March 8, 2023: Day 5 – Yuma AZ to Dateland. 69.4 miles

Today was a very interesting day. I left camp around 7:30, and Jim Bob and I headed east from Yuma through the Gila River Valley and Dome Valley, also referred to as the Nations Salad Bowl. Though I am not always the biggest fan of vegetables, it was truly impressive to see miles and miles of fields of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, romaine lettuce, onions, carrots, and other similar vegetables. I’m not completely sure, but I think I saw a large, lush field of croutons in the distance.

Yesterday, I asked a local from Yuma how such beautiful vegetable crops could grow so well in the desert. She explained to me that years and years ago, the Colorado River covered much of the area. When it receded, the remaining silt and other nutrients from the basin of the Colorado remained in the soil. With some irrigation, the hot/sunny days, and very cool evenings of the desert makes for an ideal climate for growing such crops. It truly was impressive to see literally miles and miles of lush vegetation growing. Large trucks and harvesters worked the fields as we cycled by, gathering the crops and loading them onto trucks.

The majority of the miles we cycled today were on a frontage road that paralleled Interstate 8. The route was relatively flat, and the road surface relatively smooth. After stopping at the Whistle Stop Cafe for a quick lunch, we soon joined the I-8 freeway, and cycled the final 10 – 15 miles on the shoulder, which was also relatively smooth. We ended up in Dateland, where, as expected, medjool dates provide the primary revenue for the area. Before entering the RV camp where we are camping for the night, we stoped at the Dateland Food Court, where we partook of one of their “World Famous” Date Shakes.

Dateland is a small town, with less than 1,000 in population. The date shake was really tasty, particularly after the 70 mile ride. Once we made camp, I spent the next 3 hours trying to figure out how to assemble my new miniature camping chair, and setting up my sleeping bag. I was so pleased with myself after the extensive chair assembly that I took about 30 pictures of the chair. I’m a little afraid of breaking it down tomorrow, since I may have to go through the same process. Perhaps I will leave it assembled, and simply strap the chair to my back on my ride tomorrow. Of course, I am only half-kidding, but not to boast, I’m actually sitting in the chair right now. While it is extremely uncomfortable, (yes, I know it is assembled correctly, thanks to the 20 You Tube videos I watched), I am more than happy to put up with the cramped seating style, given the length of time it took me to assemble the apparatus. Ah, tomorrow is another day!