February in Havasu, 2016

February was a very busy month and flew by quickly.  2/4  We invited Janet and Dee over for a little cookout, along with Wally ( Janet's friend).  Kirk made his popular poppers, and grilled brats.  We had a fun time.

Courtesy of Jan and Dee.  Yummy!

Rare snowfall on the mountains outside of our RV park in Havasu on 2/1

2/6. Kirk and I golfed in Mohave Valley at the Huukan Golf Course.  It was an especially windy day.  A little side note here, it's almost always windy in this area. But this day was more windy than usual. It was exhausting.  We did get placed with a single player.  This guy, CL, lived on the 14th tee box of the course.  He is a Native American and retired from the Department of the Interior.  CL explained the myths of Spirit Mountain that could be seen from the course.  He explained how the Mohave tribe is said to originate from the spirits in the mountains.  This mountain is on Christmas tree road just outside of Laughlin.  We were also told the mountains contain petroglyphs.  We will definitely drive up there next time we are in the area.  

Some needed FaceTime with Isaac and Bella.  Silly kids!

We were so excited when Rudy, Bev, and Angela came to visit us.  Rudy and Bev arrived on 2/8 and were staying for a week.  They were able to rent a site in our park just a few sites down from us.  Angela came on Thursday and left Sunday morning. She stayed with Rudy and Bev.  Needless to say we had a great time/week.   The first part of the week, we enjoyed happy hours, cookouts, and enjoyed each other's company.  We totally loved Rudy's twiced baked potato casserole.  When Angela arrived on Thursday, we drove down to London Bridge, walked around to the shops,  had drinks at The Heat, then walked over to the Javelina Cantina for more drinks and dinner.  We had a view of the London Bridge from both places and it was a beautiful night to sit outside.  

Enjoying the shops at London Bridge. Angela and Bev 

Rudy and Bev enjoying the view from Javelina Cantina. 

I took Friday (2/12) off work to spend the rest of the weekend with my family.  Neither of them had ever golfed Emerald Canyon, so we made reservations to do so that Friday.  I followed along on the golf cart and didn't play as the course only allowed a foursome.   We had a great time. Afterwards we stopped at the Sundance Bar in Parker for a drink and appetizers on the deck, and watched the boats.  Later, after returning home, we just hung out at the park and enjoyed each other's company. I believe Angela went to bed early that night.  

Rudy and Bev   They look like pros!

Angela enjoying the scenery

This is a fun par 3. 

Bev in awe!

What a view Angela 

Rudy hitting from the blues cause you can't beat this view. 

Enjoying drinks at Sundance after a round of golf   

The next day 2/13, we drove to the Desert Bar, but not before stopping along the way for some target shooting.  You can pretty much shoot your guns anywhere in the desert as long as you're at least 1/4 mile from the road and/or any house, etc.  

 Don't mess with Bev!

 Little Angela Oakly!!

 Some of the crowd at the Desert Bar

 Great time at the Desert Bar.  1/4 lb hamburgers and garlic fries were awesome.

Angela, Bev, Rudy by the historic church at the Desert Bar.

Women's bathroom At Desert Bar.  You never lose site of the scenery.

After returning to town, we spent the evening across from Sarah Park to watch the pyrotechnic fireworks.  This is an annual event held on President's Day weekend.  Called the Western Winter Blast, and is presented by the Western Pyrotechnic Association, and Lake Havasu City.  It is one of the largest firework displays in the country, and is geared to those who like to develop and create pyrotechnic items.  We were fortunate to find a prime parking spot, but not without others trying to block our view.  However, they didn't realize Angela was with us, and they soon disappeared.  

As beautiful as this looks, this picture does not do it justice.

 More pyrotechnic fireworks.

Tons more like this one and more even better!

Angela left after coffee on Sunday morning and returned to Mesa.  Today was my birthday.  I'm formally IN my 60's (61).  It's kinda weird.   So, I try not to think about it and enjoy each day as always.  Rudy, Bev, Kirk, and I drove to Oatman, AZ about an hour away.  We've been there before, but not Bev.  We ate lunch at the Oatman Hotel,  and played with the burros.  On the way home, we stopped at the Topock Bar at the junction of Route 66 and I40.  It was a pretty windy day (surprise), so we just looked around and returned home.  Kirk grilled fajitas, and we all just hung out, drank wine, and enjoyed the beautiful Arizona sunset.  Rudy and Bev left the next day and I went back to work.  I sure do enjoy our family visits.  The only things missing were Jim and Elena.

Fun day in Oatman with the burros

Topock Bar on Route 66.  You can swim while you eat and drink.

 Cute butt Bev.

Beautiful end to an awesome day!

Surprise cake from Rudy and Bev.  Thank you.

Christmas time in Havasu 2015

Our first Christmas time of year in Lake Havasu started by going to the Parade of Lights on 12/4.  This is a beautiful night parade on the lake where boats are decorated with lights and are enroute near and to the London Bridge.  Kirk and I ate at the Martini Bay which is on the lake.  After eating, we went out on the patio (which had heaters as it was chilly) to watch the parade.  It was a beautiful night and we even ran into another couple from our park (Marcell and Helen).  My favorite part of the parade were the sailboats.  

