Thursday, February 13, 2014

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles


After Quartzsite, Phil and I headed back to Yuma so he could continue with his dental work across the border in Mexico. The BLM land behind the VFW has got to be the worst camping spot ever, right next to the highway and a busy railroad line, but it's fairly convenient.


Fortunately, we got our favorite spot back in the corner, which helped a little.


The good news - due to the warm temperatures and some rain they had back in the beginning of winter, flowers are popping out all over. Some orange thingies -


And some purple ones. (Don't I sound like an expert?)


The fields of Yuma produce over a BILLION dollars in crops each year. Watching the harvest is fascinating. First, the guys on top assemble boxes and line them with plastic. Then the guys underneath catch the picks from the pickers, pack (in this case) 24 heads of Romaine lettuce in each box, spritz them with a little water, close the box, (all in a matter of seconds), and send the box on a conveyer belt to -


This strong "ham" who stacks the boxes on the trailer behind the tractor. Meanwhile the tractor is VERY slowly moving forward with the trailer and assembly platform all by itself.



If you'd like to see how fast this all happens, here's a short video.


Well, we've covered trains and automobiles, but what about planes? Almost every night, crop dusters take off from the runway just on the other side of the canal from us.


It goes on until 1 am, sometimes back and forth on the fields near us.


I don't know about you, but this is all I can think about...


12 comments:

  1. Love that last picture (tee-hee)!! They sure can move that lettuce. Guess they have it down to a science. Glad you have some blooms to brighten your day.

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  2. Oh my I would sure be afraid of what they using as dust up in the sky and raining down on me and my food.

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  3. Why don't you guys go out to Pilot Knob? Much more convenient to Mexico and quite nice spots away from the highway. I'm sure you're probably not in Yuma any longer but just saying.

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    1. We tried to find that area when we were here before and couldn't. Should have asked you. Next time!

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  4. Gosh, you're in a busy area! Ah...North by Northwest! One of my favorite Hitchcock films! Love your blog & really enjoy your photos! Thank you!

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  5. Those lettuce pickers must have strong and supple backs. Great video clip.

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  6. I'm amazed that folks are willing to go out and work like that to provide our food. I saw that Cary Grant movie way back when.

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  7. Great post. We spent new Year's near Yuma at the Imperial Dam. Love that last shot - I'm trying to remember the name of that movie.

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  8. Wow, Glad I never thought of Lettuce picker as a job possibility...I did try strawberry picker, and hay baling and I was the trailer stacker, it was not fun!!

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  9. Your last photo was really funny. I remember that movie too. I just visited Yuma and Mexico for same reason and am now heading to the Pacific coast to dip my toes in the ocean. In may I head to Hawaii to kayak the last of my 50 states, for my 70th birthday, two of my kids will paddle with me. http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/2014/02/charlene-birthday-partymay-16-2014-b.html

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  10. Great post. I was stationed in Yuma in the late 80s with the USMC and loved the area. Thanks for reminding me about the area. I soon will be full timing and look forward to following your posts.

    Bill
    http://fulltime.spantz.com/

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