Lake Mead Recreation Area

Here we are, back at Lake Mead Recreation Area. We have been working on some remodeling jobs inside the RV and enjoying the sunshine. We go into Las Vegas about once a week to attend church and stock on supplies.

The lake level is 12 feet lower than it was when we were here last spring. They are in hopes that the snow melt will bring up the level some.

Going out to lunch, at Sweet Tomatoes, with some new friends we met at the NASCAR race. One couple is from Connecticut and the other is from New York. What a small world.

This picture was taken by friends that we spent the afternoon with at Lake Las Vegas resort.

Happy Campers!

The managers of the park where we stay in West Yellowstone sent us this picture of our site. Our RV backs up between the two trees. Between the trees and the building is a 7 foot fence that is completely covered. Hope they get rid of that white stuff before we arrive.

NASCAR race weekend at LVMS (part 3 of 3)

Friday was our first of three days on the job as suite greeters. We each had a post we were in charge of, which we could not leave unless a relief person came to give us a break. We were posted on the third floor, with one floor above us with more suites. Larry was on elevator 1 and Claudia was on the stairway between elevators 1 and 2. Our job was to make sure people had the correct credentials to enter that level. If not, we had to direct them back downstairs. Unfortunately, the entrances to the suites are on the back side of the grandstands, so most of us could not see the racetrack from our posts. Actually, since Larry was at the end of the building, he had a view of part of the track and was able to see some of the races. They also gave us the opportunity to go up on the roof to watch a couple laps of the race. Claudia was afraid to blow off, so she chickened out. Larry enjoyed the magnificent view.

The weather was nice and warm, except for Sunday. Sunday we had temperatures in the mid 60's with 40 MPH north winds and since the back of the building is open it acts like a wind tunnel. We dressed with many layers and could not get warm. The ladies working the suites were very good to us and brought us coffee and pastries. Our employers treated us well also, they brought us plenty of cold drinks and a box lunch each day. The worst part of the whole experience is that they parked us in an overflow lot on the outer edge of the property. We had to drive or walk to our check in point each day, then they drove us in a shuttle to and from the grandstands. Both jobs turned out to be quite enjoyable. There was ample time to talk to the people attending the race. We also met some really nice fellow workampers, which adds to the whole experience.

The massive crowds on the midway which is right behind the grandstands.

The pit crews and drivers as the National Anthem is sung right before the start of the race.

View towards turns 3 and 4 from the roof above the suites.

In the center of the infield is the Neon Garage, where there is entertainment, you can watch the cars being worked on, get up close and personal with the drivers, and it's where the winner's circle is located. You can enjoy all this for only an additional $275 per person.

Looking past the start/finish line, towards turn 1 and 2 from the roof.

The cars going by at about 180 miles per hour.

All lined up and ready to race.

Pit crews hard at work along pit road.

One of the Nevada State Patrol vehicles.

Inspecting RV's as they enter the infield at LVMS (part 2 of 3)

Since our assignment didn't start until Friday, we volunteered to work on Wednesday and Thursday. We inspected RV's going into the infield campgrounds. We had to use mirrors to check the underside, look inside toy haulers for dirt bikes or ATV's which were not allowed, and check to make sure they had the proper camping stickers and admission wrist bands. It was really fun, especially since our checkpoint was on the back straightaway. Late Thursday we had a quick tour of the facilities.

Sunrise over Las Vegas.

Looking down the straightaway.

There's room for 1600 RV's in the infield lots and 5000 total at the facility.

Claudia on the back straightaway entering turn 3.

View from the top top of the straightaway.

You can see the rigs on Motorhome Hill, with their great view of the track. We were told these spots are $3500 for the weekend, (no hook-ups) and there is a 3 year waiting list.

Larry at the top of turn 3.

The workamper RV inspectors working hard.

Sunset back at the rig, after a long, long day.

Having a look at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (part 1 of 3)

When we saw the listing for jobs available at the NASCAR race in Las Vegas, we thought it sounded like an interesting opportunity. We picked working as greeters for the VIP suites instead of working an information booth. The jobs at the RV lots were already taken. Arrival day for the NASCAR job was February 26. We were given some basic information and taken to our parking spot. The rest of the day we wandered around the infield and had a look around. The pilots from Nellis AFB across the street supplied us with a constant air show, as they practiced.

Our home for the 6 days we were at the Speedway.

We enjoyed watching them take off and land. Boy they are fast!!

One rig parked on Motorhome Hill already.

They were practicing in formation and solo.

Trucks arriving to get the infield ready.

A quiet look at the grandstands. The suites are on the two glassed in floors above the grandstands.

Cars were arriving for the weekend.

Trip from Austin, TX to Las Vegas, NV

After spending a few days in Austin we headed for our next adventure in Las Vegas. We traveled 4 consecutive days to arrive on February 25. We had very strong headwinds on the 23rd and got the worst mileage ever. On the 24th we got the best we ever have, almost twice the mileage of the day before, so it averaged out. Other than the wind, we had great weather even though it was pretty cold at night. We stayed the first night at the Wal-Mart in Fort Stockton. We had lots of company! The second day we fought the wind all the way to the SKP park in Deming. On Sunday we made it to the SKP park in Congress, Arizona, our first time there, and got caught up on the laundry. Monday we drove through one of the largest Joshua tree forests along route 93. We have seen them many times before, but it was nice to see so many of them growing wild. It was interesting to drive over the Hoover Dam again The construction on the bridge there is well under way. What a huge project. They hope to have it completed by 2010.. We arrived at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and decided to spend the night at the Las Vegas bay campground. It cost us all of $5.

Windmills under construction

If you look closely you can see all the windmills on the mesas in the distance.

Old energy source alongside new.

We had a strong headwind on this travel day.


A VERY large roadrunner along the road.

Three views along the road between Deming, NM and Congress, AZ

Location of Super Bowl 2008. Glad we weren't traveling through here a couple of weeks before.

Typical Arizona scene.

Two pictures of the Joshua Tree Forest along route 93 in Arizona.

Along the road to Hoover Dam.

Another beautiful desert sunset at Las Vegas Bay Campground, Lake Mead Rec Area.