TRIP TO YUMA AZ and LOS ALGODONES MEXICO

Saturday, February 28th, we lit out for Yuma taking Bill and Esther with us.  We began with breakfast at Red Mountain Cafe' behind our park and made good time to Yuma having lunch at I-Hop and checking in to the Super 8 with plenty of daylight time left.  The scenery along the way was awesome as usual!

Yuma, here we come!

We had plenty of time to go through the Yuma Territorial Prison before meeting up with Salem friends, Bob and Donna who live in Yuma part of the year.

This museum building is not an original structure.
The function of many of the buildings changed over the years.
The original was destroyed by fire in 1924.

The prison was built in 1876 and housed over 3029 prisoners in it's 33 years, including 29 women. Though it was a modern facility for it's time, it was often called the "Hell hole of the West" (probably nicknamed for the scorching summers or the solitary "dark cell").
After the prison closed down, it was used in 1900 - 04 for a school, and then used for housing during the depression.

Picture of the original structure.

Solitary confinement accomodations.

Though some were often residents of the Hell Hole,
others had self entertaining pleasures.

Guess who!

Looking from one cell through to another.

Replacement building as it stands today
for the museum and display.

Watch tower and water well.
The well still used today.

After tour of the prison, we met up with Bob and Donna for dinner at Lutes Casino (not really a casino) known for it's atmosphere.

Audrey, Donna, Esther, Bill, and Bob

Good food and great fellowship and much memorabilia!
After a good night's rest, we began the next day at a church service in Bob and Donna's Kofo Park in the activity center.  One of the residents conducted the service after sharing about the 1000 pounds plus of food that had been donated for a local food banks and missions by the park residents.

We had been watching the weather forecast since mid week, wondering if we were going to get rained out of what we wanted to do.  But after church it was still looking good, so we decided to head to Algodones to check out their wares and pick up medicines at a good price.  Got Z-paks, Amoxicillim and Gary's acid reflex medicine at less than $6. prices.

And the vendors begin!

The town is about four blocks by four blocks. It was a very interesting place, but not one where we would go often.  Bob and Donna do their dental, eye, and hearing care there all the time, as well as their meds.

Donna's Mexican friend here took her to a dentist
when she crossed the border racked with pain.
He welcomes her each time she crosses.

As soon as you cross, you get bombarded by vendors and Mexicans soliciting work for the professionals, as well.

After shopping some, we stopped for lunch at Parisos in Algodones and then went back to Bob and Donna's to visit. Unfortunately, we are so used to living this way that I forget to take pictures!!  I should have taken one of Bob and Donna by their rig.  I'll have to remember this next time, maybe when they are in Apache Junction before we leave the state.
After visiting, we went to Crossings Grill for great hamburgers and the usual fries.  Hated to see the day come to and end, but much rest was needed.  The guys relaxed in front of the TV and went on to bed and Esther and I went to Super 8's breakfast lounge and played our card game for a couple rounds then called it a day.  The rain had finally begun while we played cards, so not sure what to expect the next day.  We know we will return to Mesa, but not sure if we can do more in the Yuma area first.
Time will tell.  Stay tuned.