Rancho Jurupa and friends

Warren made friends with this goose the park calls Desi. The goose started following him around. When he & Mari left for Montana the goose adopted Bil. The two geese followed us around the lake when the four of us went for a walk. When the guys stopped the geese stopped and waited until the guys started walking again. They are rather entertaining.
Bil is feeding him cat food one of his favorite foods. Desi went from trying to nip our legs to coming to the door honking loudly for "Bil to come out and play." He stops the honking when Bil goes out to feed or water them.
Desi now follows Bil around and if he hears Bil in the coach he will come to the windows or door and honk loudly. Lucy his partner isn't to far away and now lets us feed her also.
A view across Rancho lake toward the campgrounds. Bil was fishing on the opposite side of the lake. the coach is at the top left backed toward the lake.
Another view of the lake. It is a nice campground and has two lakes for viewing or fishing.

Hoover Dam

This is a memorial to the mascot dog by the builders of the dam.
Overview of the dam and area below.
Sculpture of the workers of the dam.
Sign depicting the Native Nations.

New bridge over the Hoover Dam. Double click to get an idea of the height. Notice the start of the arching portion at the base of the cement pilings. The pilings stop at this point from into the ground and the steel arch forms the rest of the bridge. The pilings would be off the arch up to the roadbed.
Note the cable car used to transport the workers.
This is the steel arch that is being built across the water to form the lower portion and support of the bridge.
These are cranes being used to set the cement in place as it is built.
An overview of the dam and current road. The water is really low as shown by the white walls. Also the museum at lower right can be seen from the parking structure.

Valley of Fire NV one of the side trips

There were lots of petroglyph's in the park.
I climbed to the top to get some photos of them. Enlarge the photo and you can see them.
See how steep a climb it was. How do you suppose they wrote on the walls that high up.
Cabins built by CCC in 1935 for campers to use. They were constructed of native sandstone and were used for many years. About 9000 people visited the Valley of Fire State Park in 1936. As of today there are about 200,000 per yr.
This rock looks like a genie lamp.
Notice the color to the rocks. Click and make the photo larger.
This cave shows the start of wear on the back wall, see the small hole starting to form.
Looks like a Desert Tortoise doesn't it.
These Beehives were created by the relentless harsh winds, rain, heat and cold creating the many unusual formations in the Valley of Fire.

The rocks are hollowed out due to the weather creating Peek a boo holes as Bil is demonstrating.

Unable to withstand blasting of strong winds & slowly dissolving by rains the rock is weakened allowing an arch to form. Eventually it will be too large for its support & natures forces will cause it to crumble. You can already see a crack in the arch on the right side.

Winter in and out of California

A trip to Vegas and hotel stay for the race and seeing friends. This view is from our hotel. We left the coach to have new carpet installed.
Across Prado park - view from front yard. We have a very BIG front yard.

A nice visit from our Canadian friends warming themselves from the cold frozen north.

Miss Kitty is settling in quite nicely. She hides under a rug and attacks her mouse toy.
A neat tribute to our Alaskan trip was a present from our traveling companions. Dick made the frame and inserted several of the photos taken along the way. It sits nicely on the dash when we are in camp.

Parks and CA relaxed life

The snow covered mountains from across the park.
The neighbors dog in the driver seat. He was very comfortable there.
We'll be taking our cat along so she and Bill are learning how to nap together again.

A nice photo from across the lake. It is generally beautiful out here.
The birds are waiting for their share of the fish.
Numerous fishermen trying their luck.
And when there is no luck, one can always take a nap.
The storm front moving in - a clear line in the sky.

across AZ into Ca and home again

A welcome sight after being on the road since May 15th and about 9500 miles.
The snow covered mountains as we returned home.
Chess any one? This large set was displayed for use in Canyon RV Park.
Bill and his penchant for fishing has not stopped even in the home grounds. This was at Prado Park.
Coming across Arizona offered a dust storm. No damage, just a hard time seeing very far.
The desert of Arizona has millions of these cactus. We were to late for the blooms.

Here is a display of the some of the millions of cactus.

A neat looking mountain crossing the Arizona desert.
A military training grounds displays these cannons at the entrance.

Yuma Prison

Yuma Territorial Prison.
Of course they had to have a place to hold the real hard core inmates.
The prison cemetery. Most people were sent home to be buried if claimed.
The sign for the convicts that died while in prison.
Some of the things the prisoners made that they could sell or use for barter.
Entrance through the wall is called a Sallyport.

Guard tower at entrance to the prison.
Weight used on the end of the rope for hangings.
the sign for the weight.
Door was lowered on the inside for future movies. They had to lower them for the movie stars so they would look taller.
Yes, it finally happened. I tried to tell Bil if he kept going after the vaults and safes he was going to get caught-- now look where he is.

The mission across the river.
The mission sign.
construction of the prison walls. This metal work is embedded in cement to strengthen the walls and ceilings.

The dark cell was used to "tame" hardened criminals.
The walls of the prison and how thick they are.
View of the prison from across the river as seen by their photo sign.
The sign describing the bridge built for ocean to ocean crossing the Colorado.
the ocean to ocean bridge near the prison and across to the mission area seen in the distance.
The lock system for the prison doors.
Photo of the main cell block.