(#2 on the map.) My theme the first two days was "We've got plenty of time!" I intended to stop at every intriguing place that I usually whip by on my way to dog agility events. First up, an hour into the trip: Romero Visitor Center at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Luis_Reservoir">San Luis Reservoir</a>, which is 9 miles long and 5 miles wide and very hard to miss as you skirt its shores along highway 152. http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8323InsideVan/300834285_nULuz-Ti.jpg http://elf1.smugmug.com/gallery/5013832_5UL6V/ 2008-05-24T14:42:05Z Copyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. SmugMug <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Everything we could possibly need for 7 days in the back of the minivan. Nothing is higher than the windows. We're good to go!</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300834285_nULuz" title="Everything we could possibly need for 7 days in the back of the minivan. Nothing is higher than the windows. We're good to go!"><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8323InsideVan/300834285_nULuz-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Everything we could possibly need for 7 days in the back of the minivan. Nothing is higher than the windows. We're good to go!" title="Everything we could possibly need for 7 days in the back of the minivan. Nothing is higher than the windows. We're good to go!" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:15Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8323InsideVan/300834285_nULuz-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:07:42 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />When we arrive, it's an amazing coincidence that these five Corvettes all arrived at this otherwise unvisited spot at the same time and all parked together. Compare and contrast to our mini ...</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300836461_oPTaS" title="When we arrive, it's an amazing coincidence that these five Corvettes all arrived at this otherwise unvisited spot at the same time and all parked together. Compare and contrast to our mini ..."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8300CorvettesSanluis/300836461_oPTaS-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="When we arrive, it's an amazing coincidence that these five Corvettes all arrived at this otherwise unvisited spot at the same time and all parked together. Compare and contrast to our mini ..." title="When we arrive, it's an amazing coincidence that these five Corvettes all arrived at this otherwise unvisited spot at the same time and all parked together. Compare and contrast to our mini ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:15Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8300CorvettesSanluis/300836461_oPTaS-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:31:42 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Romero Visitor Center with a warning from the local rattlesnakes union to Don't Tread On Me.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300836236_jxWtT" title="Romero Visitor Center with a warning from the local rattlesnakes union to Don't Tread On Me."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8301RattlesnakeSignSanLuis/300836236_jxWtT-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Romero Visitor Center with a warning from the local rattlesnakes union to Don't Tread On Me." title="Romero Visitor Center with a warning from the local rattlesnakes union to Don't Tread On Me." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:15Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8301RattlesnakeSignSanLuis/300836236_jxWtT-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:32:22 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Information about the construction of the dam, which is the fourth largest embankment dam in the U.S. of A.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300836718_7Crj7" title="Information about the construction of the dam, which is the fourth largest embankment dam in the U.S. of A."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8303SanLuisDamInfo/300836718_7Crj7-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Information about the construction of the dam, which is the fourth largest embankment dam in the U.S. of A." title="Information about the construction of the dam, which is the fourth largest embankment dam in the U.S. of A." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:15Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8303SanLuisDamInfo/300836718_7Crj7-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:37:45 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />More nifty informational tidbits. The visitor center had lots of informational tidbits and a recording of President John F. Kennedy's dedication speech for the dam's groundbreaking, indicati ...</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300836815_5MJR6" title="More nifty informational tidbits. The visitor center had lots of informational tidbits and a recording of President John F. Kennedy's dedication speech for the dam's groundbreaking, indicati ..."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8305SanLuisDamInfo2crfx/300836815_5MJR6-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="More nifty informational tidbits. The visitor center had lots of informational tidbits and a recording of President John F. Kennedy's dedication speech for the dam's groundbreaking, indicati ..." title="More nifty informational tidbits. The visitor center had lots of informational tidbits and a recording of President John F. Kennedy's dedication speech for the dam's groundbreaking, indicati ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8305SanLuisDamInfo2crfx/300836815_5MJR6-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:39:16 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />This giant hamburger just begged to be played with. The pieces were each large enough to serve as chair cushions, if you don't mind sitting on a sesame seed bun.