medjool dates - RVing with Rex

Looking for a Winter Getaway? Visit the Sunniest Place on Earth: Yuma, Arizona

Forecast: Sunshine

Those who want to escape the winter chill can head to Yuma in southwestern Arizona, the “sunniest place on Earth.” The sun shines in this city 310 days a year effectively making it the best hangout place for lovers of the outdoors. Not anyone knows that the United States has this arid destination and those who have visited it can testify that this town is where the phrase “fun under the sun” is best experienced.

Situated at the confluence of the Colorado and Gila rivers, Yuma County boasts fertile soil and the temperate climate typical of the southwestern United States. Translation: Every season is the growing season here. The area’s agricultural industry supplies 90 percent of the lettuce consumed nationwide from November through February and accounts for more than a third of the state’s annual agricultural earnings.

Odds are you’ll enjoy good weather. Yuma holds the record for the sunniest place on earth.

According to the World Meteorological Society, Yuma receives more than 4,000 sunlight hours per year, the most of any city in the world. This puts it just ahead of its neighbor Phoenix (3,872 sunlight hours a year) and Aswan, Egypt (3,863 hours a year). The chances of finding the sun shining when you get there? 90 percent!

Old Town Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Record breakers

Sunniest city in the US

In January of 2007, Yuma witnessed a record low of 13°F. Chilly for the desert but they made up for it July 28, 1995, with a record high of 124°F! Now THAT’S a scorcher.

Check out the current weather in Yuma here.

Yuma isn’t the only overly sunny city in the Grand Canyon State. Several other Arizona cities also top the list of sunniest US cities, according to World Meteorological Organization data.

Phoenix: Average of 3,871.6 hours of sunshine each year
Tucson: Average of 3,806 hours of sunshine each year
Flagstaff: Average of 3,475.4 hours of sunshine each year

Top 10 sunniest cities in the United States

These cities have consistently high numbers of sunny days annually

These are the 10 sunniest cities in the United States, according to World Meteorological Organization data.

Yuma: Average of 4,015.3 hours of sunshine each year
Phoenix: Average of 3,871.6 hours of sunshine each year
Las Vegas: Average of 3825.3 hours of sunshine each year
Tucson: Average of 3,806 hours of sunshine each year
El Paso: Average of 3,762.5 hours of sunshine each year
Reno, Nevada: Average of 3645.9 hours of sunshine each year
Sacramento: Average of 3607.8 hours of sunshine each year
Fresno, California: Average of 3564.2 hours of sunshine each year.
Red Bluff, California: Average of 3542.9 hours of sunshine each year
Flagstaff: Average of 3,475.4 hours of sunshine each year

Yuma Date Festival *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

What to do

Yuma offers a variety of activities for visitors

The annual Yuma Lettuce Days festival (late February) celebrates the county’s signature crop with tasting stations, a farmers market, and the ultimate salad bar. Also worth a visit: the 28-acre Yuma Conservation Garden, home to numerous native plants and an impressive collection of antique farm machinery.

The city is home to many attractions from natural to indoor spots that cater to snowbirds (and other visitors) of varied tastes. There’s no beach in Yuma but it is filled to the brim with sun-kissed memories.

Sanguinetti House Museum *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

1. Step back in time in a museum

Experience Yuma’s rich past

For an introductory tour to Yuma, visitors should head to the Sanguinetti House Museum. Open from Wednesday to Saturday, this institution takes tourists to the time when the city was just starting, thanks in part to businessman E. F. Sanguinetti, dubbed the “Merchant Prince of Yuma.”

The museum offers a drink for those who want something to sip while exploring the rooms and learning about the area’s rich past. After appreciating the exhibits, guests can cap their visit at the rose gardens and leave inspired.

The Museum and Gardens are located at 240 S. Madison Avenue, less than one mile west of Interstate 8 from the East 8th Street exit.

Museum admission: $10; senior (62+), $9; youth (7–13), $5; children (6 and younger), free
Location: 240 S. Madison Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364

Yuma Territorial Prison *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

2. Visit a historic prison

Historic prison from the late 1800s

Can prison be a tourist spot? Yuma says yes because it hosts the Yuma Territorial Prison, a historic destination where infamous inmates were once jailed. It is one of the city’s top attractions thanks to its insightful museum and buildings that tell stories of the past. Among the structures that can be seen are original cell blocks, a guard tower, the entrance gate, a library, and the dark cell. Prison artifacts also abound and there’s a mural of Arizona’s Native Americans. Yuma Territorial Prison captures the hearts of anyone.

Prison admission: $10; senior (62+), $9; youth (7–13), $5; children (6 and younger), free
Location: 220 North Prison Road, Yuma, AZ 85364

3. Learn about agritourism

Visit Martha Gardens Date Farm to see organic Medjool date cultivation

Because most people think of Arizona as a big, dusty desert, they are surprised to learn that agriculture is Yuma County’s number one industry―and that Yuma is the winter vegetable capital of the world.

The agriculture industry in Yuma County represents an annual gross economic return of $3.2 billion or more than one-third of Arizona’s annual total of $9.2 billion.

Several things account for that amazing total: Plentiful sunshine, rich soil, ample labor, and high-quality irrigation water.

About 90 percent of all the leafy vegetables grown in the U.S. from November through March are grown in and around the Yuma area.

To put this in perspective, the Yuma area is home to nine salad plants that produce bagged lettuce and salad mixes. During peak production months, each of those plants processes more than two million pounds of lettuce per day.

