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Yuma-Quartzite Loop December, 2009 |
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Turning off US-95 to head towards the wildlife refuge..... whoop-dee-doos anyone?:
In all my travels in every state and province in North America, I have never come across this
rather unnerving sign:
Do you think tank drivers look both ways when they cross a street since nothing could really be of any consequence to them?
The beginning of the road to Imperial NWR is also where the pavement ends:
Nothing crazy for off-road riding today, just hard packed dirt/gravel with views that are easy on the eyes:
The 15,000 acres refuge is actually split by the state lines of California and Arizona with the majority of the refuge (9,200 acres) located in the latter:
Between the mountains and the fall colored trees runs the Colorado River as well as the state line:
If you, like me, have a strong urge to detour off the main path, I’m willing to bet that desire will be kept
in check as you travel these roads thanks to a plethora of these signs:
This might not seem an odd sight to someone else, but I was a little concerned as I approached it from a distance. As I got closer I was relieved it wasn’t in my civilian path of travel and decided to give it a, um, one wheel salute!
Ever wonder where Snowbirds who migrate from the harsh northern climates in their RVs spend their winters? For many, it's the middle of nowhere. Seriously, just
wide open federal land (Bureau of Land Management). They scatter about among the cactus and turn the desert into a make-shift community
for the winter. Think of it as Burning Man for the retired.
Some seemed to prefer to get as far out as their rigs would take them and set up in as much solitude as possible:
A complete map of today's route:
AGirl 
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“Stamp-itis” is
defined as follows: “A progressive condition that fuels a person to go far and wide in search of 1.25" circles of ink also known as National Park Passport Stamps”. Fortunately for those of us who are deeply afflicted,
the United States government adds more stamps to the official list at least several times a year. (For
full details on this, click: 
I thought I'd just simply make a quick loop riding I-8 West to Yuma for the stamp, head up US-95 to Quartzite, hook up with I-10 East and sail back into Phoenix. Pretty much a “go-ride”,
the kind where you settle into the saddle and let the bike and your mind just cruise. I'm all
for peg-dragging and wicking it up, but there are times when the soul needs a wide open road and wide
open throttle to process life. Some folks sit still and quietly to meditate... and there are
others of us who find a peaceful state while blasting down the road atop a screaming engine . Over
the years I've made a well-worn path west of Phoenix along both I-8 and I-10 and I wouldn't be able to guess how many times I've been
on both. I really didn't think I'd post a Journey Report here when I rolled out of my Phoenix driveway this morning since I figured
most of the journey would be internal anyway. I did, however, take my camera since I swore long ago after several regretful missed
photo opportunities to never leave it behind.
The 185 mile ride over to Yuma, AZ from Phoenix was quick and easy, especially since the wind wasn’t raging, a condition which can
often be the case along that stretch of I-8. This late-December day offered clear skies and upper 60 degrees
temperature, which is great cruising weather. I arrived the “Yuma Quartermaster Depot and State Historic Park”, which
doubles as the Yuma Visitor Information Center since it is just off the first exit of I-8 when crossing into Arizona from
California. (For those wondering about the National Park Passport Stamp that is located at an Arizona State Park
facility, click: 
When I walked in and asked the volunteer (who was a 
After adding the stamp to my 
I was on my way and thinking it was highly probable that a Journey Report was also likely to be underway!
Soonafter leaving Yuma on the two lane and desolate US highway 95 North, I entered the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG). Most of the 80 mile stretch of
US-95 that connects I-8 and I-10 passes through YPG:
Before today I knew a few things about YPG, but when I returned from my ride I came across other rather interesting facts about the place
from a 
Another odd sign:
A map for those who need a visual: (The purple area is all Yuma Proving Ground, land to the left/west of the Colorado
River is California that to the east/right is Arizona.)
I’m not sure why I neglected to take a photo of the Visitor Center during my visit. Maybe I was too distracted looking
for camouflaged people trying to prove their skills exploding bombs or driving tanks behind me in the Proving Ground? It wasn’t
until I was leaving that I realized I didn’t take any photos so you’ll have to settle for a rearview mirror shot of the Visitor
Center area:
With the refuge behind me, I headed back towards the Yuma Proving Ground:
I have no idea what this HUGE balloon was doing. Yeah, the whole place was rather unsettling! C'mon, tank
crossings, helicopters frozen in space, test vehicles, spaceship looking balloons, etc are not
everyday sights. I didn't see any "Photography not allowed"
signs, but that didn't prevent a few visions of camo-clad folks descending upon me and Mo!:
I stopped to take a few photos of the area:
The largest gathering of RV'ers in the world is in Quartzsite, AZ. Huge gem and mineral shows, flea markets, yard sales, vendors galore, and of course the warm weather are the big attractions here:
An uneventful ride (um, blast!) back to Phoenix to end an interesting 400+ mile day of roaming on two wheels! Final GPS:
