Sundance 1 RV Resort Activities

Saturday, February 25, 2017

We arrived back at Sundance 1 RV Resort on Sunday of this past week and are happy to be back at this resort and all it has to offer.  Our new site is on the south side of the resort and there are more park models and RV’s in the sites here than there were where we were previously.  We have already met several of the neighbors.  This is the busiest time for the resort.  Interestingly, residents begin to leave the early part of March which I find strange since winter weather further north is still in full swing in March.  I understand that many who do leave then are usually looking to do some other sightseeing down in this area before actually going home.

This week I spent a couple of days in the quilting room trying to finish up  my bed runner and getting the grandchildren’s quilts ready to take to a quilter here in Casa Grande.  I had thought I would quilt them myself but decided since I had three to do I did not want to tackle them all so parceled them out.  I should have them back before we leave here on March 18.  The remainder of the time here I will finish binding the bed runner and begin a couple of small table top quilts as gifts for birthdays and next Christmas.

I am so happy to be back in the quilt room as I learn so many things talking with other quilters.  This quilt group is very organized with a council, classes, making charity and friendship quilts together and a quilt show each winter season.  All are welcome to use the room no matter your level of skill.  Monthly and an end of the season luncheons as well as a shop hop to some of the quilts shops in and around the Phoenix area are all part of what they do.  What fun!

Ron has already begun his weekly golfing with the group and has been watching the Radio Controlled cars at the track here in the Resort.  His photography group will be meeting again soon so he will join that as well. 

We are joining the couples dance class weekly to get back in shape and relearn some of what we have forgotten since we have not danced much in all the years since Ron was ill in 2002.  Boy have we every forgotten the steps we used to take for granted.  Last Monday we attended the Jammers Session which included a large number of residents playing and/or signing.  Most were very good and we really enjoyed listening to them.  I also plan to check out the needles group (crocheting and knitting) and the chair yoga.  I still find myself procrastinating regarding my daily walking even though they have a daily group.  It’s just too early for me. 

Today is the Quilt Show here which is just one of many held at all the different resorts during the season.  In addition to quilts that are for show, there is also a raffle and other quilted items for sale as well as a display of quilts and other items done for charity (foster children program, nursing home, pregnancy center, etc.).    I am helping with the set up and during the show.  Below are a couple of the quilts on display.  Lots of good ideas for me to use for the future.  Hope you enjoy the pictures below.  There were so many that it was hard to decide which ones to photograph.

Raffled Quilt and Pillows

Wall Hangings

Goodbyes and Castle Dome

February 13 -18, 2017

This is our last week in Yuma.  We have enjoyed our stay but are anxious to return to Casa Grande on Sunday. 

Monday we said a last goodbye to our RVillage friends Trisha and Bob by having dinner together at the Prison Hill Brewery where we enjoyed our meal at a table on the sidewalk outside in the warm early evening air.  It has been fun catching up and I know I certainly enjoyed learning how to make cinnamon rolls.  Haven’t tried them on my own yet.  Don’t know when we will see each other again, but I’m sure we’ll cross paths again as we did this year.  Safe Travels, friends.

Wednesday afternoon Ron and I  ventured 30+ miles north on a major highway then 10 miles out into the desert (last 7 miles on a dusty dirt road) to the old mining town of Castle Dome.  This old mining town has been restored using 45 old buildings (changed little from the 1800’s) and artifacts found in the mines (over 300 in the district and found just like they had left yesterday).  In 1878 this town was larger than Yuma.  Instead of the roar of the mills, ringing of church bells and uproar from the five saloons, today the town is silent with only the footsteps and voices of visiting tourists and ghosts of yesterday.

In 1998 when the government (who owned the property) decided to take out everything that was left of the Castle Dome era, a local couple asked permission to salvage everything and was given permission to do so.  Since that time they have spent time recreating the old town with old buildings from the site as well as hauling in others from outlying mines.  There was no shortage of artifacts and information from old newspapers gave insight into who owned mines, how much silver was mined and even folks to talk to who had lived and worked there.  Thus history was preserved.  

Castle Dome sat on the second patented mine in 1871 and was the longest worked mining district in the state.  There were three patented mining claims, the Floral Temple, Floral Temple extension and the Castle Dome.  Mining began in 1864 and ended when silver prices dropped in 1979.  The silver here is mixed with lead and the process to separate the two was very costly.  When the cost of separating the two cost more than the silver was worth, it was time for the mine to close. 

Walking along the wooden sidewalks of the town and into the many buildings full of artifacts give us a view of what life was like in this once thriving community.  Having so many artifacts in each place really gives you a sense of the rough, tough life lived here.  Everyday things like cooking, washing, and keeping house were so much more primitive than we are used to today.    Buildings include the usual places such as barber shop, ladies dress shop, bank, grand two story hotel, machine shop, post office, several bars, sheriff office as well as several cabins and a bunkhouse with bunkhouse shower room.  We learned that there will soon be underground mine tours available to the more adventurous. 

