Our Road trip 2004

From Maine to California

February the 11th 2004 we were ready to start our trip.

We picked up our camper at the garage, left for the road at 11:00 A.M. Rode all the way to Pa. where we had to stop because of a leak in the transmission at a car care center for overnight.

February 12th Thursday, We found a transmission place to work on our truck. Ammco Transmission in Wilkes Barre Pa. They drove us to a motel where we stayed for over night, Econo lodge. They picked us the next morning at 11:00 and we went to the garage. They put in a new transmission and we were on our way that afternoon at 3:00.

February 13th Friday. We drove all day, until 4:00 in the morning then checked into a motel. We were in Knoxville Tenn. We only slept for about 3 hours then on the road again. First place we saw flowers growing already.

February 14th,Saturday 15th Sunday. Left Motel around 8:00A.M. and drove until about 4:30 and checked into a Motel 6,Valentine's day. Just relaxed and went to bed at 7:00 P.M. We slept until 6 A.M., we got a good night's rest. We put the TV on and saw where there was a storm on it's way and we just stayed at the motel and ordered a family size pizza. We missed the storm and were back on the road Sunday night at 7:00 P.M., we were all rested up.

February 16th, Monday. We drove all night then had breakfast at a Denny's in Ok. We drove until 2:00 P.M. and then checked into a Coach Light Inn in Amarillo Texas. We rested and slept good all night.

February 17th, Tuesday We went to breakfast at McDonald's. Wayne went to get bottled gas and a new battery for the camper. I sat outside in the sun, it was really nice. We had supper at Cracker Barrel. At 6 that night we went to a Gentleman's club right next door to our motel. The motel was right on what used to be the route 66. We had a couple of drinks and were back to the motel at 8:00. We slept until 2:00 in the morning and back on the road again.

February 18th Wednesday, On the way thru New Mexico I saw some American Indian stores and stopped to look at the jewelry. I bought some real nice turquoise jewelry and petrified wood. We drove to Flagstaff Arizona, and we check into a Quality Inn.

February 19th Thursday, We got up at 5:00 A.M. and had breakfast at a Denny's again. Found a grocery store and did groceries. We found a KOA Campground at 8:00 A.M. Nice set up. There was snow on the ground but the weather was warm. I sat in the sun most of the day. It was so nice. We were in William's Arizona in the mountain's, 7000 feet above sea level.

 

February 20th Friday, Got up at 6:00 had breakfast in the camper. It was cloudy out, announcing snow so we could not go on the Grand Canyon Tour. We stayed in the camper most of the day and played cards.

February 21st Saturday, It snowed again that night, about 3 inches on the ground and still snowing. The Grand Canyon Tour was still on and we went on it. They had a nice lunch at an outpost for us. There was a a gift store there and I got to go in it. The Grand Canyon was really a sight to see.

We got back to camp at 5:30. We met some very nice people on the tour. We saw some deer beside the road and 3 Coyote's. It was just so awesome. Sometimes it was sunny and then it would snow.

February 22nd Sunday, Got up at 6:30, it snowed all day. We stayed in the camper and watched some TV and played more cards. The KOA had a real nice camp store. It also had an indoor pool and hot tub.

February 23rd Monday, We got up at 6:00. We had a home made muffin and coffee from the camp store and decided to head west. On the way out of the KOA, Wayne pulled over to the side of the road too far and when he tried to back out he was stuck in the snow. I went back to the campground for help, when I got back to Wayne with help, he was already out. A man in a Jeep had pulled him out. Wayne put his foot down on the brake and it went right to the floor. He said to me, Lorraine we have no brakes. We got out on to route 40 west again and headed for Ashfork Arizona on route 66. We found a Mobile gas station to look at our troubles. The man said, it needs a new brake line. They had to order the part so we went across the street to a motel there.

February 24th Tuesday, woke up at 7:00 and I went to the store to get us breakfast. I checked with garage and they were ready for us. Made it across the street with out hitting anything. That afternoon at 2:00 they had the truck fixed and also had the oil changed. Rode to Needles California from there. We were driving down out of the mountains into the desert. What beautiful scenery it was, mountains all around, right next to the Colorado River. Everything was just starting to turn green and there were plants in the desert ready to bloom.

 

We found the KOA Campground and checked in at 5:00 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

Palm trees and Cactus all around. At first we just signed up for a week. Then after the week was over, we decided to stay for another 3 weeks. It was so nice there. We could see the sun come up every morning and set over the mountains at night. Every day was sunny and we both got great suntans. We drove to Bull Head City a couple of times and to the Wal Mart and even downtown Needles was very nice. One weekend we went to Havasu City

 

March 23rd, Tuesday. We left Needles and headed for Hoover Dam.

 

 

Hoover Dam is a testimony to a country's ability to construct monolithic projects in the midst of adverse conditions. Built during the Depression; thousands of men and their families came to Black Canyon to tame the Colorado River. It took less than 5 years, in a harsh and barren land, to build the largest dam of its time. Now, more than 60 years later, Hoover Dam still stands as a world-renowned structure. The dam is a National Historic Landmark and has been rated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders. Then went to see Lake Meade and camped at Lake Meade overnight.

