Bonita Mesa RV Resort, Yuma, AZ
Sunday, February 18, 2007
We were able to pack up and move the RV to our new location east of Yuma at Bonita Mesa R.V. Resort. We are right near the border of California over the Colorado River. The weather is very comfortable with sunny skies and no jacket. We love the RV park and it is such a change after three days at Pilot Knob RV Resort. The roads are all paved and wide and we are located on a corner lot with extra space for the truck and motorcycle. Can't ask for more than that. The security here is top notch.
Colorado River originates in northern Colorado, north of Grand Lake. The Colorado River is one of the United States' major waterways. Totaling 1,470 mi (2,352 km), the river spans a number of states – Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and California – before emptying into the Gulf of California in Mexico. Until 1921 the river was known as the Grand River and was then renamed at the request of the State of Colorado
Monday, February 19, 2007 Presidents Day.
We had winds last night with gusts that shook the RV. Today the sky is hazy with dust stirred up from the winds. We drove through some neighborhoods around here and there is dust/sand on everything. We went to Fry’s, a great locally-owned grocery store. We feel that every breath you take contains a little dust in it. Dust storms are caused when high winds sweep across unplanned agricultural fields or dry desert terrain, which is all around us.
Ray read a note on the bulletin board to watch out for snakes due to the unusually warm weather. They suggest to watch out whenever we walk near the wall surrounding the park, as snakes like to reside in the cracks between the blocks. It was a “no-brainer” that the walking Mitzy by the wall was not an option. Sometimes in the Southwest, critters that belong outdoors slither, creep or crawl their way into your home, such as spiders, snakes, scorpions and geckos. Some are actually beneficial, so the locals tell me. Regardless, we did not see any in our home. Note: Gila Monsters live here. They are the only venomous lizard in the United States and can grow up to two feet long -- ouch!
Yuma is known as the Winter Lettuce Capital of the World. Everywhere we look around outskirts of Yuma, there is a vision of deep green - a great contrast to the hills of sand dunes everywhere. The fields have everything from corn to strawberries. Although the high yields of lettuce grown in the Yuma area is mind boggling, the winter vegetable crops are just as amazing! Over 90 percent of the country's winter vegetable crops are grown in this area!
We were able to pack up and move the RV to our new location east of Yuma at Bonita Mesa R.V. Resort. We are right near the border of California over the Colorado River. The weather is very comfortable with sunny skies and no jacket. We love the RV park and it is such a change after three days at Pilot Knob RV Resort. The roads are all paved and wide and we are located on a corner lot with extra space for the truck and motorcycle. Can't ask for more than that. The security here is top notch.
Colorado River originates in northern Colorado, north of Grand Lake. The Colorado River is one of the United States' major waterways. Totaling 1,470 mi (2,352 km), the river spans a number of states – Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and California – before emptying into the Gulf of California in Mexico. Until 1921 the river was known as the Grand River and was then renamed at the request of the State of Colorado
Monday, February 19, 2007 Presidents Day.
We had winds last night with gusts that shook the RV. Today the sky is hazy with dust stirred up from the winds. We drove through some neighborhoods around here and there is dust/sand on everything. We went to Fry’s, a great locally-owned grocery store. We feel that every breath you take contains a little dust in it. Dust storms are caused when high winds sweep across unplanned agricultural fields or dry desert terrain, which is all around us.
Ray read a note on the bulletin board to watch out for snakes due to the unusually warm weather. They suggest to watch out whenever we walk near the wall surrounding the park, as snakes like to reside in the cracks between the blocks. It was a “no-brainer” that the walking Mitzy by the wall was not an option. Sometimes in the Southwest, critters that belong outdoors slither, creep or crawl their way into your home, such as spiders, snakes, scorpions and geckos. Some are actually beneficial, so the locals tell me. Regardless, we did not see any in our home. Note: Gila Monsters live here. They are the only venomous lizard in the United States and can grow up to two feet long -- ouch!
Yuma is known as the Winter Lettuce Capital of the World. Everywhere we look around outskirts of Yuma, there is a vision of deep green - a great contrast to the hills of sand dunes everywhere. The fields have everything from corn to strawberries. Although the high yields of lettuce grown in the Yuma area is mind boggling, the winter vegetable crops are just as amazing! Over 90 percent of the country's winter vegetable crops are grown in this area!
