Yuma, Arizona

January 21 - February 1, 2009

Cocopah Golf and RV Resort, Yuma, Arizona

Our first stop AC (after California) is Yuma, Arizona. Cocopah is located just (and I mean just) over the borders of both California and Mexico. Ken picked up a bug so our first few days here we stuck around the area with not much exploring. I have to say I was quite disappointed in Yuma. Our first sights were of poor, rundown neighborhoods with junk cars and old iron beds, etc. in front yards of homes; shopping centers filled with cars that looked like they hadn't been washed in years; and, many "trailer parks", very rundown and dirty.

The one bright spot was the RV resort which is located on the Cocopah Indian Reservation. It has an 18-hole golf course and many, many friendly people. We enjoyed a BBQ Rib dinner at the clubhouse and the next night were treated to a show with Elvis...the guy wasn't bad either. From afar he looked similar and he really had the moves, but most of all, he had a good voice which made him quite "believeable". I wonder why he isn't in Vegas or somewhere where he can make better money!

One of the great parts of this park is the Pet Area. It's a large, grassy area where you can let your pet loose to run and play with all the other dogs. It's the first time Barney has had the chance to really "socialize" with the other dogs. I have to say, though, he seems to be barking a little more often now and even spent half the night last night in his doggie bed instead of ours!!

We had cancelled our Sunday morning tee times and it turned out to be a blessing because we got the chance to visit with Greg and Marilyn (Ken's cousin) who are here with some of their Alaska friends riding their ATVs all over the desert! We had an afternoon of sharing each others' adventures traveling the country in our RVs.

It's been almost four months since I went home and I have to admit, I'm feeling a bit homesick; I really miss the kids and grandkids. So, I got online to check out some plane reservations to see if a trip home could be planned. Everything was going along smoothly until I remembered what kind of winter the northeast is experiencing this year and decided I'd stay put where the bad days here are still in the 60's and there is no ice and snow!!!

Once Ken was feeling better, we decided to follow the throngs of seniors crossing the border into Algodones in Mexico where dentists, optometrists and pharmacies are located on every corner, offering "can't be beat" prices for their services and wares. First of all, except for the professionals and workers, there was NOT one person under the age of 55...all appearing spry and in good health. Second of all, it is quite amazing that you can travel no more than 10 miles and pay one-third of the cost for your prescriptions on this side of the border. We were so amazed at our savings that we went back another day to get another 90-day supply (your limit per visit). We both also got new glasses and Ken had his teeth cleaned. I met one women getting five crowns (all within one week) for what it would have cost her in the States for one. We went early and left before 11:00 so we only had to wait in the line to get back in the States for 20 minutes. We've heard the wait can be as long as three hours if you leave after 11:00.

On the way to Algondones we would see RVs dry camping (no hook-ups) in the desert flats along the highway and road entering Mexico. It really is amazing how many people come and from how far away, to take advantage of these medical discounts.

We managed to get over to the Yuma Lettuce Festival which was a street fair held in honor of Yuma's main crop!! And, spent a morning walking through the large "stop and swap" flea market held every weekend.

For those of you who don't know, Jen and her husband, Chris, are opening a restaurant, J.R. Brody's Roadside Tavern, in Falmouth in mid-February. In an effort to get their name around, Jen and her sister-in-law, Ginny, entered the Chili Fest with Ginny's chili recipe, which is held on Martha's Vineyard every year. So, on a cold (very cold) day in January they went over to the Island with their pot of chili, served samples to all who attended and, at the end of the day, were awarded second place by the "chili faithful" of the Island. Here's Ginny and Jen accepting their trophy (and celebrating)!!!

After three attempts, we finally got to play a round of golf at Cocopah's 18-hole golf course. Not great golf, but good golf!

Our RV'ing friend, Beverly Bolland, who has traveled around the country, once asked me why we were visiting Yuma...I now understand what she meant. Even though Cocopah is a great RV park, there is nothing else in this area that would bring us back. So.....on to Tucson.