Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Even Though the Man Said "Head West Young Man", We're Headed North

Lake Mead NRA, NV

That's where we are today, but not where we'll be tomorrow. Tuesday was our last workday for the 'winter season' at Lake Mead. Thursday I have a follow up appointment with my cardiologist and then we're headed north. Our first stop will be Mesquite, NV where we'll spend the weekend while I'm playing in an ISSA Softball Tournament. Then Monday we're meeting our friends (and summer co-workers) Dave & Maxine of the Wandering Wingers just north of St George, Utah from where we'll caravan to Torrey, Utah. We'll both be staying there for about a week while exploring such places as Capital Reef, Goblin Valley, Wild Horse, and the areas near Escalante and Grand Staircase. That will hold us till just after Easter at which time we should be getting an update on when and where we'll start our summer jobs.

I think I shared with you that our other friends Jim & Barb of JimandBarbsRVAdventure would be working with us this summer. But in the last few weeks Dave & Maxine have also accepted a position with the same company. So all 3 couples will be 4-wheeling & blogging together through Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and possibly Oregon. I wonder does that make us the 3 coupolas? Is that even a word? Oh well, who cares, it should be a blast!







It is definitely Spring in Lake Mead! Joan has 'burned up' the digital memory and batteries of our cameras taking pics the last 2 weeks. You wouldn't think there would be such color in the desert, but there is. Check out some of her pics.






















Last week we were Road Monitoring in an area called Cottonwood East along Mojave Lake and we spotted some of the local wild life....a family of burros








Alas, not all was well in their little paradise as there was another male suitor attempting to impress the young female








Our friends Ginny & Don
Lake Mead really appreciates their volunteers and there are always perks being offered to us. One of the numerous tourist venues is a paddle wheel ride on Lake Mead that gives you a great view of Hoover Dam from the lake side. Last week several of us volunteers got together and took a ride on the Desert Princess. It was a great 2 hour trip with narration about the building of the dam and the history of area in and around the dam.

Hoover Dam (from the lakeside)
with the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat 
Tillman Memorial Bridge
in the background
Lunch at the top of the dune
Joan and I also had the opportunity to participate in a plant survey. We went out with a group of 5 others taking a boat from the Boulder marina to a small cove across the lake called Sandy Cove. Once there ,we broke up into 2 groups, each hiking up elevation several hundred feet from the lake to the top of several large sand dunes. Then we began doing the 'Tim Conway' shuffle walking square grids of 30 meters as we counted a small plant called the 'threecorner milkvetch' which is only known to grow in a small area near Las Vegas.

Look as high as you can and that is
the 2nd dune we climbed
(almost as high as the 1st dune)

In some grids we counted none, while in others we had as many as 900+. We did this for about 5 hours at which time we both decided plant surveying is tuff! And once was enough for us..But we did enjoy the company, the opportunity to participate and the boat ride!






We also managed to sneak in a little bowling with Leslie, Chris, Ginny and Don. Boulder City has a neat little bowling alley that was built in 1963. We had a great time and hope to get more of the volunteers interested in some outings here when we return in the fall.







Well that's about it for now. Stay Tuned. More to Come.

PS...shout out to Jaelyn....my breakfast buddy while I was visiting family in Florida 2 weeks ago!

7 comments:

  1. We hope you have a clean bill of health at the doctor's. Joan's photos of the flowers are beautiful! The desert has come alive! Safe travels to Utah, and have a great summer! Call us if you are near Yellowstone.

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  2. Enjoy your time at Torrey. We stayed there for a week last spring. Loved it.Capitol Reef is an awesome park. Take the hike at Calf Creek Falls if you have time, but go early in the day it gets crowded by lunch :-).

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  3. Your new gig for the summer is going to be great fun with the friends you get to work with while driving your new Jeep around:) Hopefully, we'll meet up somewhere in Utah in April.

    The desert in bloom is so beautiful. It is so hard to stop taking photos:)

    Love your photo of the male suitor:)

    Hope all goes well with your cardiologist appointment:)

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  4. Awesome photos of the desert bursting into color! The burro "suitor" was a little intimidating. We can't wait to bowl with you again, it was FUN! Enjoy a fantastic summer with your new "job" and friends! Give us a shout if you are anywhere near Flaming Gorge, Utah this summer. We look very forward to seeing you again next Winter in Lake Mead NRA/Boulder City, NV and as always, Safe and Fun Travels, Friends. :)
    (Sincere Thanks for all your help and friendship[. xoxo )

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  5. Lake Mead is even more beautiful with the plants blooming! Nice pictures Joan, especially of the burro "just hanging out". See you in a couple weeks!

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  6. Enjoy your R&R between jobs. We're heading out Monday for a few days of play before we start at Yellowstone. I'm looking forward to hearing about your summer job. Have fun & safe travels!

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  7. Enjoy your time wandering around my most favorite state...Utah. Wish we could be there with you too!

    Beautiful flower pictures Joan...the desert has been a wonderful burst of many colors this year.

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