Back From Quartzsite and Lake Havasu

Above, approaching Quartzsite, Arizona Thursday morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Another successful and fun clampout is now in the history books.

I got back home from the Lost Dutchman ECV fall clampout at Quartzsite, Arizona and a visit with friends in Lake Havasu City. The two locales are only 73 miles apart.

I arrived at Quartzsite Thursday morning after leaving in the late afternoon on Wednesday. I was going to leave Thursday morning, but decided to go earlier. I stayed overnight in the RV parking area at Twin Arrows Casino Resort near Flagstaff. I got a good night's sleep and headed out early Thursday morning. 

I took Interstate 40 to Interstate 17 in Flagstaff. From there, I skirted around Phoenix on U.S. Highway 60 until a few miles from Quartzsite where I got onto Interstate 10.

Highway 60 was interesting as I haven't been on it since 1983. I did that drive during the night I remember suicidal rabbits running across the highway getting run over. Thousands of them were doing this. One town along the was was Brenda, Arizina, which had an interesting sign that said, "Entering Brenda". A bit on a purposeful double entendre?

Well, I got to the clampsite around 9:00 in the morning. More on the clampsite in another blog post.

Twin Arrows Trading Post, Then and Now

Along Interstate 40 sits Twin Arrows Trading Post, or at least its ruins. Thanks to the Route 66 Postcards Facebook page, the top photo was posted. It looks like it was from the late 1950s or the early 1960s.

Two years ago, I took this photo (and the bottom photo) of the trading post's ruins:

According to Route 66 Postcards:

Here is an "early, then, & now" collage of postcards and a recent photo of the iconic Twin Arrows Trading Post between Winslow and Flagstaff, Arizona on Old Route 66.  It was originally built in the late 1940s as the Canyon Padre Trading Post and became the Twin Arrows Trading Post in 1960.  It was famous for two giant arrows made from utility poles out front. The complex includes a separate diner.  Jean and William Troxell operated it from 1955 until the 1980s.  It closed in the late 1990s.  The land is currently owned by the recently built Twin Arrows Casino which is north at the same exit at I-40 & U.S. 180.  Unfortunately, in recent years vandals have virtually destroyed the remnants.

Here are the twin arrows today:

Hopefully, the twin arrows can be moved to a safer site (perhaps the Twin Arrows Casino Hotel or its new travel center) and be restored and preserved.

Twin Arrows Resort Casino Is Back In Business

Above, the main lobby of Twin Arrows Resort Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I go to a friend's in Lake Havasu City, Arizona (and the return trip back), I generally stop for a break at the Twin Arrows Resort Casino, the Navajo Nation's biggest casino, just east of Flagstaff. It is roughly the halfway point along Interstate 40.

The hotel and casino were reopened yesterday after being shuttered for 15 months due to the pandemic.

There are some restrictions and Yogonet Gaming News spells it out.

They start with:

Twin Arrows Navajo Casino re-opened July 12 in Flagstaff, Arizona after being shutdown for more than a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic as Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted. 

The new protocols for this phase, which includes the Twin Arrows Hotel, involve the use of masks while inside the casinos, and temperature checks as well. Players must show a government-issued ID to enter. Even though the ban on non-residents of the Navajo Nation has been lifted, the night curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. remains in effect. 

Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise CEO Brian Parrish assured that 80% of the casino’s personnel has been vaccinated and educated about the importance of inocculation. “We are conducting tests of all of our team members every two weeks,” he said, as reported by Navajo Times.

By the way, there is a new travel center that opened last year on the hotel's access road.  

To read more, go here.

Twin Arrows Resort Casino Reopening Monday

Above, Twin Arrows Resort Casino in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some good news!

The Navajo casino with a great restaurant that I like stopping at when crossing Arizona along Interstate 40 is finally reopening.

AP News reported:

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation’s largest casino is preparing to reopen for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began.

The Twin Arrows Resort Casino east of Flagstaff has been closed since March 2020. Officials there have scheduled a job fair Saturday ahead of the planned Monday reopening.

