Texas to Nevada, California and Arizona

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I left Casey’s parents home in Denton early Saturday morning (October 16th) because I wanted to make it to Amarillo by night fall some 380 miles away. Quite a long day’s drive for me. It was a good road all the way and although I was certainly glad to see Amarillo it was a good day. I pulled out of Amarillo heading for Albuquerque so that Ike could visit his family. The visit went well and we were back on the road again full steam ahead for Pahrump, Nevada where I would stay for a week before we headed into Death Valley. Pahrump is a central gathering point for a lot of Solos coming west, my friend Leroy has a piece of property there that he has rigged out to accommodate a number of RVs with and without hook-ups.
Every year my Solos group gathers in Death Valley for 49er Days. The 49ers of course were the gold miners that flooded this way from points east to find their fortunes. What can I say about Death Valley? I just love it there. The scenery is wonderful and the weather in late October early November is great. There were about 40 Solos that gathered for coffee each morning and “Happy Hour” each afternoon. Every evening there is some sort of music before the 49er Days event starts proper, several jamming sessions set up at dark. So enjoyable! The music during this year’s official event was outstanding. In addition to the music we enjoyed several excursions, as my pictures show.
After the Death Valley rally several of us came back into Pahrump. I flew out of Vegas to spend Christmas with Debbie and Bobby and family. Beverley and Casey were able to come and join in the fun, Bev’s little bump was starting to show already – this time next year there’ll be another grandbaby to spoil at Christmas time. The kids all loved what Santa had brought for them; we all went to Bobby’s folk’s lake house for lunch and had a great time.
I flew back into Vegas on December 27th and spent a couple of days in Pahrump before I headed out to a New Year’s Solos bash (rally) in the hills just outside Temecula, California. Again, a good time was had by all. We all gathered again in Quartzsite, Arizona for a couple of weeks in the desert. I think I have said before that I really love the desert. Quartzsite is an experience not to be missed. For eleven months of the year the population is about 1500, during January it can exceed 500,000. So many RVers head there for the various shows. Gems and Minerals, The RV Show; that has anything and everything for an RV, and the Car Show; antique car enthusiasts from far and wide congregate to exchange parts and pieces and check out the cars of others.
So much fun!

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Photos

Death Valley Empty
We got there on October 29th, there were not many folks there at that point.

Solos Flag
Everytime the group assembles someone displays the Solos flag along side the Stars and Stripes. This was early days, all the RVs you see are Solos but more were coming

Road Runner
Death Valley National Park has a lot of wildlife that is usually not seen. This road-runner was quite comfortable around people. I was sitting outside reading and he was between me and my car

View from Furnace Creek Inn
The inn was built back in the 1920s when there wasn't a lot of tourists coming into DV. Big stars and famous politicians came out to stay because they could relax away from the eye of the public.

Furnace Creek Inn
Is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. The rooms aren't big but the craftmanship throughout the building is remarkable.

Amagosa Opera House
Marta Becket who was a well-known ballerina purchased the delapidated, supposedly haunted, hotel in the 1950s and restored it. She performed "If these Walls Could Talk" for patrons for years.

Amagosa Opera House Paintings
Marta completed all the wall paintings herself and interpreted various operas for patrons. At 82 she still participates but in a very limited way.

Titus Canyon
Last time I was in Death Valley I rode through Titus Canyon with the group, this time I decided to walk back a couple of miles to meet up with those driving. The road is one-way because of the narrowness of some of the canyons

Salt Flats
One of the view points of Death Valley is Dante's Point, you get a marvellous 360 degree view of the valley. My camera isn't strong enough to produce the majesty but you can clearly see the salt flats below.

Happy Hour in DV
Each afternoon at 4 p.m. we all gather for Happy Hour (or two.)

Pahrump
Mount Charleston dominates the scenery around Pahrump, Nevada. Pahrump is about 60 miles from Vegas. We could see the Sierras from up there

Mt. Charleston
We took a drive up into the mountains to see if we could see any of the wild horses that abound. We did see one, but not close enough to photograph. The scenery was awesome though.

Cactus
My friend Leroy has a piece of land just outside Pahrump. We saw this beautiful cactus while we were walking the dogs.

Leroy's Place
I stayed at Leroy's for a few days before I left for Louisiana. Several friends were around to watch over my coach for me. This is a view through my windshield

Christmas Eve
This entry wouldn'be be complete without a family photo. Here are all the girls on Christmas Eve

Pumpkin Pie
Ellie and Debbie made pumpkin pie to eat after our Christmas dinner. It was delicious.

Carroll Service
All dressed up and ready to go to church on Christmas Eve.

New Year's Eve Bash
Here with some of my friends. There was a table decorating competition. Needless to say, with my artistic ability I just did what I was told!!

Bolders
Temecula is about 40 miles north of San Diego, CA. So I drove Interstate 8 through to Arizona. What an amazing drive. Once you start to climb into the mountains the bolders are tremendous.

Arizona
Then when you get over to the other side and can see Arizona, the bolders gradually get smaller until sand dunes line the highway.

Quartzsite Solos Rally
Eighty Seven rigs poured into the Solos spot in the Arizona desert. Lots of laughing and fun.

Hugs 'n Mugs
Each morning at 8:30 a.m. we enjoy what we call Hugs 'n Mugs. A hug and a cup of coffee to get your day started right.

Sunset
One of the reasons I love the desert. Sunrise and sunset can be spectacular.