Last Days in Yuma, AZ .......

Leona & J.R. took us to this cemetery just outside Yuma - Pothole Historic Cemetery. There were a lot of unknowns in there.

Some "crazy" relatives!! My niece & husband came for a few days to see us. Always great to see them, too, even if they act strange sometimes!! Or maybe John brings it out in them??!!

Took another desert trip, this time to Picacho Peak Park, about 25 miles northwest of Yuma. It's actually on the California side.

Some more wild Burros.

These are the 3 vehicles for this desert trip ... A Rubicon with Doris & Buddy, our Sahara with us & Leona & J.R., another Rubicon with Nita & Jack.

It is so beautiful out in the desert in places. The Colorado River runs thru the Park so there is lots of trees, green bushes, etc., along with rocky hills.

Spotted this tour boat on the river. There's a 6-hour ride that leaves from Yuma & goes down the river stopping at some rest & get out & stretch spots. I think we'll sign on to one next year!

There used to be a town of Picacho here in the Park when gold was discovered in the 1860's. There are still mines operated in the area but no longer any of the town left. The cemetery has many, many unknown markers.

This was a day of finding burial spots! The sign reads:
"Historical Landmark Picacho Mine Cemetery, 1875"

Warning: Any person who mutilates, disinters, or removes from the place of interment any human remains without the authority of law is guilty of a felony."

The cemetery is to the far right. There was no way to easily walk over there, but it appeared there was a small fenced gravesite and 2 or 3 markers on the outside of it.

This was a beautiful spot. There was supposed to be Picacho Waterfalls at the end of this trail.

No water running down the rocks now but there is a trickle of water at the bottom.

Jack was brave enough to climb some rock.

The Jeeps couldn't make it thru the narrow gorge here.

The spot we picked for our lunch.

Jack & Nita's little Corgi, Daisy. She's just a little over a year old. Such a sweet, sweet dog.

This is another burial site we were told about, so, of course we wanted to check it out.

Jack, again, was the brave one & walked up to the marker. The rest of us were not wanting to get into all that rock .... snakes, you know! We had also heard that we should each bring a rock to add to the pile that's already there .... which we did!!

There were also several notebooks there that you could sign. As Jack reached to put the books back, we all heard the distinctive "rattle" of the rattlesnake!.! It was just behind him but behind a rock. He moved out of there pretty quickly & we could all see it but there wasn't enough room for him to coil .... so I GUESS he couldn't strike!

I used my telephoto for this picture ... I didn't care to get in there at all! It turns out this was not a grave for a person at all but "man's best friend" Lonesome.

"Lonesome and I (Roy) have been together will be 16 years this July 1983. We came to Picacho every winter since we been together. Now Lonesome has past away and is buried here, a place we've been to many times. On July 25, 1968, ??? Please do not destroy this grave, ad a rock or two if you want to. Some day I hope I'll have the money to guy a headstone. I'm 71 years old and had a heart attack. Hope I can make it again this coming winter. Like to hear from you and how the grave is doing. Roy B. Morgen"

A few cactus were blooming but will be even better in a couple more weeks.