Tribal President Jonathan Nez recently signed legislation that allows visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The action paved the way for Twin Arrows to reopen.  

The casino will have limited hours and a 50% occupancy level to start.

To read more, go here. 

Navajo Gaming's Casinos Expect To Reopen By Mid-June

Above, the main lobby of Twin Arrows Casino Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I drive across Arizona, I usually stop at Twin Arrows Casino Resort just outside of Flagstaff on Interstate 40 for coffee and, most often, a breakfast break (they have good food, by the way). But due to coronavirus, Twin Arrows and other Indian casinos in Arizona and New Mexico have been closed.

Twin Arrows is part of Navajo Gaming, which also has Fire Rock Casino in Church Rock, New Mexico, Northern Edge Casino in Upper Fruitland and Flowing Water in Hogback.. I used to go to Fire Rock for dinner before they changed their menu. I went for their linguini and clams dinner, but their menu change eliminated that. However, their chili chicken Alfredo is quite good.

The Gallup Independent reported yesterday that the casinos under Navajo Gaming's wing are expected to reopen by mid-June.

During the time the casinos have been closed, they have been undergoing a "deep biohazard cleaning."

It will be nice to see them open again.

Twin Arrows Casino Resort

Above, Twin Arrows Casino Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I've gone deep into Arizona, I find that a food stop (usually breakfast) at Twin Arrows Casino Resort east of Flagstaff is a great respite.

As I was heading to Kingman, I stopped in. It turned out to be the halfway point between Jamestown, New Mexico and the clampout, about 175 miles.

Prior to the casino resort's construction, Twin Arrows, Arizona was known as a ghost town on Route 66.

From Wikipedia:

The area in which Twin Arrows is located was inhabited by the Hopi and Navajo tribes. The Navajo fought against the Apaches in the area. The first setters to arrive in the area of European descent were the Spanish conquistadores. The area became part of Mexico when Mexico gained its independence from Spain. 

The United States fought against Mexico in what is known as the Mexican–American War. The war ended officially when the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed and forced onto the remnant Mexican government. It specified its major consequence, the Mexican Cession of the northern territories of Alta California and Santa Fe de Nuevo México to the United States. 

Wagon roads routes between Flagstaff and Winslow were surveyed in the 1880s. The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad choose to build the railroad along it. The railway passed to the north of the modern alignment of the National Old Trails which would eventually become US 66. The U.S. Highway System established US 66 in 1926. US 66 served as a major path for those who migrated west during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The road supported the economies of the communities through which it passed. 

Traffic began to flow through the Twin Arrows area because Route 66 was aligned along the National Old Trails Road. A business named the Canyon Padre Trading Post, named for the gorge that cuts nearby, was established in the late 1940s in Twin Arrows. Business was slow for the store and diner until the owners changed its name to "Twin Arrows Trading Post", inspired by nearby town of Two Guns and added a service station. Two 25-foot (7.6 m) giant arrows which were placed on the property were easily recognized by traveling motorist and the business began to fourish. 

The Twin Arrows Trading Post began to fail with the construction of the Interstate 40 (I-40), because motorists no longer had to take US 66. Business for the Twin Arrows Trading Post began to decline and it was not long before the store/diner/service station/gift shop passed through the hands of various owners. This continued until 1995, when it was finally closed and abandoned. The land where Twin Arrows is located is in the Navajo and Hopi reservations and owned by the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino.

The ruins of the Twin Arrows Trading Post still stands, along with the two giant arrows on the property.

Above, the giant twin arrows. Wikipedia photo.

I usually dine at the Four Elements Cafe. The prices are reasonable and the food is good. Last Friday, I stopped in and had their huevos rancheros. Very tasty!

Prior to this most recent trip, I stopped in for a rest break. This was after having the heart attack in Wells, Nevada and I drove home a few days later from Mitch Geriminsky's in Lake Havasu.

While there, I ran into a fellow clamper in the main lobby. I was wearing a clamper t-shirt and he approached me.

Twin Arrows Casino Resort is a nice facility and well worth a stop. They have a parking area for RVs. As yet, they have no RV park/campground.

