NM To San Diego: Part 3 (Lake Havasu Boondocking and Fireworks)

After leaving El Dorado Hot Springs, we headed for Vicksburg and up highway 72 and 95 to Parker, AZ. It was raining and we did worry about getting caught in a flash flood.  I drove a little faster than I normally would. We enjoyed the desert terrain along the drive. Our goal was to get to the Arizona State Trust land across from the SARA park at Lake Havasu.

We were going to boondock on State trust land and watch the 28th Annual Western Winter Blast Pyrotechnics Show that occurs on President's Day weekend.

We were hungry before finding our boondocking spot and went into Lake Havasu City and found a Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant for a nice lunch. Havasu City is a pain-in-the-ass to navigate as the downtown core roads are poorly laid out.

We also took a drive across the London Bridge to check out the island and view the little lighthouses along the shore.

The annual fireworks show is put on each year by the Western Pyrotechnic Association. The idea is that the association can show off this year's cool fireworks to potential buyers and Lake Havasu City get's an awesome show for their tourists.

During this weekend, the state land across from the Lake Havasu City SARA park is filled with boondockers there to view the great fireworks show.  It's just slightly tricky to get off the highway and on to the trust land. There is a big bump to get over, but not too bad and a lot of huge fifth- wheels are able to do it without much trouble, if they entered slowly.

We found a nice spot up on a hill.  We had to use leveling blocks to get level. We got out our chairs and portable fire pit, pulled out some snacks and waited for the show to start. The fireworks started late as there was a fuel spill at the SARA Park. All the firefighters there to monitor the fireworks show had to deal with the spill instead, so the show was delayed by an hour. All the boondockers were getting anxious, wondering what was going on.

We got a nice hike in all around the area before the show and dinner. Finally, the firework show began.  It was a great show. There are always some new fireworks that haven't been seen before. The best one this year were a group of super high flying fireworks that exploded in the clouds (it was drizzly and cloudy that night). These explosions and colors looked so cool up among the clouds.

A surprising part of Lake Havasu

Crossing the London Bridge at Lake Havasu 

Boondockers across from the SARA Park

The coolest super high flying fireworks!!!!

Our spot on the State Trust land.

Enjoying our portable propane fire pit and some snacks before the fireworks.

Waiting for the fireworks

A few ATVs were scooting around with cools LED lights on their vehicles. It's kinda of a burningman-esk party.

Fireworks!!

Some of our favorites.

To stay on the state trust land, there is a $20 permit that must be purchased and displayed in your vehicle. (On this weekend, I doubt many people had a permit. The permit is good for a year of state trust land visits, so it's a good deal if you use Arizona state trust land a lot.)

This was the second year I got to see this fireworks show. It was great both years.

Next up: Headed to Anza-Borrego.

http://www.golakehavasu.com/events/details/1584/28th-annual-western-winter-blast-pyrotechnics-show/