Wintering in Yuma, AZ-Feb 15-21 , 2016

Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.

Feb. 15, 2016

Someone (Heather) got the idea to go for lunch once a week in a different place. It has to be a place that does not belong to a chain of restaurants. That takes away a lot of places we are all accustomed to have on our list of eateries. Question of patronizing local businesses, and enjoy varying food experiences.
This week, we gather at the Hill Restaurant Patio and Bar, in Yuma. A part of the Desert Hills Golf Course, the establishment knows a lot of activity at this time of the year.
So, it becomes advisable to call ahead to ensure seating for 18 of us.
 
When we arrive, they are ready to treat us as honoured guess. We are given a segregated room.


We note the simplicity of the menu. The service is friendly and welcoming; professional while very attentive. The food reflects elevated skill in the kitchen.
Chef Alex puts in an appearance to chat with the group and ensure that everyone is happy with their experience in his dinning room. He also announces that he has prepared a special desert for all of us, compliments of the house.
We have amongst us a couple celebrating a 25th anniversary.
For the occasion, they are presented with a dozen roses.
Chef Alex makes it an experience to remember.
We will most certainly return.


Feb. 16, 2016

We are experiencing some hotter weather.
Temp. 92ºF (32ºC)
At 19:00 temp. still 80ºF

Feb. 17, 2016

Where did I pick-up this cold; with the sniffling and coughing?
Going to sweat it out playing pickle ball!!

Feb. 18, 2018

A cloudy day! unreal!
I guess we will survive with a temperature in the mid 80ºF and no rain.

The sun finally shows up around 13:00.

 The sunset graces us with another amazing spectacle, punctuated by the returning motorized gliders.

 

Unable to resist the temptation, the photographer immerses himself in these moments of natural creativity, courtesy of Mother Nature.


Beauty surrounds us. We owe it to yourself to open our soul and appreciate it.

I find myself so lucky to constantly be presented with this expression of creation. It has to be my mission to recognize this dimension in and around me.

So, enable the photographer and let the pictures tell the story...

Feb. 20, 2016

The much awaited day is here.
Craft show that Elaine has been working so hard for.


She is sharing a table with 3 other ladies; they are all very talented and their craft shows it.

 

The participants at this show all bring creations more innovative one than the other.

The traffic at the opening of the show looks promising. By lunch time, the influx of clients has pretty well stopped; and attending to the table becomes a game of patience.
The stock is loaded back in the truck by 14:00

It is a disappointing result for Elaine: she has not sold any of the bottle bags that she worked so hard at.
Her participation has been about trying something different, joining efforts with others and "just doing it". But the game is not over yet; these creations are traveling to Canada and will make it to Quebec. You can count on it!

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The cold that was pestering me for the past days has subsided.

Cold gone!

Feb. 21, 2016

Amongst other think, today is Indy 500; and a crowd has assembled early in the pool area, as an excuse to party and watch the race.


At sunset, the pool looks real inviting. And the full moon is getting ready for Howling At The Moon party tomorrow.

Wintering in Yuma, AZ-Feb 12-14 ,2016

Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.

Feb. 12, 2016

After our first visit, on Feb. 10, as we promised ourselves, we returned to the Centre of the Earth, with another couple friends, Leonard and Rose.
The experience proved to be very enriching. And we left on our appetite, again.


Once in a while, we get our "dog fix"; this time we babysat one of the dogs I worked with (work in progress).
I know that Hannah has Elaine completely charmed. I have to admit, charm is Hannah's strongest side.

Feb. 14, 2016

Is there a better day than Valentine's Day to attend a Rodeo?
Well. Maybe.

But today, let's call it... a double opportunity. Valentine's; and Rodeo.
Attending to the Valentine's Day responsibilities first to ensure a more peaceful day...


Bright sunny day; slight breeze; box seats in the shade for...second row view.
Welcome to the Yuma Jaycees Silver Spurs Rodeo!


In these occasions, one can expect to encounter all kinds of characters and outfits; and kids are no strangers to the affair. I even made some friends with matching outfits, that were proud to pose for a picture opportunity (with mom's permission, of course...)
They kinda mix in with the energy, the smell of cook-out, hot dogs and hamburger, popcorn and cotton candy; they even feature in some of the contests.



Surely, there cannot be a Rodeo without a Queen, as a matter of fact, several Queens, representing different groups; riding pretty on a galloping horse, holding up a flag and posing for pictures. And this Rodeo is no exception. The Queen of the Rodeo is an integral part of the opening ceremonies.

The organizers of this event recognize the importance to honour the military veterans, past and present, for their services. And they do it with exuberance.

 

One of my favorite personality at a Rodeo is the Clown.

The painted-face, baggy pants, big red nose character that interacts with the crowd during the events; and hides in a barrel in the middle of the arena, when the horses are kicking and the bulls are bucking; giving every spectator the chills, with the expectation that the barrel might be sent rolling from one end to the other of the ground.


Amongst other events, I love watching the barrel race; where riders compete for time in a race around some barrels, before sprinting to the finish line.
 
There is bull riding; wild bronco riding; steer catching.

 
And the show is not complete without the sheep riding competition, by 4 to 12 years old kids. Some manage a good ride. It's in their blood; in their DNA. It's also very entertaining.


