Relaxation and Good Times out on the Colorado River

By Erin

Things are starting to heat up around here and the summer will soon be here! One place that I love to spend my summer days is out at the river. Just about a 4-4/1/2 hour drive depending on traffic and if you stop to grab a bite to eat and take a bathroom break or not. Whether you stay in Parker, Havasu, or just somewhere along the river, it’s always a good time. I have been spending my days at this wonderful place for as long as I can remember.

A beautiful view awaits right outside the front door. Ready to go out for a float?

During the warm summer months, the river is a great place to cool off at with friends and family! It can get pretty busy though, look at all the boats!

If you’re hungry, one of my favorite places to dine at while at the river is at El Sarape in Parker, AZ. Here is the carne asada plate! It’s so good!

A river trip isn’t complete without some cool drinks! Cheers! A boat ride is also customary, there are some fun floating bars and restaurants you can drive right up to and dock your boat at! Shown here on the right is the Roadrunner! It’s fun to go there at night for some drinks, dancing and just hanging out. It’s also a good place to grab some breakfast at!

Myself and Mary, from Along Comes Mary at the Roadrunner at night on a fun girls trip a few years ago! Another fun place to go to is the Blue Water Resort and Casino! Located in Parker, AZ it has a little movie theater, mini golf course, arcade, live concerts, restaurants, bars, marina, beach, wakeboard island, casino, and a fun waterside with pool there is something there the whole family can enjoy.

At night, you might be lucky enough to catch a lighting storm or two and be able to get some really awesome shots such as these ones. 😉

Another fun place to head to for more water fun is to Lake Havasu and the London Bridge!

On your drive over there though, you will most likely encounter some of the wild burros that roam the roads and the surrounding land. These guys were off to the side of the road, playing and grazing on the grass. We just had to stop and watch for a few minutes. It so fun to watch them in their natural habitat.

At the London Bridge Resort! You will think you’ve left Arizona and entered into another country with all the fun London memorabilia.

Good times at the famous London Bridge!

Wouldn’t it be fun to take this party boat out for a spin on the Lake? If you don’t have your own boat to get around in, there are plenty of places to rent boats, jet skis, kayaks, paddle boats, or go on a harbor cruise around the lake here at London Bridge!

Be sure to stay until sunset and at night even if you can to see the beauty of the bridge. It is truly breathtaking to see it at sunset with all the colors and the reflection coming off of the lake. At night the bridge is lit up in all its glory. 🙂

If you do have your own boat then it’s fun to cruise up and down the river and find a sandbar or a nice spot to set anchor to and hang out, relax, float and just chill. If you like to water ski or wakeboard, that is fun to do too. Even Grandma is still waterskiing! 😉

If you do go boating with your boat in the river, keep in mind some of these safety tips!

Safe Boating Tips and Procedures

1. Complete a full inspection of your boat Before boarding, be sure to check your engine for any leaks or issues, check all electrical conductors and features, ensure lights are functioning and that wiring or appliances are not damaged. The U.S. Coast Guard also provides free vessel safety examinations.

2. Fuel up–you don’t want to be running on empty going upstream and have to flag someone down to tow you back home.

3. Always wear and provide life jackets– you never know when you will need them and kids must wear their life jackets at all times. Make sure you have enough life jackets for however many people are on board.

4. Prevent fires on board–Your boat should be equipped with a U.S. Coast Guard approved, marine-type fire extinguisher at all times in the event of liquid fire from gasoline, oil, or grease.

5. Wear non-slip shoes Slipping or falling overboard can be prevented with the proper footwear and gear.

6. Properly dock the boat– You can easily damage your boat if you don’t. Preparing bumpers, mooring lines, and hooks before docking.

7. Never operate a boat under the influence It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Whoever is operating the boat should not consume any alcoholic beverages before or during operation of the boat.

8. Make sure you have a Spotter and a Red/Orange Flag— If you will be participating in water sports like water skiing or wakeboarding, make sure you have someone on board to watch you and can let the driver now if you fall and watch out for other boats out on the water. The flag is to let other boaters know that a person is down in the water near your boat and to watch out for them.

9. Have fun!

As you leave the river, if you are taking the Desert Center Road back into reality, make sure to stop by at the famous Shoe Tree! More like a Shoe FENCE now, it is still there, and still a tradition to stop and take a look! You can even drop off any unwanted shoes if you have some and leave a silly message behind. 😉