The Desert Bar

I can't believe it has already been almost a week since I last posted! What is happening to my blogging? I am going to blame it on my first root canal, which I endured on Wednesday. All that Novocaine has made it impossible to type. Ha ha ha (The good news is that I survived, and my mouth is recovering nicely.)

Yesterday, I met a roommate of mine from college in Parker, AZ. She recently got married, and since she lives in South Dakota, and I live in California, I hadn't met her new husband yet. She was visiting her in-laws in Yuma, AZ, and we decided to meet halfway. Her in-laws are great tour guides, and they took us to this amazing place called the Desert Bar. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit. It is only open Saturday and Sunday, and they are closed during the hottest summer months. I suggest visiting the website if you are interested. There used to be a copper mine on the land where the Desert Bar is located. It is also known as the Nellie E Saloon, since the mine was named "Nellie E".

I think one of my favorite things about this place is that it is off the power grid. If you look at the photographs, you will see all the solar panels used for power. The towers are actually cooling towers. According to the website, there are pads at the tops of these towers, and when they get these pads wet, the air is cooled. The cool air then travels down the towers and provides a cool circulation of air. The concept is similar to that of a swamp cooler, but without the fan.

The bar is located near Parker, AZ in the Buckskin Mountains. The road leading to to it is a bumpy dirt road. Most of the vehicles in the parking lot were pickup trucks and Jeeps, but we managed to make it there in a Saturn. So I don't think you would have to have a four wheel drive vehicle to enjoy a hamburger (with "no cheese - EVER.") and a beer in this unique venue. They have live music, and lots of rusted old desert vehicles to admire. Well worth the bumpy ride!



This is the beginning of wildflower season in the desert, and I have been running around, taking photos like a madwoman. Just a couple of days ago, I saw my first Desert Bell, or phacelia campanularia, and now they seem to be ubiquitous. I love the rich blue color of these flowers. Stay tuned, as more wildflower photos are coming soon. Sooner than a week, I hope.