A friend once asked what we do with our time when we are away from home, traveling about our country. I told her, “We live—just like we do at home.” Of course, there are some things that are different, but we do not consider our travels a continuous vacation. Oh yes, we sightsee and visit natural, cultural, and historic places. But daily, we prepare meals, eat, sleep, and do laundry. Lee practices trumpet, goes for runs and bicycle rides, and does motorhome repairs. I write. We both read and watch movies from our collection of “oldies.” Spot and I go for walks. On Sunday, we attend church.
Winters in Arizona are a bit lazy. Some days we do not leave our motorhome. On others, we go to matinee movies, a street fair, or a restaurant. We look for local plays, concerts, and museums. One sunny winter morning in Lake Havasu, we hopped a shuttle boat to ride across the lake to Havasu Landing Casino and Resort. The price was right–$2 each for a round trip. While we care nothing for gambling, we enjoyed crossing Lake Havasu’s blue waters. Other passengers hurried into the casino, but we took a walk around the resort. Havasu Landing Resort on the California side of the lake is a winter destination in a sunny, mild climate, away from fast paced city traffic. The resort’s vacation rentals offer furnished accommodations and also, a campground. Both have access to Lake Havasu for boat launching or simply enjoying the view. The Landing’s fully stocked market provides special cuts of meat for grilling or fresh deli sandwiches for those who prefer to not cook.
We ambled along the lakefront and viewed campsites shaded by large trees. Rentals were mostly vacant. However, stored boats in carports and outdoor furniture on porches were clues that the Landing is a hot spot for summer visitors.
We returned to Trails End Restaurant’s windows for a leisurely lunch. The waterfront windows gave us a broad view of Lake Havasu and the city of Havasu. After lunch, we sat on a bench in the sunshine and waited for the shuttle boat—running on the half hour from the resort—to pick us up. Birds serenaded us from the tops of palm trees and ivory-billed coots pecked in the grass, living up to their nickname, “mud hens.” Warm sun soaked into our bones. Not a bad February day when most of the nation felt deep-freeze temperatures and snow and ice.
Traveling in their motorhome several months each year, Arline and her photographer husband, Lee Smith, make their permanent home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. She currently is a presenter for Workamper Rendezvous, sponsored by Workamper News. Arline has dozens of magazine articles published, as well as five books: “Road Work: The Ultimate RVing Adventure” (now available on Kindle); “Road Work II: The RVer’s Ultimate Income Resource Guide”; “Truly Zula; When Heads & Hearts Collide”; and “The Heart of Branson”, a history of the families who started the entertainment town and those who sustain it today. Visit Arline’s personal blog at ArlineChandler.Blogspot.com
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