Yuma Territorial Prison

Yesterday was another pretty quiet day. We stayed pretty close to camp, just doing a few chores and enjoying the peace and quiet.

Today in Yuma was a welcome back winter visitor event at the Yuma Civic Centre. We thought we would take it in and see what it was all about.  Basically, just a bunch of local businesses showing off their wares. Very much like the home shows we see back in BC but more geared to snowbirds. We did manage to snag a few good coupons that we will use later.  We also ran into our neighbours from back home who also winter down here. They live just up the street a ways. And we also ran into Gerry and Marilyn Gerow again.
One place I wanted to visit last year when we were here but didn't get to was the Yuma Territorial Prison. This prison was originally built in 1876 and was in use until around 1905. It was called the Desert Alcatraz. The original inmates had to literally carve their own cells out of solid rock!
Chris and I spent a couple of hours exploring around the old site. Unfortunately much of it was lost in the middle of the 20th century due to railroad expansion and fires. What is left however, has been quite well preserved.

6 prisoners to a cell. Pity the poor sod who got stuck with the top bunk!

Some cells were very small. I'm sure you can figure out what the pot was for.

Guard tower on top of the cistern.

Model of the prison as it would have looked when in full use.

After escaping the prison, we stopped at a couple more furniture stores to see if we could find some suitable chairs (didn't) then back to the trailer.
It was quite a bit cooler today, only getting in to the high teens and with the wind was quite chilly. More clouds today as well. After we got back we took Maya for a walk and then enjoyed maybe the best sunset we have seen yet this trip.

Castle Dome mountains getting the last of the days sunshine.

Red clouds mixed with the last of the blue sky.