Ray's Reflections: Yuma is surrounded by the desert with cactus and tumble weed everywhere. This full-size city was full of surprises. When the wind blows, dust is everywhere. There are huge sand dunes west of town. There is a man-made aqueduct that runs through the north edge of town. This water irrigation is providing rich farm lands stretching for miles and produces every vegetable imaginable and a color of green I’ve never seen. Where the water stops, the desert look begins.
I took the opportunity to ride the bike through most of the farm lands. Also, I rode through the Yuma Proving Grounds and saw what appeared to be tanks and personnel carriers at a distance producing a lot of dust. I accidentally came upon paratroopers training free-falling and then hitting the ground target. As I was snapping photos, this one fellow sailed over the road in my direction and came within feet of my bike when he landed. Immediately I thought I was in trouble, maybe shouldn’t have been there. But after a brief conversation, found out he was an instructor and wanted to get a closer look at the Wing. Said they like cookies… nice guy, younger than our son.
To the east of Yuma is an area called the Foothills. This is a large community of RVs on their own private lot with permanent garages to park their RV in or small homes, or just utility sheds. All of this was very nicely done and not the unruly mess like some mobile home parks.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
We got up super early and were on the nearby road to catch a sunrise but the pictures did not come out good at all. Just not enough contrast from the sand dunes and the sky. We then took a “long” drive out in the desert to see Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. Didn’t see any animals in the wild, and the road up to the “painted desert trail” was entirely too rough and after we had traveled a mile on it, bouncing around a lot, I asked Ray to turn back – wasn’t worth it.
I took the opportunity to ride the bike through most of the farm lands. Also, I rode through the Yuma Proving Grounds and saw what appeared to be tanks and personnel carriers at a distance producing a lot of dust. I accidentally came upon paratroopers training free-falling and then hitting the ground target. As I was snapping photos, this one fellow sailed over the road in my direction and came within feet of my bike when he landed. Immediately I thought I was in trouble, maybe shouldn’t have been there. But after a brief conversation, found out he was an instructor and wanted to get a closer look at the Wing. Said they like cookies… nice guy, younger than our son.
To the east of Yuma is an area called the Foothills. This is a large community of RVs on their own private lot with permanent garages to park their RV in or small homes, or just utility sheds. All of this was very nicely done and not the unruly mess like some mobile home parks.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
We got up super early and were on the nearby road to catch a sunrise but the pictures did not come out good at all. Just not enough contrast from the sand dunes and the sky. We then took a “long” drive out in the desert to see Imperial National Wildlife Refuge. Didn’t see any animals in the wild, and the road up to the “painted desert trail” was entirely too rough and after we had traveled a mile on it, bouncing around a lot, I asked Ray to turn back – wasn’t worth it.
We passed right through the US Army Yuma Proving Ground (USAYPG) which is a general-purpose desert environmental test facility. They trained the soldiers here for Iraq and Desert Storm due to the same terrain.
YPG is located 26 miles north of Yuma, Arizona on U.S. Hwy 95. This installation covers nearly 1,400 square miles and offers climate and terrain similar to major desert areas worldwide. YPG is primarily involved in developmental and operational test of artillery weapons and ammunition, aircraft armament systems, mobility equipment, and air delivery systems. Modern military equipment testing in Yuma can be traced back to 1943.
We also saw about 15 paratroopers coming down after they were dropped from planes for training purposes. It was so quiet, the only sound was their chute as it rustled in the breeze before they gracefully made their landing.
We passed thousands of acres of sand, rock, sage brush, some cactus, with rugged hills and mountains in the background. Of course, any green trees are usually seen on the shores of the Colorado River. We also saw beautiful farms with lush green vegetables being harvested in the valley.
We were 60+ miles to Quartzite, famous for the BMP land mass where RVers can stay if they want to Dry Camp without a fee. We had heard many RVers talk about how great a visit to Quartzite would be. It was a very boring drive and seemed like it took forever to get there. We saw thousands of them (RVs), not all close together, but spread out quite a bit. The major influx was two weeks ago, and the vendors in the town were fewer because the “season” is over now and they have moved on. Thankfully Quartzite had a McDonald’s and Subway. It was way past lunch time and we were hungry. At least we will know when someone asks us if we have been to Quartzite, we can say yes, and know we don’t ever have to go there again. Upon our return, it was a nice change to sit outside, read a book, relax, and get some Arizona sun which is not like Florida (no humidity) it was very comfortable.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Took a walk around the park to take some pictures and saw a beautiful hummingbird trying to get nectar out of the cactus blossoms that are opening up. Nice sunny day again and moderate temps.
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AZ - Yuma / 2/18-26/07
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