 The Sailboats

You can see London Bridge all lit up

The next day 12/5, we had tee times at Emerald Canyon Golf Course in Parker.  Parker is about 30-40 minutes south of Lake Havasu.  It's another gorgeous area with lots of winter visitors, home of Parker Dam, Lily's restaurant (Kirk LOVES the carne asada burritos), and many other fun little places.  Anyway, this was our first time playing there.  We had driven by there several times over the past few years and had always talked about golfing there sometime.  So, we were really excited to play there.  Well, it was totally worth it.  The scenery is great.  It's a must golf on course if you are ever in the area.  We were paired with a couple of brothers who were a lot of fun, which made it a relaxing, fun day.  On our way home, we stopped and picked up a pizza at Rosatis, took it home, and watched the Iowa-Detroit game.  Iowa lost :(

Kirk hitting from the blue tees because you just have to see the scenery

Another gorgeous picture at Emerald Canyon Golf Course

We will definitely be playing here again. It's worth every penny, just for the scenery.  Golf is great too! 

On 12/6 Kirk and I were invited to participate in the annual Parker to Havasu Toy Run.  This is an event in which motorcycles from all over gather at the Blue Bar in Parker and ride to Havasu. All bikes must bring at least one new toy to be donated.  These toys stay local and the organization makes sure that every kid gets a toy for Christmas.  Most bikers brought more than one toy.   One of the amazing things was that there were approximately 1800 bikes in the ride.  The Blue Bar in Parker was awesome.  They provided a place to gather, free live music, food and beverages ( you had to buy those) and Santa Claus was there.  

Along the ride to Havasu, most vehicles pulled over to honor the bikers and to watch, and many people playing in the desert (razors, quads, etc) stood atop the hills near the highway to watch and wave us on.  Once we got to Havasu, we turned onto Mcculloch street where many more people came out to watch.  The city had closed the Main Street downtown to accommodate the bikers and provided entertainment, venders, food,etc.  There was a drop off area for all the toys and from the looks of it, every child in the state could have had a new toy.  A very successful ride indeed. Prior to riding to Parker, Kirk and I met up with about 100 bikers here in Havasu at a friend of a friends house and rode with them to Parker.  

Socializing with cocktails and breakfast burritos before heading to Parker (Kirk in the middle)

In Parker.  Approximately 1800 bikes gathered for the ride.  All had a great time. 

What's a Toy Run without Santa!

Kirk climbed onto the roof of the Blue Bar to take this panoramic picture of the crowd 

Taking a picture of Kirk taking a picture of me

People watching from the hills as the caravan goes by

Downtown Lake Havasu at the end of our run

Main Street closed down with lots of venders, food and entertainment.  Fun day!

12/11. Lake Hills Inn ( my current assignment) held their Christmas party at the Havasu Bowling Lanes.  Had a great time with my co workers and Kirk.  While at the party I got a text message from DIL Nicki saying our granddaughter, Bella had to have stitches in her thumb as she had hurt it on a restaurant bathroom door.  

Tina, a great nurse at LHI. She calls me marcarina cuz she says that's how she remembers my name 

Deidra ( Janet's friend and roommate), Erin ( my boss), Janet ( OT), and me.  Some awesome ladies right here!!

12/13. We drove out to the desert to do some target shooting.  This was my first time and was actually very fun and loud. 

My first target shooting experience. Ear plugs a must!!

He's pretty darn good at this. 

12/19.  This day took us back to Emerald Canyon Golf Course in Parker.  We knew we would be back.  Golfed with a couple of guys from San Bernardino.  This was right after the terrorist shooting in that town.  Very fun guys providing some interesting conversation. 

Another beautiful view from Emerald Canyon. 

Just can't get enough. In awe!

12/20.  Kirk and I took a drive to Oatman.  We had been there several years ago when I was doing an assignment in Kingman, so we thought it would be fun to go back.  We loved the small mining town on Route 66.  It is definitely geared for tourists.   We wanted to get back to the Hotel and have the famous buffalo burgers and burro ears.  The Oatman Hotel is famous because that is where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed on their honeymoon.  One can go upstairs in the hotel and view their "suite".   We also love seeing the burro's that walk along the Main Street.    After returning home from our day in Oatman we drove over to London Bridge road in Havasu to view the Live Nativity Scene.  This was a drive through and very much worth the wait. 

Following the burro's into town. 

This place has a great little restaurant, souvenirs, ice cream, and much more.  

Very friendly, thank goodness!

The live Nativity Scene was a must see.  This was my favorite scene.  Love the baby camel. 

 

Christmas Day I had to work.  I did get off early and came home to a fully cooked meal by Kirk. He made his first standing rib roast, which was awesome, and all the fixings.  I did manage to surprise him with a Yuma pottery coffee cup.  I got one last year from a co worker and he liked it so much that he wanted one.  I was able to order it from Yuma and have it delivered just in time.  

All in all we had a great Christmas month in Lake Havasu!!!!