Paradise Casino Camping Yuma, AZ

Out of the dirt and into the mud! Leaving Quartzsite, after spending a few weeks out in the dirt was ready for  a Wally World, and some solid ground at the Paradise Casino in Yuma.Well unfortunately that did not turn out to be the case the gravel parking lot where Rver's are required to park turns into a quite a mess after
a downpour, even Candy was sinking in the muck. On the flip side a good thunderstorm is always welcomed in the desert, and only a few big rigs needed a tow. Cant begin to imagine the price of that? I chose to stay put for 3 days to avoid any tow truck fees. The casino itself is rather small only one sit down restaurant which serves, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a small bar which serves late night appetizers. The lot is patrolled by security (when its dry) Verizon is 3G, and length of stay seems to be indefinite.

Yuma has 350 days of sunshine yearly?

The rules (I only broke four)

Hot air balloon Take off

Whoops!

Candy bewildered by the balloon.

Several jets, and army helicopters fly overhead. Had a great video of the jets, but erased the wrong one. Still experimenting with my video skillz.

 Sunset

View of the casino at night. After things dried up a bit it was a decent stay, and as usual the price is right....Free. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before arrival. I've also put a search box in the upper right for those of you who inquired about previous casino post. Thanks for the visit! Good Day:)

Yuma proving ground

One of the largest military installations in the world covering around 837,000 acres just north of Yuma in the Sonoran desert. The site is used to test military equipment in the course of a year over 4,000 planes leave for combat missions, 36,000 parachutes are dropped, and 500,000 mortar and missiles are fired on the grounds. (Thank you wikipedia) Which explains
 the large booms that can be heard when camping around the area. Just be sure if you are camping in the area you know the proving ground's boundaries missiles and shrapnel are not you friend!

 Candy hiding from the booms.

 Entrance to the grounds

Maybe another source of  booms. Poor unsuspecting critters.

 Anti Aircraft gun trailer.

 Sherman

 Missiles

 Heli

Beyond the proving grounds into California.

Imperial Dam from a distance

One of many canals leaving the dam. This one is the All American Canal, its been called the most dangerous body of water in the U.S. With waters rushing up to 30 miles per it has killed over 550 people from 1997 to 2010, most of them illegal immigrants. The Canal irrigates 640,000 acres of land that used to be one of the driest spots on earth, the canal eventually drains into the salton sea. Thanks for stopping by. Good Day!

Quartzsite, Az

The worlds biggest parking lot. Every winter this tiny desert town, which usually has a population of around 3600 residents. Gets invaded by an estimated 1.5 million Rvers, which is possibly one of the largest rv gatherings in the world. There are 3 major shows the first and biggest is the Rv show bringing in 750,000 to 1 million people alone, the second is the rock

and gem show. Finally a classic car show, and there is always a large flea market surrounding the events.

What happens when a couple million people descend on a small town, most roads only had stop signs. 

A few shops

Flea market

Hi Jolly Monument one of the only Historic spots I could find in Quartzsite. (Hi Jolly pics are from public domain)

Close up of the plaque

The Hi Jolly story..... I was a bit disappointed when I realized Hi Jolly was a person not a camel :)

This is 8 miles out into the desert, There were 3 rows of these land yachts the value of one alone would last me a lifetime. 1000's of peeps even out this far.

Still 8 miles out

My camp where I met up with some old friends from years past.

These guys were flying over camp nightly. Maybe a fun way to explore?

Candy getting excited for her walkaleelee

Another Arizona sunset. Off to find a quiet desert spot for a few days. Thanks for stopping by...

Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR)

The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is a rally of like minded folk who have chosen to dwell in there vehicles either by choice, or circumstance. A group who realize the many benefits of living a mobile lifestyle, that getting rid of there traditional stick and brick homes is way more affordable. Take away your rent, or mortgage payments, property taxes, car payments, and all of your utility
bills......Just take a moment to imagine the savings. One can live very comfortably on very little, also allowing them to get out to travel.

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.

                                                                                                             Vernon Howard

Here's a few pics of the event.

 On the way to the RTR Strange blimp in the sky attached to a cable was told its used to detect illegals coming thru from Mexico.

Van Dwellers

 Cargo Trailer Dwelling. Complete with solar, and satellite. Also home to Bob our host, and a 10 year van dweller. Bob also wrote a book on van dwelling it can be found by clicking here... Thanks for organizing the event!

 Ford Escape Dwelling. Brian the owner of this vehicle is working his way to Alaska.

 Bed is on the right every little space is accounted for.

 Mike a tent dweller drove here from New York to attend the event. Planing on being a future Van Dweller.

 Honda fit dweller:) Owned by Scott a former teacher traveling the country looking for a new place to call home!

 Very cozy space, and the owner is 6'5

Old Chinook

 Couple of morning visitors

 A couple general pics of the area

Pleasure to finally meet some of you and, thanks for visiting!

Yuma, Az

The road to Yuma is symbolic of how most would view the western deserts of the United States. For me it was 160 miles of flat, sandy, tumbleweed ridden desert from my previous location at the Ak-Chin Casino.

First and only very small mountain pass on the trip

Yuma off in the distance from the top of the pass.

Not a bad temperature for the first week of January, was actually trying to get the time cause I just missed 3:10 in Yuma.

Ocean to Ocean bridge built in 1915 to connect Arizona to California, before it was built you had to take a 1200 hundred mile journey just to cross the Colorado River, now it can be accomplished in 336ft, before its completion if you wanted to drive from San Francisco to New York you had to drive a extra 1500 miles.

Paradise Casino my home for a few days RV are on the right and definitely welcome!

Interesting set-up in the Casino lot

Yuma prison the destination of Ben Wade in the the movie 3:10 to Yuma

Yuma Prison Guard Tower

From Below

Train Bridge across the Colorado along side the Ocean to Ocean bridge.

Colorado River. To the right of the bridge was a trail leading from the tracks to a Hobo Camp, which was occupied at the time , but didnt have my camera with me on my evening walk.

Colorado  river from above

Colorado River

Another Randy the Mobile Codger Sighting :)

Randy tells me of people living out in that batch of trees,

and hes right this particular fella who you can hardly see sitting in the distance rents the land from the Native Americans $60 for every 3 months. He is perfectly happy, and enjoys his life of simplicity. Candy also explores the camp.

Others are not so happy :(

Randy points out a stick house in the distance

A closer look

The occupant seems to be content with his lifestyle. He, and his cats have been out here for 3 years he also rents from the Native Americans. Has a job in town his only bill is the very small rent.

Built his cats an escape tunnel from the house to the cage to avoid the nasty's out here in the desert

Came across many tents in the area most of these people did not want to be spoken too. On a side note Candy got to visit her first petsmart, upon entry she looked very nervous, and confused. In a few moments I was about to found out why. Lets just say she left a large gift on the floor telling her true feelings for the establishment. Yes I did make a visit to the oops station. No picture necessary:) If you enjoy please be sure to sign up via email for the next update. Thanks for visiting!