KINGMAN-AZ~Pt. #1; Zuni Village RV Park

April 8th: It was fun staying overnight in Rachel, behind the Little A'Le'Inn :-)

Little A'LE'INN; #9631 Old Mill St, Rachel-NV

Rachel-NV: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel,_Nevada)

The hosts were friendly, the RV spaces were clean, & the Café-Gift Store was filled with miscellaneous UFO-related items.

We only stayed 1 night because we were both breathless in the high altitude; Rachel-NV, is 4,840 ft. in elevation - the highway to and from Rachel, would hit higher altitudes.

I do like to have fun with sci-fi … and I don't think having a laugh when it comes to UFO's is a sin. Some religious people do; but I am not a religious person ;-)

I believe Elohei has a sense of humor - and He created us with a sense of humor.

I also believe there is Life {"out there"} beyond what we know and experience here on Earth; and Scripture attests to that.

Am I saying God is an alien? NO. What I am saying is that we don't know what lies beyond our Universe … and that I do believe in a Parallel Universe.

These are thoughts most Christians do not think; and more than a few consider "a sin".

I am not like most people - and unless Elohim, Himself, points out that it's "a sin" to have fun with sci-fi humor, I'll continue to have fun ;-)

I got a little silly this morning, before we hooked up and pulled out …

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - Spaceships Visit Scene:

 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJLK6IdQJDM)

I made this Crochet UFO, & Aliens Finger Puppets in October 2017, for a Christmas Bazaar in Rosburg-WA: it sold quickly.

Crochet UFO Pattern Link is in my "Ethnic Roots, Winter Soups, Country Biscuits, & UFO Aliens" Post:

 (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/10/ethnic-roots-winter-soups-country.html)

I am glad I finally got to Rachel - and I'm not going to apologize for having fun with UFO-related engagements.

That said, we had planned to jet down to Kingman-AZ, following our Rachel adventure; so, that's what we did today.

Holland has done righteous by me - and I'm glad he's doing things he wants to do, too: a balanced give and take is what love relationships are all about.

I'm glad 2024 finds us galloping down Happy Trails, again ;-)

It also makes me happy that Holland (who is really very quiet and reserved) is relaxing more about being recorded …

He's a good man, with a gentle spirit and a kind/generous heart.

He's my man: and I like the people in my life to meet him.

And he has interesting things to share; when he opens up and lets it flow.

Elohim knew what He was doing when He put us together - and nothing else matters.

November 4'22 - We know we are meant to BE - Holland knew it before I did … but Elohim eventually enlightened me, too; and I'm glad. Holland loves me/no question about that.

Metallica - 'Nothing Else Matters' song: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkj6-LN6WKI)

It was nippy when we left Rachel: the temperature was very cold … and it rained all night last night, before we went to bed; it wasn't freezing cold where we were holed up - but we did notice that the mountain tops around us had been dusted overnight with fresh snow.

Fresh snow-covered peaks.

We drove carefully because cows were e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e.

Rachel is a 'free range' area.

It was windy as we traveled forward, towards today's goal … we could feel the wind gusts pushing against Independence; and tumbleweeds were skipping across the highway shoulders.

Kingman-AZ from Rachel-NV; 3 hr. 55 min (254.6 mi) via US-93 S and US-93 S

Text to Brenda.

Coming up on Lake Mead …

Lake Mead-NV: 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Mead)

This scenery interests me more than the Hoover Dam …

The highways are really ROUGH!

Poor Independence is being shaken to death :-(

The Colorado River is controlled by the Hoover Dam; the river water irrigates over 1,500,000 acres of land, and provides water to over 16,000,000 people.

A pretty little heart-shaped cloud; Elohim's love is always with us :-)

More Heavenly hugs ;-)

Mojave Desert; our route took us thru Vegas-NV

Dolan Springs-AZ from Kingman-AZ; 37 min (36.2 mi) via US-93 N

Zuni RV Park; Kingman-AZ; #2840 Airway Ave, Kingman, AZ

We had a spacious pull-thru space, and our time here was quiet & enjoyable.

We parked Independence, unhooked Betsy, relaxed … and Holland gave Aunt Gaye a jingle.

Tomorrow morning, we will be having breakfast with Aunt Gaye; I'm excited to meet her - she sounds like fun, and all of Holland's Harris relatives are very nice people :-)

HAPPY LIFE & 2 STATE PARK WALK

I used to walk every day.

