Wednesday, March 11
Lake Mead
“Well, Bridge. Do you think Reggie’s ready for his first adventure?”
The afternoon is pleasantly cool in the 70s as we board the Perfect Tow Vehicle and leave our camp at Las Vegas Bay Campground, Lake Mead, Nevada. We take scenic Northshore Drive on our way to Valley of Fire State Park, northeast of Las Vegas.
Bridget claims the bench seat.
Ever-curious Reggie hops into the passenger seat, his face toward the window. Not possessing a very long attention span, he hops out of the passenger seat with the intention of climbing into my lap. He tries to wiggle under my arm.
“No, Reggie. You can’t come up here now.”
After a morning of activity beginning in the pre-dawn hours, I’m hopeful the ride will lull motor-baby into a nap.
Even though I expect it, I’m surprised by how quickly we move from the populated area of Vegas to vast and wild landscape. Evidence of massive rock upheavals, bends, and shifts attract my eyes at every turn in the road.
Riotous layers of coral, red, and magenta rock lie in waves before stately blue and grey mountains. The sky is overcast.
(Later, back at camp, I look at my Nevada Benchmark atlas. I think this is called Bowl of Fire with the Muddy Mountains beyond.)
Good. They’re both dozing off. . . What a spectacular landscape! To think I could be at my house in Georgia, sitting under the red gum tree watching grass grow . . . .
I look around in wonder at the scenery floating by.
From Northshore Drive there are roads that go east to Lake Mead, or more exactly, go east to a view of the lake in the distance. . . Calville Bay, Echo Bay, Stewart’s Point.
Recently while exploring the southern end of Lake Mead near our campground, I noticed that the newer signs do not refer to Las Vegas Bay, calling it instead, Las Vegas Wash.
I assume this is because the bay no longer exists.
With the receding shoreline I imagine the “bays” on the west side of the lake are gone or nearly gone.
Bridget and Reggie, having slept for several miles, awaken with eagerness to get out. I pull into a picnic area. This looks interesting and the sun is coming through . . . . .
As I apply the brakes, yips of canine delight emanate from the Perfect Tow Vehicle.
“Okay, okay…. Let me get my camera.”
I set them both on the pavement.
Reggie pulls on the leash. Bridget twirls around excitedly. I sling the camera around my neck.
“Now we can go . . . . ”
A group of men walk behind us.
They speak another language — a Scandinavian tongue perhaps? One uses the word “picnic,” and the sound of the word amuses them. Different voices say “pick nick” interspersed with laughter. They choose a table under a shelter. How different this landscape must be from their home!
Reggie is the leader. Bridget follows happily.
The rocks remind me of those in Zion National Park with a bit of Goblin Valley thrown in.
Reggie is thrilled at this adventure.
He’s so excited that he scratches the dirt, stretches, and contorts his body in silly ways.
He can’t seem to take it all in fast enough.
He goes this way and that way!
Two women sit at a picnic table under a shelter watching us.
(See left side of the next photo.) I hear the word “cute.”
One of the women calls out, “Are they friendly?”
“Oh yes, very!” I call back. I lead the crew over to their table.
The women are mother and daughter, in their sixties and forties respectively.
The mother is in a wheelchair. She has a can of beer sitting on the picnic table seat next to her. Reggie tries to have a sip!
They fuss over the crew and we chat. I learn they are from Canada on a week’s vacation.
“Oh, you only have a week?” I exclaim. “There’s so much to see.”
“We come to the states every year,” the daughter explains. “We’re from Alberta and Ontario. My sister was with us. She had to go home yesterday.”
The mother adds, “We could’ve taken Interstate-15, but we heard this is the best way to go to the state park. It’s a beautiful drive.”
“It certainly is,” I agree.
I wish them a safe trip home.
Reggie continues his sniffing and leg-lifting. Bridget and I take a breather. I sit on the ground to take the next photo. Reggie sees me, runs over, wraps his leash around me, and jumps on my back. I snap the photo of Bridge.
“That’s enough for now. Time for us to get back on the road. You can get out at another stop along the way.”
I load the crew into the PTV.
“That was fun, wasn’t it!”
“Bridget, you are such a good girl. I think our Reggie likes adventures!”
To be continued . . . .
rvsue
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Here are links to a few of the items recently ordered by readers:
Grayline Deluxe Wrap Rack
880 Bulk Poop Bags on a roll
Trek Light Gear Double Hammock
Xelement Vented Mens Leather Cool Rider Jacket
Microwave Pasta Cooker – The Original Fasta Pasta
ProArgi 9 Plus New Flavor Mixed Berry 1 Jar,11.1 oz
