Yuma AZ, Vulture Tree

Had to share this.  In the corner of our park is a very tall cottonwood.  Check it out. I counted 30 vultures and probably missed a few.  They do seem to actually reside there when not out looking for carrion during the day.  Interesting sight:

Yuma AZ, West Wetlands Trl

Oops, sorry I missed yesterdays blog!  I have the stuff, just the the time getting away from me I guess:)

We went for a nice couple mile walk down on the Yuma Riverfront, the West Wetlands Trail.  You don't get much of a view of the Colorado from there, or much wildlife,  but you do get a pleasant walk and learn some more history....not to mention the really cool playground!

Statue to the Mormon Battalion

Check out this playground where you can play with your kids!

Yuma AZ, Kofa and Palm Canyon

On our way to a day at Quartzite a few days ago, before the rain, we drove off road a few miles into the Kofa Wildlife Refuge....Yes, we had rain for 2 days, actually measurable;) We wanted to check out Palm Canyon which is a bit of a phenomenon.  A small grove of palms grows in a steep walled canyon in a small mountain range and they are the only palms growing there.  How did they get there???  Probably bird droppings.  Anyway, pretty little canyon and a nice little hike before tackling the crowds at Quartzite:

See the palms in the steep canyon and Mike lower right

Had to have been bird droppings depositing seeds....don't you think?

Heading back down the trail

Yuma AZ, Yuma Territorial Prison

Ahhh, always interesting, an Alcatraz type prison in the desert.  The Yuma Territorial Prison made a very memorable morning out:

Main guard tower

This is a double gated entryway.  The prisoner wagon was driven into the "room"and then the front gates closed behind them.  Then the inner gates were opened to allow access to the prison

a few of the inmates and why they were in prison....

Yes, Pearl was also an inmate

Hollywood did use the prison a few times

The inmates had several shops in which to make things.  This lacework was knitted by a male inmate.  It is beautiful!

Cell blocks

This is where you went if you misbehaved......

....a strap steel bar cage in the middle of the floor of a room dug out of the hillside.  Only the bottom of the cage remains.

You were put in here with nothing but your underwear on.  One meal a day of bread and water. No Toilet. A small vent in the ceiling with a little shaft of light.  It was not solitary because if more than one person was in need of The Cell, you all went in together......remember, no toilet

You can see the name "Pete" and year 1889 near the inside corner of the entry to this cell

I'm standing in the doorway of a cell in the newer wing. No better conditions, just whitwashed

The cells had two bunk beds stacked 3 high with one pot to piss in, literally. The iron beds were installed after years of dealing with horrific bedbugs.