Colorado River Historic State Park

Cocopah RV Resort

Yuma,AZ 

February 22, 2025 

Sunset at Cocopah...walking Lucy 

Saturday's adventure was a history lesson and a yummy lunch at one of the points of interest in the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area along the Colorado River. 

The bluff overlooking the Colorado River...

Yuma began to experience the American westward movement in the mid 1800s when over 60,000 people crossed by ferry from Yuma on their way to California in search of gold.  A military post was established in Yuma in 1850 and the Colorado River Historic State Park is located on the bluff overlooking the river on the site of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Depot established in 1864.  The purpose of the park is to protect its historic structures and interpret the diverse history of the area. 

The Quartermaster Depot...front porch with the river below.  

The Depot  served as a storage yard and a military supply center for fourteen military posts in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Southern Utah, and West Texas.  There was a six month's supply of ammunition, clothing, and food at all times.  The supplies were brought from California by ocean-going vessels traveling around the Baja Peninsula and then north as far as the mouth of the Colorado River.  At this point, supplies were transferred to river steamboats and brought up the river to the Depot.  There sere several displays in side the Quartermaster's Office including uniforms and offices for the Quartermaster, and a military telegrapher from the Signal Corp. In 1873, the U.S. Signal corps operated Arizona's first non-private telegraph line from this office.  The telegraph stretched from San Diego, through Yuma, and on to Prescott and Tucson. But the most interesting bit of history to us was the Weather Station was also housed in this Depot.  

The Quartermaster's Office at the Yuma Depot became the first Signal Service weather station in Arizona Territory.  

Other points of interest include :

 the Water Reservoir

The Colorado River has always been a source of drinking water in Yuma. Prior to dams, the water carried  a large load of sediment.  Reservoirs forced the sediment to collect at the bottom allowing the clear water at the top to be siphoned off for drinking. The Army built this beautiful stone reservoir in 1865.

the Corral House

The adobe building, built in the early 1860s originally had an adobe corral all the way around it and thus named the corral house. From 1904 to 1951, it was somewhat modernized and housed the Bureau of Reclamation's Headquarters for the Yuma Project which was the first major irrigation project on the lower Colorado River.   The building provided both living and office space during that time.  

I peeked in one of the doors...it's been awhile since 1951...I know because I was born that year.  No one has occupied it since.

At the other end of the corral house is the Reclamation office. There are several rooms filled with photos, historical information and short videos about the Colorado River...the irrigation project, farming, and living in Yuma. This video was very nicely done.

 

the Quartermaster's House and Kitchen

Overlooking the once mighty Colorado River, this building may be Yuma's oldest home.  The living quarters are on the left with the detached kitchen on the right.  

President Roosevelt signed an order in 1902  dedicating this building to the Customs Service and  this home became a port of entry station for people and goods entering the U.S. via the river from Mexico.  It remained as the Customs House in Yuma until 1955.

The dining room and door to the kitchen...

The kitchen and laundry room...

The kitchen garden had veggies and herbs...

the Storehouse

Back in the 1800s this huge adobe building was used for storage brought in by steamboats.  Supplies were separated and organized and then dispersed to military posts by wagons.  Today it is a museum housing military and work wagons, old baggage carts from Southern Pacific Railroad, a mule drawn fire wagon complete with ladders and a bell and even a 1913 Model T Ford.  There are displays about steamboats and the Southern Pacific Railroad and how Plank roads were built over the sand dunes we drive by going to San Diego.  

Wagon wheel on a dump wagon...

The mule drawn fire wagon...

Army military wagon...

1913 Model T Ford on a plank road...

As you can tell, the storehouse was our favorite part of this very informative historic state park.  We are happy we went and checked off another great Arizona Sate Park.  Unlike other state parks we have visited, this park has a yummy Italian Restaurant.  It is located in the Corral House with inside and patio sitting.  

Although the cafe is inside the park, if you just want to enjoy a great lunch or dinner, you can ask at the park store when you enter for a voucher and not pay the park entrance fee which is $8.00 for seniors. 

