We were up before sunrise on Sunday,
Feb. 4th, which sounds early but it really isn’t right now. Around 7:15 and I was getting dressed to
greet the day. I still had yesterday’s post to get published. Bill was up soon
after and we made our hot morning brews while computing. We talked about last
night as I downloaded my pictures. We had fun!
It was 9:30 when I began making
breakfast, bacon and eggs today. After dishes, Bill had his shower while
Clemson and I went for a leg stretching walk, for both of us. Then I can have
my shower. He would be put in charge of the Suite again for a few hours. We are
very lucky that he is such a laid back little dog and doesn’t mind being left
alone. Even at 13 years old, he seldom leaves us anything to clean up upon our
return.
This is one of Clemmy's tricks Bill hangs his shirt on his chair |
And Clemson does everything he can to get it into the recliner so he can lay on it We laugh every time |
there isn't much running and stretching of the legs when Clemson goes to the dog run |
Today we drove to the Yuma
Territorial Prison Museum. We’d heard good things about it and the admission is
very reasonable at $6/person. It was impressive from the get-go, walking up to
the grounds and you try immediately to put yourself in the shoes of the
prisoners. The thick walls sure enough kept the heat out but allowed no
circulation. We caught up with the tour group which started 9 minutes before
our entry.
Just this first view makes me shudder |
Dr. Duane Weeks was our commentator
and he had the interest peaked of all 15-20 of us. There are a few videos set
to play when you approach some of the cell blocks and they could give you the
chills, listening to their story, why they were there, how long and their
carefree concern of human life. I really enjoyed the talk and especially the
Dark Cell tales.
Dr. Duane Weeks, volunteer kept us entertained |
Our commentator had to stop periodically while this train went by just over the stone fence |
Cell in the rock |
The row of cells, each gated door opens to the outside |
End to end cots, 3 levels high Open to the elements Imagine incarceration in July, August, September in Arizona! |
If you are interested, it is worth visiting
this historic site which closed its ‘doors’ as a prison in 1909. When a fire
grounded the town high school in 1910, an opportunity arose and the students
were taught in these buildings until 1914. What is kind of cool is that the modern day sports teams were named ‘The Criminals’ because of the history and they ‘stole’
so many wins. They were proud of that.
This lady from Michigan and I shared a cell Neither of us could remember what we did to get in here Deb & Riley - how soon can you send bail? |
You can research it yourself here. Read about the Incorrigible (aka Solitary) cells, the Dark Cell and other stories. We
heard about the 29 women who were incarcerated there and the individual stories
of 3 of those. How much is true, well, it is up to the discretion of us
visitors to believe as much as you want. I’m pretty much of a believer of most
things I’m told in a historical museum so walked around with the ‘wow’ glow for
the whole visit.
Just for the record, Bill is no angel He ended up in his own cell |
Not very big for 4 cell mates |
Another one that didn't get away! (More pictures of the jail at the bottom) |
Because we’d had a good breakfast
around 9, we had planned for a mid-afternoon lunch/supper. When we left the
museum, it was 1:30 and we were hungry. Bill promised me a stop at Chili’s at
least once more this winter so that was where we headed. With the new (and Unimproved)
menu I wasn’t sure what to order. First, we settled on a Black Cherry Lemonade
because we’d enjoyed them once before.
Bill ordered the Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger,
he’s a creature of habit, and I settled on the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadilla.
I questioned the pico and the ranch sauce because it sounded ‘hot’. It was best
to ask them to ‘hold’ them both as he said jalapenos were blended with tomatoes
for the sauce. It came with lettuce and sour cream but it didn’t discourage me.
I ate the whole thing!
With no dishes to do, yay! We drove
to Pet Smart and made an appointment for Clemson to get his hair cut. The hot
weather has to be tough on him now that he is so scruffy again. We arrived back
home at 3:30 and the little guy got his supper. Late again. It is a wonder he
doesn’t fire us from parenting duties.
