Sunday, January 31, 2010

MEXICO AND THE MOUNTAINS

Thursday, January 28 – Off to Mexico again to pick-up Marsha's glasses and do some sightseeing and shopping. We purchased more vanilla and several more prescription medicines with no prescription and at a fraction of the U.S. cost.

Baja Dental and Optical is where where our dentist and optical center was located. Don’t let the looks scare you.

dentist-look-at-wires


There really was some beautiful items for sale.

pretty-dishes



merchant

Typical road in the shopping area. Lots of wires overhead.

street

We stopped at two places for fish and shrimp tacos and had a couple Margaritas too.  Our first stop was at TACOS AND DRINKS. We ordered a shrimp taco and fish taco and a Margarita. They make tacos waaaaaay different down here. We only waited a few minutes and lunch was on the table. I didn’t take us long to eat and drink. The tacos were pretty good. Tacos were $1/ea.

Notice the wiring above the restaurant….WOW

shrimp and fish tacos 1


You pile on your taco whatever you want……UMMMMM

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The Margaritas was so big, Marsha had to use to hands. I didn’t hear her complain…..only $4.00.

marsha

We then stopped at a pretty outdoor restaurant called EL PARISO. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside with all the others. They also have an indoor bar. Marsha had a coupon for a free Margarita. She ordered hers and of course I couldn’t let her drink alone. These drinks were better than at the other place. They had a two piece band playing. Very nice afternoon.

El-Paraiso

paul-drinking

marsha-eating

restaurant

While we were shopping, we saw this real long line at a shrimp and taco stand. Paul talked to a guy that told him that this was the best place to get a taco, sooooooo. We could definitely eat one more taco. We ordered to shrimp tacos, add our condiments and devoured them in two minutes. They were really good. Much lighter batter than the first ones. We talked with some people from Boise State. They told us that Boise plays Virginia Tech the third game next season. He said they are calling it a huge game for both teams. GO VT!

fish-and-tacos

We crossed back into the U.S. after waiting in line for a little over an hour....customary this time of year. We've heard stories about people standing in line for over two hours. The customs agent just waved both of us through without asking any questions.

We sat outside in the sun the rest of the afternoon enjoying the beautiful weather in the 70's. AWESOME!

Saturday, January 30 – Last night we were treated to a beautiful sunset.

As the sun goes down……

sunset

The moon comes up…..This is was an amazing site, to see the moon coming up over the mountains as we saw the sun set in the picture above. That other bright spot by the moon is an airplane.

moon-coming-up

We went hiking in the mountains this morning. Very interesting and what a view.

Here is the trail we hiked up.

trail

Beauty everywhere we looked.

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High in the Gila Mountains. It is one of the more remote and least developed National Forests in the southwest. Covering 3.3 million acres of publicly owned forest and range land, the Forest is the sixth largest National Forest in the continental United States.

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We met a couple of gentlemen almost at the top who had rode their street bikes (motorcycles) up the path....no way would I do something like that. They had no problems, but did admit this was the first time they had done a trip like this and it was a bit scary.

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Having fun in the mountains!

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After climbing as high as the trail went we headed back down using a different trail. Look at the trail in the distance. Our trip was an enjoyable hour hike.

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Bike ride then chilled rest of the evening. Here is a picture of our campsite.

mh-camp-site

Sunday, January 31 – This morning we attended Chapel de Oro worship service. The worship service was held at the North Hall here at our campground. They set a record with 257 worshippers. Pastor Paul Gunderson greeted us at our seats. He knew it was our first time there, asked us where we were from “originally”, and told us about his calling. He is a very nice man. The service began at 9:00 a.m. This was a nondenominational service. The sermon was “Finding the Right Time.” We were warmly welcomed and would worship here next time we stay at the park.

We made a quick trip to Walmart and ran across the Arizona Market Place. It is Located on 40 acres with over 1000 shaded selling spaces. You name it, the Vendors have it for you here - Antiques and collectibles, Blankets and Quilts, Candles, Dollar Stores, Embroidered Hats, Fruits & Vegetables, Greeting cards and stationery, Hardware & tools, Ice Makers, Jewelry, Keys made, Luggage, Mobile Mail, Nuts & dried fruits, Olives and spices, Pottery, Quick snacks, Rugs & Carpets, Silk plants & flowers, Toys and games, Used & new books, vitamins and supplements, Watches, Xtra large assortment of RV supplies, Yard art and flags, etc. It is located at the intersection of 32nd Street and Avenue 4E. We were very good and only bought two things…..12” pizza pan and Liquid Clean.

