Yuma

The tourist information volunteer at the CA/AZ border stated that more than 40,000 snowbirds flock to Yuma each year. Some are in RV’s. Some have homes or park models. Barb and I have always wondered why people migrate here. After 2 days here, we have not found the answer. As we arrived on Wednesday, we checked in to a park affiliated with our Thousand Trails membership. Our site is not much larger than our RV. “Stacked in like cordwood” may be an accurate description. Yet this park, within throwing distance (well, in my youth) of I 8, it is the home of 400 snowbirds, most November thru April. There is a small pool, a clubhouse, and the elements of a Seinfield episode. Apparently, the site owners association is in turmoil and the election of officers is tomorrow. Homemade campaign signs are frequent as I bike the 600 yards of streets. We leave tomorrow and it may be just in time to avoid armed rebellion of the losing interests. It may be Egypt and Libya in micro scale.

We did visit friends/former neighbors last night. The Holmdales have been motor homing to Yuma for several years. Their site was much more generous than ours and, as Puyallup/Fife natives; they interact with many of friends who migrate here as well. They barbecued scrumptious steaks and we enjoyed the evening outside their RV, in the desert air.



Thursday morning found us at the Arizona Marketplace, a gathering point for the snowbirds. Puyallup Fair - like, I estimate it at 20 acres of booths selling everything from mink oil to transmissions (hope I didn’t miss an opportunity… my transmission is still the original???) We found plastic clips for our sliding closet doors (they keep breaking) and a convenient dog waterer. I steered Barb toward some turquoise jewelry but she refused. Yes, I thought it cheap looking and she agreed.

Arizona Marketplace

Historically, Yuma was once accessible by sea (Sea of Cortez) via paddle wheeler, up the Colorado River, and beyond all the way to present Nevada. The Colorado River crossing here was a strategic point and later, a nearby site was selected as the Territorial Prison (1863). Both are in proximity to each other and accessible by bike trails along the Colorado River. We spent the afternoon biking the area and enjoyed the historical depictions of life here in the 19th century.

bike trail along Colorado River near historical crossing

Inside Territorial Prison

Barb let me out.

As we left the historical park we again greeted the volunteer. In his heavy British accent, he stated that he and his wife have been traveling from eastern B. C. to Yuma for 14 years. “Why do you come?” I asked. “The sun,” he stated. “And unlike other destinations, it is cheap here.” Out in the middle of the desert, there is one retirement community after another. There may be friends here, other than that, it must be cheap.


By the way, when Barb and I traveled the US 07-08, we invested in a broadband card at $60 a month.  It was nice but too expensive for us now.  We have been trying to rely on local wifi but we found again and again that they often charge or public sites are insecure.  But we have found that local libraries have safe and secure internet access.  Beautiful spaces, state of the art access, paid by tax dollars.  Ben Franklin, the father of public libraries, would have been proud.