Yuma, AZ and the Yuma Proving Ground

We’ve been in Yuma, AZ since Tuesday and are staying at the Desert Breeze Travel Camp at the US Army Yuma Proving Ground, about 10 miles north of the city.  Yuma is in the southwest corner of Arizona and shares a border with both Mexico and California. 

I was really surprised to find that agriculture is the number one industry in Yuma.  In addition to having a John Deere tractor pulling a disc get on the freeway in front of us, we saw a lot of crops. In fact, 90 percent of all leafy vegetables grown in the US from November to March come from Yuma county. I don’t have any crop photos yet, but have to get some because they are very pretty.

As for the Yuma Proving Ground, it established in 1943 to test mobile bridges used in World War II and as a training site for the infantry and mechanized troops (troops that use tanks and other vehicles that protect them from hostile fire).  Today the YPG tests weapons systems, vehicles and other equipment headed for the battleground. About 500 troops are stationed here year round, but another 2,300 contractors make it one of the county's largest employers.  Also, George H.W. Bush made the second parachute jump of his life at the YPG in 1997 at age 72. His first was in 1944 when his plane was shot down during World War II.

Jim and an "overland train control car" not far from our 
RV park at the Yuma Proving Ground.  It was developed  
to transport heavy cargo through undeveloped areas, was 
the front car of a total of 13 vehicles, and has living 
quarters for six people in it.

Bev and some desert flowers at the Yuma Proving Ground.  It's so hot here I'm actually wearing shorts which I rarely do.  The first two days it was in the 90's; the local weatherman says that's about 10 degrees above average for November.  Today it's cloudy and cooler -- it even rained toward evening -- but I'm still wearing shorts. 

We took a trip to nearby BLM land where a lot of people camp in RVs very inexpensively.  It was hot and dusty, and while it has an "away from it all" charm, I couldn't see doing something similar for very long.

Also near the Yuma Proving Ground is a resort called Hidden Shores Village.  It's on the Colorado River and has the above very well-watered golf course. You can actually rent RV spaces there, plus it has small homes.

Our RV spot at the Yuma Proving Ground is about ten 
space down from the above tank.  Seriously.

Jim and Cooper on the YPG base.  I've posted two photos here with very green grass -- but it has to be extremely well watered to stay that way, and the field you see here is practically flooded.