Lake Mead National Recreation Area

 
 

 

After some of the weather calmed down from the wind and rain, we had a few days of bright sunny days before more bad weather set in. Of course, I set out wandering around with my camera. I found some things that were new since last year, like a life jacket borrowing station. I'm not sure how that works, since it's locked. 
　

In the same area, there are two rolls of large plastic bags - one for recycling bottles, cans and plastic and the other for trash. I'm sure they're helping, but people still litter. We found soda cans just a few feet from a trash bin. Really? They couldn't walk a few feet?

As you can see, the scenery is great here, although somehow we find lots of stuff to do besides taking photos. Here's the great scenery not far from the camping area. Even my campsite is photogenic.

 

 

 

 

 

Refrigerator Stopped Working!

About a week ago, I came into the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where I spent a couple weeks last year and had great weather. This place is so beautiful and is a quiet place to relax and enjoy.

I have been here about 10 days now and the weather has not been cooperating like it did just about the same time last year. There have been several days of overcast, sometimes rainy, cool weather. During the first week, there were some violent winds that kept everyone inside.

I think it was the second day I was here I noticed that my Dometic refrigerator was not working. Panic set in, since these units are very expensive to replace or to have worked on. I checked to be sure that there was propane in the tank and that both tanks were turned on, just in case one was low. Usually I can go outside and hear it light up and start cooling, but with the wind, I couldn't hear anything except wind noise.

I gave it a few hours and checked again - the temperature was still going down. I sat and thought about all the things it could be. I knew I had propane and I didn't smell any of the tell-tale ammonia smell that everyone talks about when the cooling system blows up. The only thing I could think of (that didn't cost lots of money) was that possibly the wind was just not allowing the burner to kick on and stay on.

Hoping that the wind was the culprit, I just tried to keep myself busy until the wind calmed down about 9 PM. Then I went outside, crossed my fingers, and put my ear to the outside panel where the burner was. YES!! I could hear the burner going - and hopefully cooling the fridge!

It took a while to cool the unit down, but I was so happy it was working again. I guess my theory about the wind turned out to be the problem. I knew the wind was blowing on that side of the RV, but I have experienced high winds in the past with no problems. It must have been just the right angle to get into the vents on the outside panel.

So if you have high winds on the refrigerator side of your RV, and your fridge stops working, don't panic and call the RV repair man until the winds are over! Luckily, it was late in the day, so I wasn't going to call anyone until the morning.

I'm just so happy my fridge is happily cooling along and keeping my food fresh!

Nelson, Nevada

The photo above is not in Nelson, but is down at the end of the road from the mining town.  It's part of the extensive Lake Mead Recreation Area.

The mining town has many buildings that are in quite decent condition, some of which are still inhabited.

This is the entrance to one of the mine shafts, but it's a teaser because you can't go far!

There are many artifacts of the mining business as well as tools and equipment scattered around.

 

There were dozens of vehicles in various stages of deterioration in the area. A few had been modified by someone with a good imagination.

I am amazed at this next car - a three piece back window - totally intact.  I'm sure someone restoring one of these vehicles would love to have this!

Oatman, Arizona

Oatman is an interesting little town full of tourist stores and a few restaurants, but also donkeys roaming the streets.

 

 

 

On the way, we saw this little stone snowman, as well as other Christmas decorations on the bushes along the road.  In the store, there is a store with Christmas items still on the roof, as well as inside.

 

 

Obviously, it gets hot in the summer, so the residents make a party of it on July 4th each year.

 

 

Since this is on Route 66, there always seem to be classic cars around.  Seems like there were more than usual this time.

 

 

 

This little town will probably live forever, it is known as the ghost town that refuses to die.  This was my third trip up and I see something new each time.

 

 



Route 66 - Needles, California

 

Needles, California is located directly on old Route 66, the pre-1930 road, as the sign below tells us. 

 

 

There are multiple old motels that are abandoned, complete with neon signs that no longer work, and probably have not worked for decades.

 

 

 

A few old gas stations are still standing and a couple look like they've been maintained, one of the gas pumps on this one shows the last sale of one gallon at 34 cents.

 

This one has no pumps, but someone was working there, possibly restoring the old truck.

The train station is large and is well used.

 

 

 This looks like it was a popular place back when Route 66 was well traveled.  The sign looks pretty good, but the building needs help.

 

The murals are all over town, on restaurants, mechanic shops and other buildings.  I'm sure they're not the original ones, but I'm glad the residents keep Route 66 alive as much as they can.