LAS CRUCES

4/10/09---After a good nights sleep and a fine brunch we said our goodbyes and left Carol's uncle's home in Casa Grande and headed east on I-10.











Taking pictures from a moving vehicle is not very successful. Only a few shots of vegetaion looked okay.




Huge rocks attracted our attention. We stopped at a rest stop and found some information. The area with the large rocks is
called Texas Canyon. Who knows for sure about the name since we were still in Arizona.


According to the signs, the indian chief "Cochise" was in this region for many years.










Crossing into New Mexico seemed little different, as there was nothing but more dessert. However the wind was really blowing and there was lots of dust in the air. It was not as bad as the yellow sign indicated it must get at times. After driving in the wind all afternoon it was time to rest.

Las Cruces, New Mexico seemed like a good place to stop. We checked into a Comfort Inn and I devoted some time to getting the blog updated. I hope you readers enjoy the pictures. We sure enjoy taking them.

Oh, by the way--Keith & Maryann are in Laurel, Montana visiting with family and friends.

CASA GRANDE

4/9/09---We left Henderson, Nevada and drove east on highway 93. There are so many things to see! Lake Mead comes into view and then traffic really slows down because of construction near Hoover Dam.




There are various photos of the new highway that is being built through the rugged terrain.






A most awesome sight are the huge cranes being used to support the structure that is being built across the Colorado River. The two sections look like monsters coming together high above the river. Eventually they will join and support the new highway.



















It is quite obvious from the transmission lines and enormous substations that generation of electricity is a major endeavor in this area. Looking down on the upstream side of the dam it is noticable that the water level is low. I am sure there is hope that the heavy snows in the mountains this year will restore the river to a more desireable depth.










As we traveled into Arizona, a lot of different growth could be seen sticking out of what appears to be nothing more than rock. The large saguaros cactus takes on many different shapes as it grows arms in various directions. Most of the cactus is quite old as the arms don't even start to develop until the plant is at least 65 years old and 20 feet tall. The cactus is composed of a thick fluted columnar stem about 18 to 24 inches in diameter. The skin is smooth and waxy with 2-inch spines clustered together. Along the road Carol checked out some other kinds of cactus and colorful plants. We stopped for lunch in a small town called Wickenburg, located in the Sonoran Desert.

We continued on through Phenoix enroute to Casa Grande, Arizona. That is where we stopped to see Carol's Uncle John kluver and Aunt Topsy. Their daughter Kim and grandson Leroy were also there. Hospitality was wonderful as they fed us well, and after a good visit we stayed the night.

LAS VEGAS

4/4-8/09---The time has passed rather quickly in Henderson and the Las Vegas area. There are many places with bright lights that never close! We stayed away from the main "Strip" but did spend some time in the old part of town enjoying the "Fremont Experience". Carol & I visited an indoor flea market called Fantastik. I didn't see any fleas and really don't know that it was fantastic, but my wife really enjoys looking at all the "stuff"! Another day we explored an outdoor swap meet. Just about anything could be found in the variety of displays. Carol likes elephants and the small statue attracted her attention. She and brother Bill smiled big when I took their picture. We are washing clothes now and saying goodbye to relatives here as it is time to prepare for the trip home.

ST GEORGE

4/3/09---The "happy wanderers were located behind a large rock in Utah!

Following are comments from Maryann:

Hello from Dixie (that’s what we’ve been told Southern Utah is called)! We can certainly understand why. There are palm trees growing here and temps have been in the 60s and 70s, while folks farther north in this state have been dealing with serial snowstorms. We plan to hang here at the Temple View RV Resort in Saint George till this weekend. We drove by the LDS Temple today, and it is beautiful. A few days back we drove over to Zion National Park and were awed by God’s handiwork. We’ve included a few photos for your enjoyment.

NEVADA

4/1/09---What State are we in now? Not state-of-mind. Is this April fool? Carol & I are in Henderson, NV. We daparted New, Orleans on United Airlanes last night about 6:30 p.m. and arrived in Las Vegas at 11:00 p.m. Carol's brother (Bill) picked us up and took us to spend the night with sister-in-law Mollie. She lives near Carol's mother and we will be spending some time with her and others. I have not heard from the happy wanderers (Keith & Maryann). Who knows where they may be at this time. It is a little like finding Waldo. You know -- "Where's Waldo?? I will report on them later.