I like to challenge myself and I like to try new things.
Jessica Lucas
For anyone of you who know me, you know I love to bake and create flavour combinations with CHOCOLATE. So, one day I found a recipe that combined chocolate, spices and dates. I found an Anna Olson’s cooking video that made a chocolate spiced date cake, that used Medjool dates from Yuma. After watching the video and making the cake I so wanted to go to a date farm in Yuma.
Originally, we did not think we would travel this far west. However, in the continuous search for warm weather we eventually made it here.
Our time in Yuma was pleasant and warm. In looking for a Saturday farmers market we came across this massive outdoor market. It was as big as shopping mall, but under tents! There must have been over 100 vendors, food, electronics, appliances and even had a quilting shop. It was interesting to see what some people try to sell.
Now to the best part…Martha’s Gardens Date Farm. Unfortunately, there were no tours on Saturday, however the knowledgeable staff and a movie taught us all about date farming. We even had a chance to see and feel a seed pod that they opened for us. It was amazing the amount of water each plant needed and that it takes almost eight years before they produce enough dates to harvest.
Everything here at Martha’s was done by hand. (Planting, pruning, harvesting, sorting, and packaging.) They even collect the pollen from one plant and pollenate the other by hand with a drip bottle. They were not leaving anything to chance. Now, apparently it is the home of the world’s best date shake…. Yep, I agree! However, I have only ever had this one.
So, for those that know Steve, he’s always on the lookout for deals. They had 5 kg (11 lb) boxes of dates for $35. That was a deal he just couldn’t pass up! Needless to say we now have a freezer full of dates as we are slowly eating our way through them…
We next checked out the downtown Yuma; here we learned a little bit about their history and local prisons. We did not go to the historic Prison State Park, but did check out the Prison Hill Brewery. (Advice from our California friends). Steve had the highly recommended “What’s Your Poblano Man Burger (very spicy!).
Our last night here was at Garden Oasis RV Park. Not the type of park we usually look for as it was mostly seasonal residents. However, it had a place for us and a POOL! It was truly a little oasis.