Wednesday, February 8, 2017

WEST WETLANDS PARK, YUMA, AZ

Thursday, February 1 – We traveled West on I-8 this morning to Yuma, AZ. We are staying at Hidden Cove RV Park. It's nice to have unlimited electric, and the ability to take long hot showers again. We enjoy a few days dry camping (boondocking) but are always happy to reconnect to utilities! We will be in Yuma for about eight days.

Hidden Cove RV Park is a Passport America park. It has gravel streets and sites with full hook-ups. Each site has a small cement pad. The hook-ups are at the rear of the site making hooking up utilities a little bothersome. The sites are pretty tight, so we are very close to our neighbors. There isn't much room to park our vehicle. We even had to park up on the cement patio.

Site 40.
HIdden Cove RV Park

HIdden Cove RV Park

Looking right.
HIdden Cove RV Park

Looking left.
HIdden Cove RV Park

With all that said, the place isn't too bad, and we'll survive for a week. The Yuma Bike trail is very close so we hope to find time for a bike ride or two. Of course, Mexico is just around the corner and that is the main reason we are here.

The weather gods have finally decided to give their blessings and send wonderful weather to Yuma. Yuma is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the sunniest place on earth with 339 bright days a year and less than three inches of rain annually.

Since the Yuma West Wetland is just about a half mile up the road from the campground, we decided to do some exploring.  In 2000, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, City of Yuma and the Quechan Tribe collaborated in restoring the local wetlands along the Colorado River by removing non-native plant species, trash dumps, and make-shift hobo camps. Approximately 350 acres have been restored to a mix of wetlands, cottonwood-willow, mesquite, and backwaters. It will take several years to complete the restoration of the entire 1,400 acres along the Lower Colorado River which will consist of the Yuma East and West Wetlands.

In 1846, the Mormon Battalion was given the task of finding a southern wagon route to California.  Its record-setting, 2,000-mile march passed through Yuma because this was the best place to cross the river. A bronze statue is erected in the West Wetland Park.

Mormon Battalion

This is very interesting.Mormon Battalion

There is a well-maintained 5-mile bike/pedestrian path along the Yuma East and West Wetlands that took us along the lower Colorado River.

Yuma West Wetlands

Yuma West Wetlands

Colorado River.
Yuma West Wetlands

Yuma West Wetlands

There is a hummingbird garden.
Yuma West Wetlands

hummingbird garden

There are several playgrounds for the children.
children playground

Community Fishing Water.
Yuma West Wetlands

Yuma West Wetlands

There is a Yuma West Wetlands Solar Garden, owned and operated by APS.

Yuma West Wetlands Solar Garden

Yuma West Wetlands Solar Garden

Yuma West Wetlands Solar Garden

Yuma has done an excellent job with turning an eyesore into a lovely place for all age groups to enjoy.

Can’t get enough of the sunsets here in AZ. sunset

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day.