But lettuce is just part of the story: More than 175 different crops are grown in the Yuma area. For example, Yuma County ranks number one in Arizona for lemon, tangelo, and tangerine production, and for watermelons and cantaloupes; a local cattle company usually has more than 120,000 head of beef cows on its lot.

Dates are another local crop. Date production in the Yuma area now totals about 10 million pounds a year, a $30 to 35 million dollar industry that employs more than 2,000 people annually.

As such, agritourism is big in this charming city. Many farms welcome those who want to learn more about the city’s thriving agriculture, all the while tasting treats featuring lettuce and other produce. Arizona is not all about deserts and canyons, and Yuma wants to prove that.

Winter lettuce at Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

4. Watch air shows

Military flight demonstrations by the US Marine Corps and US Air Force

The Yuma Air Show has been one of the Desert Southwest’s most anticipated events for decades. In a rare opportunity, the general public is invited to enter one of the nation’s top military installations Marine Corps―Air Station Yuma. The base is home to the country’s elite fifth-generation fighter F-35 B Joint Strike Fighter.

The Free event gives you a first-hand look at some of the military’s aerial arsenal and various performances including the 3rd Marin Aircraft Band, the Hot Streak II Jet Truck, and other aerial demonstrations.

Skydivers also offer an adrenaline-packed spectacle and there’s a guest performance from the Patriots Jet Team.

What’s more, the base opens its doors to the public, letting them take a look at its modern aircraft and meet the pilots who fly them. Indeed, fun is sky-high in Yuma.

Gateway Park, Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

5. Commune with nature

A serene desert landscape

Yuma is near the lush Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, a destination more than adept to serve as a playground. It was established in 1939 to protect desert bighorn sheep and continues to be a safe space for wildlife.

It is home to Palm Canyon where a scenic 0.45-mile trail awaits hikers who want to be enveloped by Mother Nature’s beauty. Bikers, backpackers, campers, horseback riders, and picnickers are also welcome with lots of birding and wildlife-watching opportunities in store for them.

6. Explore the dunes

Vast expanse of sand dunes stretches about 40 miles long and 5 miles wide

Yuma is the gateway to one of the country’s largest inland dunes as it should be for a sunny city. Imperial Sand Dunes is the largest off-highway vehicle destination in the United States, an enticing prospect for off-roaders and those curious about what a desert can give.

The area is perfect for sandboarding, all-terrain vehicle adventures along the 40-mile drivable land and hiking. Who said the perfect tan can only be achieved by the beach?

Getting lost in the Imperial Sand Dunes means finding the center.

Colorado River at Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

7. Have a splash along Colorado River

Refreshing ways to connect with nature

From the sand, visitors can head next to the Colorado River where they can make a splash. Thanks to this pristine waterway, visitors can be refreshed and escape the heat of Yuma—albeit for a while.

The river is a recreation heaven where tourists can paddle with a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard; ride a boat; have a lazy float with a tube; rev a Jet-Ski; score a catch; or simply take a dip.

8. Experience its art and culture

Exhibitions, workshops, and performances

After a thrilling day outdoors, visitors can next enjoy the vibrant art and culture scene of Yuma. For starters, Yuma Art Center is proud to share masterpieces that aim to inspire the public.

Chicano Arts Collective, on the other hand, promotes the artwork of some established creators. Murals and public art also dot the city, perfect for the Instagram-savvy.

Lovers of the performing arts, meanwhile, can enjoy the vibe at Yuma Orchestra Association, where relaxation is always within grasp – right after that round of applause.

9. Enjoy a date shake

Sampling this shake is a must-do for visitors

Dates are a local crop with Biblical roots. Date production in the Yuma area now totals about 10 million pounds a year, a $30 to 35 million dollar industry that employs more than 2,000 people annually.

Dates are harvested from the end of August through the first weeks of October. Each date palm must be climbed approximately 16-18 times a year to carry out hand operations necessary to ensure a good crop including pollination, thinning, separating strands of fruit with metal rings to help the air circulate, and finally, bagging the date bunches.

Dates are high in fiber, potassium, and anti-oxidants and contain no fat. They are an organic product as no pesticides or chemicals are used on the trees or the dates. Many date confections are made locally along with a local favorite: Dates shakes, or milkshakes made with ice cream and dates.

10. Enjoy the nightlife

Downtown Yuma is the nightlife hub

When the afternoon heat subsides, the evening breeze of Yuma entices tourists to experience its nightlife. The downtown is lined with pubs, clubs, bars, and other dining options that will make the evening better.

The city is also proud of its breweries that offer flavorful craft beer while its wine spots are perfect for reminiscing sun-kissed memories. By then, they will realize they deserve to return to this charming city. Yuma got the nightlife and the boogie on the disco ‘round.

Historic Downtown Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

11. Shopping spree

Historic Downtown Yuma features unique boutiques, art galleries, and specialty shops

After enjoying the sights and sounds of Yuma, it’s just right for tourists to head to its shopping spots so they can go home with something to remind them of this sunny city. Yuma Palms Mall is a regional attraction that hosts big brands and local retailers.

Those who want to support mom-and-pop shops and boutiques can explore downtown for some good deals. Since the city is big on agriculture, tourists should not miss its farmers’ markets, where the products have that sunny aura.

