Across the Mohave Desert

Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Laughlin, Nevada, United States
The 'Deluxe Continental"  breakfast which was included was pretty good, despite the disposable cutlery & crockery. It was a good job the German tourist could see I was having problems with the waffle maker and helped me out! The sign said wait for the light to turn green (I don't think it ever would!); then it said it would beep when ready (I think it would've burnt to a crisp before then).

We got away from Barstow about 9 .00 - got held up for a while trying to figure out how to pay for the petrol. We had to go in and pay for $75 worth, and then go back in and get a credit. Off down the I-40 until we came to the turnoff to Newberry Springs - then it was Route 66 for miles and miles and miles. Past the Bagdad Cafe, where the movie was made; past the lava flows of Pisgah Crater; then on into Ludlow. Up until now we'd seen a lot of ruins, as well as several new places. Also a lot of trailers. And trains all the time. These goods trains are even longer than our coal trains.

From Ludlow to Amboy there was nothing. We stopped to take photos a couple of times and heard loud bangs - found out later it was the military. Also stopped at a ruin. This section of Route 66 was recently reopened after floods had washed away about 50 bridges. We had a look at the Amboy Crater from the viewing platform - didn't really fancy the walk up to the rim. Amboy was fascinating. Roy's Cafe still operates for the basics, but doesn't serve food anymore; the motel has been closed since about 1974 when the I-40 opened . Roy used to employ about 90 people in the cafe, garage and motels "back in the day".

The next section through the Graffiti Corridor is still closed after the floods, so we had to take another road back to the I-40. However we did see a couple of graffiti things - the stump with the shoes (see photos), and people had written their names with rocks in the banks at the side of the road (rather than on boulders - cos there were none!).

The Avi was great - right on the Colorado River and over the border in Nevada. Cheap accommodation and meals to encourage the gambling - however we didn't even use our free $5 credits (we tried the following morning after breakfast, but they'd expired.) We had dinner at the Ristorante Aviano's - and had the "Date Night Menu". Breakfast was 2 for 1 at the Native Harvest Buffet (a total price of $7.99 plus tax). The tax is really hard to work out, and isn't included in the advertised price.

Traveled 199 miles today.

 
Other Entries

Comments

anneandsteve
2015-05-15

Keep them coming Anne. Great fun to follow your adventures. I know l'm never going to do that trip so travelling with you vicariously

Maggie
2015-05-15

Yes those wafflemakers are a trick until you gain experience. Most of the motels we stay in have those and the bagels and plastic "accessories" - but it is a good nights sleep without breaking the budget! I think your bookerd in everywher but if not we stayed in some Best Westerns and asked what deal they could do and they have (or used to) happy hour wine, beer and nibblies free! xxx

2025-02-11

Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank