By A. Jim Giametta
Special to the Tyler Courier-Times--Telegraph
LAUGHLIN, Nev. – Horace Greeley once penned, “Go West, young man, and grow with this country,” and his words babble from most people’s lips as the often-quoted newspaperman’s slogan refers to venturing into the unpopulated vistas of a then expanding western United States.
However, Greeley himself would have been surprised that traveling south while going west has its own explorative ventures -- especially when a mighty river system and a modern high-speed river jaunt are involved.
Such is the experience when thrill-seeking tourists climb aboard a jet-powered boat excursion propelling 58-miles down the Colorado River for a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind view of gorges, rock outcroppings, canyon walls, and just plain spectacular water’s edge scenery.
This vista-filled water craft journey makes up the London Bridge Jet Boat venue from Laughlin, NV. to Lake Havasu’s London Bridge – an authentic stone-cobbled structure that once spanned the Thames River in the United Kingdom.
As the sleek, specifically designed aluminum craft skims across pristine shallow and sometimes extremely deep emerald-colored waters at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, the clouds overhead reflect eye-catching images on the shimmering river’s mirror slick surface while cacti-covered, irregular rock formations kiss the sky above, and leave interesting reflections at the water’s sheer rock banks and shoreline
In fact, the sights tourists view along the sometimes narrowing river are only given up to those willing to traverse the artery by watercraft.
Along the way the river touches three states – Arizona, Nevada and California including a brush with the Mojave Dessert and passes by ancient holy grounds important to the Indian tribes that drew life from the river.
The Colorado River system flows 1,400 miles starting up in the Rocky Mountains and flowing southward to Mexico’s Sea Of Cortez. Besides being the lifeblood of many states along its path, the river’s modern day role is to provide water, but more importantly, produce hydro electricity from the more than eight dams along its route starting in the Grand Canyon.
On the journey, a passenger may see Old Fort Mohave -- the U.S. Army Calvary outpost and the crossing point to the west mentioned in Greeley’s writings. The fort is barely visible and almost forgotten except for those watercraft enthusiasts who are told that’s where the settlers crossed heading for new beginnings.
When river traffic is not heavy, the boat operator pulls the boat next to several sacred petroglyphs that have been discovered at river’s edge. Although, the land is off limits to visitors, certain permission can be attained for those wanting to backpack into the region but it’s a very hard-to-get permit.
The six-hour river adventure allows for the four hour round trip boat ride, and two hours to enjoy historic London Bridge, the featured attraction spanning beautiful Lake Havasu’s giant recreational park and several specialty shops.
There’s time to sample the local restaurant fare and do some light shopping before heading back to Laughlin. If visitors are so inclined, they can walk across the bridge to Arizona where there is a visitor’s center featuring several English Gargoyles that appoint a specially designed fountain – the centerpiece of the English square tourist information center.
If you are wondering how the London Bridge made its way to America. The answer is simply, Robert McCulloch of the famed chainsaw brand thought it would be nice to develop Lake Havasu with a planned housing development. He needed a spectacular item to anchor his development ideas, so he bought the bridge from the City of London who was going to have it torn down.
McCulloch placed a $2.4 million bid on the bridge and won. Instead of London Bridge falling down to the wrecking ball, a team of stone masons were dispatched to London to carefully dismantle the bridge; numbering each stone in the historic bridge’s span that had survived constant bombardment by enemy invaders.
The stones were crated and sailed to Long Beach, CA, to be reconstructed in the near dessert environment on the Arizona and California borders. The bridge in the desert attracts thousands of visitors each year. Total project cost was around $7 million, and the bridge was dedicated in 1971.
The jet boat excursion operates one trip seven days a week March through November except holiday weekends. However, a second boat is available for groups. Fares are adults $66 with seniors getting a $6 discount per ticket.
Children 12 and under tickets are $46. There are no sales taxes on any class ticket.
The boat trip begins at three Laughlin sites – the Edgewater Casino, Harrah’s Casino and Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall piers along the river. Water taxis to the pickup points are available from most hotel locations along the river.
Reservations are highly recommended and tickets can be purchased at three locations in Laughlin along the river.