Palm Canyon, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma, Arizona

We found a cool hike up into the local mountains here on the Kofa Refuge.  Way up in the canyon is an oasis of California Fan Palm trees which are now rare in Arizona.  Apparently the canyon still provides the right amount of moisture, protection and altitude for these remaining trees to survive.  We went up to the canyon with our friend Quirt.

The view of the canyon from Rt 95.  You can just make out the winding road up to the canyon

Teddy Bear Cactus riding up to the canyon.

Gari prepared to lock in the hubs if necessary!

The Trail head.

Gari and Quirt at the canyon entrance

Gari & Steve photo op

We are all taking pictures for what it is worth.  The sensation of the scenery just can't be completely captured with a camera if you know what I mean.

The huge crack in the rock at the left was fascinating to observe.

Quirt leading the way into the canyon.

Gari taking in the magnificence

Gari and Quirt reflecting on the natural beauty

Quirt found a campsite and fire pit up on a canyon ledge.

I see the canyon behind that knarly tree

See the palms trees up high in the canyon?

A little closer view of the palms

Looking back out the canyon from the top of the trail.  You can just see the winding road out.

There is water to be found in the canyon... e.g. in the depression of that big rock

At first we thought this was the palm of palm canyon....

 

It was kind of disappointing because look where it was growing; you can barely see it on the lower ledge.

Coming back out of the canyon now.

Gari pausing to take in the beauty for a little longer..

The holes in the canyon wall looked like a scream face on its' side

The Teddy Bears are getting ready to bloom.

I estimate there are a milion needles on those Teddy Bears!

Lone Saguaro

Bonus images - We stopped at Stone Cabin on the way back to the Foothills (home for now).  The cabin is at the left of the rocky hill and was about 12'x8'.  You can barely see it to the left of that little tree.  Three sisters lived here and ran a roadhouse resaurant on the stagecoach trail in the mid 1800's.  The last person living there abandoned the place in 1998!

A closer view at the front.  You can see the corner fire place at the right side. 

Closer view of the fire place

Palms Resort Car Show

We went out for a burger and a car show at the Palm RV Resort here in Yuma, AZ.  It was a great day out, we saw some old friends, met some new friends and saw a bunch of fantastic restored cars!

Pool area and Band on the far side of the pool

Old friend Bill (right) and new friends Ziggy and Rinhart (Left) with Gari enjoying burger lunch.

 Burger Chef

 Jerry checking out the Gas Grill Engine Raffel Prize

 Cool Cars

 Gari's favorite car, my favorite girl!

... just like everything else in Yuma, it's for sale!

 Beautiful girls fast cars...

 Old guys dreaming about cool cars...

Jerry wants a new truck... 

 Steve wants a Chevy

 Yvonne and Bill looking at a Plymouth like the one Yvonne used to race in Canada

 Steve's favorite car

Dobson Museum of Tacna, AZ

Wendy and husband Ace (now deceased) Dobson put together a fascinating museum by literally digging artifacts out of the earth.  In addition to the diggings, Wendy Dobson and her husband also frequented an auction or two needless to say once you have seen the collection!  Wendy D. provided a fine tour and had very impressive amount of knowledge about every single item displayed.  It was extremely interesting and a real fun conclusion to the picnic day at the Baker Tanks.

When I asked Wendy if the hand was the "Victory Sign" she said, "No, that's my Welcome Sign!"

Wendy Dobson discussing the various tools on the wall, the picture shows her describing a rope making machine.

We first toured inside the Dobson home.  She had everything from Lock & Key to Rubbers, yep Rubbers.

 Wendy showing Native American Art pieces, minitature baskets woven from horse tail hair.

 Tiny baskets.

 and even a rubber collection...

Outside, part of the grounds were set up like a small western town, barber shop, general store, school house, dress shop, blacksmith shop, etc.  Inside each building was a complete curation that was impeccably completed.  It was very enjoyable.

 Barber Shop

 Inside...

 The Blacksmith Shop

 Inside,,,

The Dobson Museum had an impressive display of antique tractors, plus a fire engine, several dozers and various excavators/ Most of thee machines were in running order

 We ran across an old Airstream travel trailer and felt right at home!

We had a fine time at the Dobson Museum and this review only scratches the surface of the vast variety in the collection.  Hats off to Wendy Dobson and her helpers, we highly recommend a visit to her museum.