Thursday, November 21
The crew and I leave our Dome Rock campsite in the Perfect Tow Vehicle. We’re on our way to the laundromat in Quartzsite. I also have an empty propane tank in the back of the PTV to get filled.
As I come down Dome Rock Road, I see a Casita being pulled along the dirt lane that runs parallel to the paved road. I bet that’s “kgdan” who comments on my blog!
I step on the gas and the PTV takes off like a roadrunner on a mission. I’ve got to cut them off before they get onto Dome Rock Road ahead of me! I’m gaining on them . . .
Just as they start to turn onto the main road, I catch up, press on the brakes, and block them with the PTV. The lady inside sees and instantly recognizes me in my hat. She throws up her hands with an oh-my-gosh smile on her face. We jump out of our vehicles, run to each other, and hug.
“RVSue!” she exclaims. Kathy greets me like I’m a celebrity. She wants to see Bridget and Spike, so I let out the crew.
As you can see in the photo above, Bridget eats up all the attention and Spike, um, stands in his usual pose.
I find out that “kgdan” is the pseudonym for Kathy and Gil of Yakima, Washington. They are loyal followers of this blog. We laugh over the fact that this summer the crew and I passed Yakima, made a loop around the state of Washington, came back again to only 68 miles from their home, but instead of going those 68 miles north, I turned south!
Kathy and Gil could see the Best Little Trailer from their Dome Rock campsite.
She and Gil wanted to visit me and the crew, but they didn’t want to drop in. This I learned in the comments section. I felt bad about being so anti-social with such good people, so I’m glad I caught them before they left Dome Rock.
Gil likes to fish and Kathy likes to be out on the water.
They carry a fishing boat on top of their Casita. It’s a Port-a-bote.
Gil explains how he mounts the folded-up boat on the Casita using two straps. One strap wraps around the air conditioner and the boat and the other wraps around the bathroom vent and the boat (at the front of Casita, not seen in photo).
Both these straps are anchored to the awning supports.
The awning can be used with the boat still on the roof.
If you have any interest in fishing or boating and want to carry a boat with you as you RV, I urge you to click on the Port-a-bote link to investigate this clever option. The website has videos, including one of a man assembling the boat in about three minutes. You can also see the different ways the boat can be mounted on your car, truck, trailer, or motor home.
Now that I know a possible way to mount a kayak on the BLT, I’m dreaming again about a getting a solid kayak to replace my inflatable canoe.
Kathy, Gil, and I have a grand time getting to know each other.
They show me the campsite they used at Dome Rock. Someone had decorated the area with quartz stones, forming paths, a fire ring, a large lizard, a turtle, etc. A palo verde tree grows out of the center of a quartz ring.
Pretty as the campsite is, it’s near a wash. The ranger came around this morning to warn Kathy and Gil that the rain in the mountains may result in flooding.
They’re on their way to Alamo Lake State Park. (I learn later in a comment Kathy makes below the previous post that they didn’t stay at the state park after all.)
It was fun meeting you, Kathy and Gil!
Before the laundromat and a stop for propane, I pick up a package sent from Laura, one of my blog readers. She sent me a gift . . . a book! I’ll tell you more about it once I’ve finished reading it. Wasn’t that a nice thing for her to do?
“Thank you, Laura! I’m already half-way through it and enjoying every page.”
Friday, November 22
Hmm . . . Today is our 14th day on BLM land. Time to move.
I pack us up and hitch up. Even though it rained on and off all last night, the ground is still firm and we leave the Dome Rock Road camping area with no problems. By the time we cross over Interstate 10 and enter the center of Quartzsite, it’s raining again.
I stop for some groceries and then check to see what Amazon packages have arrived. Darn! No connector! Yay! My KEEN sandals! And they FIT!
More about that in the next post. I want to show you our new camp. . .
It’s a shocker!
The crew and I are camped in an RV park! “The Scenic Road RV Park” in Quartzsite! Where people are “enjoying life in the slow lane.”
We’ve got full hook-ups (a treat for us and good for all the batteries!) for $28.50 including tax and with Good Sam discount. Before leaving, I’ll empty the waste tanks and take on fresh water.
