Thursday, December 17, 2009

A visit to the Imperial Dam...


Well, today started off as normal, lots of sun and warming up very fast! Turned out to be a great day, with just a bit of wind.
Judy was in the pool and I was in the gym again this morning, keeping in shape!
Sat outside with our neighbours this morning in the sun! Great people from Alberta of course!
After we visited a motorcycle dealer and arranged to purchase 2 new back tires for both our bikes, (as we have worn them out!) we decided to take a drive out to the Imperial Dam. You have to drive through the Yuma military proving grounds to get there, but it is only about a 20 minute drive.
The dam is on the Colorado River and enables them to control the water tables in the area, and as well, control rain waters in the rainy season, and also supply water for irrigation for the crops. It is a big dam and we were able to walk out on it! It must be over 300 feet long.

This is on the backside of the dam, the water was really moving here...


They divert the water right after the dam... they also have overflow areas...

This is on the front side of the dam...

Here is Judy taking a picture of a bunch of birds siting in the calm water on the top side of the dam...

There is a large RV Park on the far side of the river, and the Arizona side, you are looking at it.

They built a nice park with palm trees right beside the dam so people could enjoy a picnic when they come out to the dam....

After we left the dam and started to head for home, Judy had to stop and get this picture for our Daughter Kristina's collection of "very strange signs"...

I don't know where one would ever find another one of these signs... and yes, there was an actual Tank Crossing area! They made the crossing out of cement so the tanks would not dig up the asphalt. There was a bunch of different training areas for the soldiers to practice with their tanks...

On the way home Judy stopped to get a picture of this little Church that a farmer had built on his property, and he welcomes people to come in, and spend some time...Tonight I was outside with the BBQ doing up the burgers, and I heard Christmas Carols being played somewhere.... Turns out some of the residents had a little Christmas Parade tonight, with their Golf Carts, all lite up for Christmas... it was kind of cool... there were 6 of them...

and that is the end to another good day in the desert!

Till tomorrow....

2 comments:

  1. John and Judy l would like to wish you both a very Merry Christmas as l will be away on holidays.....the family running around... Also John watch out for the maple syrup down there in the states

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  2. Merry Christmas to you and Don and your family as well, Anna Marie! Thanks for your comments. They are quite entertaining. Judy

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