I have lived in Yuma, lets just say for a while… (over 20 years) I have yet to explore the riding areas around me. I just get caught up on daily life work, eat, sleep routine. I have to admit running a off-road rental company can be a off-road fun time killer.
I always get asked WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN YUMA? I know there are places to ride but to personally say I have done it all, I would be lying if I said I had. The Arizona Historical Society in Yuma was doing off-road historical trail rides decided to signed up not knowing what to expect. I knew somehow the historical information and stories, that it would take me back in time but really, that was it. I was a bit creeped when I had dreams of disturbing some spirits and they followed me home (I know it seems crazy) . This town has a lot of Native American History. If you ever worked for either of the tribes you will hear of lots of legends, myths and tons of historical information.
I met an amazing woman by the name of Carol Brooks. She is the curator for the Arizona Historical Society, Sanguinetti House Museum. She sat in her office filled with lots of photos, books and information. I was overwhelmed with curiosity for history was one of my favorite subjects in school. I began to tell her about my desire to write about things to do in Yuma, Arizona. I wanted it to be informative and I loved the thought of a historical tour. So much history here in Yuma, Arizona.
Carol handed me some information, where I could get a permit, that I needed a high clearance vehicle and what to take with me.
I left her office excited about the new historical adventures I was about to embark on.
I knew I had to go to the Marine Air Corps Station Yuma. I had to go to the main gate and ask for a permit to get on the range. Seemed pretty easy. Mark and I took off to go to the base. We went into the main gate and asked to get a permit to get on the range. We walked into the office and there is a desk specifically for the Range permits. She asked us to read a page filled with releases of liability. They are mainly stating that being on the range you are in risk of death. It was a bombing range at one point.
Barry Goldwater Range was a high hazard testing area. It was also a training area for aerial gunnery, rocketry, electronic warfare, and tactical maneuvering and air support; and a place to develop equipment and tactics. About 95% of all fighter pilots in the Persian Gulf war trained on the Range and 100 % of the A/OA-10 aircrews that fought in the Gulf War were also trained there.
To get the permit it required us to sign the waiver, give them a copy of the license, and the license plate number of the vehicle we were driving on the range. We got two cards one for the vehicle and one for our wallet.
Excited for our new adventure this completed our first process of the tour.
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO OBTAIN A PERMIT CLICK HERE
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