The Dome Rock area is dotted with motorhomes, fifth wheels, vans, and fiberglass trailers.
That's Dome Rock in the background
It’s late afternoon and the crew needs to walk off their energy. We proceed up the lane toward Dome Rock. Several people are camped up this way, and I think they might be the Rubbertramp group. Some of the Rubbertramps have commented here on my blog, so I’m curious to meet them.
I see a group of men standing together.
“Is this the Rubbertramp group?” I ask.
“Yes, it is. I’m Brian,” he says with a handshake. “The women are over there if you’d like to go talk to them.”
The crew and I go over and I see about twenty women sitting in chairs in a circle. They’re swapping stories. Someone brings me a chair and soon I find a break in the conversation.
“Hi. I’m camping with the Casita group down there. I write a blog and one of my readers said I should come up here to meet some of my other readers. My blog is rvsue and her canine crew.”
“I’m Judy!” one lady calls out. “I’m Katie!” joins in another, and I immediately recall they’ve commented on my blog. Everyone laughs as cyberpals become real in an instant. Another woman explains that most of their members are “van dwellers” but anyone can join the group. The next day Judy and her husband drop by our campsite and I learn they are here all the way from Ohio.
The next morning a group goes into town for breakfast.
Campers and camper-dogs gather for a morning pow-wow (and bow-wow?).
Advice to Bridget: Never allow a butt-shot while next to an Italian Greyhound."
I decide to stay in camp and no one pressures me to go, which I really appreciate.
Later I find that Clete and Chris didn’t go for breakfast either. They tell me they’re going home to San Diego today and are going to make one last visit to the vendors in town.
“Do you want to go with us?”
The crew and I get in the back of their SUV with their Italian Greyhound, Diego.
“Have you ever had a fried Twinkie?” Clete asks.
“Um, no, can’t say I have, “ I answer.
Eating a fried Twinkie becomes our quest.
Clete waits in line at a booth doing a busy trade of polish sausages with sauerkraut, fried onions, and fried peppers, along with several other greasy treats. Oh, the aromas! Clete finally gets his hands on a fried Twinkie after parting with four dollars, and he shares it with Chris and me. It tastes like a doughnut only with a slight, residual bellyache!
Later, after hugs and goodbyes, the group waves them on their way.
I shout, “Have a safe trip and thanks for the fried Twinkie!”
Clete yells back before driving away, “Thanks for eating half of it!”
The following day I do Quartzite with Chuck and Geri and some serious shopping takes place! I promise to post some photos. I’ll also share a tally of what I spent, even though it will cause me pocketbook pain all over again.
rvsue
Glad you stopped by the RTR. Having battery issues with my MH. So, QZ may be in my future, or not.
Hope you are having a good time and meeting folks.
Dayton
Battery issues, ugh. Sorry about that. I hope you get to Quartzsite . . .
Next time you see Geri & Chuck, say “hi” for me. Think of you guys between paint brush strokes!
I’m sure they’ll see your message here!
Sue — Ditto what Emily said. Chuck and Geri used to belong to our Casita Solos group at one time. Hope you stick around Dome Rock until Feb 8th when a fleet of Casitas will be arriving from Buckskin Mtn State Park!
I had originally planned to go to RTR, and car camp for a few days, as I have not found a rig yet, but work-life balance got in the way. Sorry I missed it. Next year for sure.
You have something to look forward to!
Glad to hear from you! Love your quip to Bridget. So true, so true!
good to see a post from you, always the adventure, looks like beautiful weather there now. Yes pls post pics and some of the things you found interesting at the vendors. Take care
We had a chilly day with wind and then some beautiful sunshine moved in with blue sky.
Hi Sue, long time, no see!!!! Cleat is spelled Clete!!!! Weird name but a really great guy….but fried twinkies?????
See ya’ll tomorrow!
Thanks, Chuck . . . I’ll go back and fix the spelling.
mmmmmmmmmmm….. where is your post with all your Quartzsite expenditures??? hahaha! 🙂
Looks like we are coming to Darby Well Road tomorrow! See you then!
I’ve got a wad of receipts in my purse!
“pocketbook pain ” LOVE the description. The key is to be sure that the pain now translates into enjoyment as you use and enjoy the stuff you bought. Beats the heck out of “theraputic shopping” that some folks do for stuff they don’t need and will never use. I bet you did some careful shopping and got great stuff that will either make your life easier or give you pleasure – or BOTH. Glad you’re enjoying Quartzsite. It’s something we want to experience also. Maybe next year.
Everything I bought was on my shopping list . . . No impulse buying!
I’ve seen fried Twinkies at fairs but have never had the dubious pleasure of consuming one. I think you’re lucky you didn’t have to eat the whole thing!! 🙂
It lacked what’s good about a Twinkie (glommy soft sweetness) . . . It was like a doughnut failure.
Oh dear fried twinkies?? You really ARE brave! I think I might have given my half to the crew.
Sherry
http://www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
No, giving it to the crew would not be wise . . . I have to pick up after them, if you know what I mean.
Was thinking of you today driving past Dome rock on the way to and from Quartzsite. Thank goodness my shopping list was short and I didn’t put a Big dent in the pocketbook. Now I don’t know about fried Twinkies, but the smell of the brats, onions and kraut were irresistible.
Hi Gaelyn!
There’s something about onions frying in the open air . . .
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy Quartzsite. Watching other people spend their money can be fun, too.
Hey Sue, when you post your spending, is there any chance you could include a running total for the year? Oh wait, that would require more record keeping. But some folks contemplating full timing might like to know the total yearly cost. The pocket book pain should be a lot less when you average the costs over the total days you’re living the life you want.
Hi, Reine!
I’ll think about it. My plan was to tally up the month’s expenditures and after a few months calculate my average daily spending.
By showing what I buy, not just dollar amounts, I’m hoping people can adjust it to their situation. For example, they might not have the expense of two dogs.
I retired with 30 yrs of railroad policing experience that included dealing with the original rubbertrampers. I have to smile when people consider themselves rubbertrampers. They must have notice my using the term on this blog. Best to find out what the expression means before deciding if they want to call themselves rubbertrampers.
The group didn’t get the name Rubbertrampers from my blog. They were organized long before I came on the scene.
Hi Sue. Thanks for stopping by during the “women’s group” meeting of the RTR. It was nice meeting you. So happy you had a positive experience in Quartzsite…. some don’t. Happy Trails.
SwankieWheels
Nice seeing your group!
I have been reading since the blog beginning and have had numerous brilliant comments formulated in my mind only to see that Comments were Closed. Now here I am on a posting that allows me to Comment and I have nothing to say, except I have enjoyed the read!
Hi, Ed!
I’m happy you enjoyed reading my blog! The weather’s great here in Ajo, isn’t it!