An RV park . . . What’s this ol’ boondocker coming to?
See that white building on the other side of our campsite? Know what that is? It’s . . . It’s . . . It’s the . . .
. . . the shower house!
Oh, my!
Well, it’s rainy and dreary and more thunderstorms are on the way. The darn connector didn’t arrive. To boondock I’d need to move at least 28 miles away according to BLM rules.
I’d rather hunker down with the crew for a day or two and wait for sunshine to return.
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
I really do appreciate every order.
FIRST!! Now to read….
Hahaha! Ladybug! Shame on you!
Oh well, you win . . . Congratulations!
Hey…I was going to say that exact thing!! I haven’t read the post either…oh well…I didn’t even think I was going to try and be first…such silliness!! BUT…I had just checked to see if there was a new posting and there wasn’t and then I remembered that you have posted a few times about this time of night so I checked again…and ta da….new post! Well, then i simply couldn’t help myself….LOL….Well hug to Sue and crew…and now to actually read the new post…p.s. i finished catching up again!!!
Hi, Sheri,
This blog has a life of its own. I don’t plan stuff to happen… It just does! Like readers racing to be first. What next!!!
Stay with us now. Don’t get left behind!
Oh, that’s too funny! Going from anti-social to chasing readers across the desert. 😉 And staying in an RV park, too. What is this world coming to?? At least it doesn’t appear to be crowded.
I don’t blame you a bit; no sense going further down the road when it’s going to be yucky and you’re waiting on a package. I’m not a sandal person, but I want to hear about the KEENs!
Oh, and I meant to say, I would love to know what crossed Kathy and Gil’s minds in that split second between you blocking them and being recognised!!
Maybe they thought I was a ranger with a weird contraption on the roof.
Let me tell you… These are the weirdest sandals I’ve ever seen in my life! They fit. They’re comfortable. And they’re weird. I think I like them!
Photos in the next post… 🙂
Looks like a nice spot to stop awhile…the one thing that would be hard for me would be not to have a shower every day…even a short one…and with smaller rigs that can be a problem I am sure!! So nice you met up with some nice folks too!!
Hi Elizabeth,
You get used to sponge baths. Actually, without long, hot showers I don’t have the dry skin problems I used to be plagued with. The only thing I don’t like about using a basin is shampooing my hair. It can give me a “crick” in my neck.
You would have had a real laugh had you seen Gil and I shampooing each other’s hair outside! We used the outside shower hose and a dishpan; taking turns. I’m sure it made quite a picture but was very refreshing! 🙂
Maybe I’ll try that method. I forget I have an outdoor shower.
Hi Sue, and Crew. Never comment that much but Read your Blog everyday. I was wondering that since you get that “crick ” in your neck when Shampooing . Doesn’t your Casita have a outside shower hose. and wouldn’t that be a little more easier to use for hair washing. just suggesting . that’s all
Oops, my bad. someone already beat me to my suggestion.
Hi, Dominick,
It doesn’t hurt to tell me twice. 🙂
Ha! All I can say is OMG… the new campsite, hard to beleive it. Although I understand your delima in having to wait.
Glad you had the opportunity to meet with your new friends.
I found that some of the folks met while camping have become
new good friends. (I have lost my closest life long friends over the past few years, it has been hard). But the new ones met in campgrounds are amazing people who are caring, humble and faithful friends. At this point in life, I no longer beleive in coincidences. Things happen for a reason.
Take care Sue and Crew
Hi, Diane,
If the crew and I had taken one minute longer to take off in the PTV for the laundromat, we wouldn’t have met Kathy and Gil. It was perfect timing.
Before I became a fulltime RVer, I heard that you meet wonderful people “on the road.” I thought, oh, sure. It’s true! I don’t know where the not-so-wonderful people are, but those I’ve met camping are super.
Sue & Crew,
You’re in a great place. My RV mentors stay in that park, they get there shortly after Christmas & stay several months. But when they’re there, it is packed! I plan on hitting Q (again) right after the first of the year for a couple of weeks.
