Camping in downtown Las Vegas is a real treat.  We were literally in the parking lot of Circus Circus Casino.  It was very hot and dry.  The one redeeming factor was the pool.  We saw a great Jimmy Buffet concert on Saturday – his final show of the tour, so what a show it was.  I didn’t get the memo that his harmonica player was a no show, our I would have volunteered to help out.  We had walked the Strip on Friday evening before dinner at the Margaritaville Cafe, so we didn’t cruise on Sat nite.

On Sunday, after church, we lounged around again before heading to New York, New York for a light dinner at an Irish Pub (no kidding).  Must say, the food in LV is quite good and not as pricey as we feared.  Besides that, we doubt that we will be drawn back to Sin City.  Sunday night we saw “Jersey Boys”.  Not much of a story line, but good tunes.

We took a long drive south from LV through the desert.  At the Arizona border we headed west to Joshua Tree N.P.  The photo is from our camp there.  On Tuesday, we toured the Park.  We stopped at the lookout at Keys View, overlooking Palm Springs and the San Andreas Fault, only we couldn’t see a thing through the brown LA haze that covered the valley.

On Wednesday, after a quiet morning in camp, we drove west to visit Andrea’s niece, Ahna, and her family in Sun City, about an hour’s drive north on San Diego.  A great family reunion.  Buddy spent the morning Thursday at the Pucci Spa – a gentle bath and a trim.  He looks mavelous.

A short trip on Friday to the Pacific Oceon – camping at the silver Strand S.P. on Coronado Island.  This was a primitive camp, no services.  We had to get a new battery for the camper, but otherwise managed well.  Hard Rock Cafe for more pins Friday night and a day trip to the San Diego Zoo with Ahna and family on Saturday.  Sunday we woke early (fall back) , took Andrea to church and then saw an outdoor organ recital at Balboa Park. A beautiful day.

Next up: we meander up the coast to San Fran.

’till then…aloha