Yuma, here we come....

Monday - Tuesday, January 9-10, 2017

For some reason Wilson really wanted to go to Yuma.  According to Wilson's niece Yuma doesn't really have much to offer, but we did find a couple of things that we enjoyed during our overnight stay.

Interesting Facts:

1. Yuma is the nation's "winter vegetable capital", growing more than 90% of North America's leafy greens from November to March.  
2. Yuma is the world's largest producer of gourmet Medjool Dates.
3. Don't be fooled by the marketing and order a date shake - they aren't that good 😏

There were a couple of things that sparked our interest around Yuma.  Unfortunately, by the time I read about the authentic "ghost town" at Castle Dome Mines Museum we had already passed it and didn't feel like turning back.  We'll stop in Tombstone for a bit of that type of history.

What we did find and enjoyed visiting was the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park.

Interesting Facts:

1. 1876 the first seven prisoners entered the prison, that they were part of building.
2. A total of 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women, lived within the walls during the prison's 33 years of operation.
3. 1910-1914 the prison served as Yuma's high school, which gave them their school nickname of The Criminals or The Crims
4. 1915 the "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge was constructed.  This was the final link in a highway that stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific

We spent several hours touring the prison, it was very interesting.  After that we needed to figure out a place to spend the night...Our single overnight go-to have been Walmarts and Casinos.  We found Paradise Casino not far from the prison and they allowed campers in their parking lot.  In fact there were probably 40 or more campers already there when we arrived.  

The casino didn't really have much as far as gaming goes...just slot machines.  Of course we signed up for a rewards card and in the end Wilson and I both won a little money.  While there we realized that it was the College Championship Football game Alabama vs. Clemson so we were happy to be able to watch the game.

    



Leave River Island State Park, Parker, AZ 10:13am
Rte; 95S
Arrive Blue Water Resort & Casino 10:29am for lunch
Leave Casino 11:54am
Rte: 95S
Arrive: Yuma Territorial State Prison 2:30pm
Arrive Paradise Casino 5:19pm
Miles Traveled - 135
Great Radio Station 95.7FM - Jack FM, The River Rat