Earp CA

From Salome, AZ we traveled about 70 miles to Earp, CA which is right on the Colorado River and across from Parker, AZ. The area is still the desert and the town of Earp is a name only with just a post office. The Parker Dam is 16 miles up river from Earp. It is one of the 3 dams on the Colorado River where the water is impounded which is used to supply southern California and Arizona with water. We did not realize the large volume of water that is taken from the Colorado River through the viaduct to supply California. The town of Parker was basically founded due to the Indian Reservation which now incorporates 4 tribes the Chemehauvi, Mohave, Navajo and Hope. The reservation is vast. There was a Japanese interned camp on the reservation during WW II. There were over 20,000 Japanese in the camps. The Japanese developed a water way to irrigate the land and were successful in developing crops that thrived in the area. When the camps were closed the land was returned to the Indians with the irrigation systems in place and the knowledge on how to continue to grow crops. This allowed the Indians to thrive and be financially successful. They now have a casino which also is a financial support for them. Kayaking was good on the stretch of the Colorado from Parker Dam to the campground. Bob got Sue to go out a couple of different times. Sue did drop Bob off below the dam and he floated the 15 miles back to the campground. The water is cold and I am not sure that it would be a place that we would want to winter as the water is just too cold to really enjoy in the winter months.

Salome AZ

We spent the week of Feb. 4 - Feb. 11th in the desert area of Salome, AZ. When you come from New England and you don't see a green surrounding, it seems rather strange. The only green in the desert are a few cacti. We traveled to Quartzsite from here. Quartzsite is a city in AZ that comes alive in January and February with hundreds of vendors selling their goods from tents, trailers and some permanent buildings. There was a lot of junk but there were also some beautiful minerals and gems for sale. The minerals and gems that can be found in the desert are outstanding. One could easily find them in raw stage or polished and finished. If you were into jewelry making, they had all that one would need to make these goods. The tents fold up and the vendors leave starting in late February. It was a sight to see. In order to do any exploring for rocks or to see the old mines in the desert, you really need 4-wheelers. It is too vast an area to explore on foot. The desert does get into the high 120's in the summer months with the nights only cooling to the low 100's. Water is a problem and even with the wells, most water needs to be heavily treated before it is tolerable.

Yuma Arizona

We spent January 21 to February 4 in Yuma, AZ. Yuma is the "Lettuce Capitol" of the states. It is also the "Winter vegetable capitol" as well. If it wasn't for the water from the Colorado River, it would be just a plain desert. On average, Yuma gets less than 3" of rain a year. We enjoyed visiting the Yuma Indian Reservation where the Quechan tribe resides. This is the only Indian tribe that had not been removed from its original lands. They lease farm lands to Indian and non-Indian farmers. They operate a casino and 5 campgrounds. It is amazing what irrigation does for farming. The landscape, without irrigation, is sand, cacti and sagebrush. There was a Yuma State Prison which operated from 1876 to 1913 which was very interesting to visit. The prisoners had to learn a trade in order to survive. The desert temperatures range from 30's in the night time to the 70's during the day now. In June through Sept. the temperatures range from 65 to 110 degrees. These are average temperatures in this area and you can see up to 115 degrees. With all of the dams on the Colorado River and irrigation water taken from it, it is not a mighty river as it meets the Gulf of Mexico. We did enjoy having fresh lettuce and vegetables at our disposal which were inexpensive at the local markets. On February 4th we moved to Salome, AZ which is out in the desert and we will visit Quartzsite, AZ which has a large number of flea markets in January and February featuring many of the local minerals and gems. Will write more later.