Now, for this show, if they can set-up barrel racing for horse riders, can they feature barrel racing for...dirt bikes? What about 4 wheel dirt machines?


Of course they do! Proves to be very entertaining. This one again involves younger adolescents, anxious to show their skills in front of an audience.

Fun for everyone. Western style. A culture that I am only starting to appreciate; by attending events and by rubbing shoulders with the people who's way of life it is.

Wintering in Yuma, AZ-Feb. 8-10 , 2016

Note: the italic text is a contribution by Elaine; the non-italic text is Yvon's.

Feb. 8, 2016

I would sleep outside tonight. Calm wind.
We have had constant wind since Nov.

Price of fuel today @ fill up: 1.279/gal

Feb. 10, 2016

Went to Imperial Date Farm today with Leslie Larson-Royalty, Jim & Yvon. On the ride we saw many workers harvesting various crops. We saw a crew of guys picking parsley. From there we went Felicity, California know as the centre of the earth. What an amazing place. There are granite slabs engraved with many historic events. We will definitely be going back. There is a none denominational church built on a hill accessed by forty nine stairs.

Field workers
 In this region of inhospitable land, man has made use of its ingenuity to convert the arid landscape into a fertile asset.Sure, technology is playing an important role into it. It's intriguing to read a business board claiming "Rain for Rent". And the way they utilize water from the Colorado River in various ways, continues to astound me.

 
All this transformation and activity would not be possible without the courageous labor force that relentlessly work the fields. From soil preparation, seeding, irrigation to harvesting.


 
The crew is comprised in majority of Mexican. Working long hours. In extreme weather conditions. At hard backbreaking tasks.
They deserve recognition.

 

Harvesting parsley

Today, driving on out-of-the-way roads, we had a first hand look at them in action.

 In most cases, they work along a moving piece of equipment, with long extended arms; in the arms are conveyors that move the produce to the centre for packaging, right on the spot. The workers pick, check for quality, trim excesses and drop the product on the moving belt pulled by a tractor. All in a constant motion.

In the case of smaller and more delicate greens, they kneel on the ground, cut the plant, trim and tie it, before stuffing it in the large pocket of their apron.

Visit to the Imperial Date Garden.

A couple of years ago, we have been educated about the process of growing dates, when we visited a date farm near Yuma, AZ. Many people have been talking about the Imperial Date Gardens, in California, just on the other side of the Colorado River.


We had the chance to drive over with some friends and drop by to see they products. Of course, it becomes an unusual occasion to savour a date shake.


The location offers an open view of the mountains across the Colorado River, with a feel for the vastness of the area.

 

At the front of the property, we can walk around a variety of cactus. They have been late flowering this year; and I can enjoy my first Ocotillo flowers this year. Just love them. Now, I need to go for a hike in the desert sometime, to visit them in their wild environment.

Visit to the Centre of the World.
Our friends asked us "Have you been to the Centre of the World"?
Huh! No!
In Felicity, CA?
No!
That's how we got to visit the Centre of the World, in Felicity.
Located a short distance from Yuma, west on I 8, in California; from the highway, we had often noticed this cute small church, on a mound; and I wanted to get closer and take pictures.
Well, we got to discover a lot more about and around this church. A lot more!


From Wikipedia:
"Founded on May 11, 1986, the community was named after a town mentioned in Jacques-André Istel's book Coe the Good Dragon and inspired by his wife, Felicia."

Elaine and Felicia

The town is incorporated; Mr. Islet is the mayor; we had the chance to be introduced to him and his wife Felicia.
 
On arrival, we got to walk around the sundial and observe the "Eiffel Tower stairs", an original piece of the old landscape that was bought when a section of the stairs were replaced for practical and technical purpose.

We watched a 20 minutes video about the project.


We are lead into the pyramid, where we could actually step on the "Center of the World" plaque; face the Church on the Hill and make a wish.


 
Between the pyramid and the church is arranged books of knowledge engraved in granite stones; drawings, sketches, classic reproduction and text, all engraved and etched in large granite slabs;

 stood-up back to back in 100 foot length section; each section describing a different subject.


We spent hours reading and studying about fascinating subjects, immersed in this fountain of knowledge.

 Museum of History in Granite

The Little Church itself is worth the climbing of the 49 steps.



It is understood that a part of the day is not enough to take in all the information covered in these pages of granite.


We left overwhelmed and with a promise to ourselves that we would return.

The whole experience remains harder to describe than my words can express.
Next to walking the grounds, I suggest searching the internet for "history in granite".
The official site is http://www.historyingranite.org/
It offers information on the creation of this project, its creator, its objective and its progress; because this remains a work in constant transformation.
 
On March 19, 2016, there will be an official dedication of many newly engraved panels and public celebrations, complete with parachutes jumping in formation with the National flag.

We left with an official certificate as Visitors of The Center of the World.

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The Q Casino is on our way home and a good place to catch a decent meal.

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When the sun disappears in the west, the whole horizon turns pink, in all directions.

Every day, I have the chance to experience a different, but ever amazing sunset.
I continue to celebrate the time we are spending in Yuma.

We found healthy climate, plenty of activities and adventure to participate in, reasonable cost of living and a hospitable community, adding to the one we already blended in for the past years.