Leaving Blythe on our way to Grand Canyon
29th March, 2016
After spending the week in Blythe with our good friends it was off to meet another set of friends up in the Grand Canyon for three nights.
We were told the drive up and through Wickenburg, AZ was an interesting route and well worth the extra time. This was an easy two hour drive.
The last night in Blythe another sand storm came in with very strong winds. We closed up the LTV and battened down to try and keep the dust and stand out. What we did not do was take the mesh outer windshield cover off, as a result there was a bit of sand dust built up on the windshield.
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| Sand Storm Residue on LTV Windshield |
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| The end of the winds with lots of dust in the sky! |
We have made comments about the irrigation systems, canals and Colorado River which irrigates these regions of California and Arizona. We have seen miles and miles of the irrigation ditches branching off of the main canal channels to quench the agricultural thirst.
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| This is one of the first fields we have seen being irrigated. |
Just leaving Blythe we saw for the first time a large excavator with an extension arm for cleaning these larger canals.
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On our way to Arizona
We love being in the desert and are amazed at the variety of vegetation and scenery.
One of the cacti that is recognizable to most is the Saguaros. The Saguaros have a relatively long lifespan. They may grow their first side arm any time from 75–100 years of age, but some never grow one at all. The saguaros can grow to be over 70 feet (21 m) tall. A saguaro without arms is called a spear. From Wikipedia
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Interesting that once we crossed the Arizona border
we started to saw these cactus |
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This guy must be very old
He is sporting 7 arms! |
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Along US-70E to Wickenburg, AZ
Those spring flowers are still in bloom
The second vehicle in the near lane is an LTV |
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| Not sure what these are, but they are everywhere |
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| Beautiful White Poppies! |
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| Here is that LTV headed NW on US-70E |
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LTV Kozad being passed by an LTV from California
They were towing an older Honda CRV |
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| Wickenburg! |
Wikenburg is an interesting "Western Desert Town" described as being described with words like authentic and tradition. Check out the great town website by clicking the Wickenburg title above!
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| LTV Parked in Wickenburg, AZ |
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Jan putting her keys away!
With Craig's bad back Jan does all of the driving. |
Some people have asked how is the LTV for parking. We always try to park on the side of a street on an end spot. You can see here that the LTV just hangs over a normal parking spot - tight but not a glaring abuse of parking!
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| Looking up the street from the visitor's centre |
Wickenburg presents a clean and tidy appearance with beautiful desert landscaped boulevards and landscaping.
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| Blooming Cacti |
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| The spring is the time to see the desert, at least for us! |
The Visitor Centre hands out a "walking tour map" which points out buildings and areas of interest/history. Unfortunately, Craig could only walk less than 25' and would have to rest and sit down before we could continue. So, not much was seen.
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We went into this shop
Amazing variety of hand made "stetson" hats! |
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| Pick your head cover, lots to choose from! |
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| Where the talent is turned into art! |
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| From the hat store! |
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Beautiful Church
With awesome landscaping! |
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This was an interesting stop along the "city walking tour"!
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No he is not on "time out" from the principal!
Craig just taking the every present "back rest break"
Makes for a long and slow city tour!
LOL |
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We have posted previously a photo of the US Marines Billboard. This was a mobile statement from Coors Beer which displays their support for the US Military!
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First one of these we have seen.
Beer Delivery to the Wickenburg American Legion |
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It was strongly suggested that we head north to Camp Verde, AZ through Kirkland, Skull Valley and onto Prescott via the S. Iron Road. The regular route on US-89 is very slow and windy! Nice scenery and interesting area to drive through.
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| Via Prescott National Forest |
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| Nice windmill! |
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| Kirkland, AZ |
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| Skull Valley, AZ |
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| The never changing scenery |
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We have seen lots of ATV style vehicles on this trip
But this is the first on the Highway we had following us. |
We enjoyed the stops along the way!
Wickenburg is a nice place to stop and visit.
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