Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 7

Sam And Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 7

11/4/08 – 11/29/08 Yuma

Sister Carolyn

Music:

Music is an extremely big part of the Fortuna De Oro Park life and there are many, many talented people here.  Fridays are host to a 2:30 to 5 pm “Happy Hour”.  The bar is open and you cannot bring your own.  The entertainment is one of the most fantastic one-man bands you’d ever see or hear.  He provides music that the main crowd can dance to, and the crowd loves to dance to it.  The range is almost everything – although I did not hear classical.  Just people-watching is a satisfying activity. Once the Happy Hour was over, a group of us would dine at the ‘in-park’ restaurant. Good food. We made it to all but one Friday, and that was because the fold-a-boat was calling.

On Tuesday afternoons, we would go to the “Jam Sessions” at the main hall from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  Hopefully I mentioned that Sam’s sister, Carolyn is a fiddler.  A good one.  The jam session welcomes everyone (if they could sing or play an instrument), and while we were there, they played mostly country and Blue Grass music.  It was awesome.  After the jam sessions, Sam and I were invited to the after-sessions dinner/pot luck and gathering.  We loved it and I cannot say it enough …’the people here are great’!!

On Wednesdays they have a dance from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.  The Band is an outside band and “Gila” is in their name.  Sam and I went to these as well. 

Dance lessons were available.  The options included basic two-step to round dancing.  Since Sam and I know very few steps, we decided to take a basic two-step lesson. I personally think it was a mistake to only take one.  We went to the Wednesday night dance and tried out our new steps and Sam decided to double spin me.  Unfortunately, we were both on the wrong left foot and the right ones were nowhere to be found.  My knee hurts.

One afternoon, the musicians in the park got together with Carolyn’s organization and the hospitality of Ted and Shirley (two spaces down) and had a semi-impromptu jam session.  It was so wonderful.  We were told after the session that it was for us.  I got teary-eyed.  I really like these people and I got a few good pictures of them and one of Shirley’s ‘guard hummingbirds. 

Shopping:

Mexico:  Don and Carolyn took us to Algodones, Mexico to shop. With passport in hand, we go back over to the California border (just on the other side of Yuma), turn left and follow the road.  We are a little early in the season and the parking was not a problem.  We walked across the border and had shrimp tacos.  This border town appears to be totally made for Norto-Americano shoppers – especially those who are in need of teeth, vision or medication services/items.   Quite a few good variety-type shops, as well as cultural focused shops.  Sam and I were just ready to spend some money, when luckily, Don was done.  We snuck in a little more shopping (I can’t say for what because it is close to Christmas), then ate lunch.  Very tasty.  Back across the border and away we go.  Sam and I went back a few days later to try the border crossing and shopping on our own.  It did not work.  The wind came up and the stalls stayed down.  With sand stinging --- we went home.

Our other main shopping adventure was at the Arizona Market Place.  It is in a semi-permanent structure, that looks a little like a big tent.  Many, many stalls and a wide variety of goods.  Again, we bought lots of Christmas goodies.  I would recommend this place for everyone to see and shop.