Anxious about seeing your sandals too… the other shoes & boots look great & I’m thinking about getting something too with your recommendations 😉
Take care & glad you’re feeling better.
Hi, Vicki and Kitty,
Gee, this place is popular. I think it’s a nice park. It has a friendly, homey atmosphere. I was invited to pancakes and sausage for breakfast tomorrow. Probably won’t go, but it was nice to be invited.
I stopped at another RV park before this one. It was a few dollars more and even though the grounds and facilities were very nice, it didn’t feel like a happy place.
I’ll show you the sandals in the next post. I am extremely happy with my Keen trail shoes and Bear Paw boots. And now with these quality Keen sandals I shouldn’t have to buy shoes again for a long while.
Nice to hear from you . . .
On the subject of shoes, let me say that though I am basically a frugal person, sometimes shoes are a “want to” thing rather than a “have to” thing. Go for it Sue, they make you feel good. Your feet too!
Hi, Ruth,
Yes, they do make me feel good. You shoulda’ seen my old sandals. They started out several years ago as shoes that I wore to work. Then the back fell off one and I ripped the back off the other so they’d match. They kept disintegrating until they evolved into slide-on sandals. And they were cheap shoes to begin with! LOL!
Did you notice the PTV’s “twin” also occupying a site where you are? Those are our friends who also follow your blog faithfully. They won’t impose on your privacy but they’ve noticed that you are there!
Yes, I did see their van! If they’re out and about in the morning, I’ll say hello.
So glad you met friends face to face…now you’ll remember their smiles, laugh, and mannerism. Yes, do stay at RV parks once in a while to enjoy full hook ups and hot showers….it’s not a sin so enjoy to the fullest 🙂 I buy my hiking boots from REI. I love the way they do shoe fittings. I have flat feet and my feet get tired or legs hurt if I’m wearing the wrong type of shoe or support.
I’m loving the rain and hope it stays with us for few more days but for RVers it might not be so fun 🙁
I don’t mind the rain if I don’t have to drive several hours in it, and if it doesn’t hang around for several days. The rain on the roof last night was a delight.
The first thing that caught my eye before I started reading was the little map… and I thought where the heck are they now?? The rain has caused the desert to sprout a gridwork of roads?
Hi,, Connie,
Quite different from when we camped in that wide expanse of desert with no sign of human life in all directions near Fossil Falls, CA!
For me…..following your blog is so enjoyable that actually having the opportunity to meet you and the crew would be a hoot!
Do you think you could have parked any closer to the showers? 😉
Have a wonderful night!
Hi, Cinandjules,
Actually the manager picked the spot. She said, “You won’t have to walk far to the shower.” Do you think she was giving me a hint?
Time to fess up…
Hi sue,
After seeing what you have been going thru, i have to tell you that when I was on my way to Mammoth a few weeks ago and I knew you were in the area, I really wanted to meet you. I knew that you prefer not to have drop in visitors, and I did not want to invade your privacy. And then there was my being anxious to meet RV Sue, wow… I have generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and I forgot to bring my anti anxiety meds with me. Sooo along with honoring your wishes the anxiety of meeting you was too much. Just wanted you to know, I am a dog lover and would have loved to meet the crew.
Maybe when i get a rig I will run into you on the road (not literally) someday.
Roger
I bet I would’ve enjoyed meeting you and introducing you to Bridget and Spike. We like dog lovers!
Thank you for your concern for my privacy. I’m in an awkward situation. I love my privacy. In fact, I need my privacy to remain functional. At the same time, my readers — like you — are some of the nicest people one could meet. I’m torn between being gracious and being a snotty hermit. 🙂
I’d love to meet all my readers. I really would. I’d need to live more years than Methuselah so I could spread out the socializing with days of seclusion!
So if our paths should cross, I hope you will say hello to Bridget, Spike and me. Sounds like you’re getting a rig… Good luck setting yourself up for the road, and thanks for writing, Roger.
We all need to treat ourselves to the “lap of luxury” now and then so a “full monty” hook up is yours! I can’t wait to see your new sandals and I had to stop and read all about a port-a-bote way way cool.
