Nogales,Az to Yuma, Az and it was a better day.

 

Well Friday was a better day.  By the time we'd arrived in Nogales at the Quality Inn Americana we were exhausted but happy to be there.  This isn't cheap hotel but it's not high priced either.  Well maintained with quality furnishings.  We like to stay in a handicapped room as they are much larger. A comfortable bed and a hot shower and the day looked a lot brighter.  This hotel provides a full free breakfast.  Eggs, waffles, sausages, potatoes, refried beans (remember we're almost in Mexico ) fruit etc. No big hurry but we were on the road by 8:30.  

Heading north on Hwy 19 and first up is a border check point.  A quick sniff by the drug sniffing dog and we were on our way.  

It's interesting to note that the speed is in mph and the distance is in kilometers all the way to Tucson.  Why...who knows.  Here we're coming onto 10 West and the highway lanes expand.  

Not too busy.  Sorry for the buggy pictures but it is spring!

Hey.....there's my beer truck.  I drink Pacifico lite in Mexico and Bud Lite everywhere else. 

Up ahead Picacho Peak and you can see the pallo verde is in bloom. 

Picacho Peak. 

The desert is alive with color in the spring. 

Now we're heading west on I8 and this is Maricopa County.  This was the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpio's County from 1993 to 2017 when he lost the election. Let's just say he had a very colorful history and leave it at that.  

Getting closer to Yuma.  We stopped in Gila Bend for lunch and carried on.  You might notice I haven't mentioned any disasters yet...well there weren't any and that was a good thing. 

A rise in elevation and the saguaros appear along with the ocotillo which is starting to bloom. 

The desert is just beautiful. 

Huge dairies in the distance and all the forage crops that are needed to feed the cows. 

Telegraph pass. 

This time we are staying at the Ramada.  We have been staying at the Howard Johnson but it was full this weekend.  In the end it was a good thing because we like the Ramada way better.  The Howard Johnson was not up to snuff in the fall.  So...here we are.  Nice comfortable room at the back of the hotel and room for the truck and trailer.  Our new stop in Yuma.  

Last night we ate at the Curries Indian cuisine and bar which is attached to the hotel.  We were impressed. We like curry and this was a very good restaurant. Huge menu and really busy.  We sat at the bar until a table opened up.  The staff were running to keep up and they never missed a beat.  Friendly,polite and attentive ...top marks.  The food was very good and not at all expensive.  The meal was about $33. US and there is enough left over for another night.  We would order a little differently next time but it's all a learning experience.  

We didn't start our day in Yuma early but we were in no rush.  First up an oil change at Walmart and some shopping for me.  Oil changes are first come first served and it took about three hours.  Back to the room for lunch and then off to the Sketchers store.  Back to the hotel and Eric hooked up the trailer for the morning.  I got all the sandwiches made for the few days and we are set.  Tomorrow Alamo, Nevada before heading to Jackpot Nevada.  

Yuma crops.  

So we have survived the first three days and now we carry on.  Oh, I forgot it's also hot as hell right now!