Entrepreneurs...got to love them! Supporting local businesses on the road.

We have been out exploring Yuma and the surrounding area now for the past 6 weeks. Getting off the main interstate is one of our primary objectives, therefore we tend to find treasures which I will share with you today. (We are in favor of small  locally owned businesses and will support them by spreading the word. Don't get me started with the large box stores and the downfall of Main Street America.)

My finished piece


Creative?

Have a creative side and want to explore something new and fun?  While looking at the racks of brochures and pamplets at the Yuma Visitors center I absentmindedly plucked up a handful of information sheets, pamplets and brochures to read at another time. About a week later I ran across the yellow tri-fold sheet (I was using it as a bookmark) describing a ceranmics studio in Old Town Yuma. Kathy, the owner, has monthly specials, is eager to help you select and finish your ceramics piece. Has space for children's parties too.

http://wildimaginationpotterystudio.com/ - visit her website for more information

Hungry?

On the edges of Yuma's northside is US Hwy 95 that crosses I-8, and

will take you north to Quartzsite, Parker and Lake Haversu. It is dotted with industrial businesses, the occasional fruit stand and acres of agriculture farm land. Driving by you can smell the broccoli, see the cabbage, cauiflower and lettuce growing and watch the farmworkers hand hoeing the rows as they prepare them for a new planting of some vegetable. The land is farmed year round here, the weather is that good. But I digress.

We drove by this restaurant several times before seeing it because it sits a bit off the road and is hidden from view should you be driving on the same side of the street. 

More of a "we're in the 'hood, so should we try it" thought we decided to have lunch there yesterday. At 1:15pm it was jammed with locals, including the 5 sheriff/police officers dining at a nearby table. Three adult Asian males worked the counter and approximately 12 tables... and the food was delicious! Our order was hot, generous portions, and reasonable priced. When I asked the departing officers what they recommended,  "everything", but the combo rice bowls were the true favorites.

Specialty Foods

While driving south in search of a purported 'flea' market we saw a roadside sign for "The Peanut Patch" and went in search of it. We were pleasantly surprised to find this lovely store catering mostly to the 'peanut' with a large variety of them (salted, unsalted, Spanish, etc) and other nuts in the form of brittle, clusters and butters. They also had fudge/homemade candy, but I veered off to the dried fruit aisles. Gift baskets/mail orders were also featured and you can discover more from their website: http://www.thepeanutpatch.com/.

Donna George, owner, was very helpful and even gave us free tastings of her peanut butters.

Quartzsite, AZ

As you are about to enter Quartzsite from the south you will see on either side of Hwy 95 flags and banners used for advertising everything from solar panels to rocks n gems. You will also see motor homes, RV's and trailers galore, as the owners park beside their businesses that line Kuehn Street to your right in 'Rice Ranch' and in 'Tyson Wells' on your left.

Signs, signs, everywhere a sign...

We purchased a small wood sign with our last name on it ($10) from JD's Custom Wood Signs. Dennis originally had purchased a ice cream (customized) truck, but converted it to making woods signs as a way to stay busy while his wife made and sold jewelry at fairs around ID, their home state. Dennis had our sign done in 30 minutes as promised and regaled both of us with the story of how he learned a new trade in the last 2 years. He is in Tyson Wells, Space 20.

He also had signs with 'quotes' on them, something for everyone, as seen in the photo.


DESSERT anyone?

Last, but for sure not least ...APPLE PIE with - wait for it....HOT CARMEL Sauce, oh my! An ample portion of homemade apple pie and the choice of having the carmel is yours. (Although a bit sweet for me, I did have a splash on the side and it was delicious!) In speaking with the owner I discovered that she had been 'downsized' from a So CA university after 22 years of employment and had been out of work for 18 months when she decided to buy Gran'ma's pie truck from Jeannie the original owner. She's the owner/baker, 6 days a week, Nov - Feb. and makes all the pies, daily, right in this truck. She even takes orders for whole pies! She's at Rice Ranch - slot # A-23...but you can't miss the big YELLOW sign over her truck, and she even has a small tent with tables and chairs to sit and eat your slice right there. Go to http://granmasapplepie.com/ for a map.

If you happen to be in the neighborhood of any of these businesses I hope you will decide to support them, either by making a purchase or recommending them to others.

Adios amigos!