Union Pacific #844 Stops in Yuma

 

Steam Locomotive #844 was the last built for Union Pacific.   It first rumbled down the tracks in 1944.    November 16, it stopped for an overnight stay in Yuma as part of a historical run commemorating both the Arizona and New Mexico Centennials.

We were fortunate to be able to see it during it’s overnight stay in Yuma.  The Locomotive is massive, weighing 454 tons. 

The next photo, showing Ron next to the 80” drive wheel gives puts its size into perspective.

Steps were provided for a look inside.

      

One car was open as a souvenir shop.

Friends, Hoyt and Bernice, watched it leave Yuma the following morning.  Our schedule did not permit us to do so, but I found this video on YouTube of its departure.

For more details about #844, check out the official website at UP Living Legend #844.

Spending the Winter in Yuma

 

October

We arrived in Yuma the first of October for a 6 month stay.

It didn’t take long to get a group together to visit and play pool.

      

By Friday of the first week, there were enough players to begin the weekly 101 tournaments.

      

Good friend, Rudy Myhedyn, spent the winter at Cactus Gardens this year.  We, long with friend, Bernice, spent a Sunday afternoon walking in the Yuma Wetlands Park.

     

     

Running along the Colorado River, the park affords a good view of the Ocean to Ocean Bridge and the Old Mission.

     

Just above the park, an old steam engine sits on display.

     

If you want ornamental plants in Cactus Gardens, you either elevate them or place a fence around them to protect them from the bunnies.  We had a fence around ours.  I was not satisfied with the looks of it.

So, I convinced Ron we needed to build some tables to place around the tree.  He decided to design a set that would stack within each other when stored.

   

               

We got the tables about half finished, when Ron developed foot problems, and the doctor placed him in a fracture boot 24/7 for 2 weeks.  The tables were finished later.

Last season, Ron organized the Yuma Encore Shuffleboard League, made up of players from 5 of the 7 Encore parks in Yuma.  This year, Suni Sands decided to join.  Encore paid for shirts for each team, one color per park.   When they arrived, the Cactus Gardens shirts were bright orange.  (Note the fracture boot on Ron’s foot.  He was to wear it twice during the winter due to foot problems).

                     

A Visit Along the Way

Usually our trip west includes a stop in Deming, NM.   The main reason for staying over a few nights is to visit with square dance friends.  We took our first five lessons with the Good Times Squares several years ago.  While some of those dancers are now gone, it’s always fun to stop and dance with old friends and new to the calling of Rusty Wright.

     

     

Texas

Our immediate destination was Texas, where we planned to spend a month with good friends, Donna and Glenn Hallford, after an extended weekend stay with granddaughter, Cassandra.

We stayed at Cedar Breaks C.O.E. on Lake Georgetown.  The campground is appropriately named as you park nestled among the cedars.

It was quite hot, so we stayed inside for most of Cassie’s visit.  A short walk through the campground took us to a homestead site from the past.        All that remains of the home are some foundation stones.    

The drought has been severe in Texas, vividly pointed out by these beached piers. There is no water running where once there was fishing from the docks.   

The dry grass appeared golden in the light of the setting sun. 

As we walked along the edge of the lake, the  evening colors were spectacular.

      

         

Our visit was to end on a sad note.  We received word that Glenn had passed away unexpectedly.  We continued on to Kerrville to spend the month with Donna.

Glenn was a very special friend.  We have traveled with him and Donna often over the years.  We shall always miss him.  This photo was taken last spring when he and Donna joined Cassie and us at Georgetown Lake for a week.

Heading West Again

Several years ago, we stayed at the tiny campground, Arrowhead Lake, near Johnson City, Illinois.  We were delighted with both the campground and the price ($8.00 per night).

Imagine our surprise when we stopped this year, and found the campground had made some cosmetics improvements, and the price is still $8.00 (7.00 seniors)!

The campground is on the banks of Arrowhead Lake, and a walking trail runs along the banks.  These are photos we snapped of the office, picnic shelter, trail, log chapel and campground.

          

             

       

       

       

       

       

In contrast, a few days later we chose the 5 Star RV Park near Tyler, TX from our Passport America listings.  Yep, that’s the name, 5 Star.  We drove several miles down a narrow country highway to find the park.

      

When we finally located it, the “5 Star” park was nothing more than grass sites.  There was no Rec hall, laundry, or restrooms.   Texas has been in a state of drought now for several years, and the brown grass crackled underneath our feet.  To his credit, the owner said he had purchased the park rather recently, and had several improvements planned.  Our Passport price was $14, which means non-member customers are paying $28.00 nightly.  What a contrast to a few nights ago at Arrowhead Lake.