El Centro, California to Yuma, Arizona

We pulled out of Sunbeam Lake RV Resort around 10am Sunday morning.  The weather was nice and sunny and very little wind.  Our drive was only about 70 miles so we just settled into 55mph and watch the scenery.  We were quite surprised at how many areas we saw with groups of RVs boon-docking along the highway. 

 

 

We arrived in Yuma around 11:30 which was actually 12:30 because they are 1 hour ahead in time. 

 

 We went straight to Sun Vista and were directed to our booked site #275.  After a few attempts to back in - it was decided that since this site had an orange tree on one corner and a lamp post on the other, we would move down to site #273 which only had a grapefruit tree and no lamp post.  We were parked and set up quite quickly. 

Here are a few photos of the resort you may enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

Crappy Internet Connections!

Although Sunbeam Lake RV Resort is a beautiful park and I would definitely stay there again, I would arrange for my own internet connection through TimeWarner.  There was so way to upload photos, chat on Skype or even stay connected for a period of time while answering email.  I do want to add though that the people staying there are the most friendly.  On Saturday nights they always get together for an evening campfire and made sure numerous times that we were invited and they wanted us to attend.  We did go over for a couple of hours and had a wonderful time.  When hooking up to leave the next morning, a few of them came over to wish us a safe trip and tell us they would love for us to come back if we come that way again.

 

We are now at Sun Vista Resort in Yuma, Arizona but I would like to share a few pictures from the El Centro area first. These first 3 photos are of the RV Resort.

 

 

This next photo is a burger joint that we tried because it looked kind of fun and we had never tried it before.  The service was very slow but the burgers were good. 

About a mile from the RV Park, is the Naval Air Facility, El Centro.  We could hear and usually see fighter jets and helicopters flying overhead most days.  We decided to take a drive up to the base to see about getting some better pictures.  At the entrance to the base, the MP suggested we head all the way around to the back side of the base so we would be under the fight path.  The first photo is one I took right at the entrance to the base since we weren't allowed inside.  The others are from along a farm road under the flight path of the jets.

 

 

 

Next post will catch up with our arrival in Yuma, Arizona on Sunday, Jan.12th, 2014

 

 

We've moved again. Salton Sea to El Centro.

This morning we packed up and hooked up and headed south down Hwy 111.  It only took about 90 minutes to reach our destination of Sunbeam Lake RV Resort.  This is a really beautiful park but the internet connection is the worst yet.  We may need to head into a Starbucks or MacDonald's every morning just to get my daily downloads etc.  Anyway - I've been working at this little post for over an hour now and hope that it will work.  I'll have some pictures etc. in the next few days if I manage to get a better connection somewhere.

Quilting and some strange and interesting sights ...

First thing this morning Lou and I walked up to the Office area of the Resort.  On Tuesdays the trucks arrive for the fresh fruit & veggies market.  As you can see, it's very popular.  The food is very fresh and the prices are great.

I left Lou there and headed over to the craft room for the Quilting group.  There were about 15 ladies all working on quilts for the Children's Hospital.  They usually make them 48"X42".  Another lady and I were assigned the job of layering and pinning the quilts so they were ready to be stitched around the outside.  From there they are tied. 

 

 

 

Later we headed out down the highway to a place called Salvation Mountain.  We've had many RVers tell us about it and said be sure to take our camera.  There is quite a story to this and you can read about it here. http://www.salvationmountain.us/  We took quite a few pictures so enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just past Salvation Mountain is an area called Slab City. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/slab-city-a-desert-haven-for-recessions-victims/  This is an area where a lot of RVers just Boondock in the desert.  It's not an area where I would like to set up camp but ... it's definitely an interesting place to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little way down the road, there is a sign that states "if a car is parked here - stay away".  This is where the people who live at Slab City go to shower.  It is an open culvert with a ladder to climb down and it has water running into it.  The water drops down about 6' so it is like a cold shower.

 

Heading back towards home we stopped at a Wildlife Refuge Area.  We happened to see these signs so there was no way I was getting out of the truck.  I rolled down the window, took the picture and WE WERE OUTTA THERE! 

Back at the RV park I just had to get a picture of the back end of this motorhome.  Can you imagine following him down the highway.  LOL

Finally for today - another amazing sunset picture.

A quiet and relaxing day in the sunshine.

Today we decided to stay around the RV and just kick back and relax.  We went for a short walk around the resort and took a few more pictures.  This is Lou checking out the hot water "Fountain of Youth" to see if it can help him stay young... NOPE no help there!

This is a picture I took for my kids.  Jason and Kari

both have Quads and I'm sure they'll love it. 

This is 1 of the 2 swimming pools.  There are

also 3 hot tubs and a VERY hot mineral pool. 

While walking around we went by the hair salon and they weren't busy so Lou decided to get his beard trimmed up.  They have a complete salon with 3 stations and do manicures, pedicures and massages too.