Not exactly busy here, but it's a free spot to park as I head north. I'm slowly heading to Washington, but am not in a hurry for cooler weather. And I don't know which route I'll be taking right now. Except for a couple of dusty days, I got a lot done in Yuma. Replaced my truck's front speakers (one failed), and picked up some more LED lamps. Yuma has by far the best selection and best prices for LEDs, which are now half the cost when I started...
I took a bunch of money to Algodones and left it there today. Dental, new sunglasses, the Purple Store, and lunch. Seasoned pro that I am now, I took a paperback while I waited for the dentist, waited for lenses to be made, and waited to cross the border. I sat and read in the square and watched the people. You know those guys that "encourage" (some say "accost") you to go to the "best" or "cheapest" pharmacy/dentist/optician in town? Forcing...
High winds have the dust up, with visibility down to almost zero at times. This will last a couple of days, mornings being the best to go out and about. I went shopping for glasses in Algodones today, and found there weren't any really good deals. Despite there being dozens of eyeglass shops there, they all use the same price list from Algodones Optical, the only game in town. I think the Mexican businesses have figured out they were giving us...
I've not been in Yuma after the winter visitors left, and it's quite a difference. The VFW/BLM site only has a dozen rigs (a hundred is more typical) and there is no traffic on the streets. Parking lots are empty. The city takes advantage by starting up road improvements which has caused some street closures. The Marine Air Station here has increased it's activity including evening exercises. Many of my readers will remember parking at the Yuma...
There was no headwind and no dust. That's the best that can be said for any drive on I-8 through the big desert to Yuma. The desert was green, but no wildflowers this year. I'll be here at least a week, parked at the VFW/BLM site. Last year when I was in Arizona the legislature was debating a bill to create a state militia. To me the motivation was obvious (Take our country "back" from the brown people), but of course the bill was not worded...
The Escapee park here is a good stop on the way to Yuma, and they allow dry camping for one night free. I had forgotten that and planned on spending $5, so I took two nights. Not sure what I'll do here for a day, but there's a good Mexican food place I like. And there's no wind or dust.
That's the traditional date for the "winter visitors" to leave the SW and head north back home. One because it's warming up here, and two because they have to get home to mow the lawn. Yuma, especially, experiences the mass exodus so I'm interested in getting there before most everything closes up for the summer. Once I get some things done there I'll head north as well. So tomorrow I'll leave Tucson and stop in Casa Grande for a night to break...
I'm at the San Joaquin Road location just outside of Tucson, and it seems to be a particularly friendly group here this time. I'll be here likely through the weekend.
The breeze and potential dust was a bit iffy this morning, but I took a chance and headed to Benson. I'm glad I did; for only the second time I had a brisk tailwind, which meant 100RPM less on the tach while cruising. Doesn't sound like much, but the fuel savings are significant. I'm in dry camp at the SKP park for 2 nights, then to Tucson.
The dust is flying, and I'm getting rocked around a bit in 50mph winds. What should happen is that it lets up this evening, then the temperature will drop. From 75 today to below freezing tomorrow morning. If it works that way I'll be ready to move to Benson, Arizona on Monday.
The warnings are still up, but so far it hasn't been bad here at all. The wind blows here normally, and dust happens, but nothing big yet. The New Mexican Tourism group provides a map of places to get green chili cheeseburgers, most of which are Blake's Lotaburger stores. Lotaburger is almost entirely a New Mexico chain, clean, white, and brightly lit, selling the ubiquitous burgers, shakes, and fries. Their version is a regular cheeseburger...
This is a heads-up for my traveling readers. I was expecting high winds and the inevitable dust storms tomorrow (Thursday), but now the forecast is for pretty much steady winds through the weekend, at times up to 55mph. The forecast is much the same for West Texas, and I presume southern Arizona. Hopefully it will work like it did at Burning Man: High winds and a complete dust-out for a short while, then a break for a while. Stop what you're...