It’s nice to know the ranger was going around warning folks about the rains and possible wash-outs.
LOL @ Sue chasing down some of her readers, somehow I can almost envision it. I’m glad you got to do a meet and greet!
Hi, Mindy,
I’ve never thought of the PTV as a sprint vehicle, but she proved herself. I gave her the gas and she lifted up her front wheels and took off like a jackrabbit! Hi-oh, Silver! Away!
I gave Kathy quite a surprise, pulling up in front of them like that.
What a hoot, RV bloggers cutoff at the pass by RVSue! I was intrigued with the photos of their casita showing how they used almost every inch of exterior space. Guess you can travel small, but still live LARGE.
Cinandjules, I also wondered why she’s parked so close to the showers. hehehe
Hi, Patti,
“Travel small and live large” — Great slogan!
Yes, obviously I’m intrigued by the way Kathy and Gil carry their boat on top of their Casita. I wonder if I could put a hard-sided kayak up there.
I’d need to get a taller ladder. The one I have (Costco?) is a great, sturdy ladder, only it’s one step too short. I can’t reach the top of the BLT and PTV the way I’d like. I have to use a windshield wand with a rag wrapped around it in order to clean off all of the solar panel.
Re: shower house — See my reply to Cinandjules, above. 🙂
We too love that Quartzsite area and boon docking, but every once in a while its kinda nice to pamper yourself with full hookups for a day or two.
Have fun.
Hi, George and Suzie,
I usually enjoy looking for secluded camps. However, the prospect of driving down an unfamiliar dirt road out in the boonies when the road might be muddy or washed out is not something I want to try.
Today (Sat.) is another dismal day here in Quartzsite, cold and rainy. I’ll read my new book and stay warm and dry. I’m using the BLT’s heat strip (part of the A/C unit in the ceiling) instead of my catalytic heater, and the fridge is running on electric instead of my propane. Might as well use the electric — I’m paying for it!
I’m ignorant about the desert and Quartzsite, although I want to go some day. I wasn’t aware RVers had a time limit. I read about people staying the month, and I thought they were boondocking. Does that mean they were actually in a campground, or possibly moving 28 miles away for the second half of the month? Enlighten me 🙂
Hi, Crystal,
Well, maybe they were boondocking in an LTVA area (Long Term Visitors Area). You pay $180 (I think) for a permit and can stay a few months. There are shorter term permits also. These type places are south of Quartzsite. You’re out in the desert with other campers.
There are places where people stay for a month because rangers aren’t likely to keep track in that area (awfully big desert) or they look the other way. Darby Well Road near Ajo is (or, at least, was) like that.
I find that two weeks is plenty of time. It’s good to be nudged on down the road to a new place. I did extend my stay once to 15 days due to circumstances, and I honestly reported it here… boy, did the trivia trolls come out from under their rocks!
Ask me again if I didn’t answer your question completely.
Thanks for the info. I do believe I saw LTVA, but probably didn’t understand what that meant. I’m pretty certain that’s where they were. I do remember your extended stay. You were waiting on your solar installation, right? Oliver is making trailers again, and I saw in a photo of one of their new trailers that it comes with a solar connection. Maybe that’s old news, but it was new to me. I would like to learn more about solar, and am taking baby steps.
I found this at the BLM field office website for the Colorado River Valley district:
“Observe Camping Stay Limit: from April 1 to August 31 it is 7 days, and from September 1 to March 31, it is 14 days. Campers must relocate at least 30 miles and may not return within 30 days to a previous campsite. Camping is for recreational purposes only. Personal property may not be left unattended on public land for longer than 24 hours!”
I show the above as an example of how the rules may vary from one area to another.
I laughed out loud at the vision of you cutting off blog readers at the pass! Good for you – glad the keens arrived and fit. Enjoy the access to hot water!
Hi, Kellee,
It was a close race, but I caught them! Incredible timing . . .
