Life in the Desert--can be interesting, fun, sometimes 'quirky'.

 

Lou is getting a little frustrated with living in the trailer!

We decided to splurge a bit for a dinner theater show

The pre-dinner entertainment gave everyone a chance to try some tricks.

The Bridge to Nowhere

Yuma, Arizona

This bridge was built in 1929 (when there was actually water underneath it|)

A dam was built in 1968 that diverted the river.

Rumor has it that it was a prototype for the Golden Gate Bridge.

When you view this 800 ft long suspension bridge in the middle of the desert 

that looks like the Golden Gate Bridge--

you wonder if it's true.

Old Town

nice collections of 'quirky' shops

Well- this one really spoke volumes to us!

The Queen Reigns!

These popular desert flowers thrive on lack of moisture.

I am hoping Lou's new stained glass skills will create one of these beauties.

The RV Park hosted a public awareness program by the 

US Border Patrol.

We got to hear many stories and see how the dogs get trained.  

Colorado River History Museum Yuma AZ

It all started as a military post along the Colorado River in the mid 1800's during the Indian Wars.

Once wild and uncontrollable, the Colorado River is now the most dammed 

and endangered river is the US.  No longer reaching the ocean 

it slows to a trickle at the Mexican border, just 20 miles from Yuma.

Same Location

THEN                                                 NOW

                  1916                                      2013

There was so much water back in 1900's that the river could be a raging, dangerous ocean.  Today it is mostly sand and some vegetation.

Our guide on the tour answered the question "What happened?" 

"People came".

After 1900's  dams were build to prevent flooding and provide consistent water for irrigation.

 Now there are 10 dams between Yuma and the Grand Canyon.

Up until the turn of the century, (1900's) the Colorado River was navigable by paddle steam ships up to the bottom end of the Grand Canyon ( approximately Lake Meade) and Yuma was a major port for supplies is the southwest.

This picture shows the route of the steam ships from San Francisco to Port Isabel to Yuma. 

THE COLORADO RIVER SIPHON

A massive underground pipeline that carries water from California to Arizona under the Colorado River to irrigate the Yuma Valley.

 

           

This massive tunnel had to go 50 feet under the river, and when bedrock was struck, they had to send divers to dynamite the bedrock to get shafts deep enough to install the underwater pipe.

The delivery of water has transformed Yuma into a major agricultural area. Providing 90% of the leafy green vegetables (lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower etc.) in the U.S. during the winter months

On our tour of the Colorado River Historical Museum we were glad to see a bit of colorful bougainvillea in this vast sand pile!

Hula and Fire Dance

at the Pioneer RV Park

The guests did a great job of dressing up for the party.

(Many elegant t-shirts)

Our friend Linda had the best one!

The featured entertainers with Polynesian dances 

Always must have the guy that will wear the coconut bra and dance.

A lively evening

The fire dancers are always great fun to watch.

It's been a good stop in Wellton and Yuma,

now we are on to Desert Hot Springs.

We miss all of you at home.  Would love to hear your comments.

 

Titan Missile Museum and Tucson Rock and Gem Show - 2 of Tucson's main attractions

 TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM

In the Cold War Era, the US put in underground missiles as a deterrent to threats of enemy attacks. They had to be able to survive an attack and still function.

This one could devastate an area of 900 square miles.

There were 18 of these in Tucson area, but now the remaining one is a museum with underground tours.

Once you managed to close this 6000 pound door and got to the control room...

you would be safe from a nuclear attack.

The officer and the deputy each had separate codes to unlock these locks

in case of orders to fire the missile.

(Fortunately that never had to happen!)

Amazing to view this in person.

Viewing from the ground level you can see the entire missile.

Stage 1 Engine

This engine developed 430,000 pounds of thrust, about the same power as

two 747's running at full throttle.

RADAR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

These scoop shaped units projected a motion-sensing Doppler radar beam around sensitive areas of the complex and alerted crew to the presence of intruders.

In the 25 year history of the program intruders were never a serious problem.

TUCSON'S ROCK AND GEM SHOW

Every time we have visited, it is amazing  how immense this show is, and what a variety of unusual things.

At other times we have seen huge bird carvings 

(several feet high)

Lots of gorgeous wood carvings

Lots of "Sound Therapy" bowls 

(break the monotony of so many rocks? ha!)

A whole world of crystals

Many of these globes are 1-2 feet in diameter, some even larger.

There are many vendors like this.

A 'Photo Bomb' lurking around the amethyst?

How's this for "biggest crystal garden couch"?

The slabs in the background are pretty heavy.

( I'm not exactly sure why anyone would want that in their yard)

There are many fossils of plants and fish, 

but this is the largest we have seen.

Clam Chowder anyone?

A cowboy hat or gold necklace out of

Brazilian Golden Grass

The grass is golden in color, only grown in one place in Brazil.

They wet it down, turn it into wonderful objects that are lightweight and gorgeous.

This has been an amazing week enjoying musicals (of various genres) and our attempts at hand-made crafts.

We are looking forward to spending time in the Yuma area 

the next couple of weeks.

As always, we enjoying hearing from you.

Linda and Lou

RV Resort Life - aka "Sumner Camp for Adults"

Voyager is a beautiful park in the desert that has 1500 camper sites and 500 homes that are part of the activities on site.

One of our favorites is the Hot Tub and Spa

Lou is active at the water volleyball 

(3 afternoons a week)

Tricycles are just the thing!

It's been cold here and there are a lot of enclosed golf carts.

SO MANY ACTIVITIES!!!!!

The cooking class for puff pastries was delectable

A great "make it yourself lunch" 

(for only 40.00)

WANT A NEW HOBBY?

LOTS OF THINGS TO TRY

Glass Fusion Class

It is so popular that we may have to try it next year.

( and try our hands at being artistic!)

The Woodworking Class is also so popular

that Lou will have to do it next year.

The shops that they have here are so well equipped 

that you'd never be able to afford all the equipment that is here.

That's why so many people return year after year.

The folks in the stained glass class are busy for Valentines Day.

And Lou is proud of his hummingbird!

And this is my first attempt at silversmithing in many many years!

( I'm guessing we would be able to spend lots of time and money around here!)

MIMBRES, NEW MEXICO

Tanya and Larry live in the "Land of Enchantment".

with the horse and mule 

Tanya enjoys running around in her golf cart with Yoki the dog,

tending the "ponies".

She also enjoys her "She Shed"

or "Zen Den" 

that she pretty much painted and decorated herself.

Then we finished our visit with a little target practice 

( and instruction from Lou)

Its was great to see her and see how much she enjoys being 

"out in the middle of nowhere"

She is really doing quite well after her knee replacement.

We thank you for all your prayers!