be no more need for the checkpoint so traffic flow will be faster and smoother. This new Colorado River Bridge is just south of the dam connecting AZ
and NV across the Black Canyon, will be 2,000 feet long, and will rise nearly 900 feet above the Colorado River. Just look at the size of the cranes needed! If you’d like more info on this impressive project, go to http://www.hooverdambypass.org/. 
We continued our drive across the dam, passing the new visitor center, crossing from NV into AZ, and up the winding road of US 93 looking for a place to turn around a 39’ motorhome towing a car. Most of the parking lots were a little too tight but up the road we found a spot not only to turn around but where we were able to pull ov
er for some fantastic views. We even took a lunch break right there on the side of the road! It was time to head back across the dam as our final destination for the day was well past the visitor center in NV, but we’re glad we took this slight detour across the dam.
er for some fantastic views. We even took a lunch break right there on the side of the road! It was time to head back across the dam as our final destination for the day was well past the visitor center in NV, but we’re glad we took this slight detour across the dam. 
We had decided to take “the road less traveled” to Valley of Fire State Park instead taking the highway, and what an incredible drive it was. Most of the road goes through the Lak
e Mead National
e Mead National Recreation Area with many different views of the lake, but much of it has no view of the lake at all…just some incredible landscape sculpted by nature.
What can we say about Valley of Fire State Park (http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm) other than what an amazing little gem in the middle of nowhere. Russ stumbled across their website when researching the Hoover Dam area and campgrounds in NV. Though 120 miles from the dam, over some bumpy road construction part of the way, it was well worth the tr
ip. The area got its name from the surrounding red sandstone formations that were formed over millions of years, and it was Nevada’s first state park. It has also been the site of several movies such as The Good Son and Star Trek-Generations.
While it might seem like a barren desert, it is alive with flowers that seem to spring from the rocks, birds flitting through the skies, and many species of animals including coyotes, jackrabbits, lizards, and snakes. In fact we discovered this little critter known as a Chuckwalla getting a little sh
ade. I found out from the office staff that it is actually a juvenile Chuckwalla because of the black bands on its tail. When it is full grown, the bands on the tail will disappear and it will develop a darker grey body color. Interesting, huh?
ade. I found out from the office staff that it is actually a juvenile Chuckwalla because of the black bands on its tail. When it is full grown, the bands on the tail will disappear and it will develop a darker grey body color. Interesting, huh?
During our drives through the park over the next couple of days, we came across several interesting items. These three cabins were built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps from the native sandstone and were used for many years as shelter for campers and visitors to the park. Back then about 9,000 people visited the park in 1936, but
today nearly 200,000 visit annually.
Another feature I wanted to see were the petroglyphs which are over 4,000 years old. Located on Atlatl Rock, you need to climb a long flight of stairs for viewing, and they are now protected by a piece of acrylic set several inches away but are still clearly visible. There is clear evidence of graffiti
in spots thus the reason for the acrylic plus it protects the fragile rock from further damage by human hands or climbing. These amazing examples of ancient Indian rock art never cease to amaze me.
There are two campgrounds here, each situated amo
ngst the scenic rock formations. In fact some of the rocks look like they could fall any minute! Though it was starting to heat up with highs in the low 90s, we enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend a visit (though probably not in the middle of summer when the highs can reach up to 120 degrees!). There is really so much beauty in this desert landscape.
today nearly 200,000 visit annually.Another feature I wanted to see were the petroglyphs which are over 4,000 years old. Located on Atlatl Rock, you need to climb a long flight of stairs for viewing, and they are now protected by a piece of acrylic set several inches away but are still clearly visible. There is clear evidence of graffiti
in spots thus the reason for the acrylic plus it protects the fragile rock from further damage by human hands or climbing. These amazing examples of ancient Indian rock art never cease to amaze me.There are two campgrounds here, each situated amo
ngst the scenic rock formations. In fact some of the rocks look like they could fall any minute! Though it was starting to heat up with highs in the low 90s, we enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend a visit (though probably not in the middle of summer when the highs can reach up to 120 degrees!). There is really so much beauty in this desert landscape.
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