Colorado River great for a spring visit

Springtime arrives early in Nevada's southern tip along the Colorado River, showing up first as greenery and scattered wildflowers along roadsides and on south-facing slopes. Enjoy the season's advance along highways paralleling the river in Nevada and Arizona. These routes offer access to adventure and beautiful desert and river scenery within easy reach of Las Vegas.

Follow U.S. 95 south from Las Vegas to the junction with Highway 163, the Laughlin Highway. Head east through a scenic mountain pass toward Laughlin, which lies on the river 90 miles from Las Vegas.

To follow the river south from the resort community, turn right on Casino Drive and cruise past the hotels and casinos that make Laughlin a destination. This route joins the Needles Highway near Big Bend of the River State Recreation Area, one of Nevada's newest parks. You could also choose to bypass Laughlin by turning on the Needles Highway before you reach the river.

Follow the Needles Highway a few miles until you reach the Aha Macav Parkway. Turn there to get closer to the river near the Avi Resort on the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation about 11 miles from Laughlin. One of the newest tourist destinations along the Colorado River, the Avi invites a stop, if only for a break on your drive in one of the casino hotel's six restaurants.

The tribal resort boasts 455 rooms and suites and a bright casino with lounge entertainment. Facilities include a multiplex theater, golf course, swimming pool, conference facilities and RV park For information, call the resort at 535-5555 or visit the resort's Web site at avicasino.com. For room reservations call (800) 284-2946.

The resort sponsors many special events during the year, including the colorful 14th annual tribal powwow on Feb. 23-24. Call the resort for details of the powwow and other events at (866) 463-6284. This cultural event features traditional music and dances performed by costumed dancers. The powwow will take place at the Mojave Crossing Event Center in Fort Mojave, Ariz., just across the river, accessed from the Avi by a highway bridge.

If you cross the river at the reservation, continue your exploratory drive by heading east on Aztec Road a couple of miles. Turn north on Arizona Highway 95, the Mojave Valley Road, to parallel the river for about 10 miles to Bullhead City, Ariz. You can cross back into Nevada at the highway bridge between Bullhead City and Laughlin.

If time allows, return to the Needles Highway by heading west for two miles from the Avi Resort. Follow the Needles Highway south across the California-Nevada state line to continue paralleling the river. In California the road changes names. River Road takes you over and under Interstate 40 to reach Needles, Calif., about 10 miles south of the junction. You can cross the river in Needles on Harbor Avenue. On the Arizona side, turn on the Mojave Valley Road, a straight shot north for 19 miles to Bullhead City.

In Bullhead City, the Colorado River Museum preserves regional historical artifacts and interprets the past, including Indian lore and frontier mining. The museum remains open most of the year Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Along the highways on both sides of the river, side roads provide river access to numerous marinas, public and private parks, golf courses, housing subdivisions and mobile home developments.

The river and associated marshes draw boaters, canoeists, kayakers, fishermen, campers, birders and others seeking fun in the outdoors. Because of its long autumns, mile winters and early springs, the area remains immensely popular with winter-weary snowbirds from colder climates across the country.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.