Lake Mead

4 September 2011
We are now on our way to the RVF Rally at Lake Mead, NV. Today we drove from Tulare to Barstow to Peggy Sue's Diner where we met Bob and Hedy. During the last two days we passed a lot of cotton fields and orchards. We stopped in Bakersfield for gas and some shopping at Target. Then we stopped in Tahachapi for a quick lunch. It was cold there as we climbed to 4000 feet. The rest of the day was nice, but windy in spots. We had a good dinner at Peggy Sue's then dry camped in their lot.

5 October 2011
We arrived at the Lake Mead Recreational Area RV Park this afternoon after having breakfast at Peggy Sue's. Bob and Betty met us at Peggy Sue's and caravanned with us. It was overcast and rainy much of the afternoon. But the lake was very pretty with the sun, clouds, and shadows. There was a brief rain bow. Our outdoor happy hour was cut short due to rain and wind. The heavy wind even scared our Samantha during the night.

6 October 2011
Today was a beautiful, sunny day. The lake was awesome! We've been taking numerous pictures. The morning was spent walking and just enjoying the beauty. Then we rode with Bob and Betty to Willow Lake. That was a beautiful drive. We had never been in that area before. Some of the terrain reminded us of Death Valley. The Willow Lake Marina is being built up and it looks to have very nice facilities. The store had a display of the large fish (stripers) that had been caught there. We visited the fish hatchery where fish are raised for stocking Lake Mead. They range from small fingerlings to large trout.
There was a short shower in the afternoon, then it became sunny again.
After happy hour our wagon-masters served home-made baked beans, franks, salad, and carrot cake. A ranger- volunteer spoke about the highlights and history of Hoover Dam and the Valley of Fire State Park.

7 October 2011
We enjoyed a delicious flapjack breakfast prepared by Bob and Betty. Then we departed for the newly opened Memorial Bridge and a walking view of Hoover Dam. We saw several presentations on the history and construction of the dam, and on how the water is distributed today. This is really quite a marvel.
In the evening we were guests of the Boulder City Rotary Club. We were served a beef stroganoff dinner prepared by a top chef. The guest speaker did a monologue presentation portraying a woman living at the time of the dam construction. They had a very hard life.

8 October 2011
The day started with more good flapjacks. We Then went to the Las Vegas Renaissance Festival. It was spread out over a large, grassy field. It was a beautiful day for walking around looking at everything. The fair was much smaller than what we are used to at home, and there was much less food variety. We had a good time.
After happy hour Rudie served lasagna with salad and ice cream for desert. Ranger Tony gave another presentation on the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Then Bob and Betty built a campfire and we sat around and talked. It was a beautiful evening.

9 October 2011
Our get - away breakfast was this morning. Ken and Rudie thanked everyone who helped make this a good rally. Joe presented them with their Wagon-master's badges. Some then said good-bye before leaving. Those of us staying over until tomorrow went on the Nevada Southern Railway Historic Train Ride. We shopped at a market with lots of metal yard decorations. We bought a bobbing peacock for our garden.We then relaxed, played marbles, and enjoyed the lake scenery and the beautiful day. Hedy cooked us a sauerkraut, sausage dinner.

10 - 11 October 2011
On our way home! We packed up and said our good-byes. We drove to Peggy Sue's in Barstow where we enjoyed a good dinner and stayed the night. We arrived home about noon on Tuesday. Then the work begins!