After Algodones yesterday we headed to Yuma. Since Yuma is 43 miles from our camp we thought that we should put it all into one day - which we did but is was a longgggggggg day. This the first time we have spent a day in Yuma and enjoyed it very much.
Our first stop was the Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park in Yuma http://www.azstateparks.com/Parks/YUQU/index.html We went there to the visit the Christmas Village we had read about. However, while Cassia slept I went into the Tourist Info and picked up some books on Yuma and Arizona. The Village didn't look like much so we didn't go in.
Instead we learned about the Historic Downtown of Yuma in the book and since it was near by we headed there. We stopped in a the Garden Cafe looking for coffee but we were too late - so instead headed a street over for a date shake (if you've never sampled a Date shack we HIGHLY recommend them!).
We walked around looking at the buildings. Talking about how sad it is that these areas don't seem to be visited much by the local residents. Many cities try to resurrect their historic downtown - some have been more successful then others. It's a shame because the old buildings have so much more to give then the new box store areas. Derek and I always visit these types of areas. Actually we may have visited and know more about American history then some Americans because we love the history and geography stops.
After the downtown we went over the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park http://www.azstateparks.com/parks/YUTE/index.html. We arrived 15 mins before closing so we didn't pay to go in - instead we walked around the area that we could. In January they are having the meeting of the gunfighters there and so we made need to go back for that.
