Off the Beaten Path

Lake Havasu  –  The Lake the City  By Francesca Maria         I lived in Lake Havasu City Arizona off and on totaling about 11 years of my adult life. There is an old saying in Lake Havasu that’s says, “You can check out, but you can never leave” Taken from the famous Eagles song “Hotel California” and I have to agree that it is 100% true! Once you get a taste of Lake Havasu, you will always find your way back again. Lake Havasu City is in western Arizona and the lake is fed by the Colorado River which divides Arizona from California. It’s known as a base for amazing hiking trails such as Sarah’s Crack and many others all around the lake. There are all types of water sports on Lake Havasu, from boating, jet-skiing, water-skiing, fishing as well as every other activity you can imagine related to water.          The authentic London Bridge, was relocated from England, by one man named Robert McCulloch, who purchased ...

 By Francesca Maria For those who have a liking for an adrenaline rush or cliff jumping, Nelson’s Landing might be the perfect experience you are seeking. Believe it or not – it’s family friendly. There are no sharp rocks below the cliffs, so you don’t have to worry about hitting anything. There are cliffs of different heights, so even young children who know how to swim, or who have a life vest on and are accompanied by an adult, can have a good time jumping off of the smaller cliffs. For those who really like to have a long jump it’s only a short walk out to the higher cliffs. There are coves all around and shallow swimming areas that are shaded by the high rocks. This location is really “Off the Beaten Path.” Most people do not even know about these cliffs, but once you make the drive or boating trip out there you will want to go back. HOW TO GET THERE BY WATER: Nelson’s Landing is on the Nevada side of Lake Mohave, about 16 miles north of Cottonwood Cove by water if yo...

By Francesca Maria Hello Las Vegas High Rise Life Vegas fans!  I always look forward to writing my column “Off the Beaten Path” because I love to share the experiences of escaping the city for a getaway. This month I wanted to talk about the Grand Canyon, however, I cannot cover everything about the Grand Canyon into this one section, so I decided to write about the South because the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most visited rim at the Grand Canyon. It’s open year round and has hotel and lodging options both inside the Canyon as well as in nearby towns. For most South Rim visitors, one day is enough to take pictures, walk around the rim and even take a helicopter tour or bus tour. If this sounds like your plan, consider staying in a nearby town like Williams, Flagstaff or even Sedona. These places offer more hotel, dining and entertainment options than in or near the Grand Canyon, and will enhance your experience of the Great Southwest. However, if you’re plannin...