July 18, 2006

July 18th.
Traveled 225 miles today, all of it desert! It was over 100 everywhere. It was beautiful too. The desert can take on so many different looks, from high to low. The Joshua Trees and Cholla cactus were impressive. From Joshua Tree, I mailed Sherri’s phone recharger to her, I took the wrong one. I have to find one for me now. I took Hwy 62 to the 95. I stopped in Needles for gas and for help with my oil cap. The mechanics there told me I need a new radiator. They said it was seeping. Do radiators seep? For $530 they could do it this afternoon. I was getting tired of driving but couldn’t see any reason to stop in Needles for the night. I do have RV insurance if they are right. It makes me a bit nervous but I wonder if it is true or they say they to all the tourists. The last place any one wants to be is broken down or have an overheating car is Needles. Drove up 95 and decided to check out Laughlin. The ride down was beautiful, more desert vistas with white hill sides, quite a descent. I think I found the last pet room in Laughlin. $50 a night for air conditioning. There is an RV park here but parking on asphalt to plug and run AC didn’t seem like a good choice. The air conditioning has been wonderful. It is 10 at night and still in the 90’s. I will sleep and shower well and take off for Zion in the morning. Laughlin looks like Vegas 30 years ago, but no class. Casinos are casinos, noise, smoke and red. I no longer have the gambling bug. Curly wouldn’t be allowed in the casinos anyway. He is getting better at staying without barking. He used to bark immediately if I left him in the car or in a room. Now he stays alert but doesn’t start barking the minute I’m out of sight. All of the restaurants are in casinos, so we walked, quickly, through a couple. I got an Asian salad at Mac Donalds in the Edgewater and brought it back. The river walk is nice, no Heisler park.