 

March 24th Wednesday, Left campground at Lake Mead at 7:00 A.M. and took our time to get to Las Vegas. Got to Las Vegas at 8:30 A.M. got in our camping spot.

 

 

Went to Circus, Circus theme park to start to see what was what and then we sat out side our camper in the afternoon. We went for Supper at the Pink Pony and each had a Prime rib, It was delicious. Then we walked back to camp and saw a bungee jumper jumping off a tower on the way back, now that was something to see.

March 25th Thursday, Got up early and went out for coffee and Crispy Cream Donuts. We walked down the strip after to see the big hotel's and casino's on Las Vegas Blvd. We ate Chinese on the way back. It was very good and we got to check out a nice Mall too. Got back to camp at 1:00 P.M. we sure did a lot of walking. Around 3:00 P.M. we took showers and got dressed up and walked over to a Gentleman's bar, with topless dancers. We had a couple of drinks and went back to camp. Slept good that night.

March 26th Friday, We got up early and went to the camp store to mail out postcards and then we asked how far it was to the downtown, wanted to see the light show on Fremont Street. It was about 3 miles one way.

 

It was very nice and then we went to eat supper at the 4 Queens, had live bands Playing in the streets.

 

 

We walked back to camp and got there at 9:30 P.M. had a very good time.

March 27th Saturday, Got up early and went to Circus Circus Hotel Casino and looked all around, gambled on the slot machines. I would win and Wayne next to me would lose. Ended about even. Then we went to Stavali's Italian Restaurant, and ordered a large loaded pizza. More than we could eat and took 1/2 back to camp.

Sunday, March 28th, We got up early and had cereal for breakfast. At 8:00 we left camp and went to do laundry and then to Circus Circus again to look around. We went for a Krispy Cream donut and coffee for a snack. Circus Circus has a salon, "Anne of Paris Coiffures" that we found. At 10:00 we both went in for a massage and we both had our hair cut and I had a manicure. The total bill with a tip was $230.00. Now, I want to tell you that was the best thing to do after all the walking that I have been doing. We went back to camp, until 4:00 P.M. and then walked to the Riviera Casino and had supper Kody Coffee Shop there, then I played the slot machines for $20.00, came out even. At 8:00 we went to a adult variety show called Splash. It finish at 9:30 and a 1/2 hour walk back to camp.

March 29th, Monday, Back to Circus Circus for Krispy Cream donuts and coffee. Then we went to the pool from 10:00 until 12:00. I took a nap after and at 3:00 P.M. we went to the Stratosphere. Had a buffet, each two drinks, a show, and a tower observation for $98.00. We walked around for awhile, then I took a taxi back to camp. Wayne rode back to camp on his scooter. What a great day it was.

March 30th, Tuesday, Got up early and back to Circus Circus for more donuts at Krispy Cream. We had met a couple from England the day before and we saw them again eating more donuts. We sat and talked with them for awhile, real nice couple. Back to camp for awhile, then off again. Walked the strip and went into the Stardust Casino and bought gifts for Mom and Dad and friends. Went back to camp for 2:30 and went in camper with AC on. It was so warm out that day.

March 31st Wednesday, We got up early and did laundry. After that we went and walked the strip to see what was what. Looked around Circus Circus again and ate lunch at McDonald's at the arcade. Around 3:00 we went to the Gentleman's Club. We each had 3 drinks and saw the shows. After that, we went back on the strip and we found a tattoo parlor. I found a nice butterfly and had it put on my upper thigh. It came out real good. Then we went to supper at the Sahara Casino. Back to camp, had a very full day.

April 1st Thursday, We broke camp early and were back on the road. Left Las Vegas and headed for Utah. Our first stop was in St. George Utah. Stayed in a real nice Motel, Ridgeview Inn.

April 2nd Friday. Went right across the street to a Denny's and had breakfast. While on the road we ran into a rain storm. It was so windy that we had to pull over to the side of the road. It was so nice riding thu that state. Drove until we got to Green River Utah and stayed at The Green River Inn. Kathy's Pizza came over with a family size pizza that we had ordered.

April 3rd, Saturday. Left Motel in the morning at 7:30. On our way to Colorado, Did scenic route all day, right thru the mountains. Wayne said to me, see that mountain with the halo of clouds at the top. Wouldn't you know that the road we were on went right to the top of that mountain. We hit snow and fog and felt lucky that we made it dawn the other side. Made it to Colorado Springs for 6:30 P.M. at Fountain Creek RV park.

April 4th, Sunday, Headed for home, I had had all the camping that I wanted to do. Rode thru Kansas to Missouri to Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and on to home.

April 7th we got home and talked about the very good time we had and I know we will be talking about it for years to come.

Written by

Lorraine Rita Andrews

&

Wayne Paul Andrews