Things to do in Yuma, AZ

Everybody has different interests, but IF I was there, I'd definitely head north to what

may be a ghost town now, of Picacho, which was written about in my favorite Zane

Grey western, about that area and Death Valley, "Wanderer of the Wasteland". 

Explored Death Valley several times because of that book, have never gotten to

Picacho, but I've never found a ghost town/old mining camp I didn't like.  I do not

know if Picacho ever had rail service.

Forget trains, play some golf.   I think there is a large G scale club in Yuma.  I would look up a hobby store to find where they are located. 

Steve, Lady and Tex

You can go rattle snake hunting.

I'd spend my weekends in San Diego, only a couple hours away.  Plenty of things to do and see for your seven weekends.

I have been there a number of times for work, but only recall the mainline engines.  However, a couple of interesting things for food come to mind.  If you take 95 to the proving grounds, take Martinez Lake road for about 15-20 miles.  You will get to a hidden marina area.  They have an excellent burger there and other stuff there, they only take cash.  Also, where 95 starts to turn (by the miniature chapel) there is a farm / restaurant that sells a great milk shake.  They have one called a date shake made with fresh dates, very tasty, kind of reminds me of butter pecan.

as for museums, there is one in boulder Nevada outside Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon rr in Williams.

enjoy, at least it is not the hot time of the year.  I will be heading there in beginning of August.

Is that train the 3:10? 

Yuma is about as remote as you can get and still be in Arizona. San Diego is your closest destination. If you want to stick to AZ you could head east and check out Kartchner Caverns in Benson. Truly amazing. Tucson is also nice, especially the Sonora Museum and the Pima Air Museum. Organ Pipe National Monument is also worth a drive and probably the closest destination. 

There is an SP Consolidation on display in downtown Yuma.  It is in reasonable condition.

Your photo reminds me of Marsh Field - I would land there, walk up the berm, over those tracks, and in to the main part of Yuma.  Marsh was a crop duster - he would always put gas in my Cub for free.

I used to work for the Southern Pacific, now Union Pacific railroad between West Colton, Ca. and Yuma.  As mentioned, the territorial prison is the main tourist attraction there.  There is also a marine base/airport which may have something on display.  Not sure.  You could try fishing in the Colorado River.  I did that a couple of times while laying over in Yuma.  The Campo railroad museum on the former San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railroad is located between Yuma and San Diego.  I went there once when laying over in El Centro and it was worth the visit.  San Diego is your best bet for a week end.  Not much going on in Yuma.  We used to say, "it's not the end of the world, but you can see it from there".

Ray

They have the rattlesnake hunts in north Texas and southern Oklahoma.  Just outside

Amarillo is where I almost stepped on one.  (talk about getting back in your car fast!) There are plenty around one of the old pioneer landmarks in western Nebraska, too.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Greg, I have been driving by that mini chapel for the last two weeks and was wondering what it was, there are no signs indicating that it a ice cream place. I will have to stop there some day.

Yes, San Diego is the place to go and plan to head there when I get some time. We're working 6 days and I'm beat after all day in this dry desert air.

I did see the SP steam engine its located by a hotel and the bike path along the river It must have been a hot job running that down here.

Thanks everyone again, i'll be glad to get home and see some green grass if the winter ever ends up North.

franktrain