Yuma Surprise

We enjoyed a week in Yuma, accomplishing most of what we set out to do. "Historic Downtown" isn't so much, unless you consider that most of the stores are history and probably have been for the last decade. We did enjoy lunch at Lute's Casino. The non-casino restaurant and pool hall has been in operation for over 100 years and does serve a mean hamburger. After placing our order, we found that the speciality of the house is potato tacos, a new one on us. They looked great and calorie-laden. The piano man was very entertaining as is the eclectic decor.

We really enjoyed a walking trip across the border to Los Algadones. Passports are safely tucked away in Las Vegas, but we went anyway with assurances from the border patrol guy on the phone that we would be fine. I got a new hat, vanilla and a purse, Russell got meds and Tequila. We had all we wanted to carry, so planned what to buy on the next trip over. The border patrol officers checked our docs, we had printed off copies of birth certificates in addition to our licenses. There really was only a slight delay, not the horror stories we'd heard. Just as I was walking away, the officer I talked to said, "Don't come back until you have your passport!" I completely believed him! We'll make another trip next winter to catch those other purchases.

The Territorial Prison was another nice surprise. It is a fraction of the facility that existed for 33 years around the turn of the last century. It was complete built by the inmates, a total of over 3000, and very advanced for its time, but overcrowding caused its closure in 1908. The buildings were later used as temporary housing for the high school at which time the mascot became, and still is, The Crims.

We walked along the Gila and Colorado Rivers which converge at Yuma. We walked under the single lane Ocean To Ocean Highway Bridge. And through the very popular park that provides sandy beaches along the Colorado River.

We were not able to see the 2 military installations, so that too will wait for another trip.