Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Catching up...Las Vegas area and Arizona

We are in Camp Verde, AZ now and I've got some catching up to do with the blog.  Believe it or not, we had poor internet service in Vegas and at our current campground as well.  So here I sit at the Jeep service center in Cottonwood and thought I'd take this opportunity to catch you up a little.

We spent 2 wonderful weeks in Las Vegas and enjoyed lots of time hiking as well as visiting Tom's cousin, "Joey Vegas", and family as well as a quick visit from my brother, Michael and his wife, Meghan.

Red Rock Canyon - This park was only 30 minutes from where we stayed in Vegas so we took full advantage and headed over several times for some great hiking and nature viewing.

On top of Turtlehead Peak with Vegas in the background



Tom with Turtlehead Peak behind him - doesn't look that big from here but it is 6,400ft.









Oatman, AZ - We took a road trip with Joe & Barb to this ghost town and former mining town on Historic Route 66.  The wild burro's have a great life here with everyone feeding them.  We were also able to witness the daily gunfight.






Valley of Fire, northeast of Vegas, is another great area for hiking and checking out the natural beauty. The name sure holds true to the area.

Barb & Joe



Practicing for the Atlatl competition - used to enhance the power of throwing a spear (in old times for hunting)








Tom & Joe





Cathedral Gorge State Park - Lots of slot canyons here to play around in.  Wouldn't want to be in here when it rains as it seems these canyons can move with the weather.








We've been to Vegas several times so are not ones to just stroll around town but we did spend a little time on the Strip, Freemont street and checking out a few shows.
Tom, Gloria, Becky, Kimberly and "Joey Vegas"






The new bridge which bypasses Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam

Joey and Tom
We have been in Camp Verde, AZ for a week.  We are approximately 30 minutes southeast of Sedona.  So far this is one of our favorite areas for hiking and just for checking out the amazing landscape.  We've been busy so far!

ATV ride in Sedona
Tom zipping around with the boys (notice the dust they stirred up!)



Joe, Janet, Becky, Tom, Fred

Joe - think he's having a great time!



Cottonwood RR - A group of 12 of us took the RR ride to celebrate Janet's birthday.  What a fun trip!







Hiking - and of course we hike often!  Sedona and Prescott areas -

Joe, Janet, Fred, Becky, Tom















We will be in this area for another 4 weeks.  We hope to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and stay at Phantom Ranch for a night!  Keep your fingers crossed as we need to get on the daily waiting list and hope for the best.

Til next time...Happy Trails!