Monday, March 29, 2021

I'm Hooked Up!

Yes, I moved to Sam's Family Spa RV Park in Desert Hot Springs, CA. This is the first time in almost a year and a half that I've been hooked up!
The big attraction to me are the huge natural hot springs pools.
There is also a small lake here that the ducks just love.
My only concern is these guys spying on me...
A few days after I got here, I ran down to San Diego to visit my daughter and her family. One day we went to see The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.
The fields were full of flowers, mostly Persian Buttercup, Ranunculus, which I had never heard of.
We went through the Sweet Pea Maze, and didn't get too lost...
And guess what - there was rusty stuff there!
They also are growing a gigantic American flag.
But I think this was my very favorite thing.
Good night from my daughter's balcony!

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Trying to Catch Up!

I didn't post much all winter because I wasn't doing anything. But now - I can do stuff again. So this is my last post on my winter in Yuma. I thought this was funny - I went by it on my way to our parking place on Sidewinder Road. Is this for airmail or are they expecting snow?
One day I went to explore West Wetlands Park in Yuma. It's beautiful! I can't believe I haven't been here, with all the time I've spent in Yuma over the years.
One day I took the group out to the Valley of Names, north of Yuma.
It goes on for at least a mile!
We then went to see the last damn dam on the Colorado River. I was really looking forward to sharing this with the group. Not many people know that there is a dam here at Yuma. But when we got there, I found out there is now a wall on the border! I thought it was going to be a dud excursion, but fortunately, there was a gap in the wall where we could view the dam. It would have been a better picture earlier in the day. We were looking into the sun here.
This is a Mexican dam, where they take 95% of the water remaining in the Colorado River to water their farm fields. I'm glad there is enough water left at this point for their needs!
You can see green on Google maps all the way over to Mexicali, and almost 100 miles south!
There is always Border Patrol people here, and we started talking to one. And then he said, "Excuse me, I have to go arest some people." We thought he was kidding, but turned around to see a Mexican family walking towards us! What an exciting stop!
And then, the day that Nomadland was available on the internet, we watched it that evening. It was especially great for us because we knew a lot of the people who were in it!

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Lots To Do in Yuma

When I wasn't parked on Sidewinder Road, I spent time with the group on American Girl Mine Road. Although it's farther from town, there is a lot of space to socially distant.
When we arrived, the ocotillo were barren, but after a rain, they were covered with green within a few days!
Although this group doesn't stay as busy as the WINs, I convinced them to go on some excursions. One day we went to see Tumco Ghost Town.
Tumco is an abandoned gold mining town, one of the earliest gold mining areas in California.
The best thing was that there was lots of rusty stuff around!
We then went to see the old Plank Road, which is how early motorists (1914-1927) crossed the Imperial Sand Dunes.
And then we went to see the Center of the World, in the "town" of Felicity (population of 2).
There are beautiful pictures on granite, covering lots of subjects.
I walked up to the chapel overlooking the grounds.
A look back at the granite exhibits.
They were just gorgeous!
Also on the grounds is a section of the original stairs from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
I really think that Yuma has the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen!

Sunday, March 14, 2021

I'm Back!!!

I know it's been 2 months since I posted, but there hasn't been much to write about. I've spent the last 3 months with the Music and Mind Camp in the desert near Yuma.
We stayed on Sidewinder Road, where on Google Earth you can still see where the tents were when General Patton was here in World War II.
I did a lot of ukulele with the Uku-holics of Yuma. It's a great group, that meets twice a week.
One afternoon we played for the Yuma Foothills Singles Group.
I enjoy it so much!
One member of the group made everyone Valentine gnomes. This is mine. I just wish he hadn't decided to grow a mustache...
Another member belongs to the Yuma Rock Painting group, and made me this rock after I collected a lot of paintable rocks for her from Sidewinder Road.
And of course we had a lot of beautiful sunsets. I'll try to post more soon. I'm getting out a little more now that I've been vaccinated. Yay!