Another Winning Day at the Casino

Yesterday sure was an exciting day.  We’re so happy the Packers won the Super Bowl.  My mom tells me things in Wisconsin are pretty crazy!

Joan wanted to go to the Moody Demonstration Garden today.  Funny how it’s not too far from the Paradise Casino where those over 50 get $10 free slot play on Mondays and Thursdays.  Well, the garden wasn’t much to get excited about.  It was a small area next to the county municipal buildings with some walking paths and plants with signs in front of them. 

There was, however, this cool sculpture.

After spending a few minutes at the gardens, we drove over to the casino.  We stood in line for about 30 minutes to get the $10 credit on the player’s card, only to find out that it had already been added to the card.  Apparently, they do it automatically.  The guy said it doesn’t always work, so he suggested putting your card in a machine when you get there before waiting in line.  Chances are the money will already be there.  Cool!  Now we’ll have to go back again to see if it works :)

Kevin and I played using up our $10 each.  At the end, we were up $23.75.  I sure like this free money!

And tonight we get to watch a free movie.  The first Monday of each month, Redbox sends out a text message with a code for a free movie rental.  It’s only good that day.  All you have to do is sign up for it when you create your Redbox account.  We picked The Social Network for tonight’s feature.  Too bad we don’t have any codes for free groceries and camping :)  

I found out today that my first blog post for Blogvertise was accepted and I should get paid in 30 days.  I posted another ad today.  I get paid for the ad, not how many times people click on it.  I’ll try a few more and see if the payments actually show up in my Paypal account.  So far, it looks like a good way to create some extra revenue without bothering my readers too much.

I hope all of our Wisconsin friends are enjoying the Packer excitement.  It would be fun to be a part of it, but I’m not willing to give up our sunny 70 degree days :) 

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!

*A New Shopping Website*

I have come across a new shopping website called become.com

I did a bit searching on the site, and found it to be very user friendly.  What I really liked is that you could search for prices of an item, and also research the same item just by clicking on either the shop or research button.

You can find some very unusual items including a 1 gallon gas tank or galant projector headlamps or lancer ralliart fenders.

On the home page there are a number of categories you can shop in including Top 10 Lists, Editor’s Choice and Hot Products.  I clicked on the Cuisinart CSB-76BC SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender just for fun.  It gave me prices for stores like Kohl's and Sears, but also Amazon.  It also gave me similar products to check out and customer reviews.

So, next time you are shopping online, you might want to check out become.com.

Super Bowl Champions

Yippee!!!!!

 

Another Hike

Joan and Al have a booklet describing several hikes in the Yuma area.  Yesterday we decided to try a hike at the Senator Wash Reservoir.  We followed the directions to the Squaw Lake BLM Campground where we paid the day use fee to park.

As we walked up the road to the start of the trail, we passed 3 people carrying the same booklet Joan has.  They told us it was a nice hike, but they knew they had taken a different route than the book indicated.

The first part of the trail was easy enough to follow.  It was a gravel road and earthen dam along the reservoir.  There were several fishing boats out on the water.  It’s always so amazing to find water and palm trees out in the middle of the desert.

I caught this egret in flight.  Cool!

A sign stated there were wild burro in the area.  We didn’t see any, but we certainly saw plenty of evidence on the ground that they exist :)  We hiked along the reservoir and into the desert trying to follow the directions.

We didn’t have a compass with us, so we were guessing on which way to go based on the sun’s position.  There were no marked trails, just some ATV trails and washes.  The directions were supposed to take us to a lookout where we could see the Colorado River.  After about an hour, we gave up trying to find it and headed back.

So, we’re now 0 for 2 in following the hike directions in the booklet.  Next time we’re taking a compass.  We still had a great 2 hour hike, and saw some beautiful sites.  So, I’d say it was a great day!

On the way home, we stopped at a roadside stand to try a date shake.  Kevin likes dates, but I’m not a fan.  I tasted it, and didn’t really care for it.  Kevin said it was good, but nothing special.  Behind the stand, is the “bridge to nowhere”.

