Cocopah RV Resort
Yuma, AZ
February 14, 2025
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 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.
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| 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.
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| 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 !
Lots of people visit Yuma, few make it look like a great place to see :-) For some reason I'm reminded of Ash Meadows on the edge of Death Valley. A uniquely beautiful space with great interpretive metal and colorful signage.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Miss Lucy settling in to her adventurous life. Rare to see another Wheaten in our travels, Molly is a cutie.
Looks like lovely weather - wonderful!
Hi Jodee…I have a story to share one day about a very nice lady we met in New Brunswick years ago. She said, “You get what you bring.” When relating a story about a tourist she met. Anyway, the saying has stuck for all these years and works for us traveling folks. Some would definitely say that Yuma isn’t a good place to visit, but there really are some interesting and historic places to visit. And it’s awesome having the Colorado River waterfront for walking and birding. We have never been to Death Valley so I am not familiar with Ash Meadows. Mollie doesn’t compare in cuteness to Tessa! Days so far have been sunny to partly cloudy and rather windy at times! It’s much windier here than at home.
DeleteI don't believe I have commented before, but wanted you to know how much I enjoy your blog/posts. Your photos are always wonderful and I have learned many things from your commentary. Love little Lucy!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your very nice comment. Perfect timing and just the motivation needed to continue. Lucy says “thank you”. She is definitely a handful at times!
DeleteI so enjoy that walk. Many memories with friends and Cooper ‘Boy’!
ReplyDeleteHi Jan…thank you so much for your comment. That was a new to us trail/walk. We enjoyed it very much too! We sure do miss Cooper…he was part of the Tan Clan!
DeleteWe have visited the Territorial Prison and park area, but we have not ventured into the Wetlands! I have no idea why not! It certainly would be a perfect spot to stretch our legs,
ReplyDeleteThe brilliant fly catcher is definitely eye catching.
Nice that Lucy is loving the travel days and new opportunities to explore, while making new friends.
Hi Jeff…Gateway Park is under the interstate and an easy place to get to with lots of parking. The wetlands and birds are pretty awesome right here in the desert. We are happy Lucy seems to be right at home wherever we are…not anxious or nervous.
DeleteI was in Yuma with a couple of friends this last week and we had a great time. Didn't have time to see a lot. We are all older. I like Yuma but I don't want to live there. Lucy is so pretty. And is settling in nicely. That bird is incredible looking. Didn't see one of them.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sandie…Lucy says “thank you!”. I agree with you that I would not want to live in Yuma either. Tucson definitely suits us better. Be on the lookout in your neck of the woods as you might just see a Vermillion Flycatcher there too!
DeleteI agree with A Gramma as also look forward to your posts - always something new to learn & different inquiry; thanks so much.Lucy indeed is growing fast +sunny nature making for great walks.All the best.
ReplyDeleteGood morning James…your are very welcome and thank you for your nice words. Lucy is a wonderful blend of happy, love, play and stubborn all rolled into one cute little bundle of puppy.
DeleteI totally agree with Jodee--you made Yuma seem like a beautiful spot to visit!! That Wetland area is awesome--and you saw a vermillion flycatcher--I've only ever seen one and that was at Whitewater Draw. Lucy is simply adorable--I'm so glad you guys got her! Kayce loves everybody too--and we are so glad she does!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janna…wetlands are always a fun walk and especially in the desert! Lucy loved it too and absolutely crashed on the way home. Lucy has definitely won our hearts like Kaycee has won yours. I think it is funny that you and I both said “no more puppies “ after Sally and Emmi. And just look at us…I could say it was all Joe’s fault, but that isn’t the case!
DeleteIndeed....you get what you bring.....perfect! We've stopped in Yuma a few times on our way from somewhere to somewhere else. We've enjoyed the river walks but have not seen the wetland park - it's now on our list! Wonderful that Lucy is fitting right in and enjoying her life with you. It's interesting seeing things through her eyes isn't it. I've only seen a few Vermillion Flycatchers and they've all been at Catalina State Park. So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sue…the East wetlands are easy to get to with lots of parking. Plans are to visit the West Yuma Wetlands too as it is a home for burrowing owls…fingers crossed! She has experienced many “new to here things” here and it is fun watching her figure things out. I think I saw my first Vermillion Flycatcher at Catalina too when we were hiking with you and Dave…remember the garbage bag water crossing?
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