Monday, February 27, 2006
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Wickenburg, Arizona
We have now been in Wickenburg, Arizona for one week. We will be here until Feb. 20. Wickenburg is celebrating their Gold Rush Days. They have a very small carnival, Senior Rodeo, 4th largest parade in Arizona, entertainment by the Sons of the San Joaquin, dinner with music by Daughters of the Purple Sage, and a western shootout on Frontier street. The Escapee park we are staying at is wonderfull. They have a wonderful cactus garden and lots of activities to keep us busy. We were very impressed with the parade. They had two groups of pom pom girls from Sun City, Arizona. One group included ages 65-69 and the other 70+. After seeing one of the 70+ ladies perform the splits, I think Sun City might be the place to retire if one wanted to stay young. I really am enjoying my new camera. It has allowed me to take wonderful pictures. We were sitting at least 50 yards away from the chutes but the pictures came out just great. You can see more photos by clicking on our travel photos link at the right. Enjoy.
Rodeo in Wickenburg, Arizona
We attended a Senior Pro Rodeo at Wickenburg, Arizona. It was a great rodeo. It was amazing to see participants over the age of 50 still riding bare back and bulls. The weather was just wonderful. Had to use an umbrella for shade. You can see more pictures by clicking on the travel photo link at the right.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Yuma Proving Grounds
We visited the Yuma Proving Grounds to watch the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team practice for their upcoming shows. What a wonderful day. I took many pictures with my new camera. We also stopped at an exhibit on the way out that featured howtizers, tanks, missle launchers, and other things that were used in war or tested at the Proving grounds. One of the tanks even had marks made by the bullets that had hit it during WWII. We did not have to pay for any of the attractions, it was all free. The Golden Knights practice Monday - Friday from 8-4:30. They have won 423 championships, 65 world champs, 16 national and world team titles. The team performs more than 27,000 jumps before an estimated 12 million people. If they put on a show near you, go see it. For more photos-click on "our travel photos" go to Yuma Proving Grounds album. Enjoy
Yuma Territorial Prison
We visited Yuma Territorial Prison. Really a great outing. It was built in 1876 and the first 7 inmated were locked in the cells they had built themselves. It housed more than 3000 prisoners over the time it served as a prison. Besides serving as a prison it served as Yuma Union High Scholl from 1910-1914 (students were often referred to as the criminals from Yuma High) From 1920-1930 it offered free lodging to the hobos riding freight trains. It also offered free homes to the homeless durind the depression area. People were sentenced to the Yuma Territorial Prison for crimes such as burglary, assault, selling liquor to Indians (164) adultry (27), pologmy (11), obstructing railroad, seduction (3), and prize fighting (1). 4 women were inprisoned for adultry with sentences varying from 4 months to 2 years. They have a small museum which tells history of the prison. You can also view a film about the prison. The cost to tour the prison was $4 per adult. Also on site, you can see a few false store fronts with cute names for stores and owners. Hollywood also made use of the prison for some of their movies. In fact, they lowered an entrance to the cell block because the actors were short and they wanted the actors to appear taller. For those who would like, click on the link "our travel photos" at the right and go the the Yuma Territorial prison album for more pictures of the prison and the store fronts.
Official Center of the World
We visited the Official Center of the World located in Felicity, California. The Official Center of the World is based upon a children's book COE The Good Dragon at the Center of the World. Gov. Dukemajeon of Ca. recognized Felicity as the Center of the World. Not to be outdone, Senator Pete Wilson pushed legislature through Congress which also recognized the Official Center of the World. You can take a tour for $2 per person. During the tour, you stand on the official center of the world marker and receive a certificate. Also located at the Official Center of the World is part of the staircase from the Effiel Tower. You can also view the World Commemorative Center which engraves in granite the highlights of the collective memory of Humanity. The granite museum walls are engineered to last for 4000 years. The names of 4,617 U.S. Marines killed in the Korean War are engraved there. You can also view the history of Aviation and the story of the Foreign Legion. The 8 walls of the History of Humanity are also being engraved. You can view more pictures by clicking on the link on the right "travel photos"
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