We Arrive in Yuma

We have been waiting word that our parts for repairing the RV have arrived, but after waiting two weeks and getting nothing but promises we decided not to wait any longer. We left Mesa, AZ at about 11:30 am and by 3:25 pm we were in Yuma, AZ.

Some fun facts about Yuma (in case you know as little as we did before coming here):

• Yuma is located in Arizona's southwest corner, bordering Mexico and California.
• According to the Guinness Book of World Records Yuma is the sunniest place on earth with 91% sunshine during daylight hours. 
• Yuma is also the driest and least humid city in the US but is not the hottest. That would be Phoenix with the most days that the temperatures rise above 99 degrees.  
• Yuma's largest industry is agriculture. There are lush green farms which contrast sharply with the desert areas (90% of the nation's winter lettuce is grown here.) 
• Second largest industry is the military with is a Marine Corps Air Station and an Army Air Base in the city. 
• Third largest industry is tourism.  Yuma's population doubles each fall when the snowbirds arrive.

We are staying in an Escapees park, and already like this place. Temperatures were in the high 80's so we headed right for the pool and hot tub after we got hooked up our water and electric service. I could get used to this! We had a lovely time chatting with the locals and found that we could get our name on a waiting list for a site here. Currently the list for a plain RV site is about 3-5 years long, which suits us just fine. To buy into a plain site is about $6500; thereafter you pay about $900 a year maintenance fee plus your electricity. The park is closed from May through September (but who would want to be here in the heat anyway?) As is typical for Escapees parks, $1000 down gets your name on the waiting list, which goes towards your site when it is ready.  All money is refundable if you change your mind, and after 5 years it costs $1 to renew for another 5 years. Or they will give your $6500 back if you choose.  Pretty sweet, eh?

There are a lot of activities here, too, with craft time every day at 1:00, swim classes, socials, cards, exercise classes, and more. The only thing missing is a woodshop. There is even a 7 acre fenced dog park. And people are very friendly.

We plan on being here two weeks, but we will see. Originally we wanted to also visit an Escapees park in San Diego but nothing is set in stone. There seems like a lot to do around here.