We were HERE

Well not exactly sure how fast they were driving to make it to Yuma by 3.10, we made it in record time

Yuma is the “worlds” sunniest city (according to an American magazine). But I’m sure Mrs Fogg will geek it out later for y’all.

It is unfortunate to say but there actually is nothing here apart from a “Main Street” that is mainly micro breweries (where we sampled a blond jailbait) and empty stores.

Tomorrow a visit to the “Center of the Earth” (of course it’s in America and a jail.

Oh and Yuma is apparently the “dove” hunting capital of the world, yes you read it right, “dove” hunting. And the season starts 1st September, which explains the monster off road trucks, full of guys with hunting rifles to track down those vicious little killers

One Last Time for the Dove from Above

So, Oatman, 2700 feet above sea level and only founded in 1906. An incredible little slice of history.

By 1931 official records show that the Oatman mining district (which covered a number of mines around the town and hillsides) produced $36,008,000, of which $35,740,000 was gold and the rest silver. Over 5000 people lived and worked in this hot dusty climate where water was initially brought in by burros over the passes.

According to the history of the town, the retirees in 1975 were adamant that there are still rich seams of gold in the hills waiting to be discovered. The mines were all closed and abandoned by 1945 as the second world war took the focus.

1930 view down Main Street with hotel on left:

Present day view with hotel on left:

Interestingly, it was only in the late 1970’s that it was even recognised as a township.

The burros that come into town are descendants of the original mining mules abandoned as the mines closed.

There were even films made here, “How the West Was Won”, Edge of Eternity” to name two

Oh and Clark Gable and Carole Lombard allegedly stopped here for one night on their honeymoon in 1939. Sadly the hotel is now a gift shop but it has preserved the hotel room and has an ace cafe bar which is covered in dollar bills left and signed by visitors.

Find us Here

And we are now all tucked in our hotel room at Ye Olde “Golden Nugget”, which has seen better centuries, but then saying that, the rooms are no different to the Luxor and at a fraction of the cost. The place was probably once a gambling Mecca, but now seems just 90% empty and only filled with the Grey Gamblers. The view across the lake is nice

There is a classic car museum nearby

and at the hotel there is local wildlife including a hummingbird caught mid flight

and more local wildlife sampling nectar of a different type

And for anyone who has seen Waiting, the restaurant had all the traits of the movie (sickly smiles from the waiting staff, bus boys from hell, the 3 second rule and Mr Nice Guy “you enjoy your meal and tip big”).

Yup, the opportunity has arisen to spend a small amount of time in a 40 degree heat, no clouds and big skies country, yup hello USA.

Ready to Fly

Oooo my seat is so comfy (but not as comfy as Business class, but £2,300 cheaper).

With 9 hours to go, horrible food and lacking service, it’s gonna be a long flight.

Ahhhhhhhh tea!

Looking every bit of the hot CIO she is!

We have a resident hedgehog in the garden. Spotted snuggling around by guard cat Willow. Looks like a full size adult.

Must get a hedgehog house installed for winter.