Lake Havasu AZ, 1/2017

We enjoyed the Lake Havasu Balloon Festival so much so that we're seriously thinking about going to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in October. This shot was taken from our camping area. Saturday was windy and rainy... a no fly day, disappointing. But Sunday made up for it, we awoke to this beautiful morning, balloons were up at sunrise.  

Sunrise over Lake Havasu. Pilots thrill on-lookers by touching their baskets on the water.

Lake Havasu is a beautiful city to visit. There are walking trails and nice parks on both sides of this channel which we took advantage of daily. The London Bridge crosses over the channel. 

An evening at the London Bridge. 

Interesting history...this is the original London Bridge from England. 

London planned to replace the bridge when it was falling in disrepair, a businessman and founder of Lake Havasu bought the bridge in 1968. As the bridge was torn down, each granite brick and was numbered and charted, it was shipped to CA then trucked to Havasu where it was reassembled. The bridge was dedicated in 1971, it's a big attraction for tourists who appreciate it's beauty and to walk across the historic London Bridge. The bridge also serves as access to a good sized island where we camped. The ballon festival was also on the island.  

The Desert Bar...very unique and so worth the drive into the Buckskin mountains on a rough desert road. It was built from the ruins of an old mining camp. It's been a labor of love for the owner/builder who has spent years adding to what began as a small "watering hole". The saloon is on the right, the slanted roof is solar panels. The saloon is completely powered by solar, it is only open Saturday and Sundays from noon until sundown. The owner lives on the property so visitors are only welcome when the saloon is open for business. Weather was a bit iffy this day, but no rain. After having a bite to eat and listening to the live music, we hiked around the surrounding hills where evidence of old mining can be seen.  

Another creation at the Desert Bar is the iconic steel church. It's basically a walk-thru arch with a steeple, it's very cool looking from a distance. 

It's a popular backdrop for wedding photos and for taking a photo of our jeep. :)

Another event at the balloon festival was the night glow, also referred to as
"fire in the sky".
The pilots fill their ballons and at a set time the music starts and the announcer gives the word  to "light em up".

Another event on the same weekend was "Buses at the Bridge", VW owners with their buses camp at the state park by the London Bridge. It's a weekend car show of VW buses dating back to the 1950's. I've always had a fondness for VW's of any kind. This bus was very cool with it's matching pull behind trailer. There were also buses that looked like rust buckets but they still had charm and character.  

We stopped by on Sunday when the show was wrapping up, perfect timing...was like a parade as we watched all the buses heading out. 

How cool is this bus...love the windows and sun roof.

All from Lake Havasu...next stop Quartzite and boon-docking at Boomerville.