We had tried calling our friends, Rob
and Pat, this morning before he headed out but could only leave a message that
we’d call back. When we got inside we made the call. It was great to hear their
voices and hear about things back home. They were receiving a bunch more snow
but the temperatures were at least not too cold. They are hoping for their winter
weather to end by the time spring officially arrives in mid-March. We are too.
Google Pearl Hart and Joe Boot's story It is quite an interesting read |
By this time, it was too late for the
pool, in our thoughts, and we were kapooped anyway. So, we decided to do some
reading or television. It has been a long time since we’ve watched tv so that
is what we ended up doing. The tail end of Karate Kid 2 and NCIS reruns to
start and then a few episodes of COPS. Again, because of Super Bowl, Madame
Secretary is not on.
The Suite was cooling down with all
of the windows open as the air temperature outside dropped. The truck
thermometer was registering 88F when we were driving home early afternoon but
already at 6:30 it is 20 degrees cooler. Neither of us had any need for supper,
persay, but we have ice cream in the freezer if we need something to fill a
hole in our tummies.
The story behind the sports teams |
This has been a good day. We did some
touristy stuff and some lazing around stuff. No complaints from this home. These
are the types of days we come down here for. I hope you have enjoyed your day
too.
It's okay, Bill made bail |
Thanks for stopping in. I love
reading your comments if you care to leave one.
Glad your enjoyed the prison lots of interesting history there, and the stories about some of the prisoners are quite amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is a must see. I'm glad we got there. It was different than I expected.
DeleteThat prison is very interesting for sure. Those recordings were as if the walls are talking to you. Kinda creepy and scared the bejezus out of my the first time I heard one.
ReplyDeleteThat Pearl Hart was quite the gal, huh.
Happy to hear Bill found his way out.
We really enjoyed it. Yes, the walls were talking. :o
DeletePearl Hart was not only pretty but clever.
Bill saw the light and was released too.
Thanks for the tour. We will definitely visit there when we are in Yuma early next week.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. You will enjoy it. Be careful, they might keep you!
DeleteWhat a great day, and I would say the cheque is in the mail but it seems you don't need it. Thanks Bill. Hahaha....
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great day!!
We had fun and got tired just like ole people do. :)
DeleteIt was only pennies to get me out, he could afford that.
thanks all the same.
Clemson is so cute with Bill's shirt :) We loved the prison tour, very interesting. Your lunch looked good, but you're missing the margarita to go with it! Looks like you're enjoying the area and just doing what you feel like..Cute pic of you at the end.
ReplyDeleteThe prison is worth the $6 easy, we enjoyed it.
DeleteI know, I debated on the margarita but thought we'd play it smart since Bill was driving. I know I could have but.....
You guys are way too nice to be locked up (although you looked good behind bars :-) Thanks for the tour and we put the Yuma prison on our bucket list. We toured the prison of Devil's Island, French Guyana and the prison of Isla Gorgona at the Pacific side of Colombia. The island was infested with poisons snakes and everyone had to wear boots. Old prisons are fascinating places.
ReplyDeleteaah thanks, and you don't even know us! (yet!) You will enjoy Yuma prison, I'm sure, it is small and mostly outdoors.
DeleteThe one at Isla Gorgona sounds freaky!
Definitely one of my all time favorite prisons. I'm glad they were able to save it from the politicians. I just can't imagine being locked up there in the summer! Another wonderful day in the desert!
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited more than two probably, one back home in Ontario and this one that I can recall. They are interesting and when you put yourself in that state of mind, it gives me the chills. I wonder how many repeat offenders there were?
DeleteGlad Bill made bail.😂. I went to the prion a number of years ago but had forgotten most of it. Thanks for bringing the memories back with your pictures.
ReplyDeleteMe too!! You are welcome, maybe it is time to have another visit. :)
DeleteThat is some scary jail!
ReplyDeleteAnd the ones behind bars are even scarier! :)
Delete