If it weren’t for the Colorado River there wouldn’t be any Phoenix or for that matter, any significant development in the Southwest. The water used and electricity made from its flowing waters is what powers and slakes the thirst of this hot and dry section of the country. As a matter of fact, so much water is stored behind dams and used up for general use and irrigation, that the Colorado dries up before it gets to its mouth at the top of the Sea of Cortez, where it used to flow freely to.
That brings us to a city on the eastern bank of said river, actually on the shores of Lake Havasu. Lake Havasu City is quite young and owes its existence to Mr. Robert McCulloch, who with his forethought and expertise, basically hand-made this mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. You may recognize Mr. McCulloch’s name from his chain saw line of products. In the late 1950’s he and his company purchased a total of about 20,000 acres of land and finally on September 30, 1963, Lake Havasu City was born and it was formally incorporated in 1978. His crowning achievement was to acquire the London Bridge from the City of London when they needed to replace it. He bought, disassembled, and re-assembled it here in 1968, connecting the mainland to a sizeable island which created the nucleus for a ‘river’ and its environs. Today it is the second most popular tourist attraction in Arizona, shadowed only by the formidable Grand Canyon.
Lake Havasu City was our second destination on this particular leg of our trip. Our first being the little town of Quartzite. We departed Tucson, heading west on Interstate 10. Quartzite’s claim to fame is centered around three things, RV’s, ATV’s, and wintering folk from the North.
The largest RV show in the nation has been held each January here for the last 37 years. The number of motorhomes that converge on this place is staggering. We were like vermin, you couldn’t go one block without seeing multiple motorhomes, all towing their little cars or their four-wheeled ATV’s. The desert was littered with boondocking RV’s, to the extent that it appeared to be one gigantic Motorhome Resort. According to the local’s, the show this year was a little disappointing, but under the circumstances, I’d have to give them an A for effort. Many exhibitors chose not to participate because Cousin Covid was still around. Still, we had a pleasant stay at a small campground, which, fortunately for us, was one of only three that had paved roads in it. The dust that hung in the air around there during the day was reminiscent of photos of Los Angeles smog. Between the ATV’s running the desert and the motorhomes getting back and forth, it’s no wonder that an Air Quality Alert had not been issued! But in reality, the air is awesome, the skies could not have been bluer, and the stars clearer if they tried.
We left there having purchased a flagpole that affixes itself to the stern of our traveling home so that we can fly the Stars and Stripes when we’re in port.
We departed the area on Route 95.
Who would think that there were two Route 95’s converging in the area?
There are a gazillion other numbers to choose from., but no, they had to use the same one for both US 95 and Arizona 95. The difference now is obvious, especially when we found ourselves headed west into California, instead of north to Lake Havasu. Slightly delayed, and a bit more aware of the roads, we finally headed north through the desert. We were not alone. All of those other motorhomes either came with us or their friends were heading southward to join them. Back east, we can drive all day and not see another RV. Out here they (we) are so common as to not even being worthy of a passing glance.
The drive northward was without any drama, and only took about two hours. The sights were typically Western, lots of desert and distant mountain vistas, until we crested a hill and saw Lake Havasu spread out before us. The name Havasu is taken from the Mojave Indian word for blue, which turns out is the perfect name for this body of water.
Lake Havasu is considered Arizona’s Playground and one can see how this would be, especially in season. Their busy time is from roughly March trough October. These months of the year see temperatures that are more conducive to outdoor activities, especially when water is involved. Even though winter temps are moderate compared to the North or East, it’s summertime when this place comes to life. Major boat racing and Jet Ski events are held here each year including the International Jet Ski World Championships.
One of the more notable attractions of this area are the 27 replica lighthouses that are built around the city and its environs. These are all painstakingly organized, built, and cared for by a local Lighthouse Committee and a plaque is affixed to each one identifying it with it’s more famous and larger brethren and also the family that sponsored it. These light houses are functioning because the genesis of this committee was to provide better navigational lights for the lake, which as you may imagine, being in the desert, has few lights that identify prominent shoreline features.
I can see where a trip back here in season would be fun. Now there are just enough business and activities that are taking a rest from regular hours and Covid, to make the place seem “quiet”. There are still activities to do and toys to rent, but the true nature of Lake Havasu comes to life in the spring and summer. One of the things that brought us (me!) out here was its stature as a high-performance boating mecca and that would be something that I could never get enough of!
We shall see.
