Lake Havasu site for new upscale resort

There's more to Arizona's Lake Havasu City than the London Bridge. Jerry Aldridge wants motorcoach owners think of the city as their own resort. Aldridge, who founded RV rescue service Coach Net, is banking on his latest RV invention: The Refuge Luxury Motorcoach Resort.

Tucked in between Lake Havasu City's north end and a national wildlife refuge, the new resort sits proudly on the grounds of The Refuge Golf & Country Club. Yes, this is an 18-hole course with some of the greenest grass in the area. The resort intends to capitalize on the "country club" theme and bring in high-end motorcoach owners to populate the planned 107 site resort.

The golf course is in place, and added to it the pool, fitness center, pro shop, spa rooms, restaurant, lounge, piano bar, Et Cetera. You get the picture. The physical trappings are in place, the less physical will come when the resort opens this fall. Imagine high-brow resort goings-on: Wine tastings, golf tournaments and clinics, casino tours, dances. Add the more common RV park dos: Crafting, karaoke, game nights.

While a few months remain before the opening, Aldridge is counting on winter visitors to come and get the feel of his new venture. "Motorcoach owners who enjoy golf and the country club lifestyle are invited to come now to tour the facility, play a round of golf using our Member-for-a-Day package and preview the Club's amenities," says a company news release.

Check it out on the web at refugecountryclub.com or call (928) 754-1404.

Lake Havasu City steps up to plate to keep park open

One of Arizona's most visited state parks, Lake Havasu's Windsor Beach, is on the state's budgetary chopping block. When state officials threatened to close down the park for lack of funding, 'City Fathers' have stepped into the gap.

Charlie Cassens, Lake Havasu City's interim city manager is quoted in the Arizona Republic, "We're ready to do whatever's necessary to keep Lake Havasu State Park open for our residents and our visitors," he said. "That is a vital and integral part of this community's economy." State officials will meet this Thursday to deliberate whether or not to turn control of the popular park over to the city. With nearly 250,000 visitors a year, a closure would certainly mean a hit on tourism revenues.

Other Arizona municipalities have already been helping out the state, some contributing funds to assist with park operating costs, others loaning equipment or working to organize volunteer labor pools for park maintenance.

photo courtesy Arizona State Parks

Free RV camping near Lake Havasu City

With plenty of beautiful water for recreation and a warm winter climate, it's no wonder that Arizona's Lake Havasu City is so popular with the RV set. There are state parks and RV resorts a'plenty in the area--of course, all come with a price. If you're looking for a free place to park the rig, don't miss out on the Craggy Wash campground, just north the the city airport, courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management.

Craggy Wash is probably best described as that: Craggy. It's a rough and tumble environment, just perfect for a bit of four-wheeling, and plenty of area to boondock with your RV. If you're not familiar with the boondocking concept, it calls for self-containment. There are no hookups at Craggy Wash, no places to dump your garbage or your holding tanks. It's strictly a "come prepared," and "pack it in, pack it out" ethic at rule.

Some old timers lament that the BLM has changed the camping layout. Rather than finding a place to stay up close to Highway 95, you'll now have to drive back from the highway just about a mile before you shake off the "No Camping" signs that the agency recently posted. The first camp area is in a large flat, surrounded by rocky pinnacles, and inhabited by dozens of RVs of every shape and description. If having too much company, too close gives you claustrophobia, fear not. Just keep driving past the flat, and within a quarter to a half mile, the traffic drops off dramatically and you'll find plenty of little out-of-the-way places you can put in and find peace and quiet.