Visiting Lake Havasu City, AZ and The Beautiful Drive (Chris's Visit...Day Three)

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Saturday, February 23, 2019

Before Chris came out I sent her a short list of places she might like to visit while she was here. The first place she mentioned was Lake Havasu City. (I mentioned it was the best choice when she told me.) Definitely a tourist destination but a fun day trip and you get to see the London Bridge. The best part is the drive. I am pretty sure any one who has taken the drive between Quartzsite and Lake Havasu City would agree. The scenery, especially north of Parker when you are driving through the mountains is breathtaking. Add to that the views of the Colorado River and every turn is a feast for the eyes.

We have just passed  Parker.

The views along here are so wonderful

and I always say this time 

I am not going to take

a lot of pictures.

Then I start 

clicking away.

Short Parker Dam Detour

Then we saw the sign for the Parker Dam. Tom and I have never been there
so all three of us said, lets go.

Some interesting information about the Parker Dam.

We made the decision to turn around at this point.
Tom and I are planning on going back and take this byway
in the future. Today's plan is to continue to Lake Havasu.

Back on AZ-95

Stopping at one of the scenic overlooks.

The blue color of the Colorado River is so beautiful.

The wildflowers are 

starting to bloom.

We then crossed the Bill Williams Bridge which spans the river of the same name. This river is formed by confluence of the Big Sandy and Santa Maria rivers, just upstream of Alamo Lake. The Bill Williams River in Western Arizona flows approximately 45 miles to the Colorado River. It is at this point the river joins the Colorado River.
Its watershed contains an area larger than the state of Connecticut. Year-round flows on the the three rivers and their tributaries support long, continuous strips of cottonwood, willow and mesquite woodlands that are home to a wide array of wildlife, including more than 350 species of birds.

(Information taken from the internet.)

Looking East from the Scenic Overlook North of the Bill Williams Bridge.

Chris by the information signs pictured below.

The Bill Williams Bridge.

Tom caught these four pictures of a line of several older vehicles as they crossed the bridge.

Looking towards the West as the river flows into the Colorado River.

Continuing our trek north on AZ-95.
One lone Saguaro can be seen at the top of the hill.

The mountains all along here are beautiful.
We could see lots of green on the mountain sides
and in the valleys between.

Then the area flattens out and the mountains are in the distance.

Coming into Lake Havasu City.

We are about to drive over the London Bridge.

Back in March of 2016 we spent a couple of days in Lake Havasu City and I included a short history of the London Bridge which you can read here if you are interested.

Pictures of the Colorado River

were it flows under the London Bridge.

Our selfie with a little peek of the bridge behind us.

Chris took this one of Tom and I with the bridge
behind us. Thank you.

From above on the west end.

Then we drove back across and over to a tourist area below on the east
side. Several shops and restaurants.

Tom had to stop and make a phone call,

actually two calls.

We had fish and chips for lunch at this restaurant.
Burgers by the Bridge

Enjoying a cup of coffee and people watching.

What it seems we failed to do 

was take a complete picture of  this at the

entrance to the Visitor Center.

We are back on AZ-95 heading south and back to Quartzsite.

A quick peek of the Colorado River.

It is beautiful how the green is covering so much of the mountainsides.

We stopped at a scenic overlook just south of the Bill Williams Bridge.

Looking Northwest at the meeting of the two rivers.

Continuing our trek south.

Another view of the Colorado River
through a blur of yellow wildflowers.

We took a detour to check out the La Paz County Park.
This tiny house on wheels is the only picture I took.

This was the last picture I took on this day. It has been a few weeks and I do not remember why I quit taking pictures but I did.  I remember we made a quick stop at the Walmart in Parker to pick up a couple of things before making our way the last 40 miles or so home.

Today was a good day. The sun was out, the sky was blue, and the scenery was beautiful. 

What truly was really wonderful about today was spending it together Chris, Tom, and I. 

We are glad you stopped by. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

If you have time to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.