Another exciting and adventurous day on the road to Las Vegas, where I'm off to see Jerry Seinfeld perform at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace.
I departed Phoenix this morning at 0600 for the 500-mile drive via the scenic route that Sammy and I planned out last night over a cuppa of Bushell’s tea.
I really did not want to follow the Interstate Highways all the way from Phoenix, so I decided that I would only drive west on Interstate 10 to Quartzite, (20-miles from the Californian Border) from there I headed north to Lake Havasu City to take a look at Lake Havasu that they all rave about over here. Not only that, this is where the old London Bridge is situated.
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| Joining onto the old Historic Route 66 through Arizona from Topock via Oatman to Kingman. |
As you can see by the photograph [below] I really think that the American who purchased the bridge from the Poms before dismantling it piece by piece way back in 1964 must have thought that he was buying the London Tower Bridge.
This unique attraction offers the English Village filled with shops and eateries; boat rentals and tours of the Lake itself, however I was not that impressed with what I saw, I sure would like to have the $’s that it must have cost to relocate it here from where it once spanned the River Thames for about 80-years.
Once I departed Lake Havasu, I then headed north again towards the dreaded Interstate Highway 40. Thank heavens that I only had to drive 8-miles east on that road before I once again turned north at a little place called Topock for the most exciting time of the drive.
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| The London Bridge that once spanned the River Thames was purchased, then dismantled and shipped to Arizona in 1967. |
Little did I know what was ahead of me for the following 68 miles. When Sammy and I were discussing the route last night that I would take he told me not to miss out driving the old Historic Route 66 from Topock via Oatman to Kingman.
This is the longest section still in use of the original Historic Route 66 across America.
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| In Oatman, wild donkeys come out of the mountains during the day and roam the town's streets |
If only I had the Porsche with me, instead of the Toyota Echo, what a road. Very narrow, very rough with plenty of bends and sharp turns winding through the mountains, many of the corners were 15mph max, I can assure you that I would have had the time of my life let loose on that section of Route 66. One can only dream.
Approximately 30-miles into the journey I came around this corner and right there in front of me in the middle of nowhere in the desert was this ever so small town called Oatman, Arizona. This place is an historic gold mining town born in 1906 as a tent camp for miners.
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| The Main Street in Oatman |
Located in the Black Mountains, Oatman offers visitors quaint shops, restaurants and a couple of watering holes. As you can see by the photograph [above] a town landmark are the burros (wild donkeys that come out of the mountains during the day) and roam the streets. Quite unique I thought and very friendly.
The Oatman gunfighters stage free 'Old West' show-downs and shoot outs on the town’s main street (Historic Route 66) daily. Do yourself a favour and be sure to put this one down on your 'Bucket List' you will not be disappointed, trust me.
After that exhilarating adventure it was now time to hit the road again and check out the Riverside Resort and Casino in Laughlin just over the border in the State of Nevada. On the 3rd floor of this Casino there is a Classic Car collection that I am also glad I did not miss.
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| Part of the vintage slot machine collection at Laughlin's Riverside Resort & Casino |
Located in Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort and Casino there are two showrooms that feature more than 85 classic and rare automobiles from Don Laughlin’s private collection, also home to his antique slot machine, pinball machine and license plate collection.
On display in the showrooms there are vehicles of various makes and models, and as you can see by the photo [below], he also had a ‘57 Chevy Bel Air that was better than when it came out of the show room.
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| A gorgeous ‘57 Chevy Bel Air that was in better condition than when it came out of the showroom as new. |
By now time was slipping away and I still had another 100-miles to drive before I would arrive in Las Vegas, so I put the pedal to the metal and arrived here in Vegas around 8:00pm tonight, checked into my Hotel, thoroughly satisfied with my day's adventures.
Later this evening I may take a drive down Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as The Strip and take some photos of the bright lights on the strip. We’ll see how I feel, nothing else for now.
Cheers
Warbo
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