good-times-rollin

Thursday, February 13, 2014

West Wetlands Park

Cocopah RV Rresort
Yuma, AZ
February 9, 2014

West Wetlands Park is a public park located on the northwest edge of Yuma. It is located along the Colorado River within the Yuma Crossing Heritage Area.

According to
Wikipedia...it opened in 2002 on 110 acres of city-owned land. It is maintained by the City of Yuma Parks and Rec Dept.

It was interesting to learn that from 1910 to 1989, this area was a landfill. After the landfill closed, Yuma citizens took an interest in converting the hazardous and unsightly area into a riverfront park. Arizona State Parks worked with the city to develop a plan, but a lack of funds stalled the project.

The EPA determined that covering the whole site with 6 to 8 feet of clean fill was required to reuse...at a cost of $10 million. Over a three year period, with many grants and volunteers, the master plan was completed. Since that time, volunteers have planted over 450 trees, a pond was added, a butterfly and hummingbird garden planted and a Burrowing Owl habitat established.

Did you know that burrowing owls are not able to dig their own burrows so 20 artificial burrows (made from PVC pipe protruding from the ground) are nestled among large sage bushes.

Unlike most owls, they are active during the day. I was disappointed we didn't see an owl...and I hope to go back before we leave.

We did see several hummingbirds, but they were too far away and too fast for me to get a picture.

We ended up walking about 2.5 miles...it was nice just to be outside and the warm sun felt so good. The trail we took followed the river.

As far as a wetland goes, I was disappointed. There were no marshes...no places where the soil was really wet. I did read a wetland is an area of land whose soil has high water content either permanently or seasonally. Maybe its the wrong season?

The birds were singing, the trail and park were clean, and we enjoyed our morning walk...

Everyday, we have a wonderful time at the pet park...Jack is one Happy Jack!

Can you tell?

Happy Valentine's Day...

Sunday, February 9, 2014

"The American Nile"

Cocopah RV Resort
February 8, 2014
Yuma, AZ

Our morning walk...just as the sun was peaking behind the mountains.

And then, the reflection in the Colorado River.

The river travels 1,450 miles from the Rockies before it empties into the Gulf of California...thru seven U.S. states and two Mexican states... is known for its dramatic canyons...