DENTIST VISIT AND SWAP MEET IN YUMA

Friday, February 3 – We returned to Algodones this morning for our 9 a.m. dentist appointment. This is our first experience with Sani Dental Group.

They have a great idea in the works. A hotel, shuttle from the airport, streamlined appointments, and everything from cleaning to extensive dental surgery.

We only wanted x-rays and cleaning. Unfortunately, we had to get the complete introductory visit which included a registration process, complete 360 x-rays, a dental exam and treatment recommendation, our cleaning, and final payment process.

Each patient is given a card to keep track of the time of each visit. No one is to wait more than 40 minutes for any process.

We both felt the x-ray, exam and cleaning were all done in a professional manner. Unfortunately, it took way too much time. We were in the office for two hours. We had to inform them we had other commitments or we would have been there longer. We felt they took cross selling very seriously and wanted us to commit to additional treatments. Cost: $39.00/each for x-rays and cleaning.

The facility is very clean and very modern.

After our cleaning, we did a little shopping and then headed to the central patio to meet friends Janice and Jerry for lunch. We enjoyed margaritas, some tacos and a few laughs before getting in line to cross back into the United States.

The Margaritas went down very smoothly. The food was delicious.

They really know how to make Margaritas in Mexico. This guy is constantly busy making the national drink.

Adding the Tequila to the mix.

Finishing it off with the Orange Liqueur.

Once again the line to pass through immigration was long. It took us just under an hour to cross back into the USA.

Saturday, February 4 – It is Swap Meet Day here in Yuma, AZ. We hit three of them. Our first stop was at the Yuma Swap Meet. We remember attending this market the last time we were in Yuma and it really hasn't gotten any better. We rank this #2 of the three we attended. Paul did by a package of short bungee cords though.

Seems to be a very popular item at swamp meets.

One of Paul’s favorite stands…hehe.

Marsha doesn’t understand how a gal buys any of these clothes when there isn’t a dressing room to try them on.


Our next stop was at the Arizona Market Place. This was by far the nicest of the three. They also seem to target RV'ers with products they might be looking for. Paul's been watching for a new outdoor chair and he found a nice one at this market. He also bought some LED replacement bulbs he wanted to try. Marsha found a couple items she could use.

Paul doing some “window” shopping.

Socks are a hot item.

Our third stop was at the Yuma Indoor Market which was more like a consignment craft store and not very big to boot! Sorry to say it took last place in our swap meet survey. We were only there about five minutes. The good news was it was close to a place we've been looking to stop at........IN-N-OUT Burger! What a great place for lunch.

We love In-N-Out Burger.


We met up with friends, Laura and Ray, at the Yuma Elks Lodge tonight. They are friends we met at the Houston Elks Lodge and arranged to meet tonight for a couple drinks. They are spending the winter here in Yuma. It was a great time catching up.

We are now in Ajo, AZ. We still have a few things to share about our visit in Yuma.  We will get caught up one day. Just so much to see and do here in the desert state.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

A DAY IN LOS ALGODONES, MX

Thursday, February 2 – We traveled from Yuma, AZ, the short distance to Algodones, MX, this morning. We wanted to find the dentist office where we have an appointment tomorrow to get our teeth cleaned. We also planned to do a little sightseeing and window shopping.

We have been to Mexico border cites numerous times especially Los Algodones and Nuevo Progresso (across the border in South Texas). We found the street merchants here in Algodones a little more aggressive than those in Progresso and prices a little higher. It's still a fun experience.

The Purple Store is our go-to store for medicine and liquor.

The following photos are just a glimpse of Los Algodones, MX.

They have some beautiful patio areas to enjoy food and drink.

We did purchase a couple gifts, and Paul got a couple prescriptions filled. The margaritas were big and great too!

We spent about three hours strolling around town before we decided it was time to get in line for the trip across the border to re-enter the U.S. This is another difference between the two Mexican cities. It takes about 10-15 minutes to cross at Nuevo Progresso. We spent over an hour waiting in line today at Los Algodones. This was the case the last two times we crossed here in the past. Something we can't figure out.

Can you see the end of the line waaaaay down the street? That is where we had to start.

We will tell you about our dentist experience in the next post.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

WEST WETLANDS PARK, YUMA, AZ

Thursday, February 1 – We traveled West on I-8 this morning to Yuma, AZ. We are staying at Hidden Cove RV Park. It's nice to have unlimited electric, and the ability to take long hot showers again. We enjoy a few days dry camping (boondocking) but are always happy to reconnect to utilities! We will be in Yuma for about eight days.

Hidden Cove RV Park is a Passport America park. It has gravel streets and sites with full hook-ups. Each site has a small cement pad. The hook-ups are at the rear of the site making hooking up utilities a little bothersome. The sites are pretty tight, so we are very close to our neighbors. There isn't much room to park our vehicle. We even had to park up on the cement patio.

Site 40.

Looking right.

Looking left.

With all that said, the place isn't too bad, and we'll survive for a week. The Yuma Bike trail is very close so we hope to find time for a bike ride or two. Of course, Mexico is just around the corner and that is the main reason we are here.

The weather gods have finally decided to give their blessings and send wonderful weather to Yuma. Yuma is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the sunniest place on earth with 339 bright days a year and less than three inches of rain annually.

Since the Yuma West Wetland is just about a half mile up the road from the campground, we decided to do some exploring.  In 2000, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, City of Yuma and the Quechan Tribe collaborated in restoring the local wetlands along the Colorado River by removing non-native plant species, trash dumps, and make-shift hobo camps. Approximately 350 acres have been restored to a mix of wetlands, cottonwood-willow, mesquite, and backwaters. It will take several years to complete the restoration of the entire 1,400 acres along the Lower Colorado River which will consist of the Yuma East and West Wetlands.

In 1846, the Mormon Battalion was given the task of finding a southern wagon route to California.  Its record-setting, 2,000-mile march passed through Yuma because this was the best place to cross the river. A bronze statue is erected in the West Wetland Park.

This is very interesting.

There is a well-maintained 5-mile bike/pedestrian path along the Yuma East and West Wetlands that took us along the lower Colorado River.

Colorado River.

There is a hummingbird garden.

There are several playgrounds for the children.

Community Fishing Water.

There is a Yuma West Wetlands Solar Garden, owned and operated by APS.

Yuma has done an excellent job with turning an eyesore into a lovely place for all age groups to enjoy.

Can’t get enough of the sunsets here in AZ.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day.