Quartzsite to Winslow AZ

After a day in Quarztsite, AZ the strong wind had died down to a manageable strength and 

we decided to make a run for Holbrook NM. 

Roadwork stopped all traffic for quite a time

We started at 8am ( 8:00 ) and promptly had to wait nearly 45 minutes
at a construction area north of Quartzsite AZ. 

What a start!

But the rest went "relatively" smooth. ;)

I-95 North of Quartzsite AZ

Along the road near Parker, AZ we saw the first spring green trees!

landscape around Parker, AZ

view of a Colorado River campground near Parker AZ

We passed through a very busy Lake Havasu City, AZ ...

driving into Lake Havasu City, AZ

... and had a brief stop in Kingman to stock up on groceries. 

The landscape changed a lot. From desert to lake to rocks to forest.

Higher and higher we climbed.

West of Flagstaff, on 5000 feet (1580 m) 

there was snow on the ground among the pine tree forrest. 

Remnants of a recent spring snowstorm

snow patches along the road

Agassiz Peak (12.300 feet (3767 m))

East of Flagstaff. A high plateau, a wide open mesa.

Flat topped Mesa around Holbrook, AZ

sunset at "Meteor Crater" rest area along I-40 

After 6 hours and 337 miles (542 km) we found a spacious spot for the night 

on a rest area along the I-40. It will be our first cold night after many month in the warm desert. 

The temperatures here on 5000 feet (1524 m) are predicted to drop down to 23 F (-5 C). 

Brrr. We will need an extra duvet!

Luckily we topped up our propane and the furnace keeps us warm and toasty.

We will not visit the crater again, we did that on Oct 29. 2024

Dixie, close to Peter, where it is safest

German translation

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Nach einer Zwangspause in Quartzsite, Arizona fuhren wir heute sehr früh los - 

nur um gleich in einer Baustelle stehenzubleiben. Es hat uns sage und schreibe eine 

Dreiviertelstunde gekostet! 

Danach ging es aber ganz flott, abgesehen von den Schlaglöchern.

Vorbei am Fluß Colorado durch Parker und der Stadt Lake Havasu bis hin nach 

Kingman. Dort haben wir schnell noch den Kühlschrank wieder aufgefüllt.

Immer höher ging es. Bei Flagstaff, auf etwa 1500 m, lagen noch Reste vom 

letzten Schneesturm der hier vor 5 Tagen durchgezogen war.

Danach öffnete sich die Landschaft und wir erreichten das Hochplateau. 

Hier werden wir auf einem Rastplatz die Nacht verbringen.

Es wird recht frisch werden. -5C sind angekündigt.

Da braucht man wieder eine extra dicke Decke.

Morgen geht es weiter, so lange wie es windstill bleibt.

Day trip to Lake Havasu, AZ

Our stay in Quartzsite is soon coming to an end.

 Today we decided to go to Parker, AZ 

SR- 95 towards Parker, AZ
which has a Walmart, and stock up on groceries for our coming days of travel. 

Part of Parker, AZ

It being Easter Sunday the roads were pretty empty so early in the morning. After our shopping done we decided to go another 30 mi to Lake Havasu, AZ and try to find "our lighthouse".

Lake Havasu in the distance

From Parker we passed Parker Dam, also a very popular retirement settlement. 

part of Parker Dam, AZ

Lots of camping areas, trailer parks and a beautiful golf course are marking the area.

View of a part of Parker Dam, AZ

We visited Lake Havasu in Arizona for the first time in 1997, 

traveling with a company called ""Suntrek Adventure Tours". 

They offered cheap tent camping and on the tour we also visited the Grand Canyon. 

Original London Bridge in Havasu, Arizona

Lake Havasu is know for having the original "London Bridge", build in the 1830s and spanning the Thames in London, England. 

A Robert P. McCulloch bought the bridge and rebuild it in this town to attract tourists and retirement home buyers to his properties there. 

More info here: London Bridge, Arizona

Channel view

Visitors walking around in the English Village, Havasu, AZ

His plan worked out and it has been a popular tourist attraction ever since. Today, it was especially crowded because of the Easter Weekend.

View of the channel

 Lots of visitors were in the "English Village"and on the water. 

All kind of boats were on the channel, even a "floating bar" one can hire by the hour. 

People enjoying a "Floating Bar" on Lake Havasu

We finally found our lighthouse in the "day use area" of the local "Lake Havasu State Park. 

East Quoddy Lighthouse 
(correct name: Head Harbour Lightstation) 

After our picnic we took some photos 

Picnic area of the Lake Havasu State Park

View over the lake

and enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery. 

partial view of the State Park's campground

Dixie and I visiting a replica of our Lighthouse on Lake Havasu, AZ

The original lighthouse
Head Harbour Lightstation, aka East Quoddy Light
situated on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada

On the way back to our trailer the weather took again a turn to the windy and grey. Tonight another rain storm with snow in the mountains is passing through. 

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Translation for my German readers

Unsere Zeit hier in Quarzsite geht zu Ende. 

Deshalb entschieden wir uns heute nach Parker zu fahren und in dem dortigen Walmart unsere Vorräte für die kommenden Reisetage aufzufüllen. Anschließend haben wir dann noch eine Spritztour nach Lake Havasu gemacht. Hier zelteten wir zum ersten Mal in 1997. Es ist auch bekannt durch die echte "London Bridge", die ein kluger Investor aufkaufte und hierher transportierte. Er brachte Urlauber und Rentner dazu seine Grundstücke aufzukaufen und die Gegend zu genießen. Heute war es, wegen Ostern, besonders belebt. Viele Boote waren auf dem Kanal und dem See. Sogar eine schwimmende Bar. Unser Picnic haben wir im örtlichen State Park eingenommen. Dort haben wir dann auch "unseren Leuchtturm" gefunden. Auf der Rückfahrt wurde das Wetter wieder kühl und grau. Heute Nacht soll schon wieder ein Regensturm durchziehen, der im nahen Gebirge auch noch wieder Schnee bringen soll.

Morgen wird alles für die Abreise gepackt.