To access their website, go here.

Lost Dutchman ECV Spring Clamp-Out

Above, the Golden Reef 10-Stamp Mill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Lost Dutchman Chapter's Spring Clamp-out is now history and what good history it was.

The highlight of the trek was the plaque dedication at the Cave Creek (Arizona) Museum for The Golden Reef Mine 10-Stamp Mill, which is the only fully-operational 10-stamp mill in Arizona. The museum's officials fired it up (those of you who are my Facebook friends can see my video of it in operation).

Above, some early arrivals at the Hall of Comparative Ovations. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The chapter also initiated some new members during Saturday's Hall of Comparative Ovations.

The clamp-out was attended by over 200 clampers.

Above, The Beast at the clamp-out. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We had to have the clamp-site at the residence of Mr. Dooley (he has about 4-5 acres) after the owner of the original clamp-site pulled the rug from under the chapter at the last minute. Nice guy! A big thank-you to the Dooley family for allowing the chapter to camp on his property.

Above, the chapter's store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Friday night, the chapter served spaghetti for dinner. On Saturday, bacon, eggs and biscuits & gravy were served for breakfast, hamburgers and hot dogs were served for lunch and steaks were served for dinner.

Above, the book I bought at the chapter's store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a button of the first clamper elected President of the United States. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I left early Sunday morning before breakfast, so I don't know what they served. I stopped for breakfast at the Twin Arrows Casino Resort that is east of Flagstaff.

Above, a blacksmithing demonstration at the Cave Creek Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The drive wasn't bad until I got into New Mexico and found gusty wind conditions. At least the temperatures are sufficient for the new paint on my outside deck to dry.

Above, proving I was there, yours truly at the blacksmith shack.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable clamp-out. The next Lost Dutchman clamp-out will be in Kingman, Arizona.

More photos:

Above, a saguaro cactus at the Cave Creek Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a horned lizard bench at the Cave Creek Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the plaque dedication. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the plaque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the other side of the 10-stamp mill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fire Rock Navajo Casino and Route 66

Above, the Fire Rock Navajo Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I had to go into Gallup to do some banking. While on the way there, I passed the Fire Rock Navajo Casino. I decided that after I was done with the bank, I would stop in at the Fire Rock to check it out.

The Fire Rock Navajo Casino is a sister casino to the Twin Arrows Casino Resort in Arizona, a few miles out of Flagstaff. Jess and I stopped in there for breakfast while on the way to Grand Canyon National Park last November.

Above, the main entrance to the Fire Rock Navajo Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Fire Rock Navajo Casino isn't as nice as Twin Arrows, but it doesn't seem to be lacking any business. I didn't take any photos inside even thought I saw no signs banning photography.

Above, a view of the nearby rocks from the casino's parking lot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What I found interesting was that most of the slot machines were penny slot machines. I looked for slot machines of higher denominations but didn't see any. Along with the slot machines, the casino also has craps, roulette and blackjack tables.

Above, the main sign next to historic Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with Cheii's Restaurant, the Fire Rock also has a snack bar. At the snack bar, there is a stand for FREE coffee. Cheii's Restaurant has dinner specials and as soon as the weather warms up, I will try our their steak and lobster dinner special that they serve on Saturdays.

There is also a gift shop of Navajo jewelry and other goods, but they were closed during the time I was there.

Above, three flags fly in front of the casino building. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In front of the casino building, three flags flew: the U.S. flag, the Navajo Nation flag and the flage of the state of New Mexico.

After leaving the Fire Rock, I headed east on the frontage road that was part of historic Route 66. It runs parallel to Interstate 40. I drove old Route 66 through the Navajo Nation until I reached the highway (and I-40 on-ramp) for Fort Wingate. I stopped at the intersection and snapped a few pictures. I was about five miles away from home.

Above, a view of the Navajo Nation from Route 66. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, historic Route 66 and Interstate 40 (right). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I tried out one of the penny slot machines, but limited myself to $5.00. Of the $5.00, I left with $1.85. One would have to be a very bad gambler to go broke playing the penny slots. I was entertained at the slot machine for about a half hour.

