Viva Wock Vegas

Well here we are finally after several days travelling through the desert on Historic Route 66. We left Malibu on Saturday and headed straight up into the snow-capped mountains we have been gazing at for days. Craig continued to astound us with his expert manouvering of our 33ft ve-hi-cle through winding mountain roads (N.B: make sure the R.V fridge door is properly shut before embarking on such a journey) It wasn't long before we discovered snow in the form of sparse patches by the side of the road but that was enough for 4 excited, exuberant young Wockies to have the long awaited for snowball fight.  A little snow and a lot of dirt made the lads a tad muddy, but they enjoyed guerilla warefare against their Dad through the ridges and brush of the desert. After working up a hefty appetite we had lunch at a diner perched above Route 66 and man did they have good burgers. Meanwhile outside this cosy little diner the temperature was dropping we walked out to be greeted by freezing cold and what looked like lightly falling snow. Like Queensland this part of the world is also experiencing bizarre weather with one of the coldest winters in 60 years.

After overnighting in Needles a township on the border of California and Arizona, (named after the needles mountains) we took the advice of a local gas station attendant, ( a lovely lady with a moustache that Sam aspires to) and drove up to the old west gold mining town of Oatman. What a place! Surrounded by the most rugged mountains, hills and slopes and populated by genuine cowbuys and girls and wild burrows (donkeys) who roam the street at will, there is a mix of locals, bikers and tourists who frequent the touristy goods of route 66. The shanty like houses are perched precariously on the edge of extinct gold mines and cliffs and made out of whatever the owners could  rustle together.  The burrows walk freely around town happily pinching food from tourists and actively educating the visitors as to why there are so many burrows in town.

After our enjoyable little detour it was back on the road and off to Laughlin, Nevada for the night. Another amazing place that literally pops up out of the surrounding desert and towering rugged mountains as a glittering mini casino strip.  Jordan could barely contain his excitement as the drive into town reveals a classic car collection which of course was our first stop. It is also very true about the coldness of night time in the desert. Last night it blew a gale not good when you are perched on the top level of an R.V park. Luckily we were able to calm our nerves with some outlet shopping today before heading off to Vegas..... and here we are parked at Circus Circus ready to head off and explore Vegas over the next few days. Of course we did travel up and down the strip several times before parking the R.V for the night. Super stylish. Again, amazing how the average American motorist will yield to a 33' RV edging into their lane while snapping a photo or two.

That's it for now, thanks for all the emails, keep 'em coming and to all our friends on the Rainy Coast we hope the sun starts shining again soon. 
Wockies xxxxxx
P.S. Will look into how to post a comment and will advise as we know some people have been having problems.