Related stories

Where to eat

Diverse dining option

Participants in Field to Feast events harvest ingredients from the University of Arizona’s farm and hand them over to culinary students from Arizona Western College who craft the multicourse meal. If you’d rather order off the menu, we recommend tortilla soup from The Garden Café & Spice Co., mustard-crusted halibut at River City Grill, and Prison Hill Brewing Company’s fried avocado wedges.

La Quintas RV Resort *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Where to camp

Luxury RV resorts to more nature-oriented stays

RV Parks in Yuma run the gamut from older sites close to downtown or in the middle of town with cozy spaces tucked in snugly next to each other at economical rates to grander resorts at the edges of town with more room to roam and plenty of amenities. Most offer a range of daily, weekly, and monthly rates commensurate with their services, amenities, and location.

See you in Yuma!|

Please note: This article was first published October 2025. Articles apply to the date they were written. Please refer to current information for quickly changing subjects.

Worth Pondering…

Alone in the open desert, I have made up songs of wild, poignant rejoicing and transcendent melancholy. The world has seemed more beautiful to me than ever before.

I have loved the red rocks, the twisted trees, and sand blowing in the wind, the slow, sunny clouds crossing the sky, the shafts of moonlight on my bed at night. I have seemed to be at one with the world.

—Everett Ruess

All about Dates

Dates don’t appear to be particularly special with their oddly wrinkled, brown exterior but they’re satisfyingly chewy and flavorful

The history of the date is as rich as its flavor. Although their exact origin is uncertain, dates were first known to be cultivated in the Fertile Crescent between Egypt and Mesopotamia as early as 4000 B.C.

Date palms fare best in tropical and subtropical regions. They continue to be an important crop for Iraq, Iran, Arabia, and North Africa west to Morocco. Since the early 20th century dates also have been cultivated in southern California and Arizona.

Date samples *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Harvesting fruit from a date palm tree is a labor-intensive process that can take seven to 10 years. Wind pollinates date palms naturally but to ensure an adequate yield, growers must pollinate each palm by hand.

A worker may climb the same full-grown tree multiple times a day to trim sharp thorns, monitor air circulation, and ensure proper sunlight exposure for dates to reach optimal size. Ripened fruit is then covered with burlap bags or nylon netting for protection from hungry predators such as birds and insects. Since dates don’t ripen simultaneously this process is done repeatedly picking fruits one by one until the harvest is exhausted.

The date’s location of origin is key to its multi-cultural, culinary relevance today. The fruit is prominent in the Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam with date palms thought to be the original apple tree in the Biblical story of Adam and Eve.

In Judaism, dates are considered one of the seven holy fruits or seven species and remain an important ingredient in Israeli cuisine. Silan, a syrup extract taken from dates is thought to be the sweet component of the promised land of milk and honey.

In Islam, the end of Ramadan may be celebrated by indulging in ma’amoul (buttery cookies with date stuffing).

In the U.S., the medjool and deglet noor cultivars are the most common types of dates. Both were brought to the United States by agriculture explorer Walter Swingle. Thanks to Swingle, American medjools can trace their roots to a single Moroccan oasis where he convinced a local leader to spare several offshoots for the journey home.

Date palms *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

In the Kitchen

Whether eaten fresh or dried, stuffed or plain, mashed or chopped, dates are a versatile fruit. Thanks to modern chefs finding new uses to suit changing tastes, they are not going away anytime soon.

As concern grows over the high consumption of added sugars, consumers are seeking less processed sweeteners. With a 60 to 80 percent carbohydrate content (mostly glucose and fructose) and pectin capable of binding ingredients, mashed dried dates have become a popular ingredient in energy bars, smoothies, and salad dressings. Date sugar, dried dates ground into a powder is an alternative for granulated cane sugar in recipes.

Although there are similarities, each cultivar has distinct characteristics. Medjool dates have a soft exterior, chewy texture, and caramel flavor. Their plumper shape makes them ideal in recipes calling for goat cheese or almond stuffing.

Irrigating date palms *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

In contrast, deglet noor dates are smaller with firmer flesh and a delicate, honeylike taste. They are an all-purpose date, good for baking or eating on their own.

Most types of dates are oval and 1 to 2 inches long. All dates contain a long, narrow seed or pit but many retailers offer pitted versions for convenience. For recipes, expect 1 pound of unpitted dates to yield approximately 2½ cups of pitted and chopped dates. If pitted, 8 ounces of chopped dates is about 1¼ cups.

A ½-cup serving of pitted dates provides 4 grams or 15 percent of the daily value of dietary fiber, 10 percent of the daily value of iron, and 4 percent of the daily value of calcium. As a source of insoluble fiber date consumption has been shown to increase the frequency of bowel movements.

For pregnant women, dates are a possible way to reduce the need for labor augmentation or stimulating the uterus to increase the frequency, duration, and intensity of contractions after labor’s onset.

One study shows that although date consumption in late pregnancy did not expedite the onset of labor, it did aid in reducing the need for labor augmentation with oxytocin. However, a systematic review assessing multiple studies concluded that date consumption during pregnancy shortened the duration of gestation, increased cervical dilation upon hospital admission, and shortened duration of the first stage of labor. Eating dates prior to labor may be a simple, yet beneficial treat.

Dates can be eaten fresh or dry. Fresh dates are succulent with 50 to 90 percent water content whereas dry dates contain less than 20 percent water. While ripening, a date’s thin and papery skin transitions from green to a deeper yellow, brownish-yellow, black or mahogany-red hue depending on the variety. Look for a plump, smooth surface when purchasing fresh dates. Be wary of very shriveled skin retaining mold.

