Yuma, AZ - Dec 2, 2008 - Jan 8, 2009
On December 2nd we arrived at Cocopah RV and Golf Resort in the northwest corner of Yuma. We planned to spend two months in Yuma, but for reasons not easily explained we decided Yuma wasn't for us, and left in early January. Cocopah is a large RV/park model resort located on the Quechan Indian Reservation, a stone's throw from California, less than two miles from Baja and about 15 miles from Sonora, Mexico. The Colorado River and verdant fields of red and green lettuce, celery and broccoli border the park.
As the name indicates, the park is located on a lovely if narrow golf course. Our site was on the second fairway. The park staff assured us the screens set up to protect our motorhome would be all that we needed to avoid the rare golf ball that might come our way. After three golf balls (in three days) evaded the protective screens and hit our home, we decided to relocate away from the golf course. Although our second location didn't have a view of the fairway, it was considerably larger and we didn't have to dodge golf balls getting to the car.
After our ricocheting golf ball experience, we decided the course was too narrow for us to play without taking out liability insurance. As an alternative, we tried to hone our skills in the billiard room. 'Tried' being the operative word (we stink at the game).
Our stay in Yuma involved a few changes to our home. We had considered getting a reverse osmosis water system installed on the Beast for several months. It took just a few days of Yuma's water to convince us to take the leap to clean, clear water. We contacted the folks at the RV Water Filter Store and arranged for an installation. Although it is an expensive proposition, after using the system for a couple of months we've determined it is well worth the investment.
Our second big change was reupholstering the dining room chairs and decorative pillows - twice. Our dining room serves as an office as well as an eating area; consequently the chairs were showing the dual-use strain. We went to Action Upholstery in Yuma and found fabric that perfectly matched our interior. Unfortunately, within a week of getting our chairs back the fabric started to shred. Action Upholstery was very responsive. They ordered new fabric, ensuring it was from a different bolt, and recovered the chairs in time for us to leave the area as planned. Hopefully, they will hold up to constant use.
Susan decided that our lifestyle dictated that one of us should know basic first aid and CPR, so she took a three-day class through the local Red Cross. She is now slightly more dangerous than she was previously. She has been seen annoying perfect strangers by tapping their shoulder and asking, "Can you breathe?"
We celebrated Christmas and New Years while in Yuma. Our Christmas gift to ourselves was a Wii and Wii Fit Video System. What great fun. We have spent many fun-filled hours playing video games and working out. However, we recently discovered during our ski holiday in Park City, Utah, virtual skiing does little for ones actual skills on the slopes.
On New Years we went to Juliana's Patio Café for dinner and live jazz. Although the ever present border patrol helicopters drowned out the music on several occasions, we had a fun and festive time ringing in 2009.
Our time in Yuma wasn't all tasks. We also attended the annual Somerton Tamale Festival, explored Picacho Peak north of Yuma, and popular boondocking areas along the Colorado River and Imperial Reservoir. We discovered a pleasant bike path that connects several parks along the Colorado River and extends south along the Central Canal to downtown. We also visited the Yuma Territorial Prison (but chose not to stay) and the Arizona Peanut Patch. Yes, until the 1980s they grew peanuts in Yuma. Who knew?
Our two most interesting excursions were to Los Algodones, Mexico and Felicity, California. Los Algodones is a very popular and safe (at the time of our visit) destination among gringos seeking affordable medical, vision and dental services and prescription medicines. One can park in the USA, walk south a block and find dozens of pharmacies, medical service providers, curio shops and open-air cafes within four blocks of the border. Getting into Mexico is much faster than getting out. To avoid the long lines, we advise having a margarita and waiting until early evening when the USA-bound crowds thin.
Felicity, California is the "Center of the World" and has a plaque to prove it. The 'town' is just west of Winterhaven, CA and is one of the most unusual places we have ever visited. Felicity is Jacques-Andre Istel's most recent undertaking, which is to tell the history of humanity etched in granite. The site, named in honor Mr. Istel's wife, includes a pyramid, a section of the Eiffel Tower's spiral staircase leading to the sky, a chapel on the 'Hill of Prayer', and seemingly miles of polished granite panels telling the story of man's evolution, the rise and fall of the world's empires, the French Foreign Legion, France's aeronautics program, the history of parachutes, Princeton University and a small private school in New England. There is a panel depicting the creation scene from Michelangelo's 'Sistine Chapel' and another replicating Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'. This is a place you just have to see to believe. Oh yes, if you would like to buy a panel you can have your history etched in granite for posterity or 4,000 years whichever comes first.
While in Yuma we were very pleased to be invited to a party at Claudia and Marc's home in the Yuma Foothill region. Claudia and Marc are from Oregon and have been in touch with us via the Internet for a couple of years, but we had not met face to face. We were so happy to finally meet them, and enjoyed the company of their neighbors, and friends that were parked in various locations around Yuma - including the four parked in Claudia and Marc's yard. Thanks again for a lovely afternoon.
Shortly after our visit with Claudia and Marc it was time to move east. We planned to visit Painted Rock near Gila Bend and Organ Pipe National Monument before moving on for a two-month stay in Tucson, one of our favorite winter nesting grounds.