Several miles.

Every day, all year long: for decades.

Even through my Widowing Years, when I had to literally force one foot in front of the other.

Walking balances me, and puts the "happy" in my life ;-)

Last January I remarried: that's a good thing :-)

Holland relaxes by cooking - and he's a good cook; he cooks 95% of the meals we eat.

I've gained 20 pounds since Holland came into my life: that's a bad thing :-(

Even though living as road gypsies keeps us {on the go} ... most of the "go" is done sitting. Sitting does not burn calories.

But here, at Del Pueblo RV Resort, we are going to be hunkering down until the end of February sometime: that is, we will be spending a few months in one place.

Holland will get a break from driving.

He will not be hauling Independence around every 2 weeks; he's happy about that. Holland has done righteous by me - in that he's been faithful to grant my wish of "seeing America": we've crisscrossed America pretty steadily since April, covering 19 States and driving 15,000 miles in 8 months' time.

We like Arizona; Holland has lived here before, but it's a new experience for me. I like it. So, I am in total agreement to set pegs and spend time whittling away time here :-)

Holland lives a more sedate life than I do: I'm {on} all the time - and I'm really missing my walks :-(

I'm missing the activity.

I'm missing the feel-good mood booster walking releases with each step forward.

I'm missing the enjoyment of scenery.

I'm missing the muscle toning.

I'm missing the whole-body-benefits daily walking generates.

So, this afternoon while watching Bleu do his 'I need to get out and run' pacing up and down the livingroom floor … I said to Holland that I was going to go online and try to track down a walking park where Bleu and I could burn off some excess energy.

Bleu and I need to be active; or we get snappy. Holland will appreciate the activity fallout of peaceful serenity when we walk back through the front door ;-)

Holland shut down his laptop and said he'd come with me if I didn't mind - of course! I didn't ask him to join us because he was busy with his pals on FB … and I am bending to give him {space}; but if he wants to come with us, I'm more than okay with that!

I slipped sandals on, snapped my mileage meter to my jeans waistband - and off we went :-)

We started our walk in Winterhaven-Ca, on one side of the River … and ended it on the opposite side, in Yuma-AZ:

Quechan Walking Trail Park; this is a walking park located on the Quechan Indian reservation.

Quechan Walking Trail Park: 

401-483 Quechan Rd, Winterhaven, CA

Quechan Walking Park dike road; CA side of the Colorado River.

Sunshine, palm trees, sand, and the Colorado River; Winterhaven-CA

Bleu enjoying a free run; Winterhaven-CA

St. Thomas Indian Mission School; Winterhaven-CA

St. Thomas Indian Mission School; Winterhaven-CA:

 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Thomas_Yuma_Indian_Mission)

Untrimmed Palm trees; Winterhaven-CA

Stairway to nowhere …

Broken glass was everywhere - I worried about Bleu's paws, and was glad  when Holland showed up.

Evergreen silver, ovate leaves with furry undersides. Yellow daisy-like flowers; Yuma-AZ

Bougainvillea bush.

Flocks of pigeons were everywhere, filling the sky & walkways.

Riverside Park; 50 Prison Hill Rd, Yuma, AZ

A bright spot of Fall color in all this HOT sunshine ;-)

Charles Flynn - the person responsible for this lovely little Park.

Charles Flynn Riverfront Trail is a 0.8 mile (2,000-step) route located near Yuma, Arizona:

(https://kyma.com/news/2018/11/20/finding-a-reason-for-the-river/)

The actual Colorado River; not a canal or a slough; Yuma-AZ

Reconnecting A Desert Town With It's River:

 (https://www.npca.org/articles/336-reconnecting-a-desert-town-with-its-river)

Holland keeping an eye in us; this is a pretty rough part of Old Town Yuma-AZ

Not sure what type of waterfowl this is …

Paved walking trail stamp …

Riverside Park is located directly across from the Old Town Yuma Prison Park.

We stopped and picked up some KFC for Supper, on our way home.

Both Parks are a 20 minute drive (40 minute loop) from our front door.

It was an enjoyable day … and a definite repeat (possibly Solo Lobo) now that both Holland and I know where these places are located.

YUMA~AZ

Tuesday: Yuma is new territory for both of us; Holland has lived in, and worked in Arizona … but has done neither in Yuma. And of course, the Southern portion of the USA is entirely new to me.