Martha’s Garden Date Farm, Yuma, Arizona *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Unlike fresh dates which are in season from late summer to mid fall, dried dates can be purchased year-round. Dried dates have a six-month shelf-life when stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container and will last one year if refrigerated.

If you live in North America, dates may not be the first thing that comes to mind when deciding on a snack. But for millions of people in Asia and Africa, the sticky treat has long been a pantry staple.

Humans began cultivating the date palm around 4000 B.C. in modern-day Iraq, per Smithsonian Magazine and it’s played a significant role in various cultures.

In Mesopotamia, the plant was associated with lunar worship and dubbed the road to the moon. The Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder believed it to be the nesting site of the phoenix, a mythical self-resurrecting bird.

The U.S. date industry has its roots in a more modern age dating back to the turn of the 19th century when a government program was created to locate exotic fruits around the globe and bring them back to American farmers.

Variety of dates *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Date varieties

A large number of date cultivars and varieties emerged through history of its cultivation but the exact number is difficult to assess. Hussain and El-Zeid (1975) have reported 400 varieties while Nixon (1954) named around 250.

Most of those are limited to a particular region and only a few dozen have attained broader commercial importance. The most renowned cultivars worldwide include Deglet Noor originally of Algeria, Zahidi and Hallawi of Iraq, Medjool of Morocco, and Mazafati of Iran.

Oasis Date Gardens received some of the original Moroccan date offshoots in the United States. They were brought to the Coachella Valley in 1904 and have jump started the date industry in this country. Oasis Date Gardens is now the largest producer of organic dates growing 17 different date varieties.

Select varities follow:

Medjool dates: The Medjool Date is widely considered to be the finest of all date varieties and much larger than other types of date fruit. Medjool dates are sweet, creamy, meaty, and firm in texture.
Barhi dates: As one of our softest, creamiest fresh dates, the delicious Barhi is a popular favorite, well-known for its similarity to caramel and butterscotch flavors
Deglet Noor dates: Deglet Noor means Date of Light and is commonly referred to as The Royal Date or The Mother of All Dates. This date fruit has gained worldwide popularity for its versatility. Deglet Noor dates have firm flesh, about medium-sized, semi-dry, and a sugary flavor.
Halawy dates: Halawy dates are firm and chewy with a thick but soft golden flesh and sweet, caramel-candy flavor. The first Halawy offshoots imported in commercial quantity arrived in 1913 from Barsa, Iraq.
Honey dates: The honey date is one of the few production varieties that was popularized from a seedling started in the Coachella Valley. Similar to the Barhi, it is very creamy, with a soft, sweet texture akin to a caramel. This date fruit adds sweetness to foods without added sugars and is also a good source of fiber.

FAQs about dates

What do dates taste like?

Dried dates are wrinkled outside but sweet, delicious, and sticky inside. They have flavor examples: chocolate, caramel, butterscotch, honey, nuts.

When are dates harvested?

Dates are harvested from October through December depending on the variety.

Which are the driest date varieties?

The Thoory and Kway are the driest varieties. The Thoory date is firm with a sweet, cashew-like flavor while the Kway has the same texture with a toasty flavor profile.

Which are the softest date varieties?

The Medjool and Barhi Date Fruit are the softest varieties. Medjool dates are large and luxurious; Barhi dates are creamy with a caramel-like flavor.

Shields Date Garden, Indio, California *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

What does a Date Palm look like?

The date palm can grow up to 75 feet tall. Its stem is marked with the pruned stubs of old leaf bases that end in a crown of beautiful pinnate leaves about 16 feet long. Its fruit bunches protrude from top of the tree and hang down around the beginning of the palm leaves. Leaves are typically green in color and the stem is typically brown in color. Fruit bunches are characterized by a combination of white, off-white, or yellow vines with date fruit at the end that varies in color depending on the variant of date fruit.

What is the shelf life of dates?

The shelf life of date fruit is:

Room temperature (70 degrees F): 8–12 months
Refrigeration (45 degrees F): 12–18 months
Frozen (-5 degrees F): 30–40 months

Worth Pondering…

Stand up to summer’s heat with a date shake, made with fruits of the date palm tree, and raise your glass to the Lord upright.

—Psalm 92:12 NIV

10 Amazing Places to RV in February 2023

If you’re dreaming of where to travel to experience it all, here are my picks for the best places to RV in February

The mind is like a car battery—it recharges by running.

—Bill Watterson

Every day, for 10 years, cartoonist Bill Watterson delighted readers with a new story in his beloved syndicated comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. But that kind of round-the-clock ingenuity is no easy feat. His secret? Recharging the mind by letting it play. “I’ve had to cultivate a kind of mental playfulness,” Watterson said in the same 1990 commencement speech at Kenyon College where he gave the quote above. “A playful mind is inquisitive and learning is fun.”

In other words, creative ideas come when the mind is encouraged to wander into new areas, exploring wherever your natural curiosity may lead. Instead of shutting off your brain at the end of a long day, reinvigorate it by indulging your innate sense of wonder. If you follow what makes learning fun, it’s bound to lead you to new ideas.

