Things You Gotta Do

You only live once.

So make the best of it.

To that end, The Sun asked several area residents in the know to come up with a list of 10 things every newcomer to the area must see or do here before he or she dies. Here are their responses:

Mike Shelton, spokesman for Rural/Metro Fire Department

1. Tour the Saihati Camel Farm, 15672 S. Avenue 1E.

2. Take the guided Spirit Walk in downtown Yuma, and maybe you'll meet a ghost.

3. Enjoy a paddleboat ride in Martinez Lake.

4. Visit Fan-Quest comic book store.

5. Visit San Felipe, Baja Calif., and ride the waves on a rubber banana boat.

6. Do some serious haggling with merchants in Los Algodones, Baja Calif.

7. Fly high in a hot-air balloon.

8. Ride every scary ride at the Yuma County Fair.

9. Spend time in the Yuma Art Museum and see a show in the Historic Yuma Theatre.

10. Entertain and inform kids by being a guest classroom speaker.

Dave Nash, public affairs coordinator for the city of Yuma and former editor of 33.10

In no particular order ...

1. Enjoy a fall evening on the patio at Julieanna's Patio Cafe when the Yuma Jazz Company is playing.

2. Play a game of hide and seek with your children and (and a manageable number of friends) at Smucker Park.

3. Pull over at the Spot Road exit from Interstate 8 and gaze at stars you don't always get to see (quick - before the hog farm goes all the way up).

4. Try the fish taco at Las Palapas (if you close your eyes, you can even pretend you're in Ensenada).

5. Find a spot near the edge of the mesa overlooking the East Main Canal across the valley toward Pilot Knob and take in the view.

6. Play a round of golf at Mesa del Sol, and take in those views.

7. Drive yourself to Senator Wash or up Laguna Dam Road to Mittry Lake, find a suitable parking space, and a) hike, b) pull out a book and some water.

8. Take a date to a major concert at one of the area casinos. Come soon enough for dinner if it's a Friday.

9. Go to Rotary's Walt Kammann Sausage Fry. From the crowd to the uniquely flavored fare, it's pure local flavor.

10. If you trust the company, let them take you to a party in the desert. Especially if the hosts are bringing guitars.

Lucy Shipp, spokeswoman in Yuma for the Arizona Department of Transportation

1. To get a feel of the history of Yuma, tour the Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park and the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, then picnic in the West Wetlands and cool off with a swim in the Colorado River at Gateway Park.

2. For spectacular scenery and wildlife sightings, take the canoe trip down the Colorado River offered by the city of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department.

3. Stop in at the Old Town Wine Cellar, 265 S. Main St., where owner Mike Shelhamer has 500 wines from around the world.

4. Attend a Main Street block party with food booths and music for your enjoyment.

5. Drive up Highway 95 to Yuma Proving Ground and watch the Golden Knights Parachute Team do training jumps from January through March.

6. Attend the Yuma County Fair and enjoy the exhibits, livestock and carnival rides during late March and early April.

7. Visit the Saihati Camel Farm and pet numerous exotic animals. Bring your camera.

By now you are hungry; you must dine at:

8. Lutes Casino, 221 S. Main St. No, it's not a casino, but you have never been in an establishment such as this. Order the "Especial" - trust me on this!

9. For authentic Mexican food head for Chretin's, 16th Street and Arizona Avenue.

10. The Ah-So Sushi & Steak, 1325 S. Yuma Palms Parkway near Harkins Theatres. They do teriyaki cooking at your table and offer a full sushi bar and regular dining.