We had originally planned to stay at LaPosa South until it was time to leave for Twenty Nine Palms on 3/23.  Pam approached us with a different plan – she had an extra 3 days FREE FHU site at a resort in Yuma, why don’t we join them?  What a perfect plan!  We were very happy to go along!  We loved the idea of spending more time with them!  And – Steve & Diane were going too!

We pulled up stakes and headed south on Rt 95.   We followed Steve & Diane, Red & Pam got in line behind us.  It was a short 1 1/2 hour drive and we arrived around noon at Fortuna De Oro RV Resort.  If any of my readers are looking for a true resort experience in Yuma AZ, this is the place for you!

The resort has a beautiful pool, hot tub, pool-side bar (with happy hours from 3 – 5pm daily, complete with $2 drinks!); there is tennis courts, bocce ball, a restaurant on-site, clean laundry facilities (which I might have used except they were all top-loaders), and the whole place is clean and well maintained!  And we had 3 FREE nights!

After quickly setting up, we joined Red & Pam at the restaurant for a few drinks and some food.   We ordered nachos, BBQ wings, and fried zucchini, which were all very good.   The piña coladas were also yummy!

When we got back home, we learned about happy hour by the pool from 3 to 5.  Can’t miss that!   We found and changed into our bathing suits and, map in hand (this place is HUGE!  Over 1200 sites!), walked our way to the pool.   There was an open cabana and we took advantage of it!   We met some friends of Pam & Red, Dawn & Mike and Gary & Deb.  We sat around and chatted for a little while and just relaxed.

That night we just stayed in and watched some TV.  We fell asleep early since we were going to Mexico the next day!

The ride to the border was much shorter from Yuma than from Quartzsite.  We took 2 trucks, Pam & Red had appts for getting their teeth cleaned, as did Steve & Diane and we figured it offered the most flexibility in case the dentist took longer than expected and/or we needed more time for shopping.

We walked into Los Algodones and the first stop was the dentist.  After agreeing to return in about an hour, we headed out to go pick up my glasses!  I was very nervous.  I tried them on and – whoa – they were a good bit stronger!  It kind of startled me at first.  The optician guy checked to make sure I could read the chart with them, which I easily could.  The biggest thing was I felt like I could see the “line” for the readers.  They adjusted them for me, but I ultimately decided to not wear them at that time, but to try in the morning with fresh eyes.  After finishing up at the optical place,  we started on our list.  First thing we found was adorable dresses for our God daughter Jessilynn’s girls.  We will be visiting them soon and want to bring them something.  Later we found them some maracas, which Oma Linda said they will love!   I got a small cloth backpack in Jamaican Rasta colors of black, green, gold and red.  Bill picked out a blanket he liked in different shades of purple, well let me clarify – the blanket came in purple, blue, or brown and he let me chose, so – we have purple!  We also spent a chunk of change at the liquor store.  No one else was planning to buy liquor, and they agreed to carry a bottle each (the allowed limit) back for us!   What great friends we have!

We also enjoyed a yummy Mexican lunch, while listening to a Mexican man sing Elvis and other American songs!  He was actually pretty good!   Pam and I had Strawberry Margaritas and the guys had a beer (sadly, Diane was delayed at the dentist).

After dividing up the liquor bottles, Bill, myself and Pam headed back home, while Steve and Red waited for Diane to finish up with the dentist.

Pam and I did some USA shopping, going to Barnes and Noble, Frys (grocery store) and stopping at the Goodwill.   We also found the farm stand everyone had been telling us about and got a few things there.

Bill and I could not resist the call of the hot tub, so after dinner one night we got our bathing suits on and drove over.  Yes, we could have walked, but it was chilly that night and I figured that would only feel even more chilly when we were wet!  Good call!  The hot tub was – well – hot!  It had lots of strong jets and I sat right in front of one so it could massage my back!  We chatted with others who were already there.   Very nice time!

The next day, we all gathered at the pool again – I know this resort life is so difficult!  It was another gorgeous day and we enjoyed drinks and snacks.

Steve & Diane and also Red & Pam decided they had had enough of the desert dust bowl and they were not returning to Quartzsite, so Friday morning, Bill and I got our fill of hugs and left out of Yuma.

I had been in touch with a friend, Bert, who we met at Amazon, and he was in Q.  When I found out he was all by himself in LaPosa West, I asked him to join us in LaPosa South.  You know me – the more the merrier!  Bert was waiting by the water station when we arrived and then followed us about a mile and a half until we saw Les & Sue’s set-up.   We chose a spot past them that was large enough for 3.  We needed room for 3 since Eileen & Gene were coming soon!

Les and Sue came by and invited us, and Bert too!, for dinner!  We walked over to their place about 6, and what a delicious meal Sue cooked!  Pork roast, saffron rice, green salad w/articoke, and pasta salad with broccoli!  We were stuffed!   Les started a fire and we sat around it for awhile, all getting better aquatinted.   I “know” Les from RV Dreams forum, but we had only met in person for the first time here in Q.  He and Sue are also from Jersey, so already something in common, besides being full-time RVers.  They are traveling with friends, Mike & Claudia, and we enjoyed getting to know them as well!  Thanks guys for a delish dinner!

We have taken care of some chores since being back in Q, including getting the clothes done.  Everybody’s fav laundromat is already closed for the season, so off to option 2 we went.  I didn’t really care for that one, so we went looking for option 3.  Option 3 was a winner, clean and an attendant on-site.

After learning Gene & Eileen were arriving Sunday instead of Tuesday, we also needed to get to the grocery store sooner than expected.  Funny thing is – I knocked on Berts door to ask if he needed anything and he was on his way out to go himself!  He invited us to go with him, so off to Blythe we went!  The Albertsons there was very nice and had all we needed!  Their prices on some stuff was ok, some very high – for example – a quart of cream was $6!   How crazy is that?

I asked Les & Sue, Bert, and Mike & Claudia to come for dinner also, and everyone accepted.   We woke Sunday to a lot of wind – UGH!  Wind here means extra dust – so it quickly became apparent we would have to eat inside!   Les offered to bring his truck over to help break the wind, which I’m sure would have helped, but I didn’t want the extra dust in my food – YUCK!

We were a bit cozy while we ate our dinner of spinach and artichoke dip (from Sue), salad and New England Clam Chowder that  I made, along with fresh bread from Albertsons, and for dessert, chocolate chip bars from Claudia and chocolate lava cake with ice cream and cool whip from Eileen!  There sure was plenty to eat and whoever wanted left-overs, got some!

So – that brings us up to date for now – we have lots we want to see and do while back here!

Til next time…