With a chill in the air we head into February literally and figuratively cold with no idea what those rodents we trust as meteorologists will predict. Will it be six more weeks of a holed-up winter? Or will it be an early, forgiving spring? Like pretty much every single day of the last three years, the answer is: Who knows! Certainly not our friend Punxsutawney Phil whose accuracy rate is a whopping 39 percent! You’d be better off flipping a coin.

We do know, however, that we’re gonna embrace the here and now. This month we do have ostrich races at the Indio Date Festival and another reason to visit Charleston. We also have desert warmth and wildflowers along the Pinal Parkway and places to celebrate President’s Day.

Planning an RV trip for a different time of year? Check out my monthly travel recommendations for the best places to travel in January. Also, check out my recommendations from February 2022 and March 2022.

Mexican poppies along Pinal Parkway *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

1. The Pinal Pioneer Parkway

The Pinal Pioneer Parkway connected Tucson and Phoenix in the years before Interstate 10 was built. Now a little-traveled back road, it’s a much more picturesque route than the main highway especially in wildflower season. The parkway itself is a 42 mile-long stretch of Arizona State Highway 79, beginning in the desert uplands on the north slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains at about 3,500 feet and wending northward to just above 1,500 feet outside the little town of Florence.

In spring, the parkway is lined with desert verbena, lupine, Mexican poppies, globemallow, chuparosa, penstemon, and daisies. Even in dry years when other parts of the desert aren’t flowering, the Pinal Pioneer Parkway always seems to manage a good show.

The parkway is marked with signs pointing out some of the characteristic desert vegetation such as saguaro and mesquite. Pack a picnic lunch and stop at one of the many roadside tables. Stop at the Tom Mix Memorial, 23.5 miles north of Oracle Junction at milepost 116, to pay your respects to the late movie cowboy.

2. Visit the Presidents (and other things) in South Dakota

As always, Presidents’ Day lands in February. So maybe it’s time to get extra presidential by firing up the RV for a jaunt to South Dakota. After your patriotic tour of Mount Rushmore, you’ll have free reign of one of the least-visited states at its emptiest time. Hike a frozen waterfall, hang out on a frozen lake, or get to know the land’s first people.

Badlands National Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Or dig deep into the western part of the state: Not far from Rushmore, you can pretend you’re on an alien planet in the Badlands, kick up your spurs with some ghosts in Deadwood, hop on a jackalope while stuffed with homemade donuts at Wall Drug, and gaze upon the wonders of the Corn Palace. Visit the stunning lakes and spires of Custer State Park and see where the thrilling buffalo roundup happens in September. Just give your new fuzzy friends lots of room.

>> Get more tips for visiting South Dakota

Bay St. Lewis *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

3. A place apart

Considered a place apart, this quaint seaside town has been named one of the Coolest Small Towns in America by Budget Travel and was also recognized as a top 10 small beach town by Coastal Living Magazine. From friendly folks to historic buildings, this unique city embraces the heritage of the Coastal Mississippi region.

The town’s prime spot on the Mississippi Sound, an embayment of the Gulf of Mexico, provides a glorious stretch of white-sanded beach with virtually no crowds.

Just off of Beach Boulevard, you’ll find Old Town Bay St. Louis, a walkable area full of local shops and eateries. Spend an afternoon strolling through Old Town, browsing the beach boutiques and art galleries. Don’t miss the French Potager, an antique store and flower shop.

>> Get more tips for visiting Bay St. Louis

Crowley *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

4. Where Life is Rice & Easy

At the crossroads of LA 13 and U.S. Highway 90 lies the city of Crowley.

Rice is the bedrock of the region’s celebrated Cajun cuisine and no other Louisiana community is as intimately tied to the crop as Crowley. The swallow ponds and level prairies surrounding the city produce lots of crawfish too, but it was the turn-of-the-century rice mills that gave Crowley its identity and made possible today’s impressive collection of historic structures.

Many historic buildings still play prominent roles in the city’s life. One such example is Miller Stadium, a 1940s-era ballpark and the Grand Opera House of the South that first opened in 1901 and was recently revived as an elegant space for world-class performers. Visitors can relive regional music history at the J.D. Miller Recording Studio Museum downtown or get a taste of prairie life at the Crystal Rice Heritage Farm.

>> Get more tips for visiting Crowley

Sculptures of Borrego *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

5. Beyond the Sculptures of Borrego

Nestled between the historic gold mining town of Julian and The Salton Sea, Borrego Springs and the surrounding Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offer several exceptional experiences. Located two hours from San Diego, there are activities and natural attractions suited for many types of RVers. With 500 miles of dirt roads, a dozen wilderness areas, and miles of hiking trails you would expect some great adventures, and you won’t be disappointed.

Christmas Circles in Borrego Springs *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Walking downtown Borrego Springs is a fun experience. Start at Christmas Circle—the main attraction—and poke your head into some exciting shops or visit The Borrego Art Institute. This is where you can observe potters and en plein air artists complete their current artworks.

Hiking is popular in the Anza-Borrego Desert and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The desert trails are not for the faint of heart but rather ideal for those with a sense of adventure. Remember, hydration is vital in this arid region and be sure to bring along plenty of water. The routes are not always well marked and cell service is almost non-existent.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Borrego Springs isn’t known for its nightlife or at least not the club kind. However, it is an area that should be explored well after the sun sets. Borrego is an International Dark Sky Community that was designated by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Stargazing is encouraged.

There is no need for a telescope and the brilliantly lit skies will awe anyone who hasn’t been out of the dome of a city glow. Billions of stars make themselves known and form many prominent constellations.

