Parker Dam AZ/CA and area, donkeys

After a lovely 5 weeks of visiting family and friends in both Vegas and Washington over the holidays we moved on to Lake Havasu City, AZ, January 14th for a week.  There we met up with Dave (Mikes cousin) and Mary and did some hiking and exploring:

We "discovered" a new trail at Havasu State Park with a cactus garden.  Nice walk along the river with a few water birds.

egret on Havasu Lake

Dave, Mary and Mike in cactus garden on lake trail

a cute coot;)

crossing from AZ to CA on Parker Dam

from the CA side.  Parker Dam is the deepest dam in the world and is located about 155 miles south of Hoover Dam on the
Colorado River 

nice arch!

we counted 25 donkeys in the area near Parker Dam.  There are at least 5 in this pic

here is another group....

mom and son....

yep, he is a cutie!

it is always strange to see egrets in the desert even if they are near a river!

 We had to take another trip out to the desert bar located miles off a dirt road in the Buckskin Mtns.  It is such a novelty;)   The drink selection is not good but they do have to tote everything from miles away.

looking down from the hillside behind the stage

 

Pecos National Historical Park and Las Vegas NWR

A couple of notable places and definitely things to do when in the Las Vegas, New Mexico, area are Pecos National Historic Park and the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge. 

 The historical park was another of those places we did not expect much but were pleasantly surprised.   Such beautiful country!  Not only were the pueblo ruins interesting but we enjoyed a lovely hike and the scenery, complete with some snow, was awesome!

The wildlife refuge had quite a few different birds there but viewing was difficult due to distance.  Still well worth the drive and checking it out!

Santa Fe Brewing Company;)

meadow lark

geese coming in for a landing

harrier hawk, one of these days I will get a good shot of this bird!

redtail hawk getting ready to take off

female kestrel

Nov 2019, Las Vegas, New Mexico

Happy New Year All!!  After a lovely time over the holidays visiting family and friends I need to do a little catching up before continuing into the new year.  We just came from Las Vegas, NV, but we were in Las Vegas, New Mexico, last November and really had a nice time....even with the snow!  Las Vegas, New Mexico has been around a lot longer than Las Vegas, NV, as you can see from the pictures below.  It is a scenic little town at about 5500ft elevation.  Established in the year 1835:

old downtown square

 We really had some stunning views from our KOA campground:

after our snowfall we had to build a snowman for our grandchildren to see:)