Military Memories, Date Shakes and Beautiful Weather

 

Yuma Proving Grounds Main Gate

Friday March 21st

We left Quartzsite this morning and ended up at Imperial Dam Recreational Area. This is BLM land and contains six or seven different areas where camping in self-contained vehicles is allowed. We were at Squaw Lake campground which has fresh water, flush restrooms and showers.  Squaw Lake is part of the backwater area of the Colorado River and it is very popular with fisherman, recreational boaters and canoe and kayak enthusiasts. As fate would have it the day we checked in so did the Phoenix Paddlers Club. So it was busier than normal.

Squaw Lake Campground

Squaw Lake Picnic Area

Back Waters of Squaw Lake

Squaw Lake

Back Water Area of Squaw Lake

Squaw Lake Campground

Squaw Lake

Squaw Lake

 On the drive in we passed the Yuma Proving  Grounds, this area at 1,300 acres is one of the world’s largest military installations. There is a large display of armament outside the main gates that was interesting. I was able to find the equipment that was attached to the unit I was in. My memories, fortunately, were all good ones but I would imagine that is not the case for all who visit this site.  

Saturday March 22nd

We drove around the lake to check out a very nice RV Resort as a possible next stop for us but it was a bit out of our league. We also drove to Imperial Date Gardens, and had one of their famous date milk shakes, I didn’t know what to expect but it was very good. The area is very pretty as well with all the date trees.

Date Farm

 Date Trees

 Old homestead that I thought would make a nice picture

Laguna Dam first Dam constructed on the Colorado River

The evening was spent visiting with a RV couple that was parked next to us. They were Germans and lived in the small town next to the one that I was   stationed in while in the service. They keep a very nice truck and 5^th wheeler stored in California and then they travel around the US when they visit here every year for five or six month’s Very interesting people.

Sunday March 23^rd

We left Squaw Lake and headed south toward Yuma. We decided to get a place with electric again so we can charge everything up again and find a place that has phone and Wi-Fi service; we have been without both for the last couple of days. Whatever did we do before we had cell phones and the Internet. We are at Fortuna De Oro RV Resort in the foothills area of Yuma. We checked in for the week. The weather is approaching the 90’s this week so after a week of this we may be ready to move on.