It has been miserably windy over the last couple of days. A large storm system has been working it’s way south and with it came cooler temps and huge wind from the north. We are planning to pull out on Sunday morning because it looks like the wind will be down a bit by then so today was a day for a last ride. It was hugely windy and cool this morning so we geared up. Heated jackets, wind breakers, heavy gloves and I even put on my warm ear cover but in the end it didn’t help much. We left the park at 9am and headed up to Kingman and the wind was brutal and cold. It was supposed to die down in Kingman and we planned to carry on to Seligman. Last year we had one of our worst rides ever from Kingman to Seligman because of the wind and it looked like today was going to be the same. We stopped for fuel in Golden Valley and I told Eric I just wanted to go home! Too cold and no fun at all. He said we’d continue on to Kingman check it out. Okay. It wasn’t much better in Kingman so we turned around. I felt bad that Eric didn’t get his big ride so I suggested we come back through Oatman. He wasn’t sure it would be safe up high through the pass in the big wind but in the end he decided to give it a try.
Here we are bouncing along on Hwy 10 heading towards Sitgreaves pass and then down to Oatman and home. The road was so bumpy it made my ear warmer fall down over my eyes! I pulled it right down and put it over my mouth and nose and it was much better. No cold wind up my nose.
It is a pretty ride and we’ve never gone the reverse route before.
Cool springs. Usually there are people lolling around out here but today…not. Too cold and windy.
This is route 66.
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We are at the beginning heading up to Sitgreaves Pass. Look at that wiggly line!
Pretty.
I don’t think that little fence will stop anyone from going over the huge drop off.
The Yuccas are green.
You can see on the map how twisty and turny this road is. Slow and careful all the way. Lots of switch backs.
We’re up really high here and the camera doesn’t do the vista justice.
We started to descend here and it’s a long way down to the road you see below.
Not many people on the road today. Usually it’s jammed with small sports cars pretending they are rally drivers and lots of motorcycles doing the same thing. Not us.
Coming into Oatman.
Tourist trap.
Goody we missed the noon show!
I guess if you grew up in the city a burro would be interesting to see. Hugely stinky with all the manure all over the road. I guess we’re a bit jaded but this is too touristy for us.
As we got past Oatman and down onto the flats the wind was really brisk again. Not as cold but still way too windy for a nice ride.
We were home by noon and ready for hot soup and a grilled sandwich. We both felt a little shell shocked from the ride. Oh well….at least we tried. Tomorrow is supposed to be a little less windy but we’ll be packing up and won’t have time for a ride.
Sunday we are off to Alamo, Nevada and the Pickett’s RV park for two nights. Tuesday on to Jackpot, Nevada for one night and then Catfish Junction, Oregon for a bit. Wish us luck! I had a look at fellow blogger Contessa’s yesterday’s post and the mountains between Ely, Nevada and Twin Falls are a winter wonderland. Pretty but much more snow than usual for this time of the year. It really is time for spring!
If you can, take your time and stay longer. We are only four hours drive south of Kelowna and it is still cool. I think that someone forgot to tell Mother Nature that is was spring.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures. Does Cool Springs still operate as a "filling station" as it would have been called back in the era it was built? I noticed what looks like gas pumps tucked in among the pillars. No shortage of rocks to use for building. Hope the weather improves for you.....for all of the us even if we are home. SandyM
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