1/6 Drive to Parker Strip along Colorado River

I usually write mainly about campgrounds and places I have been, but I thought this drive from Tehachapi, California to the area along the Colorado River south of Lake Havasu known as the Parker Strip was worth posting about.  (The Parker Strip is a strip of land along the Colorado River from the Parker Dam to the town of Parker, AZ.   It is a busy recreational area with boating, fishing, and swimming enjoyed along the river.)

There is an awful lot of "empty" desert on this 300 mile drive, but it also has some interesting and beautiful scenic areas.  Best part, however, is that the temperature at my destination has been hanging around 70 degrees, while most of the country has been having serious winter storms and freezing weather.  I spent most of December in northern California, and even there, it had highs in the 50s or 60s and lows at night in low 40s.  This morning when I left Tehachapi, which is a town at about 4,500', it was only 37 degrees!  I REALLY have been looking forward to warmer weather!

The second best part of this drive is that there is not a lot of traffic along I-40 for most of this route, so it is easier to relax just a bit while driving my15,000 lb vehicle!!  I did stop for some groceries in Barstow, California, and a gas fill-up when I reached Needles, just before crossing the Colorado into Arizona.  

Nice, boring drive with mountains in the distance.

 

 

After a long drive, I finally reached the Colorado River!

 

 

 

Third best part of this trip is that gas is at least $2 per gallon cheaper than it is in California.  I filled up my 55 gallon tank and was amazed at the total price.  I also filled up with propane, which I need for heating, cooking, and hot water. The cold temperatures have meant my tank has been going down fast!  

Unfortunately, I still had another 50 miles to drive after arriving at this crossing of the Colorado.

The route along the Parker Strip is on the Arizona side of the river and has some amazing mountains.

I made it to my campground just before sunset.  I'm staying in a very nice state park for the next three nights, so will be posting about it soon.  Very pretty place!