>> Get more tips for visiting Borrego Springs

Cumberland Island National Seashore *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

6. Beauty and History Combine

There’s no experience quite like the untamed beauty of Cumberland Island National Seashore, a barrier island only accessible by boat from the small town of St. Marys. Home to a handful of residents and a whole lot of wildlife, it’s an incredible place to go off-grid. Visitors can hike the miles of trails sharing the space with wild horses, alligators, and birds.

Ruins of Dungeness, Cumberland Island National Seashore *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Tours are available of historic Carnegie mansions like Plum Orchard and the ruins of Dungeness. On the northern side of the island, you can see the First African Baptist Church, a historic African-American church where John F. Kennedy Jr. was famously married. To spend the night, choose from the multiple tenting campsites or the luxurious Greyfield Inn set in another Carnegie home with chef-prepared meals and naturalist tours.

>> Get more tips for visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore

Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historic Park *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

7. The Texas Whitehouse

Those who have ascended to the presidency of the United States are products of the environments in which they were born, raised, and educated. Their early experiences usually have a significant effect on how they manage their presidency and the subsequent policy and programs developed under their watch.

Lyndon Baines Johnson is a fitting example of that. His presidency was guided in full measure by his upbringing, his personal experiences with poverty and shame, and his observation of racism and hate.

Lyndon Baines Johnson had a staggering impact on the United States during his time as president. Much of his approach to government was instilled during his early life in Texas. The LBJ Ranch was where he was born, lived, died, and was buried.

>> Get more tips for visiting Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

Charleston *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

8. Wild now. Wild forever.

Since 1983, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) has celebrated the finest in wildlife art and the sporting lifestyle. SEWE is a celebration of the great outdoors through fine art, live entertainment, and special events. It’s where artists, craftsmen, collectors, and sporting enthusiasts come together to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle.

Whether you’re browsing for your next piece of fine art, searching for distinctive hand-made creations, looking for family-friendly entertainment, or you just need an excuse for visiting Charleston and the Lowcountry, there’s something for everyone at SEWE, February 17-19, 2023.

>> Get more tips for visiting Charleston

Riverside County Fairgrounds *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

9. It’s a Date!

Originating as a festival to celebrate the end of the annual date harvest, the annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival welcomes over 250,000 guests each February. The 75^th Annual Date Festival will be held February 17-26, 2023 featuring 10 days of family fun and world-class entertainment.

Dates *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Indio Date Festival and Riverside County Fair celebrate the desert’s favorite crop, dates. You’ll also see llamas, dairy goats, poultry, camel and ostrich races, WGAS Motorsports Monster Trucks, concerts, contests, games, food, and a carnival with midway action. It’s one of the best fairs in California because of its location and date.

The Riverside County Fairgrounds hosts a variety of community-focused events all year long, ranging from multi-day festivals to private events. The Fairgrounds are located on Highway 111 in Indio.

Buffalo Trace *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

10. Bourbon bonanza

Buffalo Trace is ringing in the New Year in record-breaking good spirits. The whiskey distillery officially filled its eight millionth barrel of bourbon since Prohibition. The major milestone occurred only four years after the seven millionth barrel was filled due to the distillery’s recent $1.2 billion expansion.

To celebrate the major achievement, Buffalo Trace announced its Bourbon Experience of a Lifetime contest offering a $10,000 trip for two. After running (or walking) one mile, entrants have the chance to win a fully paid, two-night trip to the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky.

This includes first-class, roundtrip airfare, car service, and a one-night stay at Buffalo Trace’s exclusive Stagg Lodge. The invite-only lodge has never been open to the public before. Built adjacent to the distillery in 2020, the 4,000-square-foot log cabin overlooks the Kentucky River and the city of Frankfort. The house has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, gorgeous great room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a double-sided fireplace, and a wrap-around deck. The experience includes a dinner for two prepared by a private chef at the lodge as well as private tours of the grounds and distillery.

The second-night stay will be in Louisville, Kentucky.

Winners will also be awarded an $800 Buffalo Trace Distillery gift card, plus Buffalo Trace will donate bourbon to a mutually agreed upon charity of the winner’s choice.

Interested participants in the Bourbon Experience of a Lifetime contest can enter at willrunforbuffalotracebourbon.com.

>> Get more tips for visiting Frankfort

Worth Pondering…

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.

―Charles M. Schulz

Of Yuman Interest: Top 7 Attractions In and Around Yuma

You will find it all in Yuma

On the banks of the Colorado River, Yuma is tucked in Arizona’s southwest corner and shares borders with California and Mexico. About halfway between San Diego and Tucson, Yuma is a great destination for RVing snowbirds. Whether you’re a history buff or have a curious interest in how Yuma became the Gateway of the Great Southwest, we’ve got a list to help you get to some of the area’s top attractions.

Get Locked Up — Fans of Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures know it as “Hell Hole Prison” for the dark and twisted tales which linger long after the last inmates occupied this first prison of the Arizona Territory. For many others, the 1957 and 2007 films “3:10 to Yuma” are what bring this “Hell Hole Prison” to mind and, today, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is open, welcoming convicts of another kind. Turn yourself in for a fascinating experience, which includes a look into “The Dark Cell” and a look back at the men AND women who served hard time in Yuma. Parole include with the price of admission. For more information, click here.

