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 5th 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
23rd
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.