Joe and I shared a Zucchini e Ricotta Pinsa.  Neither of us has had a Pinsa (pronounced Peens-ah) Romana before so I had to google it up.  It's described as "a cloud-like Pizza" that has crispy textures on the outside and a super soft and scrumptious inside.  And yes, we each had Tiramisu di Treviso which was absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious.  Mario is the owner and the chef of his little Italian cafe which has been in Yuma for three years.  It's definitely on our list of "let's go back there" places.   

Back at the park, Ronnie grilled burgers and we all chipped in with fixings and sides.  I love these meals and time spent with friends and it's been great to get to know Don and Jan better.  Still no friends photos, but Carol has a green thumb and travels with the prettiest flowers.  

And I always love seeing this lantern...we passed it on to Carol years ago.

Starlings were first brought to North America in the 1890s...in fact all the Starlings in North America descended from 100 birds let loose in Central Park in NY. They are now among the continent's most numerous songbirds.These common birds are great  vocal mimics and have up to 20 different bird species calls.   

Starlings turn from spotted and white to glossy and dark each year without shedding their feathers. They grow new feathers in the fall with bold white tips and by spring the tips have worn away.  That's pretty cool and I don't ever remember seeing a Starling with its spots.  

So pretty!  And so very fast...these birds with their short tails and triangular wings can fly up to 48 MPH.

Lucy is such a joy...a great little travel puppy !  

Meet and greet at the park.  

Picnics on the patio...

So until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS!

The Garden Cafe...

Cocopah RV Resort

Yuma, AZ

February 20, 2025

Arriving in Yuma in the 1880s, E.F. Sanguinetti cultivated an agricultural empire that made him the largest farm employer in the state. Sanguinetti had a reputation for entertaining and he loved birds so his descendants created an experience that reflects his life...right down to the family recipes.  His daughter and her son and DIL began what is the most delightful patio/garden cafe we have ever visited...The Garden Cafe in historic downtown Yuma.  Arizona Highways describes the cafe perfectly..."Arriving at The Garden Cafe is like happening upon a garden party in full swing. Diners chat on the terraced patio, under a rainbow canopy, surrounded by trees and flowering vines. The murmur of conversation rises with the chatter of lovebirds, cockatiels, and parakeets contained in an expansive aviary."  The cafe is open October to May and serves breakfast and lunch from 8:00 to 2:30 everyday except Monday.  It is a must stop whenever in or passing thru the area.

When Carol suggested we have lunch there, I was thrilled !  They all had tortilla soup and half a sandwich.  Joe says the chicken salad is yummy as was the soup. Our server says they go thru many pots of soup everyday as the tortilla soup (an old family recipe)  is quite famous. I had a vegetable quiche with fruit bread (melt in your mouth yummy!) and fresh fruit.  No pictures of food or friends, but the presentation and service was lovely and the friends are always priceless.  

The Bougainvillea was gorgeous...

...and the orange blossoms smelled heavenly!

 And don't forget dessert !  Joe chose Chocolate "Killer" Cake  (an old fashion soda cake with cream icing) and I had Torture Cake (a white layer cake with coconut cream filling and whipped cream frosting) which we brought home and had for supper !  

We had a leisurely walk in the historic downtown area afterwards. 

The door knocker...

The Church Venue is a registered historic landmark.  The church was built in 1905 and was the first Protestant Church in the Desert Southwest.  It is known for its architectural beauty and elegant interior (which we didn't see because of preparations being made for a wedding later in the day).   The main hall is lit by both light coming in through the stainless windows and its crystal chandeliers.

 

Stainless window and chandeliers

The town, originally named Colorado City (1854) then Arizona City (1862) didn't become Yuma until 1873.  It is named after the Yuman Native Americans and the Spanish word for "smoke".  

Yuma was once a popular filming location for Hollywood westerns thanks to its rugged desert landscape and historic buildings.  

The sun is said to shine about 90% of daylight hours making Yuma one of the sunniest places in the world, however, I did read that a light dusting of snow was recorded in 1932. 

Beautiful shade trees line Main Street...