A River Runs Through It — Yuma’s storied history as a Colorado River crossing point is only scratching the surface. The Yuma Quartermaster Depot was a U.S. Army supply distribution point for forts throughout the American Southwest, established in the 1860s. Believe it or not, steam wheel boats came up the Colorado River from the Gulf of California to drop those supplies off, making Yuma the ideal point along the river to get goods to personnel, until the Southern Pacific Railroad was finalized in the 1870s. Today, Colorado River State Historic Park preserves the history of the facility while providing more information about Yuma as a Colorado River community and the engineering behind one of its impressive canal systems. For more information, click here.

Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

The Jewel of Historic Yuma — As with so many stories about Yuma’s past, it isn’t just about the where or the what, but also who. E.F. Sanguinetti was a man who helped transform the economy of Yuma with his business acumen heading into and through the start of the 20th century. The Sanguinetti House and Gardens stands to honor his contributions and provide a deeper look into Yuma’s past.

All Aboard! — The very first train to enter into Arizona did so at Yuma, crossing over the Colorado River from California in 1877. And, although that original crossing point no longer exists, a 1907 Baldwin locomotive sits on the very spot where the tracks entered town. At the Pivot Point Interpretive Plaza, visitors will find a revitalized park adorned with plaques detailing the railroad, the nearby tribal communities, and river history.

Get Lost Looking at Stuff — You’ve seen the shows on television of “pickers” visiting vast collections of stuff, oftentimes many decades old. At the Cloud Museum, you’ll find one of those places neatly organized into an outdoor display of vintage cars, trucks, tractors, power tools, hand tools, household equipment, boat engines, wheels, and items from local businesses. The Museum, located just north of Yuma in Bard, California, is nearly 30 years of stuff assembled by its owner Johnny Cloud.

Historic Old Town Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

On the Town — At the end of the Gila Trail, Main Street has always been the heart of “old Yuma.” In 1849, more than 60,000 California-bound gold-seekers followed this path to the rope ferry across the Colorado River. But being so close to the river, downtown often flooded and its adobe buildings melted back into mud. Because the last “big one” was in 1916, most Main Street buildings now date from the 1920s.

Today, Yuma’s historic downtown offers a wide variety of shopping, dining, and old-fashioned street fairs and festivals.

Fruit of Kings — A food tour will enhance any visit to Yuma. The Yuma area now totals about 10 million pounds of Medjool dates a year, a $30 to $35 million dollar industry that employs more than 2,000 people annually. Since Yuma is a top producers of gourmet Medjools be sure to take a tour at Martha’s Gardens. After the tour ends, you’ll return to the farm store for samples and a delicious date milkshake, and we simply had to purchase a box of jumbo dates.

The Peanut Patch *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

We’re Nuts about You! — The Peanut Patch has become a rich tradition in Southwest Arizona. A trip to Yuma simply would not be complete without stopping by for a visit. You will be a welcome guest of the George family. Inside the store are hundreds of different candies and natural snacks that, when combined make great gift baskets, boxes, and tins suitable for any gift-giving occasions. Free tours are available.

Worth Pondering…

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.

—Henry Miller

Yuman Nature

Food tours enhance any visit to Yuma

Because Yuma is located near the confluence of the Gila and Colorado rivers in the southwest corner of the state, it’s no surprise that Yuma County’s top industry is agriculture. In fact, the agriculture industry in Yuma County represents an annual gross economic return of $3.2 billion, or more than one-third of Arizona’s annual total of $9.2 billion.

Several factors account for that amazing total: Plentiful sunshine, ample labor, and high-quality irrigation water. The area also has fertile soil from sediment deposited by the Colorado River over millions of years.

Date grove near Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Visit Yuma, the local visitor center, offers four specialty tours for a farm-to-table experience. A local grower leads Field to Feast Tours at the University of Arizona research farm. Participants are given a list of ingredients needed for lunch and sent out into the field to pick them. Culinary students from Arizona Western College then use these fresh veggies to make lunch.

Other popular foodie tours include Date Night Dinners served in a date grove where every course features the “fruit of kings”, Savor Yuma a progressive dinner that stops at three local restaurants, and Farmer’s Wife Dinners which celebrates fresh produce and farming traditions. If you want to go, book early.

Martha’s Gardens *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Since Yuma is one of the world’s top producers of gourmet Medjool dates, we took a tour at Martha’s Gardens. In 1990, Nels and Martha Rogers bought a parcel of previously unused desert, cleared the land, drilled wells, and installed a drip irrigation system.

The original planting of 300 Medjool date palm offshoots thrived. Today the farm has around 8,000 palms. Only 250 of the trees are males since it’s the females that produce the fruit. The labor-intensive process of date farming includes hand pollination of female trees with pollen from male trees.

After the tour ended, we returned to the farm store for a delicious date milkshake, and we simply had to purchase a box of jumbo dates.

Date production in the Yuma area now totals about 10 million pounds a year, a $30 to $35 million dollar industry that employs more than 2,000 people annually.

The date is one of the oldest cultivated tree crops with records showing that in Mesopotamia it was cultivated more than 5,000 years ago. This valuable food helped sustain desert peoples and nomadic wanderers of the Middle East and North Africa.

The date was introduced to the western hemisphere by Spanish missionaries who planted date seeds around the missions in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries. A few of the original palms or their offshoots (suckers growing from the base of the female palm) are still found in Southern California and Mexico. There were many varieties imported in the following years but the most significant was the Medjool date.