 

Miner Cabin

Miner Cabin

Barber Shop

Ladies Dress Shop

Mercantile Shop

Bar

Bunkhouse

Bunkhouse Shower Room

After a couple of hours of viewing and walking the old wood sidewalks and up and down the dirt paths, our legs said it was time to return to the car and town.   A interesting and informative afternoon learning more of our American history.

Signing off until we return to Casa Grande.

Historic Sites in Yuma

Sunday, February 12, 2017

President Lincoln’s Birthday  

It has been a busy week for us here in Yuma.  On Monday, Ron and friend, Bob played golf at the Cocopah RV and Golf Resort located on the opposite side of Yuma from us while Bob's wife Trisha came to our RV to teach me how to make cinnamon rolls.  What a fun afternoon both Ron and I had.  

I have baked very little with yeast all these years making a recipe from my grandmother for Portuguese Sweet Bread twice a year at most ever since I left home just a few years ago.  Yeah, right, a few years ago.  More like 50 years ago this past August.  While my family has always eaten the bread no matter how it turned out - over cooked, under cooked and with not the greatest texture, I have always wanted to learn how better to make baked items with yeast.  One of the other things I have tried over the years has been cinnamon rolls, but they just never were any good.  So this was my opportunity to learn since Trisha makes all her own bread items every week.  She had several little hints for me which I plan to try on my own.

Needless to say, when the guys arrived at our RV later in the afternoon, we all had to sample what Trisha and I had made.  The rolls were yummy and I have told Trisha I will make another batch on my own this next week before we leave here.  Should have taken a picture, but will do it when I bake them on my own.

The remainder of the week was spent with me continuing the quilting of the bed runner for our bed, awaiting the arrival of two new lighter weight outdoor chaise lounges, trying out a local restaurant down the road, getting our fix of In N Out Burger and doing some more sightseeing. 

Yesterday Ron and I drove downtown to the Sanguinetti House, Museum and Gardens located just off the historic main street of Yuma.  

The house was the home of pioneer merchant E. F. Sanguinetti who came from California in 1883 and going to work for a local merchant (John Gandolfo) as a clerk.  He quickly rose to a full partner and later bought out Mr. Gandolfo.  E. F. established 12 stores, numerous commercial buildings, a contract firm for site development, a dairy and a wide variety of other businesses becoming the largest employer in Yuma at the time.  During the Great Depression he did suffer financial losses.  In 1915 at the age of 48 he married Lilah Balsz the daughter of a pioneer Yuma family and had three children with her.  She died in 1937 from a heart attack.  In his later years, E.F. moved back to California where he died in 1945 at age 78.

The original Sanguinetti house (right next to the street) contained the two front rooms only and was later added on to one room at a time.  Our tour of the house began with a docent who explained a bit about the family and the different businesses represented in the entry hall before we were left on our own to read information provided and take pictures.  She told us several stories and pointed out something in the room where we found an old photography copier on display.  The photographer was called a “post mortem photographer” which we had never heard before.  It seems that when people died, the family often wanted a picture taken of the loved one with other family members since unlike today family photos were not common and they wanted something to remember their loved one.  Thus, the name.  On the wall here is a picture with one such deceased person with a living person.  Can you figure out which is which?  You’ll have to read to the end for the answer.

The front entry included furnishings from an old hotel front desk, a bar room display, a lady of the evening’s room, a wall showing a faro display, a pharmacy and a general store display as well as the photography display mentioned above.  

Lady of the Evening Room

Pharmacy

General Store

Just off the entry was the front parlor with an old square grand piano.  The docent particularly pointed out these two wall hangings which tell us how the Victorians flirted with each other.  Interesting.  

Living Room in old part of home

Dining Room

Kitchen

The gardens were not of much interest as it is a bit early for much color there, but it is a lovely place for a wedding which are done here quite frequently. 

Leaving the Museum we continue down the road to the Quartermaster Depot which is also the location of the Visitor Center for Yuma.  This Quartermaster Depot was established by the Army in 1864 to store and distribute supplies to the Army forts and posts throughout Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Texas, Nevada and Utah.  With the arrival of the railroad in 1877 the need for the Depot ended.  

 Only five of the original buildings (the Store House, Quartermaster’s office, home and kitchen, the water reservoir and the Corral House) remain today and include historic displays.  The house is the oldest home in Yuma built in 1859.  Some interesting displays and a bit of history here.

The Store House

Quartermaster Office Building

Quartermaster Home built in 1859

Bedroom in Quartermaster House

More next week after we venture further afield to see what else there is to see here.

Answer – The lady on the left is the deceased family member.  It would have been too difficult to pose a deceased person standing up.