Yuma AZ

We arrived at our campground after a leisurely four hour drive. While passing through the Jacumaba mountain range we were struck by the huge rocks that peppered the landscape. This area was formed during the Mesozoic era when the Gulf of California came into being.

 Imperial sand dunes are where there were hundreds of RV's parked and dune buggies playing in the massive sand dunes.

We are going to stay in this area for at least a month. We have some medical issues to attend to and we want to explore and see how well this area fits into our long term goals. While looking for a place to stay we found that the fee for a month's stay is proportional to its distance from Yuma and varies according to the time of year. Since it is winter the fees are at their peak.

We went geocaching on Saturday the 4th and wound up way out in the boonies. At first the GPS pointed to a location atop a rocky hill.. So we climbed up through a small ravine.

It was pretty steep and slippery and I was concerned that it might be dangerous. Once we got to the top we looked around for an obvious spot one might hide a cache. Glancing at my GPS again I discovered that the arrow was now pointing back where we parked. While we were up there it occurred to me that this terrain was perfect for rattlesnakes to hide. From what I've read, rattlers spend the daytime hidden under rocks to escape the hot sun. I also distinctly heard a hissing sound much like a cat. On the way back down, I kept looking back over my shoulder half expecting to see a mountain lion stalking us. Once we got back to the road we found the cache without any problem.

Looking easterly from the top of the hill

Sunset over Yuma

A time exposure of Yuma in the distance