Above, yours truly with the Navajo Nation in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For more information on the Red Rock Navajo Casino, go here.

Casino RV Camping

Above, Jess in front of Twin Arrows Casino Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I move to New Mexico, I will have plenty of places in and around the state to take some nice camping trips.

There are state parks nearby with some campgrounds. There are also private RV parks around as well, including ones connected to casinos.

While on the way to Grand Canyon National Park last November, Jess and I stopped for breakfast at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort near Flagstaff, Arizona. They don't have a RV park, but they allow overnighting in a RV-designated parking lot. The food was great, by the way! Their website: http://www.twinarrows.com/.

Since I am moving to the Navajo Nation area of New Mexico, there are Indian casinos that either allow overnight parking or have a RV park with all the amenities.

A couple of which are located along Interstate 40:

Route 66 RV Resort is in the western area of Albuquerque. It is 20 minutes west of downtown Albuquerque off Interstate 40. It looks like a nice place and it is a part of Route 66 Casino Hotel. Their website is: http://rt66rvresort.com/.

Sky City Casino Hotel also has their own RV park. It is a bit closer to Gallup (about 45 minutes west of Albuquerque). It also looks like a nice place. Their website is: http://www.skycity.com/alpha.html.

During my perusal of casinos with RV parks, I came across a website that provides information on casinos with RV parks around the country, not just New Mexico.

It is Casino Camper.

Here's what they say about the site:

This website is operated by an RV'ing couple who have been living and traveling fulltime in a motor home since 2004. While traveling, it's great to have a free or inexpensive place to stop for the night. Many casino's not only allow RV overnight parking, they also encourage RV'ers to spend the night with them. They're hoping you'll also come in for a good meal and try your luck in the casino. Parking overnight in your RV at a casino is a great option. 

This website is free and we strive to provide the most COMPLETE and CURRENT information available on overnight RV parking at casinos. This website is "user supported". Please create a free user account and submit your photos, new and updated casino listings, and reviews of your visit. The more submissions we get, the more accurate the information will be, which helps everyone. Also, please visit our "Sponsors". No purchase is required, but visiting them helps support the operation of this website.

The Casino Camper website is at: http://www.casinocamper.com/

Twin Arrows Casino Resort

Above, Jes in front of the Twin Arrows Casino Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the stops on my recent trip was at the Twin Arrows Casino Resort outside of Flagstaff, Arizona off of Interstate 40. We had left Meteor Crater RV Park and were looking for a place for breakfast.

Along the way, I saw signs for the Twin Arrows Casino Resort and figured they'd have restaurants there. One fun aspect to traveling is trying out new places to eat and visit.

Sure enough, they had several. We chose the only one that served breakfast, Four Elements Cafe. We weren't disappointed in their breakfast. It is an Indian casino resort located in the Navajo Nation.

According to their website:

After opening on Memorial Day Weekend, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort quickly became Northern Arizona’s premier casino resort destination. In fact, We have been named “Best Casino Resort Destination of 2013” by the readers of Experience Arizona Magazine. 

Tucked within a picturesque view of the majestic San Francisco Peaks just east of Flagstaff, Twin Arrows is the centerpiece of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise's properties. 

Here, art and architecture have combined to both embody and showcase the rich history of the Navajo people, while providing an unparalleled casino resort experience.
Twin Arrows provides the very latest in gaming, often debuting new slot machines before they hit other casinos. 

Along with excellent gaming, Twin Arrows is also known for the lavish resort amenities, including luxury guest rooms (available in three configurations), gourmet dining, culturally infused casual dining, a fitness center, heated indoor pool and more than 11,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space.

Above, the main lobby of Twin Arrows Casino Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While waiting 10 minutes to be seated, I wandered into the casino. I noticed that, like Las Vegas, the slot machines don't accept coins, just credit/debit cards or ticket vouchers. It seems odd to me that to play a 25 cent slot machine, one has to use a card or a voucher and no coins. Progress?

Twin Arrows Casino Resort looked fairly new and it had a nice modern appearance.

For more information, go here.