Just Before Sunrise On The Colorado River…

Note: This blog entry was originally published January 11, 2009. As all seasoned photographers know…some of the best photos you can take are just before sunrise and just after sunset. Most of my photos tend to be taken under the mid-day sun…the worst of conditions. I just wanted you to see these two photos…hence to older Blog entry.

—————————————————————————-

Mary and I went down to the area known as the Yuma Crossing early this morning. In the photos below you can see what remains of the once mighty Colorado River. This spot is rich in history especially around 1850 when prospectors were headed to California to participate in the gold rush.

In this below photo (looking West) of the full moon reflecting on the river is the actual location of the of where they crossed as it was the narrowest location for 1,200 miles. Back in those days, the river was 1/4 mile across. Thanks to mankind daming the river in many locations upstream the width today is about 250 feet. The structure on the upper right is the underside of a bridge of Interstate Highway 8. California is on the right and Arizona is on the left.

Full moon reflecting on the Colorado River

In this photo (looking East) you can see the Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge. It was completed in 1915 and completed the road from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. California is on the left and Arizona is on the right. Directly beyond the bridge and to the right is the location and remains of the famous Yuma Territorial Prison which we will visit in the near future.

The Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Over And Around Indian Hill…

In yesterday’s blog entry I showed some photos of Indian Hill which overlooks the Colorado River across from Yuma, Arizona. In case you missed that entry, here’s the link… http://wp.me/pDCku-3fg

Yesterday after my Blog entry we took another two-hour walk…this time over and around to the other side of Indian Hill. As always you can click on the photo to enlarge it and then click on it once again to make it even larger.

In the first photo…to the left is the Old Yuma Territorial Prison…then the railroad bridge and finally…the one-lane (even today) vehicle bridge that completed the Coast To Coast Highway in 1914…

Next left to right…Old Fort Yuma Barracks…the old railroad station and St. Thomas Indian Mission…

The old railroad station waiting area apparently did not have any exterior walls for most of the building…

My walking companions Anne and Randy pose near a salt cedar tree…

A side view of the St. Thomas Indian Mission and the old railroad station…

A big old palm tree…

Interstate Highway 8 crosses the Colorado River heading north…

The Colorado River looking south…

A very old dried-up tree trunk…

A very old brick made in Mexico…

Another side view of St. Thomas Indian Mission and railroad cars…

Looking north at first the Coast To Coast Bridge in the foreground and the railroad bridge in the background…

Looking south at Interstate Highway 8…

A front view of the St. Thomas Indian Mission…

And a closer view…

The Colorado River heading north…

Finally about 15 minutes after sunset…

Once again, I hope you enjoyed the photos!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

A Walk To Indian Hill…

A short distance from my current parking spot at the Paradise Casino in Winterhaven, California is a very famous small rise of land known as Indian Hill. Atop of this hill sits the St. Thomas Indian Mission.This is a very famous hill for on the other side of the mission and not seen in these below photos is the site of Old Fort Yuma which guarded the Yuma River Crossing many years ago. Back in those days this location was the only place to cross the then mighty Colorado River for hundreds of miles. as always you can click a photo to see an enlarged view…click it again for an even larger view.

Here’s the view from my dining room window…

Even though We’ve both been there a number of times, two days ago my friend Randy and I went for a walk to the top of the hill. I brought my camera along to show you the views. Along the way I took this shot overlooking a small park. In the distance to the left you can see the visitors center for the remains of the Old Yuma Territorial Prison which is located on the banks of the Colorado River. To the right of the prison you can see the old railroad bridge first built in 1877. The river has taken away the bridge a number of times. the current bridge was built in 1923…

If you are interested in the history of the railroad bridge, you can click this link… http://www.yumasun.com/articles/bridge-74638-railroad-river.html

Once atop the hill…looking back to the left you can see the Paradise Casino and parking lot…

In the next zoom photo you can see the motorhome and Bronco. It’s the rig furthest in the back on the right…

Next a 180 degree panorama shot with the Colorado River on the left…

Finally a shot looking over the Colorado River at the City of Yuma, Arizona…the sunniest spot in the United States…

Yesterday we took another walk through the marshes and along the river. Here are four more photos. First two lower views of Indian Hill and the mission…

Then looking across the Colorado into Arizona and the old Yuma Territorial Prison…

And finally the Colorado River under the railroad bridge…

I hope you enjoyed the views!

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2012
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust

Yuma Crossing, Arizona

Jim says:

The Yuma Crossing has great history. For many, many years it was the focal point of the Southwest because for hundreds of miles north and south is was the only point at which the mighty Colorado River could be crossed. Modern man has made his mark. In the old days the river was about 1/4 mile wide. Today it’s about 250 feet.

The Yuma Crossing today as seen by Google Earth.

I took this photo of the original crossing area in the early morning. Interstate Highway 8 bridge is overhead.

Here’s a link to the history of the Yuma Crossing…
http://www.yumaheritage.com/history.html

The Yuma Territorial Prison played an important role. Here’s an information link…
http://azstateparks.com/Parks/YUTE/index.html

The Quartermaster depot supplied military establishments for more than 1,000 miles distant. Here’s an information link…
http://azstateparks.com/Parks/YUQU/index.html

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2011
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com

Yuma Crossing

The Yuma Crossing has great history. For many, many years it was the focal point of the Southwest because for hundreds of miles north and south is was the only point at which the mighty Colorado River could be crossed. Modern man has made his mark. In the old days the river was about 1/4 mile wide. Today it’s about 250 feet.

The Yuma Crossing today as seen by Google Earth.

I took this photo of the original crossing area in the early morning. Interstate Highway 8 bridge is overhead.

here’s a link to the history of the Yuma Crossing…
http://www.yumaheritage.com/history.html

The Yuma territorial Prison played an important role. Here’s an information link…
http://azstateparks.com/Parks/YUTE/index.html

The Quartermaster depot supplied military establishments for more than 1,000 miles distant. Here’s an information link…
http://azstateparks.com/Parks/YUQU/index.html

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2009
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.panamaorbust.com