Phoenix

Saturday 19 November 2005

Jumped out of bed early and sat with Liz and Wayne to watch the dawn break. The light changes all the time and the incredible air is invigorating. We then had a scrumptious breakfast on the porch. We were taken down the street to meet all their very friendly neighbours and we were invited into their houses to look at the architecture and decor and views from their windows. Most of the neighbours have these huge American Dream trailers which they use for about half the year during summer to get away from the heat etc. We then toured the town of Yuma and saw the old prison, the Colorado River, the mall which had a display of old cars and an re-enactment of cowboys in earlier times. We had lunch and a beer in a genuine spit and sawdust saloon. At 4:30 pm the neighbours in the street, Wayne and Liz, Sandy and Patsy all went in four wheel drive buggies in convoy through the desert scrub into the bush and up the sandy, rocky mountains. It was such fun to bounce about and ride the rim of the high rocky escarpments. We stopped on a high ridge, built a bon fire, sipped gin and tonics and beer and watched the sun set. We had 360 degrees of changing blue, red, orange and violet light. Dan played his guitar and sang as we looked into the flames and then the starry sky. We soaked up this section of the day with gratitude. How good it was to be here. We bounced back in the 4 X 4's taking a different path home. Wayne and Liz put on a Mexican BBQ with Carne Asada (Mexican shaved spiced beef) and tortillas with guacamole etc. We enjoyed the company of the entire neighbourhood, all of whom have become good friends of the Ingrams. Thank you Liz and Wayne for such a remarkable and memorable time with you.

Around the firepit with the Ingrams
Wayne and Liz Ingram

Lower reaches of the Colorado River (old Yuma Mission and bridge in background)

In the foothills outside Yuma

Photo and Comment from Wayne Ingram: Patsy, Sandy, Liz and Wayne Ingram at Lutes Casino – we went there for lunch and a beer on Saturday 19th. A quaint place with all kinds of memorabilia hanging from everywhere. It is not a casino as such, rather a fun place to have a light quick meal and a drink. It is in “Old Yuma” town. The ladies were particularly intrigued with the naked male bicyclist poster over my shoulder. Patsy enjoyed her Michelob Amber Bock beer!


Photo and Comment from Wayne Ingram: A Model ‘A’ Ford in excellent condition – our stroll through “Old Yuma” town.


Photo and Comment from Wayne Ingram: We had a splendid outing up the trail to the Gila Mountains (behind our house) and were accompanied by our neighbours. From Left to right - Cherie Jones, Dan Ellis, Paul Jones, Rene Ellis, Liz Ingram, Patsy & Sandy. Went up in 2 little 4WD “Jeeps” plus a 4WD bike. Lit a fire, the men had Pacifico (Mexican) beers and the ladies Gin & Tonics from Ingram’s mobile bar, complete with freshly sliced lemon, ice etc. Dan Ellis treated us to a few campfire/cowboy songs on his guitar, but a highlight was Sandy’s solo rendition of the Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe Grenadier’s song (on guard opposite Westminster Hall) "When all night long a chap remains." We were all impressed with his rich baritone – "sung with gusto"!
We experienced a beautiful sunset and watched the city lights come on – a memorable evening. We went back to Casa Ingram for a “Carne Asada” BBQ – a new experience for the Sandersons!?


Friday 18 November 2005

Hired a car and drove for three hours to Yuma. A very unusual and interesting journey through arid yet beautiful country. Huge mountain rocks surround the boundaries of the horizon and mexican type catii grow on the desert like plains along the roadside. It is strangely fascinating and beautiful. We put the radio on the country cowboy music just to complete the experience for ourselves. Reached Liz and Wayne Ingram who live 15 miles out of Yuma in a new house which is fabulous and intriguing. It is not Mexican but absolutely fitting for Arizona. Liz says the design and decore is called 'Sante Fe" or Adobe style, very popular south western tatse. There are cream coloured gravel tiny stone chips everywhere, even in most people's gardens which is neat and clean but there are very little green lawns or flowers due to the desert conditions. Wayne and Liz have made the most of their beautifully cool home by putting in a pool outside their patio and having a fire pit (a huge circular gas fire that comes up from the ground outside) to sit around and drink red wine on cool desert evenings. The sunsets and the starry sky out here are remarkable. We are so lucky to be having this real American outdoor, outback Arizonian experience! I am off, back to the fire pit and we will probably stay up late! It is great to chat to ex P E pupil Wayne and ex GHS pupil Liz and wonderful to see them again.

Phoenix to Yuma Rest Stop