The literal definition of snowbird is any bird that is chiefly seen in winter. In the winter, sandhill cranes and snow geese fly south from thousands of miles in the north to winter in the southern United States and further. The sandhill cranes fly from as far north as Alaska and the Siberian Sea. Tens of thousands flock to various areas to escape the harsher winters of their northern homelands. Like people they each have their preference of region to reside.
A newer definition has added that snowbirds are the people who travel southward to a warmer climate in the winter. Recent studies release this past January indicate that our own particular area’s (Foothills/Fortuna, an unincorporated suburb of Yuma) year-round population to be 69,874. However, our community actually doubles and triples that number in the winter when the human variety of snowbirds flock in.
Yuma is in the Sonoran Desert in Southwestern, Arizona. It is the third fastest growing city in the U.S. right now. Farming, cattle, tourism and two military bases are Yuma’s main industries. Yuma is the country’s highest producer of winter vegetables, especially lettuce.
Yuma is home to the flow of two major rivers, the Colorado and Gila River. They used to flow freely until the rivers were tamed by an intricate series of dams and canals. The Gila and the Colorado are the two most historic rivers in the Southwest. The National Park Service declared the downtown Yuma area a National Heritage Area in 2000. There are 23 such areas nationwide, but Yuma is one of only two west of the Mississippi.
The fall/winter months, October through April, provide the most agreeable climate: moderate temperatures and no snow. It is during these mild months that snowbirds, of the human variety, flock in from as far away as Canada, and many even further away from Alaska. Traffic gets horrendous. Not only because of the numbers, but because most are old, on medications, and, hopefully, not too intoxicated from the many parties that gather throughout the area. Don’t be in a hurry to get anywhere. They are retired and are not! A major attraction is the nearby border town of Algodones, Mexico, and not for the food either. Many are stocking up on their medications and getting their dental work done at costs that are more affordable than the states. Savings amount to more than 50%. Don’t listen to the taboos about buying meds there and the dental work. Many medications are made from those pharmaceutical companies here in the U.S. and the dentists are trained here as well. They have state of the art equipment. Still, it is good to get a word of mouth recommendation, because there are some Mexican natives who will try to sell you their “wares” when you don’t need or want them.
The lure to this town is also duty-free liquor and, for those who haven’t given up the dirty habit, cigarettes. Sleeping in is an option if you plan to buy your liquor there. Mexican law does not allow the sale of liquor until 11 AM. (That’s Arizona Time, not Pacific Time.) There is also a limit to how much of these you can bring back duty-free.
Just like the avian variety of snowbirds, they flock into this town in massive numbers. Thus, count on standing in line to re-enter the states at the border for up to three hours! Of course, if you are not buying liquor, the lines are quicker before 11 AM.
Snowbirds do not want to remain past April. As the month of May comes around, the temperature can rise into the triple digits. Many snowbirds are packing it up and flying northward to the places they call home. Each decides upon the appropriate time most agreeable to the individual.
Thus, Yuma is seeing its population dwindle once again. There are good-byes and farewells. Some will not return as the flight becomes cumbersome and wearing.
As for us, we are trying to wind down all the projects and tasks that we have on our list of things to do.
We are counting the days until we pull out, lagging behind the tens of thousands who have already moved on.
Reference:
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