Tomorrow being a travel day, I did some preparations....checked tire pressure, checked oil and coolant levels, loaded the bikes on the jeep, put the grill away and dumped the black water tank and rinsed it. I also loaded some water in our fresh water holding tank because we will be blacktop camping (boondocking) in the parking lot  at the Fantasy Casino in Indio, Ca.

“If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?”….think about it.

Since we will be boondocking, we may not be posting for a few days. Thanks for stopping by. Stop by  again.

Friday, January 29, 2010

SHOPPING IN MEXICO

Wednesday, January 26 - Off to Mexico. Marsha and I headed off to Los Algodones, MX. We are looking at getting our teeth cleaned, glasses for Marsha, and some prescriptions purchased. Los Algodones is known for very inexpensive dentist, doctor, and optical services as well as inexpensive medication at the drug store without a doctors prescription. We went to Baja Dental & Optical Clinic. We saw Dr. Marina Ortiz. The dentist was very nice and very thorough. They gave Marsha the usual cleaning, and Paul a deep cleaning because of prior Periodontal problems. We are both very satisfied. Marsha then saw the optometrist to replace the lenses in her glasses. We have to go back tomorrow to pick up her glasses. To illustrate our saving on prescription medicine, Marsha's Fosamax which cost $120 in the USA (with Insurance Marsha pays $12/month)....we purchased in the Mexican Pharmacy for $6 which is a FOUR month supply. Crazy!

Entering Mexicoborder-crossing
Border patrolborder-patrols
They are all carrying guns.guards

We then returned to the USA with no difficulty and toured the historical Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historical Park. The Yuma Quartermaster Depot was used by the U.S. Army to store and distribute supplies for all the military posts in Arizona, and some in Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. The supplies were unloaded near the stone reservoir just west of the commanding officer's quarters and hauled up on a track running from the river dock through the center of the storehouse. They were shipped north on river steamers and overland by mule drawn freight wagons. The Signal Corps established a telegraph and weather station here in 1875. The supply depot was terminated by the Army in 1883, and the pumps, steam engines and equipment were sent to Fort Lowell near Tucson, but the Signal Corps remained until 1891. Five structures from the depot's active period are still standing. We enjoyed reading and seeing some of the buildings at this historical site.

Storehousestorehouse 

Big wheel from one of the river steamers.
big-whell

Officers’ Quartersofficers-quarters 

Palor
palor

Very interesting park. See more pictures of the Quartermaster Depot.
Next we headed to Yuma Territorial Prison. On July 1, 1876, the first seven inmates entered the Territorial Prison at Yuma and were locked into the new cells they had built themselves. The main the building houses photographs and colorful exhibits of those who once “involuntarily” stayed there and the prison life they had to endure. A total of 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women, lived within these walls during the prison's thirty-three years of operation. Their crimes ranged from murder to polygamy, with grand larceny being the most common. Of the many prisoners who attempted escape, twenty-six were successful, but only two were from within the prison confines. No executions took place at the prison because capital punishment was administered by the county government. The only punishments were the dark cells for inmates who broke prison regulations, and the ball and chain for those who tried to escape. Come experience this fascinating slice of Arizona history.

One of four Guard Towers
guard-tower

You know you are in for trouble when the welcome sign has a…….Ball and Chain
sign

Cell after cell
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Convicted of being insane
paul

Only one ever found innocent
me

Small cell with a cage only 5’ high. Very spooky inside.
dark-cell

This small cell 6 inmates, who slept on metal beds. Talk about back problems!
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It sure makes you appreciate the tough conditions early settlers had to endure. The conditions the prisons of the Yuma Prison endured are unimaginable. Marsha just couldn’t believe someone would want to commit a crime!

We also learned about the Ocean to Ocean Bridge that is right outside the prison. This bridge was the final critical link joining the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans with a highway. A person was now able to drive from the Atlantic Ocean to a Pacific Ocean without taking a ferry.

