Last Day in Yuma

Cake for "the birthday girls"

Yes, this is my last full day in Yuma as we are heading to Phoenix tomorrow morning for an overnight stay.  My flight leaves at 11:30 am on Tuesday so this way we won't be rushed to get to the airport and can see a bit more of Phoenix on Monday.

I guess I left off on Thursday.  I enjoyed the Irish music and dances that evening as well as Goldwing Express last night at the theatre.  The latter group were three native American brothers who played banjo, guitar and bass as well as singing.  They played bluegrass and some gospel music.  I especially enjoyed the two songs that we heard Don Williams sing at concerts in Regina a few years ago.  We went twice with Phyllis and Bob Hurren.  Howard was a Don Williams fan and I like his music too.

On Friday Ernie had a Dr. appointment so they dropped me off at the mall downtown.  I visited Joanne fabrics, even bought a dress pattern!  I haven't sewn anything for myself for years but am in the mood and have a good supply of fabric on hand!  Thread was half price so that was a good deal too.  Good thing I'm flying so my buying is restrained somewhat!

From the mall we went to an outdoor flea market with people and booths covering a big area.  We got in our daily walk just going up and down the many rows of booths.  It looks like it's a popular place to spend part of the weekend!

On Saturday morning this area of Condos had a garage sale morning so we didn't have far to go to take in this event.  If the garage door was open, there were things for sale.  I only spent $5 but it was fun to browse!  Ernie got rid of their two bikes.  The neighbor next door had a sports car for sale so there were items of all sizes and prices.

This morning we went downtown to Faith Lutheran Church at 9:30.  The pastor also played the piano along with the organ, something I hadn't seen before.  They used no hymn books but had the words on a screen.  Before communion an usher gave each person a squirt of hand sanitizer, a first for me too.

After the service we drove just into California to an area where date palms are grown.  On the way back we also stopped at Martha's Garden in AZ, another source of dates.  I bought some to take home, some whole ones for eating and chopped ones for baking.

We had our noon meal at The Mad Chef.  Part of the restaurant is in a refurbished railroad dining car so it was a fun setting.  We could look out over the city as we dined.

Sand dunes just into California

Myrna made a list of "Things to See and Do" when I was here.  Today she crossed the last one off the list so we have done well in less than two weeks!  They have been very gracious hosts, showing me the tourist attractions in Yuma and area.  We have taken lots of "road trips" around the area.  The gas has gone up about thirty cents a gallon since I came so it's a good time to leave before it gets any higher.   The first refill was $2.99 a gallon.

Ernie bought a special cake for Myrna and I as our birthdays are just five days apart.  We have been enjoying cake and ice cream for several days and today we'll have the last pieces.  Thanks, Ernie for the cake and for driving us all over the Yuma area these past two weeks.  I couldn't have been in better hands as Ernie was a driver trainer for over thirty years before retiring.  They spend winters in Yuma and summers in Boise, Idaho or wherever they can find a square dancing event to attend!  I even got in on a bit of that on Sat. afternoon when several couples gathered at an RV park to honor a couple on their 50th wedding anniversary.  They did some dancing on the cement driveway with taped music and caller.  I enjoyed watching, as well as eating some yummy snacks and meeting their fellow dancers from Lethbridge and Fort MacLeod Alberta, Barrie Ontario, Nelson BC, Boise Idaho and once couple from Yuma!

Well, it's time for another Hallmark movie before Ernie settles in to watch the Super Bowl.  This will be all until I'm back in Saskatchewan!  Have a good first week in February.