Laughlin, Nevada

Today, Terry and Andy are driving to Laughlin, Nevada for a three day trip.

Laughlin is located on the southern tip of Nevada, near Bullhead City and Kingman, Arizona. They have not been to Laughlin for a long time and they've never been there in December. The weatherman predicts some rainy weather for the trip, so they pack some umbrellas and some jackets.

First, they drive east to catch I - 15 and then they head north, up the steep Cajon Pass, over the mountains, to Hesperia and Victorville, CA in the High Desert. The air is clean, cool, and clear up here in the desert. The are no clouds, and no sign of rain. They continue to Barstow, where they take their customary rest stop and have a snack. Then they find I - 40 and drive east toward the Arizona border.


After driving all morning they find Needles Highway which takes them 16 miles north, crossing into the state of Nevada, and into Laughlin, on the Colorado River.


Their hotel is the Tropicana Express, a very nice place located across the street from the river and the Colorado Belle, a hotel designed to look like a paddle wheel river boat.

After settling into their room, Terry heads straight for the slot machines to start "making money." After losing the $10 slot machine credit the Tropicana had provided, she starts winning. She returns to the room later to announce she has won some money. She wisely cashed out before she gave it all back to the machines.









Hilltop view of Laughlin



The following day, Terry and Andy take a drive around town, and then they head over to Kingman, in Arizona. Then they drive out into the hills to look for Oatman, a nearly abandoned gold mining town. It is a small, quaint place that appeals to tourists. Wild burros walk the streets of Oatman, and tourists can buy carrots to feed them. The weather gets a little wet and windy, so Andy and Terry drive on, back to Laughlin.





Click to enlarge





Downtown Oatman









Andy reads that the Riverside Casino has a free Classic Automobile Collection, so they stop in to have a look. On the third floor there is a nice selection of old cars in great condition.







Cool weather and a light rain convince them not to take the customary walk, from casino to casino along the river. Instead, they return to the Tropicana to enjoy the Prime Rib Buffet. It's very good. They spend time in the casino during the Monday Night Football Game. The casino gives away money every time either team scores in the football game, but they don't win any football money tonight.



On the third day, Terry and Andy check out of the Tropicana and start home. Andy wants to take the long way home, passing along the Colorado River in Arizona. They Stop off in Lake Havasu City to visit the famous London Bridge. To celebrate their visit to the British landmark, they decide to have fish and chips for lunch. However, no fish and chips shops are open, so they have to settle for a tostada in a Mexican restaurant.





London Bridge is still there.



Down river, they pass Parker Dam and they try to stop and tour the dam, but the man in the guardhouse says no tours are allowed for security reasons. Eventually they reach Quartzite, Arizona, home of large numbers of snowbird RV'ers from all over the country, and Canada. From then on, it's a straight shot home on the I - 10 to the San Gabriel Valley.

Quartzite, AZ


End of Story.