The bridge was built across the Colorado River between Yuma, Arizona and Fort Yuma, California in 1914 for $76,000 and dedicated during a citywide celebration May 22-23, 1915. At the time of its opening, the bridge provided the first safe, economical crossing of the river at Yuma and it was the only vehicle bridge across the Colorado River for 1,200 miles.

The 336-foot bridge was closed in 1988 due to structural problems. A renovation begun in 2001 and was completed in reopening in 2002. It received Arizona Preservation award in 2003. The bridge is also sometimes known as Colorado River Bridge; Yuma Bridge; Penitentiary Avenue Bridge.

ocean-to-ocean-bridge

After retuning to the campground, we relaxed and made plans for tomorrow.

YUMA FACTS:

Yuma is located near the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Rivers in the southwest corner of Arizona. It borders California and the state of Sonora, Mexico. Since prehistoric times this area has been the best place to cross the Colorado River. Yuma is the site of the first railroad and highway bridges across the Colorado.

Yuma is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the sunniest place on earth with 339 bright sunny days a year and less than 3 inches of rainfall annually. Normal highs range from 70 degrees in January to 107 in July. December is the coldest month, with a normal high of 69 degrees. The record high was 124 degrees in 1995 and the record low was 26 degrees in 2007. Yes folks the coldest temperature in Yuma history was 26 degrees....amazing!

Because of it's year-round perfect flying weather, Yuma has been an important aviation hub since the earliest airplanes. Yuma is one of the Marine Corps' premier aviation training bases, with access to 2.8 million acres of bombing and training ranges. It is the busiest air station in the Marine Corps and the third busiest in the Navy. Because of its superb flying weather, Yuma supports 80 percent of the Corps' air-to-ground aviation training.

So many beautiful mountains surround our campground.
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Sometimes they don’t look real.
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Paul just relaxing at our site.
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A restaurant at the campground.
restaurant

Thanks for stopping by. Safe Travels!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

NO MORE BOONDOCKING…..FOR A WHILE

Monday, January 24 – Travel Day! After our farewells to our new group of friends, we departed Quartzsite. After two weeks boondocking in the desert with no water, electric, or sewer hook-ups, it will be nice to get to a campground and take a long hot shower. We've relied on the water we carry (about 100 gallons), our holding tanks for waste, and our batteries and generator for power. It was an enlightening and fun experience. We know we can live for a while without hookups.

After a short drive, we arrived at Fortuna De Oro RV Park. Wow! What a fabulous campground. The temperature is in the high 70's with a bright sun in a blue sky. We may just stay here the rest of the winter.


pool-view
Pool and hot tub area.

inside-hall
Social room

golf
Golf course

pool tables
Pool room

mts
Surrounded by mountains

More pictures of the campground later.

This is our 100 DAYS ANNIVERSARY! We've been full-timing for 100 days. It's been great! It is so wonderful to see people our age.....guess that means Seniors......enjoying life like we've witnessed these past 100 days. Yeah, we've had a few bumps (repairs) but overall it's been absolutely fabulous! We'll celebrate are anniversary tonight!

We went downtown to the Lettuce Festival soon after arriving in Yuma. Marsha mentioned this in our last post. It's the healthiest festival we've ever attended. The focus is all the fresh vegetables grown in the Yuma area. We had a great salad for lunch! We casually walked through the the festival merchant area. It was a Southwestern theme which we really love.

sign

paul


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Lots of crafters

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Belly dancers entertain the crowd.

flowers
Flowers blooming everywhere

fountain
The old Yuma was very pretty

We returned to the campground and finished setting up. Marsha took Bella for a walk and we relaxed for the evening.

Tuesday, January 25 – Getting the MH washed and waxed this morning. A group of Mexicans have a business....Papi's Detailing....that come to the campground and wash and wax RV's plus your cars! We are having ours done today. The guys showed up at 8:00 a.m. They did a wonderful joy. The MH looked so good I almost decided not to have it waxed but had them go ahead and do the whole 9-yards. They even wash the car!

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wash-2

wax

Marsha washed clothes and then walked Bella in the open desert next to the campground. She loves her walks.

I purchased fresh oranges and grapefruits from a vendor driving through the campground. They were delicious.

We grilled salmon and halibut on the grill. Some campers gave us the fish back in Columbus, TX. Again the Christmas gift grill worked perfectly.

Thanks for stopping by.