Hey, for all of you that didn't make the run on Saturday to Lake Mead and the Valley of Fire, we had a great time.
We met at the Boulevard Sports Bar for breakfast. Sheldon & Jackie got there just after Tammy and I arrived. Ken & Sandy and Terry & Barbara arrived shortly after that. We had a good breakfast and conversations about other things than cars, since the women were there. At about 9:30 we left for the run. All except Sheldon and Jackie. They now have a new play toy. Cobra, boat and shifter kart aren't enough. Now they have a horse, so they had to go meet with the trainer, so Sheldon could get some pointers. Sheldon, when do you have time to work?
So we left with two Superformances and one ERA. We traveled down I-215 past 95 to Lake Mead and Boulder Highway. Topped off the gas tanks and headed for the Ranger station just past Lake Las Vegas. After paying the $5.00 fee to enter the park, we turned left and headed for Overton. This road is nice and windy with some grade changes. Just as we started getting into the road I made a turn around a small hill and found myself following a Park Ranger vehicle. Oh well, back to the 45 mile speed limit. We followed his for about five miles where he made a turn towards the lake and we proceeded on. Within a short time we were back up to cruising speed. I guess that "might" have been a little more than the posted limit. We stopped a few time to change leaders so each could have a different perspective of the group and the road. Made a right turn at Echo Bay for a "10-100" and a view of the marina. That was a nice short break and gave a little more time to out "BS" each other. Then back on the road for the next stop at Stewart's Landing. The road was a bit rough in places so we hopped around some turns. At the junction of Valley of Fire and Overton we chose the route through the Valley of Fire. This has beautiful red rock mountains and canyons that is a sight to see. There is one canyon that the road passes the Visitor's Center and travels north through a narrow canyon and ends at a small parking lot with covered picnic tables. A perfect place for a lunch stop. We each brought a full lunch spread that resembled a complete catered affair. After our appetites were satisfied, conversations were complete and a desire to continur was voiced, we packed up the lunch spead and headed back though the canyon to the Vistor's Center.
Up until that point in time, the day had been great. Good cruising, good food, good scenery and good company. That's when a few things changed the mood. As we got ready to leave, Terry' car wouldn't start. Had to borrow a set of jumper cables from a Canadian that was in the parking lot to get it started. OK those things happen. But then, as we are approaching the I-15 for the last leg of the day, The Moapa Indian Police stopped Ken for allegedly going 50 in a 35 mph zone, even though Ken was only going 35mph. He knows he was only going 35, because we had just past a cop giving someone else a ticket. So we made sure we were in the limit for the last 1.5 miles to the highway. No arguing with the Indian Police, they want their money....$75.00 worth. We stopped for gas at the gas station/fireworks stand and guess what......Terry couldn't start his car agian. After another jump it stated and we were off down the freeway towards Las Vegas. We all live on the northwest part of town, so we exited the I-15 for the North 215 beltway. With traffic we got separated quickly. However, by the 215 and Lamb Terry's cobra was slowing, pulled over and stopped with no power. Ken was well in front of us and was unaware of the trouble. Tammy and I were "tail-end Charlie" for this last leg and stopped to assist Terry and Barbara. After assessment, we called AAA to give them a tow back to their house. An hour later they showed up. A half hour after that we were on the road once again. One Cobra on a flat bed and one driving behind. At their house we off-laoded the cobra into the garage, said our good-byes and headed home.
The day started of at 8:30am and ended about 6:00pm. Although we had a few issues toward the end of the day, overall it was a great adventure. We are looking forward to the next trip. Maybe to Mt. Charleston.
Who ever else is interested in going on the next run contact me here or my e-mail at
shatcher.hcc@eatrthlink.net.
Scott and Tammy