Chapter Seven Quartzsite continued

Our next big adventure was on Tuesday February 7th when we packed a suitcase and drove the semi into Yuma to meet up with Blaine and Linda Haubrich.  They were now on their way home from their tour of Arizona and we all agreed this would be a good place to meet up and explore together for a few days.  After lunch, a little shopping, checking into the hotel and unloading our gear into our rooms, we decided to drive south and explore Mexico, we took the scenic route (we never got lost), parked in the parking lot and walked across the border.  I purchased a jacket for full price and then listened to Larry haggle the price of a genuine made in Mexico leather vest down by $30.00 and realised that this is what one does here-I am a fast learner and my next puchase I haggeled down by $45.00!  We all had a great time exploring and making deals before getting into "the line" to go through customs and back to Yuma for supper at Olive Garden and then some card playing in our hotel room before bed.

After a quick breakfast on Wednesday we were off to the Arizona Territorial Prison, which was in operation for 33 years, from 1876-1909, with over 3,000 men and women serving time there.  The institute was constructed largely by the convicts themselves, growing from 2 cells to a penitentary designed for 330 inmates. Despite its infamous reputation, it was a model prison for its time providing a hospital, library, schooling, even a band, and after 1885 electricity for lighting and ventilation.  After the Yuma high school burnt down it was used as the high school from 1910-1914 until a new one was built (the kids were nick named the Crims, short for criminals, which they still use to this day).  During the depression the homeless moved in until 1940 when the prison became a Museum operated by the City of Yuma, and in 1961 it became a State Historic Park. A late lunch at Cracker Barrel, some more exploring of the city, shopping and we were back at the hotel to play cards and visit for the evening.  On Thursday morning, after breakfast and checking out of the hotel, Blaine and Linda are on the road and we are off for groceries before heading back to Quartzsite-Oops, maybe not-we blew an air brake canaster!  Around 3 hours later, with a new air brake canaster, we're off for those groceries, a quick burger for supper and home at  8:30, not bad!