There is very little in these elder years that would evoke the “shock and awe” of joy of seeing Sue in person right before me. My husband would attest to the rarity of my moving so fast to greet someone. It was a treat, an absolute joy and a gift I will treasure. Your life journey has brought you to a place I’m sure even you could not imagine—and the gift of your blog delights so many every single day. We will never forget our “moment” as we toodle down the road 🙂
I’ll never forget meeting you and Gil, too. What a sweet message to me you’ve written here.
A guy at Dome Rock used to walk his dog by our camp almost every morning… Vim and his little Cleo. It’s Vim’s belief that everything in our lives has a purpose. There are no coincidences. Maybe it was meant to be that the crew and I meet you both.
I wish you well on your travels. Maybe we will “toodle” into each other’s lives again. I’d like that. (and so would the Bridge, for sure!)
I can tell from your post you are the kind of folks it would always be great to meet up with out there on the road. I can see why Sue made such an effort to catch up to you. Happy Travels and be safe…
Serendipty–love it! And with folks from Yakima–my aunt & uncle had apple orchards in Tieton. Beautiful country out there! Showers are a wonder-enjoy! That kayak looks very cool! Ear scritches to the crew! Enjoy your time there at The Scenic Road.
Hi, Dawn,
I remember seeing apple orchards near Tieton. What a lovely part of the world! I was telling Kathy and Gil how I still have attacks where I go crazy wanting some wild blackberry pie like I had in Washington. Oh, and Tillamook ice cream… heavenly. . .
Walmart carries Tillamook Cheddar Cheese! 3 varieties! YaY!
Oh drool blackberry anything and Tillamook cheese and ice cream…sigh have I mentioned I miss the PNW.
Sue, I think you need to hold a ‘meet and greet’ meet-up with those readers that can do it! Kinda like that Casita meet-up a couple of years ago that Chuck and Geri also attended.
AAaaaacccckkkk! You know, the hair stood up on the back of my head when I read those words, ‘meet and greet.’ I can’t think of anything I’d rather not do. Haha! A crowd of people gathering around ME…. I’d run for the hills!
Sorry, didn’t mean to give you a case of the vapors! 😉
I wasn’t thinking so much of a ‘crowd’ (although I’m sure definitions vary!). I was thinking more along the lines of….maybe about 5-10 RVs spread out over 50-100 acres or so of boondocking land. Have a central spot for a firepit gathering spot in the evenings. Everybody do their own thing during the day, then at sunset, meet at the firepit and roast marshmallows, shoot the breeze, etc., for a couple of hours, then head back to their respective camps. Maybe even have a potlock. Spend 3-4 days this way then every go their merry way.
AAaaaaccccckkkkk! Y’all have a wonderful time!
By the time we hit Q, you will be long gone….rats. as in shucks, durn, etc.
Rain in Q. Hum, we had rain there last February. Just enough to settle the dust. There is another BLM place southeast of Q. It was really nice. Less crowded and a bit more out of Q.
Hi, Nan,
I’d like to try that area and also Plumosa Road north of Q. Can’t do either for a few weeks due to the BLM rule, as you know.
Two weeks gone that fast! I don’t recall how many days you have to stay away.
The folding boat intrigues me but I can’t get a price without giving them more personal info than I’m comfortable with (zero), it reminds me of my first visit to a used car lot, “So boys, how much money do you have to spend?” says the salesman.
Enjoy the FHU and the showers!
Hi, Rob,
Oh, I hate it when companies are secretive about their prices. They think they have to make The Big Sell before you can be told. Sheesh. The boats are nice though. I never gave much thought to a folding boat but now that I’ve seen one, well, what’s not to like? I like that it comes with detachable wheels so you can roll it down to the water.
I’m not sure of the exact BLM rules in this part of Arizona. Usually you can stay for 14 days and then you have to go at least 25 (maybe 30) miles away and stay away for at least 14 days. You can think of it as one 2-week stay in a month’s time.
We loved our portabote! We bought ours used, and I suggest people try that first. They are out there, and that way you can test the waters without so much investment. We sold ours when we downsized to our current, small motorhome. We had a little electric motor for ours, and it was all too much to carry. I do miss it….