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300836577_Mvy3H" title="This giant hamburger just begged to be played with. The pieces were each large enough to serve as chair cushions, if you don't mind sitting on a sesame seed bun."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8306GiantHamburger/300836577_Mvy3H-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="This giant hamburger just begged to be played with. The pieces were each large enough to serve as chair cushions, if you don't mind sitting on a sesame seed bun." title="This giant hamburger just begged to be played with. The pieces were each large enough to serve as chair cushions, if you don't mind sitting on a sesame seed bun." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8306GiantHamburger/300836577_Mvy3H-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:40:03 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Oooh, neato, each piece shows how much water it takes to produce that part of this American Memorial Weekend Favorite Fine Dining Entree.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300836078_TYPbr" title="Oooh, neato, each piece shows how much water it takes to produce that part of this American Memorial Weekend Favorite Fine Dining Entree."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8307BurgerWaterUseBun/300836078_TYPbr-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Oooh, neato, each piece shows how much water it takes to produce that part of this American Memorial Weekend Favorite Fine Dining Entree." title="Oooh, neato, each piece shows how much water it takes to produce that part of this American Memorial Weekend Favorite Fine Dining Entree." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8307BurgerWaterUseBun/300836078_TYPbr-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:40:21 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Compare and contrast the water usage of an all-beef patty with non-artery-clogging elements such as lettuces and tomatoes.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300835703_AHsx5" title="Compare and contrast the water usage of an all-beef patty with non-artery-clogging elements such as lettuces and tomatoes."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8308BurgerWaterUseMeat/300835703_AHsx5-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Compare and contrast the water usage of an all-beef patty with non-artery-clogging elements such as lettuces and tomatoes." title="Compare and contrast the water usage of an all-beef patty with non-artery-clogging elements such as lettuces and tomatoes." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8308BurgerWaterUseMeat/300835703_AHsx5-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:40:57 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Tomato slice: 3 gallons of water. That's one wet tomato slice!</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300835835_m4fbJ" title="Tomato slice: 3 gallons of water. That's one wet tomato slice!"><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8309BurgerWaterUseTomato/300835835_m4fbJ-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Tomato slice: 3 gallons of water. That's one wet tomato slice!" title="Tomato slice: 3 gallons of water. That's one wet tomato slice!" style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8309BurgerWaterUseTomato/300835835_m4fbJ-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:41:14 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Many nifty safety signs aimed at the younger set, like this one about how the sides of the California aqueduct, which steals (I mean reclaims) water from the Sacramento River delta for south ...</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300835945_cwj9m" title="Many nifty safety signs aimed at the younger set, like this one about how the sides of the California aqueduct, which steals (I mean reclaims) water from the Sacramento River delta for south ..."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8310AqueductSlippery/300835945_cwj9m-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="Many nifty safety signs aimed at the younger set, like this one about how the sides of the California aqueduct, which steals (I mean reclaims) water from the Sacramento River delta for south ..." title="Many nifty safety signs aimed at the younger set, like this one about how the sides of the California aqueduct, which steals (I mean reclaims) water from the Sacramento River delta for south ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8310AqueductSlippery/300835945_cwj9m-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 10:43:46 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Linda checks out the reservoir.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300835508_AqxaH" title="Linda checks out the reservoir."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8312LindaCViewDam/300835508_AqxaH-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Linda checks out the reservoir." title="Linda checks out the reservoir." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8312LindaCViewDam/300835508_AqxaH-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:01:13 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />A view across the reservoir to the southeast. Vegetation is already very dry this season; could make for an even worse fire year than before. The water looks so peaceful now. Hard to imagine ...</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300834158_aif2p" title="A view across the reservoir to the southeast. Vegetation is already very dry this season; could make for an even worse fire year than before. The water looks so peaceful now. Hard to imagine ..."