YUMA, AZ TO QUARTZSITE, AZ

 These two big cannons guard the entrance to the U.S. Army Proving Grounds, north of Yuma.

The area surrounding Yuma is all agricultural land, compliments of the water from the Colorado River.  Driving north on Hwy 95, it doesn't take long to transition from those carefully cultivated fields of lettuce, to the stark reality of the southern Arizona Desert. 

About halfway along the 80 miles from Yuma to Quartzsite, the Border Patrol has a check station, that we pass through every year.  It's been in the same location for almost forever, and I would imagine that the dogs alert the officers to a lot more drug contraband, than the number of illegal aliens that are caught in these checkpoints.  With the high number of RV's on Hwy 95 during this time of year, most are just waved through, as we were.

We arrived at MM 99, and turned off on La Paz Valley Rd. where the BLM entrance, and registration area is located.  Filling out a simple form with no fee, allows you to park on BLM land for up to 14 days.  It's about 4 miles into town, and I thought that I might try and find a spot closer in, but, we've been staying in this area for years, and this is going to be the spot for at least one more year.

The Internet connection with our Sprint data card is not very good, but with a little patience, I can load a few pictures, it just takes awhile.  I talked to our metal building company yesterday, and we are finally on their schedule for delivery and installation.  They're going to arrive at the house this Sunday, to put up the RV shade cover that seems like forever since I started the building permit process several months ago.  We'll be cutting our stay here in Quartzsite short by a day or two, leaving this Saturday for home. 

A roaring campfire sort of completes the Quartzsite experience.

 

Yesterday, we did manage to get into town, checking out the big tent, and all of the vendors inside.  Incredibly, I didn't find one single thing, other than a bunch of literature, that I simply couldn't live without.  That may be a first!  Today, we'll be checking out several of the flea markets around town, and I'm sure there's something out there with my name on it.