This suspension bridge was built in 1929 to cross over the Gila River on Route 95.  When the road was moved, the bridge was no longer needed.  The route of the Gila River has changed course, so now there isn’t even water under the bridge anymore.  It has sat unused for many years, but due to the desert climate, is still in very good condition.  Another strange site in the middle of the desert.

Today we prepare for the BIG GAME!  Joan and Al are coming over this afternoon to watch the game with us. 

GO PACK GO!!!!

 

Los Algodones, Mexico

On Tuesday we made the 30 minute trip to cross the border into Los Algodones, Mexico.  Kevin and I have only been to Mexico a few times.  We spent a few hours in Tijuana on our honeymoon over 33 years ago, and we’ve been to the Cozumel area twice while on cruises.

The main purpose for the trip was for me to have my teeth cleaned.  So many people we’ve met have praised the dentists in Mexico, so I was willing to give it a try.  Kevin wouldn’t do it.  He’ll stick with our dentist in Wisconsin. 

Joan and Al had forgotten their passports in Wisconsin so we drove in separate vehicles.  Their plan was to ask if they could get back in with just their licenses.  Joan spoke to a US Customs official at the border, and he told her it would be fine so the 4 of us crossed over.  We parked in this parking lot on the US side and walked across.  Do you see the two flags?

Los Algodones is probably about 4 or 5 square blocks, not very big at all.  I’ve never seen so many dentists, pharmacies, and eye clinics in one spot.  A young man outside of Mary’s Dental Clinic asked if he could help me.  I told him I wanted my teeth cleaned.  He said it would be $25.  The guy across the street was motioning to me that it would be only $10 at his place.  My guy said that was for an “express clean”.  I had to laugh.  Mary’s looked like a decent and clean place, so I signed up. 

Main Street Los Algodones

After waiting about 20 minutes, Dr. Liliana called me in.  That’s right, the dentist did the cleaning.  She did everything they do at home, including telling me about my receding gum lines.  It took about 20 minutes, and I felt she did a good job.  She maybe didn’t scrape quite as long with the pick, but it’s hard to say.  It was a good job for less than 1/4 the cost of our dentist in Wisconsin.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

We found these awesome painted rocks at a street stand.  Since the Packers are going to the Super Bowl, there was not much bargaining.  The cost was $10, but the best we could do was 3 for $25.  We got these two and Joan and Al got a Packer rock.

It was getting to be lunch time so we stopped at an outdoor restaurant for nachos and margaritas.  These jumbo drinks were $4 each.  We each had a drink and shared a large plate of nachos.  Total bill, $23.

Next, we stopped at a pharmacy.  I got a Z pack of antibiotics for $4 and picked up glucosamine/chondroitin tablets for my arthritis at less than half the cost of Wal-Mart for the same amount of milligrams.

We found some inexpensive tequila and vanilla at the liquor store.  Joan and I also bought some cute light jackets for $15 each.  I’d say it was a successful shopping venture.

The town was quite clean and I felt very safe.  We saw several groups of policemen standing around and 2 soldiers with machine guns.  The line to get through customs was quite long, and it took us about an hour to get to the front.  I was amazed at the amount of people. 

Yesterday we found these cute plastic margarita glasses.  Perfect to sample the tequila we bought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There has been a great deal of weather news all over the country including Yuma.  We’ve had 2 nights of hard freeze warnings which is almost unheard of in this area.  It was in the low 30s both nights and yesterday’s high was 48 and very windy.  The winds died down today and the high was 50.  Don’t worry.  It’s supposed to be 79 on Sunday.  Sure beats the 2 feet of snow they got in Wisconsin.  Can’t say that I miss it :)

I had a few questions about my Blogvertise entry.  After signing up and being approved, they send you emails with links to internet sites they want you to review.  You write the review, publish it, submit it to them, and wait to see if it was approved.  I’m still waiting to see if they approved my entry.  I already have 2 more emails for more reviews, but I’m waiting to see if they approve me first entry before I do anymore. 

As a reviewer, you can be positive or negative depending on what you think of the site.   I appreciate the opportunity to earn some money through my blog.  I also like that each ad is a separate entry, and the entire blog is not full of ads I haven’t approved.  That’s just my opinion, and we’ll see how it goes.

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!

