Greeting more heat in Lake Havasu: Our WorldMark Havasu Dunes Adventure!
After a whirlwind 150-mile dash from the dazzling Las Vegas, we pulled into Lake Havasu City, Arizona The welcome committee? A scorching 108 degrees Fahrenheit! Clearly, Lake Havasu believes in making a grand, fiery first impression.
Our oasis in this desert inferno was the WorldMark Havasu Dunes.
We stayed in a 1-bedroom accessible condo. It was our home for two nights. Our humble abode lacked an in-unit washer, dryer, or dishwasher. It proved once and for all that sometimes, even on vacation, you still have to do some work. However, it more than made up for it with comfort. The walk-in shower with a built-in bench was a godsend. It was perfect after a day of feeling like a rotisserie chicken. The grab bars by the toilet assured me that gravity wouldn’t win. They provided me with the comfort of safety from falling down.
A huge shout-out to the unsung heroes of our stay: the air conditioner and ceiling fans! They battled the triple-digit heat like valiant knights, keeping our condo as comfortable as a polar bear’s picnic. And fear not, fellow laundry-phobes! WorldMark thoughtfully provided free laundry machines (and even detergent!) at the registration building, along with a handy laundry basket. Because who wants to schlep their sweaty socks across the resort without proper containment?
Our first mission? A pilgrimage to the local Walmart, just a short 9-mile drive away. Here, we stocked up on essential provisions: groceries (because even explorers need fuel), “cheap booze” (because priorities, right?), USB-powered Roku sticks (for our essential on-the-go entertainment needs), and new tennis shoes for Leesa for those times when flip-flops aren’t enough!
The London Bridge: Not Falling Down, Just Relocated!
Next up, we ventured to Lake Havasu’s most famous resident – the London Bridge. Yes, you read that right. We actually drove across it and cruised around the island it now calls home. Prepare yourselves for a history lesson, courtesy of our trusty sidekick, Gemini AI, because this bridge’s journey is wilder than a camel in a conga line:
The London Bridge once graced the River Thames in jolly old England. By the 1960s, it was “literally sinking.” It was basically like the Titanic of bridges. However, instead of icebergs, it faced the sheer weight of progress. Presumably, it also battled a few too many double-decker buses. So, London decided to offload their leaky landmark.
Enter Robert P. McCulloch, the visionary (or perhaps slightly mad) founder of Lake Havasu City. He was searching for a way to put his desert dream on the map. His real estate agent, Robert Plumer, had a stroke of genius: “Hey, that old bridge is for sale!” McCulloch, clearly a man who thought big. Maybe he just had a lot of spare cash. He snagged it in 1968 for a cool £1.02 million. (Rumor suggests he thought he was buying the fancier Tower Bridge. Let’s just say he probably got a good deal on the one he did buy).
Then came the grand transatlantic adventure! Over 10,000 granite blocks were meticulously numbered and dismantled. They collectively weigh a staggering 22 million pounds (that’s like 11,000 small elephants, for perspective). These blocks were shipped across the ocean, through the Panama Canal, and finally trucked to the Arizona desert. Imagine the trucking company’s bill!
Reconstruction began in 1968, and by 1971, the “new” London Bridge was officially dedicated. They even dug a mile-long channel underneath it, turning what was once a peninsula into an island. If you’re ever feeling down, think of the London Bridge. It made a comeback in the Arizona desert. You can make a comeback too!
Lake Havasu’s Lighthouse Extravaganza: Guiding Lights in the Desert!
After our bridge encounter, we discovered another of Lake Havasu’s delightful quirks: its collection of scaled-down replica lighthouses! We snapped some fantastic pics of the ones gracing the island. We learned that they are all charming miniatures of Great Lakes lighthouses. And if you’re ever out on the water, pay attention. The west side of the lake boasts Pacific Coast replicas with green beacons. The east side proudly displays Atlantic Coast replicas with red beacons. It’s like a geographical light show!
Our trusted AI, Gemini, enlightened us further on this fascinating project. Apparently, Lake Havasu, despite being landlocked, had a bit of a night boating problem. In the late 1990s, concerned citizens formed a group. This group was the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club. They decided to light up the night. But instead of boring, utilitarian lights, they thought, “Let’s build lighthouses!” And not just any lighthouses – adorable, functional replicas of famous ones from all over North America.
This whole endeavor is a pure labor of love, entirely volunteer-driven and funded by donations. Since 2000, they’ve built a whopping 28 (and counting!) lighthouses. It’s a testament to community spirit. It is a truly unique way to make boating safer. It adds a charming touch to the landscape. Who knew navigational safety could be so darn cute?
Barley Brothers Brewery: A Hoppy End to Our Day
To cap off our day of desert discoveries, we headed straight for Barley Brothers Brewery. It is conveniently located right next to the London Bridge. We indulged in a flight of six house beers, a decadent fondue with bread, broccoli, and apple slices (because balance!), and a delicious pizza.
My personal favorite from the flight was the Trippleberry Wheat, which was so good we promptly ordered a full pint. The service? Absolutely amazing! We casually asked our waitress if they had any brewery stickers. Our fantastic waitress, without hesitation, brought us four. They were completely free! Take that, other breweries who charged us $1 or $2 for a simple sticker! Barley Brothers, you’ve won our hearts (and our sticker collection).
Tomorrow, we’re heading to the red rocks of Sedona. We’ll take one last photo of the distinctive black and white candy-striped lighthouse. This will be on our way out of town. Lake Havasu City, you’ve been a delightful, surprisingly cool, and unexpectedly charming stop on our Arizona adventure!
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