We want to spend a significant amount of time in Arizona, so when we had woken and took our time shaking the early morning cobwebs, we started calling the other two RV Resorts we'd chosen to stay at; if there was availability.

The silver bridge is 1-lane, and we were able to pass over safely.

Downtown Yuma-AZ

We hit pay dirt at 'Desert Holiday RV Resort'; so we booked a week's stay :-)

We bought a Money Card here - and thankfully it was accepted by the RV Resort Booking Agent.

On our way to the RV Resort, we passed by a neighborhood canal: I had never seen one before, though I have read about them. The water seemed high, and I said to Holland, "That water looks pretty high -does it ever jump the banks?" Holland said, "No, because it is controlled; it can be decreased in volume … or increased in volume, depending on the need. It comes from the Colorado river."

Yuma neighborhood canal; water from the Colorado River.

Holland says the Colorado River becomes a trickle along the Southren border.

The outlying neighborhoods of Yuma is where the action is.

A Cell Tower designed t blend into it's surroundings - Holland had never seen one before; for once, I had knowledge to share ;-)

We're very close to the Mexico border, here.

We liked what we saw when we arrived at the Resort.

But the space that had been booked for us was too tight to get our loooong Home into; Holland gave it a good try, but it was just too tight every which way - the booked space was pretty close to a decorative brick wall, too ... and it was making me nervous; no matter how good a driver my husband is. The space was just too darned t.i.g.h.t. for us - I wasn't even sure we'd be able to get out slide-outs all the way out, once we managed to squeeze in there. The guy guiding us in, finally said, "I think I can put you in a space that will be easier for you."

And he did.

Just too tight; Holland was good at jockeying the rigs - but it was just too tight. This guy was friendly & helpful. We are thankful.

(((THANK YOU , LORD!)))

So, we finally got set-up; and ran out to grab a Chinese Supper.

And if we like it here, we'll pay for a month's stay so we can get out and about, enjoying Yuma :-)

*Things To Do in Yuma-AZ: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g31418-Activities-Yuma_Arizona.html

**Interesting Things About Yuma-AZ:

1. There are 308 annual days of sunshine in Yuma: the annual sunshine average in Yuma, Arizona is 91 per cent of the possible hours of sunshine. This equals 308 sunny days per year and of 4,055 hours out of 4,456 possible hours of sun in a year.

2. Yuma is the sunniest place in the world: the average July high temperature can hit a 107 - 100+ days with 100 degrees in Yuma.

3. 4th Avenue, Yuma-AZ, is older than Route 66. We are currently parked on 4th Avenue ;-)

4. In the 30’s and 40’s Yuma was the wedding capital of the United States. Arizona did not have a waiting period or any residency requirements for getting married. Many traveled from California including celebrities from Hollywood to Yuma to tie the knot.

5. The Yuma Union High School mascot name is the Criminals. It is the only high school in the US to use the mascot; it is also the only high school in the United States whose mascot is copyrighted.

Full story about how they got their mascot name, here: https://www.yumaunion.org/Page/435

6. 7,500 acres of Medjool dates are grown in Yuma.

7. Yuma is the lettuce capital of the world. It supplies 75% of the lettuce worldwide.

8. Juan Bautista de Anza was the first European to establish an overland route from Mexico, through the Sonoran Desert, to the Pacific coast of California. In 1774, his expedition arrived at the confluence of the Gila and Colorado rivers (present-day Yuma, Arizona).

9. In the 1850’s-1860’s Yuma was one of the most most important crossing into the West and a supply depot for people heading to California

10. From 1860-1901 Yuma followed Victorian principles (some men & women today, are still stuck in this mentality - I've met more than a few at the Oak Point Grange, Longview-WA).

Victorian Life Info, here: https://www.britannica.com/event/Victorian-era

11. Wyatt Earp was a Faro dealer (French gambling card game) in Yuma in 1897.

12. Yuma prison opened in 1876 and had more modern amenities than most homes in Yuma.

13: State Historic Park is a National Landmark.

14: Arizona became a state in 1912 (the last continental state in the United States).

15. It’s a military town. Yuma is the busiest air station in the Marine Corps, MCAS Yuma supports 80 percent of the Corps’ air-to-ground aviation training because of its access to 2.8 million acres of training ranges and superb flying weather: the overhead jets are LOUD, and fly late into the evening.

Learn more here: www.visityuma.com/military.html

16. Yuma is located 10 miles from the Mexico border.