Making Money on the Road

Last week I discovered a blog called Live and Travel on Minimum Wage.  Craig and Karin started this blog to share information they have about making money while living the full time lifestyle.

One way many bloggers make a little money is to have Google ads on their blogs.  So far, I’ve chosen not to put ads in my blog.  However, Craig and Karin mentioned an advertiser in their blog that intrigued me.  I signed up for Blogsvertise and was accepted.  Once accepted, they send you information about sites that might appeal to your readers. 

You review the site.  If your review is accepted, you get paid.  It’s pretty easy.  So, here’s my first attempt.

Today’s site is called RepairPal.  It’s a free site.  You can enter your zip code and find auto repair facilities in your area.  One of the best features of the site is that you can get estimates for what different types of repairs should cost. 

You can also enter a make and model of car and find out what kinds of experiences others have had with that type of car.  For example, here’s what owners of a 2004 Ford Expedition have to say.

There is also an auto repair encyclopedia where you can get definitions of different types of repairs such as a timing belt replacement or a water pump replacement.

I think this is a pretty useful site.  At the very least, you should be able to keep from being charged too much for specific repairs.

Like I said, this is my first attempt at this type of advertising.  Hopefully, they’ll accept my review.  I’ll let you know what happens.

Let me know what you think.  I’ll post later today about our trip to Mexico.

Yuma Territorial Prison

On Monday we visited Yuma Territorial Prison State Park.  This area has an interesting and diverse history.  The prison was built in 1876 and operated as a prison until 1909 when it was closed due to overcrowding.  It housed a total of 3,069 prisoners including 29 women.

This is part of the main cell block area.  Originally, the hospital was built above these cell blocks.

Six prisoners shared each cell.  They slept on two sets of bunk beds.  They shared one small chamber pot.   If one of them caused trouble, all six were chained to the ring in the floor.

The majority of them were between 20 and 30 years old and single.  Most common crimes were burglary, assault, forgery, murder, liquor to Indians, robbery, rape and adultery.  Over 100 prisoners died, mostly from disease or suicide.

Townspeople called the prison the Country Club on the Colorado because the prison had electricity, a ventilation system, flush toilets, a hospital and a library.  Prisoners called it hell.  I guess it’s all a matter of perspective.

In 1910 the Yuma High School burned down.  For the next four years, the former prison hospital, library and warden’s house were used as a school.  The high school teams became known as “The Criminals”, and the name stuck.  The Yuma High School teams today are still called “The Criminals” or “The Crims”.  What an interesting history.

During the Great Depression, many homeless people camped out in the exercise yard of the prison.  The entire area is surrounded by a wall and protected from the wind.  The area has been restored, but the wall on the right is original.  These cells were used for the solitary confinement prisoners.

Prisoners were not locked in their cells during the day.  Instead they all had jobs working in places like the rock quarry, kitchen, garden, sewing shop, adobe yard or wood yard.  On Sundays they had time for reading, arts and crafts, education and relaxing.  Prisoners were taught to read and write and many learned a trade.   There was even a prison band.

This is the main gate built in 1875.

 

 

 

 

 

The prison was built along the Colorado River.  The grey bridge is part of the “Ocean to Ocean Highway” and was completed in 1915.  It was the last link connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.  It is still only a one lane bridge with stop lights on each end.  Across the other side is California.  The black bridge in front is for trains.

We left the prison and crossed the bridge into California to spend a little more time at The Paradise Casino.  Mondays is 50+ day with $10 in free slot play for anyone over 50.  It was very crowded.  We got our free play and won $12.50 between the two of us.  That covered our $10 admission to the prison.  I think I’m liking this free casino money :)

My thoughts are with our Wisconsin family and friends who are expecting a blizzard today and tomorrow.  Seems like the whole country is experiencing cold or snow.  Our weather is supposed to be cooler for the next few days with highs in the high 50s and lows near freezing.  I know none of you are feeling sorry for us.

Today is our oldest son’s birthday.  So Happy 30th Birthday to Eric.  I remember being in high school and thinking that 30 was really old.  Now I’m the mom of a 30 year old.  Where did the time go?  Eric, we hope you have a great day, snow and all.  We love you and are proud of the man you’ve become!

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!