Built in 1926, this Kress building was part of a chain of department stores which operated from 1896 to 1981.  I remember going to the Kress' in LaGrange and at that time it was a five-and-ten cent store.  These large buildings were known for their architecture and were/are prominent landmarks. 

Main Street Fountain

"Bumblebeelovesyou" murals are whimsical and playful with a sense of childish innocence, freedom, and joy.  Julian Park says he tries to keep the childhood spirit alive thru his murals.  He says people grow up too fast.  He wants to help people remember, even if just for a second, what it was like to be a child again. Most of his murals are in CA...this one caught my eye right here in Yuma...2014. I love your murals bumblebee...and would love to see one in Tucson! 

So back at the park, we continue to enjoyed visits with Ronnie and Carol and Don and Jan.  No friends photos, but we all got shots of the SpaceX launch that flew right over Ronnie and Carol's MH. Lucy is officially 6 months old. And, morning walks are nice. 

Did I mention, that I sure enjoy the birds here at the park?  I just happened to snap a few shots of a male Ring-necked Duck.  I spent a few minutes looking for a female, but no luck.  This is such an interesting looking duck...striking might be a better word.  

These busy diving ducks build floating nests directly over the water or on floating vegetation.  The pair doesn't do much nest building until the female begins to lay eggs...she then makes a bowl out of plants nearby and lines it with her downy feathers. And the coolest fact is that there is usually a ramp built to help the incubating female get in and out of the nest.

Ring-necked Ducks are strong and fast fliers.  They are able to take flight by springing up directly from the water...without the laborious take-off run of most diving ducks.  

I'll close for now...until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS!

Gateway Park and Yuma East Wetlands

Cocopah RV Resort

Yuma, AZ

February 14, 2025

Sunrise...taking Lucy to the doggie park.

Gateway park is located at the end of Madison Street in Historic Downtown Yuma. It is a waterfront park with a 1.5 mile  paved walk along the Colorado River. There is a beach area, picnic tables and grills, covered pavilions, fishing dock, and a playground.  

Lucy's first steps in the Colorado River...

Gateway Park is also home to the first highway crossing of the lower Colorado River.  Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge was built in 1915 and is the earliest example of a through truss bridge in Arizona. 

The name of the bridge also dates back to 1915 when the transcontinental Ocean-to-Ocean Highway (later US 80) took folks from downtown San Francisco, CA to Teaneck, NJ in the New York metropolitan area.  It replaced the ferry crossing and allowed for two-way automobile traffic to cross the river.

The Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. 

Instead of turning left on the walkway, we headed under the bridge into the Yuma East Wetlands.  This wetlands is considered a model for wetlands in the desert Southwest and is led by a partnership between the Heritage Foundation, the Quechan Indian Tribe and the AZ  Game and Wildlife Department.  

Restoration was initiated in 2004 and nearly 400 acres have been transformed from a trash dump filled with hobo camps to what is now a beautiful area to walk among a variety of trees and wildlife.  

In the top left corner the map shows Gateway Park to the left.  We followed the orange dots along the river for a while before turning back.  Lucy was one tired puppy !

Lucy is making herself right at home in the RV.  It's fun to watch her figure things out for herself. So many nice memories come to mind as she sits on the quilt Dover had on the dash and watches the world go by.  

Lucy loves everybody...two legs and four legs.  She figured out to roll over on her back when the big pups visit and the mid-size to smaller pups have been so patient with her.  

Playtime with Molly, a beautiful Wheaten Terrier...

 I was lucky to see this small male Vermillion Flycatcher.  The locals call this bird "bien viaje"...simply translated as the good luck bird.  If the bird is facing you, according to locals, it is a good omen.  If the bird is turned with his back to you showing his brown wing feathers bad luck could be in the offering.

Joe and I have seen this beautiful small bird perched on our fence at home several times.  As the name implies, this brilliant orange/red bird hawks flying insects and will catch them in midair.  They prefer shrubby habitats including scrubby desert, lightly cultivated lands, and riverine woodlands.  

Although these birds are small, they are easy to spot and put a smile on my face.

Until next time...a little twist and twirl in your step goes a long way...

HAPPY TRAILS !