Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Imperial Sand Dunes

Ogilby Road West of Yuma, Arizona

The wind died down last night and I slept soundly.  My bedroom window is facing East and I awoke as the sun was beginning to rise.
Just starting to peak out with no zoom.

How it looks zoomed in.

It is going to be a great day because it was already 54 degrees and going to be mid seventies this afternoon with all sun.

I had a leisurely breakfast and we laid out in the sun all morning.
Last evening while chatting with the group, Tom asked if I had ever been to Plank Road.  I remembered hearing something about it years ago, but had never been there.  Evidently it is just down I-8 about 10 miles from camp, so I decided to check out the Imperial Sand Dunes and the Plank Road this afternoon.

About 15 minutes after getting my butt out of the lounge chair Yuma and I could see the Dunes on both sides of I-8.


 We took the exit to the Dunes and headed in.  These dunes are about 5 miles wide and stretches 40 miles North to South, so we are only seeing a small portion of it.

We drove into the OHV (off road vehicle) area and took a look but no one was running around.  I guess they were all on break. 

I pulled over to the side of the road and got out with Yuma.  Boy, did he love the sand.  He ran around like it was hard dirt road.  Didn't slow him down a bit.  As for me, my ankles and feet were tired after just a few minutes in that soft fluffy sand.



We then jumped back in the Jeep and drove about three miles further along the road towards the Mexican border.  I could see the wall separating us.
Looks like the traffic is a little slow over there. :))

There isn't much left of Plank Road, so I'll only show a few pictures.

 What it originally looked like.
 What it looks like now.
There was a metal fence around the road to protect what is left.

We soon headed back to camp and as I passed Deb and Riley's Igloo, I could see they were already starting Happy Hour without me.  I drove home and grabbed my chair and Yuma ran over while I walked gingerly on my sore feet from my hike through the Dunes.

We had a great evening chatting and sharing experiences.  Tom, Deb, Deb and Riley.  We were enjoying the last rays of the day. 
As the sun set, we took a few pictures of the beautiful event and called it a night.

Heading home as the sky slowly changes from orange to pink to darkness.

Another beautiful day in the Southwest.  See you later.

24 comments:

  1. Interesting pictures of the old Plank Road. The dunes are beautiful and Yuma seemed o love them. Gorgeous sunset out there!

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    1. Thanks Dolly. Not much plank left in the Plank Road. Yuma just loved running around in the sand.

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  2. Replies
    1. And another one coming. Glad to see you two are finally getting setup in your new house. I've never owned a new one and I'm sure there is lots to do. Now if Spring will ever get here.

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  3. At the time, the plank road was a great idea. Too bad wood just doesn't last long. LOVE those sunsets!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. It probably was the quickest and cheapest plan. Wonder how much repair was required during those ten years.

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  4. Great pics of Yuma running & making a cloud of sand in his wake.! Ears up ears down - in the last photo he looks like a kangaroo.😎

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    1. Thanks Moonfly. When he gets all his legs together at full speed he does bounce along like a kangaroo.

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  5. I will put the plank road on my "to see list". I love Yuma's energy.

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    1. Good. Too bad Yuma found an old man for a Dad! :))

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  6. We enjoyed seeing the small bit of Plank Road that is left. It is a 'must see' and we finally got there!
    It was a gorgeous day! You must have had more wind than we did as everyone looks bundled up at Happy Hour. Wasn't the sun beautiful! (P.S. roll those socks down!) That's what I tell Bill too.

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    1. Glad I made it there. A lot of history still around but you have to look for it. You're right about the socks. I try to keep them low so I .get more Sun but lately I've been bouncing from long pants to shorts and I forget.

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  7. Love the photos of Yuma. He has so much energy so it's good that he loved it out there. One of my grand mothers had a lot of family in San Diego and they went to SD quite often. My mother always said she remembered traveling on the plank road. She was 5 when the new road was opened so I don't know if she really remembered. Looks like we will have another beautiful day.

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    1. Amazing the pioneer ingenuity. Just wasn't very permanent. Another gorgeous day ahead. Hope you have a good day.

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  8. You and Yuma look comfy out there enjoying the sun! I can't believe the energy in Yuma, he's a cutie! Looks like another awesome Happy Hour! Gorgeous sunset pics!

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    1. Thanks Shirley. Yuma is so full of energy. I am so glad I found him five years ago at the Yuma Animal Rescue Center. He's my buddy.

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  9. We never did make it to Plank Road. Great pics of Yuma running.

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    1. You've been everywhere and stayed so close but never made it. I almost did the same.

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  10. Those are fun pictures of Yuma running towards you! And nice picture of the sunset!Rawn

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    1. Thanks Rawn. It sure is easy for Yuma to move thru the sand, but a real pain for me.

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  11. Yuma looks like he truly enjoyed his run in the dunes. With all the wind and sand out there it is amazing any of that road is left. Great pictures of your visit. As always a fun Happy Hour filled with great conversation.

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    1. Thanks Deb. I enjoy our visits but the time does go by fast. Before you know it, the sun is gone.

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  12. Yuma looks like he's having a great old time in the sand. He's such a cutie!!! Glad you came over for happy hour, always nice to see you!!

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    1. Thanks Deb. Nice to relax and sit around and talk. Yuma doesn't talk much.

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