We’re having overnight company from Washington! How exciting! October 2021, Barry’s sister, Debbie, and her husband Jack flew from Seattle to Phoenix to attend a concert. The next day they drove to Yuma to spend two nights with us. We were excited to have them stay with us, and to be able to share our 55+ community lifestyle with them. They appreciated the warmer sunny days here over what they were having currently in Washington. We weren’t sure though with driving three hours from Phoenix, and having to make the return trip two days later, if they would want to try to see things around Yuma, or would prefer to simply relax and enjoy some of the resort amenities. Whatever they wanted to do was fine with us.
They were up for some sightseeing, so we began with a visit to the historic downtown area of Yuma. It was a first for us as well! Due to Covid-19 during 2020/2021, we had not ventured to this area. Barry and I diligently avoided public places other than for necessities of various grocery and furniture stores. With limited time in Yuma, we stayed focused on preparing for our new house, and making it into our comfortable home base. But now we were also ready to explore.
We found the olive oil & balsamic vinegar store, Desert Olive Farms. I left with a bottle of Prickly Pear Balsamic and a bottle of Lemon Dill Dipping Oil. We love the Sassy Saguaro, a Prickly Pear balsamic, over salad or drizzled with a quality olive oil for dipping a slice of sour dough bread!
Of course we had to take pics by the “Welcome to Yuma” mural!
I was surprised at the number of drinking establishments in this small downtown area. A couple of them caught our attention. The first one was Red’s Bird Cage. I felt like it was a step back in time!
Lutes Casino also caught our eye due to the unique extended entrance. The skeleton bride and groom played several “wedding” songs.
Jack noticed the old Kress building that used to be a 5-10-25 cent store, but is now home for Da Boyz Italian Cuisine and the Kress Ultra Lounge which evidently has two floors of music plus a rooftop lounge. May have to check out the inside another time.
We went into the Yuma Art Gallery. We enjoyed the local artisans’ varied artwork that was on display.
Unfortunately, we could not go to the Territorial State Prison because it is closed on Mondays AND Tuesdays which were the days Debbie and Jack were here! We did, however, drive over to it and were able to check out the cemetery.
“Of the 3,069 convicts sentenced to Yuma Prison 111 met their death. Disease, accident, murder suicide and escape attempts were the causes of their demise. The remains of 104 unfortunate souls are interred in the crude cemetery.”
Other views near the prison:
Later that afternoon we showed Debbie and Jack around our resort before heading to our bowling alley to get in a game before they closed for the day. We are the only resort park in the area and beyond that has their own four-lane AMF bowling alley! It’s a pretty cool amenity. After dinner we ventured to the pool and hot tub. It was a perfect night for it. This is retired life -“resort style”!
Debbie and I stayed up late talking. This was the first time we’ve had this kind of extended opportunity to chat just the two of us. I really enjoyed this uninterrupted time together with my sister-in-law.
The next day we took Debbie and Jack to Los Algodones, Mexico to experience the endless (and relentless) vendors, and to see all the dentist opportunities that makes this town so popular with Americans. Masks required. (Yes, Jack has one.)
Many highly visited towns in Mexico are setting up these colorful city name sculptures. They make great photo opportunities for tourists. 🙂
Vendors galore with all types of yard art, wall decor and more!
We found a great place to have lunch, but we didn’t have the luxury of killing time till we were hungry. Debbie and Jack had to leave soon to get back to Phoenix for their return flight to Seattle. We headed back across the border and came home for grilled cheese sandwiches before they hit the road. Barry and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together with Jack and Debbie, and sharing our world of retirement in Yuma.
Till next time…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our next overnight visitor came in November. Kandy Ivy was on her way back to Albuquerque, NM, but came by way of Yuma so she and I could catch up in person. It would only be a quick overnight stay before she continued her drive back to New Mexico, but we would make the most of every minute.
Kandy and I chatted for a long time on the phone back in August when we both were in southern CA, but we weren’t close enough to make a physical meetup work into our schedules. I was super excited to see this beautiful lady in person! We knew each other when we both lived in Oak Harbor. Her daughter and my son were the same age. I was Sarah’s math teacher at OHMS. Kandy and I were both 1st altos and sat next to each other in our church choir. We laughed a lot. Kandy owned a “paint your own pottery” studio in Oak Harbor that I frequented with both my kids. We loved it. “Paint Your Heart Out”–and we did! It was fun to reminiscence, but it was also fabulous to get caught up on our lives post Oak Harbor. Kandy and I discovered that we still have a lot in common.
After dinner Kandy brought out her ukulele. She wanted us to sing together, but unfortunately, I just didn’t know much of anything from the collection she had with her. I need musical notes with the words to follow, especially if she wanted to harmonize with me. I was drawing a total blank of any to suggest. We needed church music, or show tunes – or Christmas carols, but since it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet those didn’t cross my mind. Barry was so impressed when he mentioned “Bobby McGee”, and without any music or hesitation, she just started playing and singing it. Kandy totally nailed it!
I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with my friend. I cherish the long walks we had around the resort where Kandy shared with me her life journey after Oak Harbor, and what she was currently considering as options to begin her next chapter. Kandy is one of the sweetest, most talented people I have had the pleasure to know, let alone be able to call my friend! May her new life in Albuquerque be everything she deserves and more! I hope we don’t have to wait as long to see each other again!
This little guy was THE BEST! 
We loved your blog, Nancy! The photos were amazing, and it was such fun hearing about your life in Yuma. Keep it going. Much appreciated! ❤
Thank you, Colleen. It really helps when I know others like following along. 🙂