The Medjool originates in Morocco. Because of a disease outbreak in Morocco, eleven Medjool offshoots were imported in 1927 by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To be sure they were disease-free the trees were placed in quarantine for seven years in the state of Nevada. Nine plants survived and in 1935 they were removed and planted at the USDA date section in Indio, California. After several more years, offshoots from those were removed and distributed to a few growers. Five or more years later, quality Mejools were harvested.

Imperial Date Gardens in Bard Valley near Yuma *© Rex Vogel, all rights reserved*

Twenty-four offshoots of those original trees were planted in the Bard Valley in 1944 by Stanley Dillman, date pioneer in the region.

Thanks to ideal soil and weather, the area around Yuma and Bard is now one of the world’s largest producers of premium-quality Medjools. Dates are harvested from the end of August through the first weeks of October. Each date palm must be climbed approximately 16-18 times a year to carry out hand operations necessary to ensure a good crop including pollination, thinning, separating strands of fruit with metal rings to help the air circulate and finally, bagging the date bunches.

Dates are high in fiber, potassium, and anti-oxidants and contain no fat. They are an organic product as no pesticides or chemicals are used on the trees or the dates. Many date confections are made locally, along with a local favorite: Dates shakes, or milkshakes made with ice cream and dates. The indescribable joy of a good date shake!

Worth Pondering…

Products from the soil are still the greatest industry in the world.

—Dick Cooper, 1966

Yuma: A River Runs Through It

Agriculture is Yuma County’s number one industry

Pleasant temperatures, plenty of sunshine, outdoor recreation, tasty food, local history, and natural and man-made wonders make Yuma a popular destination for winter visitors.

Home to almost 100,000 residents, the population nearly doubles with the arrival of sun-seeking snowbirds during the peak travel months of January, February, and March.

The Colorado River supplies the needed water to sustain the more than 175 crops grown in the Yuma area © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Because most people think of Arizona as a big, dusty desert, many are surprised to learn that agriculture is Yuma County’s number one industry—and that Yuma grows more than 90 percent of the country’s leafy vegetables from November through March.

In fact, the agriculture industry in Yuma County represents an annual gross economic return of $3.2 billion, or more than one-third of Arizona’s annual total of $9.2 billion.

With mild winters, little danger of hard frost and more than 350 days of sunshine a year, Yuma County enjoys the longest growing season in the country. And while the winter is notable for the emerald and ruby patchwork formed by vast vegetable fields, something is either growing or happening in Yuma County fields even during the hottest months of the year.

One reason is the fields—sediments deposited by the Colorado River over millions of years—have some of the most fertile soil in the country.

But with less than three inches of rainfall annually, water was the missing component, though the mighty Colorado flowed nearby. The Bureau of Reclamation’s first big water project in the West gave nature a hand, with construction of the first dam on the Colorado and completion of the Yuma Siphon—delivering water through a huge tunnel built under the riverbed—in 1912, the same year Arizona became a state.

Now, of the 230,000 acres of land utilized for agriculture in Yuma County, 100 per cent are irrigated with Colorado River water delivered by one of the county’s seven irrigation districts. Every field in the county is also laser-leveled and graded using GPS technology, making Yuma’s irrigation network one of the most efficient in the world.

Winter is the peak growing season for lettuce, cabbage, and numerous other crops in the Yuma area. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

All this has made Yuma County first in the state—and THIRD IN THE NATION—for vegetable production.

There are also 23 cooling plants in the Yuma area, where powerful refrigeration units bring truck-sized loads of vegetables from field to shipping temperatures in less than half an hour. Crops harvested here in the morning can be in Phoenix by afternoon and on the East Coast in three to four days.

But lettuce is just part of the story: More than 175 different crops are grown in the Yuma area, including many grown to seed here because of the perfect growing conditions. For example, Yuma County ranks number one in Arizona for lemon, tangelo, and tangerine production, and for watermelons and cantaloupes; a local cattle company usually has more than 120,000 head of beef cows on its lot.

There also are more than 40,000 acres of wheat grown in this region. Desert durum comprises about 95 percent of Arizona’s wheat crop, with two-thirds of that exported— mainly to Italy for use in making premium pasta.

Yuma growers also grow kosher wheat used by Orthodox Jews to bake matzo (or matzoh), the unleavened bread wafers that are eaten at Passover. Because the rules for kosher production include that the wheat not receive moisture immediately prior to harvest, Yuma’s desert conditions and controlled irrigation make it a perfect spot to grow this specialty crop.

The Yuma area is one of the largest date producing areas outside of the Middle East © Rex Vogel, all rights reserve

Dates are another local crop with Biblical roots. Date production in the Yuma area now totals about 10 million pounds a year, a $30 to $35 million dollar industry that employs more than 2,000 people annually.

The date is one of the oldest tree crops with records showing that in Mesopotamia it was cultivated more than 5,000 years ago. This valuable food helped sustain desert peoples and nomadic wanderers of the Middle East and North Africa.

Dates are high in fiber, potassium, and anti-oxidants and contain no fat. They are an organic product, as no pesticides or chemicals are used on the trees or the dates. Many date confections are made locally including my favorite: Dates shakes, or milkshakes made with ice cream and dates. The indescribable joy of a good date shake!

Worth Pondering…

Products from the soil are still the greatest industry in the world.

—Dick Cooper, 1966