AZ | Adventures On the Road

From Beach to Desert to Bright Lights

17 01 2014

Good Morning Sunshine!

After 3 days of (almost) non-stop driving with most mornings spent waking up hours before the sun decided to show its face, it was heavenly to wake up after the sun came up. And better than that – this was the view from our hotel room at Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, CA.

Breakfast with the locals, a walk on the beach chasing sand pipers and skirting the waves. It may look warm and balmy but that water is still shockingly cold on the toes.

An afternoon soaking in the hot tub, an after-soak nap and watching the sun ease its way down beyond the horizon after the end of a relaxing day. Can’t get better than that.

From sand and surf to desert and burros – and it only took 5 hours!

Check out those fuzzy bangs!

Mom & Baby # 2

Two days after strolling the beach – Vegas….

From the Vdara Hotel – a view of the Vegas Strip and the Bellagio Fountain Show

And to enjoy the different side of Vegas – Old Vegas….and the Fremont Street Experience.

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Tags: California, Lake Havasu City, Nature, Photography, Random Life, Sightseeing, Travel, Westcoast
Categories : Arizona, AZ, California, Lake Havasu City, Las Vegas, Parker

The Hoover Dam!

4 02 2013

Can’t help but think about the Transformers movie and the fact that the All Spark is hidden under the depths of the concrete and water every time I’m at the Hoover Dam. But other than thinking about Optimus Prime and Bumble Bee while I’m taking in the sites, you have to admit, it is a pretty cool place to see. And of course, everyone gets a kick out of being right on the border lines of Arizona and Nevada, and experiencing two time zones at one time.

The new bridge: You can’t see anything unless you park and walk the bridge or you’re in a truck!

Setting up an instagram shot…as per usual

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Tags: Sightseeing, Travel
Categories : Arizona, AZ, Las Vegas

Tired of Being a Raisin

16 01 2013

As tough as it is to leave the constant (and guaranteed) sunshine of the desert in Parker, Arizona, I’m a little bit excited to have a little moisture in the air. To be honest, I’m a little weary of drying up like a raisin in the desert air. And surprisingly I miss falling asleep to the raindrops falling outside my window. I don’t know how long that will last, but fingers crossed the clear skys and high pressure system that’s hanging out in Seattle will stick around for a little while, or at least the skies don’t try to drown me out too quickly.

A couple last images of the clear desert skies, sun-kissed mountains and the Bill Williams River.

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Tags: Lake Havasu City, Nature, Photography, Random Life, Travel, Weather
Categories : Arizona, AZ, Lake Havasu City, Parker

Brrrr…It’s Cold in Here….

14 01 2013

Here I thought we were heading to the warmth of the desert in Parker (Lake Havasu City), AZ. Well there’s definitely sunshine, but where’s the warm kiss of the sunshine on my face? Highs of 45 degrees and Lows of 25 degrees? What is that all about????

The orange tree that we just planted is struggling. It may actually be holding onto dear life as it shivers in the wind at night. We’ve done our best by putting blankets over it and taping cardboard around its trunk when the sun goes down – hey it’s definitely not pretty, but hopefully it’s providing some protection.

And with all the buzz about the flu epidemic? Well, this part of the desert has not been exempt. I think everyone I have come in contact with the last few weeks has been hacking away and by some miracle, despite the fact that the three other people in my household have taken their turn as a self-designated ‘sickie’, (Well, maybe not so much as self designated, but that’s what I’ve been calling them), I have still remained unscathed. I like to think it’s because of my superhuman immune system and strength of mind, but who we kidding, I’m usually the first one sick and give in to it like a little baby. So, I guess I have to thank the round of immunizations that I had to have during the process of getting my green card. I resisted them at first, but looks like I won out in the end.

Well I can’t say I have any advice for dealing with the cold temperatures (besides looking at the views from inside the cocoon of warm blankets while sitting by the fire) or battling the germs in the area other than unexpectantly planning ahead with a full round of vaccinations. But I do recommend healthy doses of Vitamin C and if you’re ever in the area of Mesa, AZ, you’ve got to stop by B & B Citrus Farm, because they have got some tasty fruit on their trees!