30/12: Balloons, wagons and trains
Category: General
Posted by: The Agnew Family
Not sure how Ed and I missed the sound, but a hot air balloon flew over our trailer this morning. Luckily, Carol heard it, alerted John, who knocked on our door. It was only a matter of seconds before Ed was dressed and out the door with camera in hand. Zaph and I were a little slower.
View from the trailer.
The pilot landed the balloon on the shoulder of the road. When Ed and John talked to the pilot he told them you have to be careful where you land as the farmers don't want the balloons in their fields. Apparently, south of here white trucks will chase the balloons telling the pilot that the balloon is not allowed to land in their field. Don't think the balloonist have as much trouble at home, but I do remember getting a call from a balloonist (after our flight) as the owner of the field where we landed was claiming the balloon had frightened his cows and he wanted some type of compensation.
Taking the balloon down.
There is a farmers market on Sunday's at the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park. John caught Ed and me buying cauliflower and broccoli. Very fresh and couldn't beat the price.
There are a number of buildings at the park, some depict old homes, others are filled with antiques and one has information on the canal system that runs through Yuma. Part of the canal system goes under the Gila and Colorado Rivers. John was very interested in this old cement mixer.
You can find this locomotive at Pivot Point. This is the spot where the first rail bridge was located. The bridge was a swing bridge and the cement pivot point is still in place.
The pivot point overlooking the walking trails and the river. Old photos show the Colorado River almost reaching the pivot point. Dams and irrigation have reduced the size of the Colorado River.
View from the trailer.
The pilot landed the balloon on the shoulder of the road. When Ed and John talked to the pilot he told them you have to be careful where you land as the farmers don't want the balloons in their fields. Apparently, south of here white trucks will chase the balloons telling the pilot that the balloon is not allowed to land in their field. Don't think the balloonist have as much trouble at home, but I do remember getting a call from a balloonist (after our flight) as the owner of the field where we landed was claiming the balloon had frightened his cows and he wanted some type of compensation.
Taking the balloon down.
There is a farmers market on Sunday's at the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park. John caught Ed and me buying cauliflower and broccoli. Very fresh and couldn't beat the price.
There are a number of buildings at the park, some depict old homes, others are filled with antiques and one has information on the canal system that runs through Yuma. Part of the canal system goes under the Gila and Colorado Rivers. John was very interested in this old cement mixer.
You can find this locomotive at Pivot Point. This is the spot where the first rail bridge was located. The bridge was a swing bridge and the cement pivot point is still in place.
The pivot point overlooking the walking trails and the river. Old photos show the Colorado River almost reaching the pivot point. Dams and irrigation have reduced the size of the Colorado River.