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8319SanLuisResPlantsst/300834158_aif2p-Th.jpg" width="96" height="150" alt="A view across the reservoir to the southeast. Vegetation is already very dry this season; could make for an even worse fire year than before. The water looks so peaceful now. Hard to imagine ..." title="A view across the reservoir to the southeast. Vegetation is already very dry this season; could make for an even worse fire year than before. The water looks so peaceful now. Hard to imagine ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:19:05Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8319SanLuisResPlantsst/300834158_aif2p-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:05:08 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />Wayyyyyyy down there, those two dots are people hanging out on the so-called beach. This is not the sort of place I'd choose to go beaching. But when it's really hot (it is) and you're desp ...</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300835336_HXEKz" title="Wayyyyyyy down there, those two dots are people hanging out on the so-called beach. This is not the sort of place I'd choose to go beaching. But when it's really hot (it is) and you're desp ..."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8314SanLuisResBeach/300835336_HXEKz-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="Wayyyyyyy down there, those two dots are people hanging out on the so-called beach. This is not the sort of place I'd choose to go beaching. But when it's really hot (it is) and you're desp ..." title="Wayyyyyyy down there, those two dots are people hanging out on the so-called beach. This is not the sort of place I'd choose to go beaching. But when it's really hot (it is) and you're desp ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:19:59Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8314SanLuisResBeach/300835336_HXEKz-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:02:05 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />It's only May and the water level is already low.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300835100_rCB5v" title="It's only May and the water level is already low."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8315SanLuisResLow/300835100_rCB5v-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="It's only May and the water level is already low." title="It's only May and the water level is already low." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8315SanLuisResLow/300835100_rCB5v-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:02:18 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />There is no stream feeding this reservoir. Water is pumped in from the aqueduct at night when power costs are lower, and let out during the day to generate more power.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300834880_aZ8hW" title="There is no stream feeding this reservoir. Water is pumped in from the aqueduct at night when power costs are lower, and let out during the day to generate more power."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8316SanLuisDamLow/300834880_aZ8hW-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="There is no stream feeding this reservoir. Water is pumped in from the aqueduct at night when power costs are lower, and let out during the day to generate more power." title="There is no stream feeding this reservoir. Water is pumped in from the aqueduct at night when power costs are lower, and let out during the day to generate more power." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8316SanLuisDamLow/300834880_aZ8hW-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:02:53 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />The back side of the dam. At the visitor center, we learn several nifty new words: penstock. stator. trashrack. And not so new but still just a fun word to say out loud: riprap.</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300834648_DBHEZ" title="The back side of the dam. At the visitor center, we learn several nifty new words: penstock. stator. trashrack. And not so new but still just a fun word to say out loud: riprap."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8317SanLuisDam/300834648_DBHEZ-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The back side of the dam. At the visitor center, we learn several nifty new words: penstock. stator. trashrack. And not so new but still just a fun word to say out loud: riprap." title="The back side of the dam. At the visitor center, we learn several nifty new words: penstock. stator. trashrack. And not so new but still just a fun word to say out loud: riprap." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:17:16Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8317SanLuisDam/300834648_DBHEZ-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:04:17 <p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com">elf1</a><br />The empty parking lot. This stuff is cool! And nifty! Why don't more people stop? Oh, right--they're on their way to a dog agility event. Linda (right) roams back to our van (in the shade b ...</p><p><a href="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/5013832_5UL6V#300834466_muDmA" title="The empty parking lot. This stuff is cool! And nifty! Why don't more people stop? Oh, right--they're on their way to a dog agility event. Linda (right) roams back to our van (in the shade b ..."><img src="http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8321SanLuisResParkingEmptyL/300834466_muDmA-Th.jpg" width="150" height="100" alt="The empty parking lot. This stuff is cool! And nifty! Why don't more people stop? Oh, right--they're on their way to a dog agility event. Linda (right) roams back to our van (in the shade b ..." title="The empty parking lot. This stuff is cool! And nifty! Why don't more people stop? Oh, right--they're on their way to a dog agility event. Linda (right) roams back to our van (in the shade b ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2008-05-25T01:20:42Z elf1 http://elf1.smugmug.com http://elf1.smugmug.com/Vacation/Havasu-Falls-Grand-Canyon-May/Day-1A-Romero-Visitor-Center/IMG8321SanLuisResParkingEmptyL/300834466_muDmA-Th.jpg 2008-05-17 11:06:42