I’m amazed at you in that RV park! Never thought I’d see the day!
BTW, readers… Click on Rob’s name-link to read his blog. He does a great job with it, as do the other blogs whose links show up here.
Sue glad to see your stretching out……..lol
I should be in Quartzsite in a day or two myself…..home away from home.
Stay safe
Hi, Papa,
This sure is a popular place, even in the off-season. Maybe the weather will be better by the time you get here.
Today was sure nice……kind of hate to leave my present spot, but company is meeting me in Quartszite next weekend and I’d like to be all set up.
The host at Dome Rock told us it is permissable to camp 14 days in free area, pay $40 for 14 days in fee area (with services) then 14 days in free area. So one could have 6 weeks continuous for $40.
That’s sounds good, Kathy. Thanks for sharing that information. It makes sense. I didn’t know about the part that the fee area would be okay because the fee area isn’t 28 miles away. Good to know!
Sue it is okay to camp out near Bouse on the Plumosa road going east off Hwy 95. There is so much open BLM land out that way that the rangers don’t patrol it because it is so far away and not many campers use that area. There is a geo-glyph of an Indian spear fishing on the left as you climb out of the valley going towards Bouse. There is a turn out with a sign telling travelers all about it. It is a giant figure of an Indian edged into the desert gravel that was put there so long ago no one knows. It is like the mysterious signs made into the Earth by the ancients [or perhaps Aliens] of Peru in the Nasca Plains that Eric von Daniken wrote about. It is only a short walk to the mysterious giant figure and it is fensed off so people won’t disturb it by walking on it. Let Spike and Bridget show you the way. The trail is well marked and don’t forget your camera. While staring at it…look at the Poodle rock figure on the skyline right in back of you. This is an old Spanish Treasure Sign from the days when the Spainards roamed over this area in search of Gold. There are many Treasure Signs in this area. A metal detector hardly works because of the high minerialized content of the soil.
That’s right, Joe. The desert is way too big to be patrolled as if it’s a campground.
You certainly do know the area. I’ve been hanging close to grocery stores and laundromats lately. I need to go off into the desert for a while, far from “everything.” 🙂
Reminds me of a song…” I’ve been to the desert on a horse with no name, its good to be back in the desert again, in the desert you can remember your name for their ain’t no one for to give ya no pain”.
🙂 Those words bring back memories! Love that song!
Oh god now I have that song stuck in my head!
Flashbacks!!!!
RV Sue, What a gracious thing to do “Take off like a Roadrunner” and head them off at the pass. Sounds like something Dale Evans would do.
Like it or not, you and crew are Stars.
Safe travels
You’re either sarcastic or very kind, calling me “gracious.” Ha! (I think you’re the latter.)
Gracious would’ve been inviting them over to my camp to “set a spell.” Instead I make a high-speed traffic stop!
Nice to hear from you, Tom. I was getting worried that I ran off my male readers with the naked bookseller photo.
Nope, still here enjoying the blog. If you run accross a topless barber shop in “Q” please let us know..ha..I could drop my wife off at the bookstore, then I could get a haircut(even though I do not have any hair).
I still think that was a nice road block you pulled off,
Post the location Tom, I may need a touch up!
Gee, if I could find a topless barber to photograph and post I bet the sitemeter would spin!
So happy to hear that even RVSue stops at a RV facility once in a while for a hot shower, a timely stop since you are waiting for a package and the rain may be falling.
Just got back from a 2 hr. snowshoe; so the thought of the desert is very appealing.
We will be sailing in a few months, in the Sea of Cortez. Sailors are a lot like RV’ers; wanting their privacy, but always ready to help out a fellow sailor.
Mary… Where are you that you went on a 2 hour snowshoe?
We live at 9,000 ft in the mountains of southern Colorado. Our usual 2 hr. walk with the dogs was a 2 hr. snowshoe on Sunday, and judging by the overnight snow, it may be a 2 hr. cross country ski today!
Well, I’ll be! RVSue and crew at an RV park. Good for you. Have fun. Enjoy the shower. Then, head back out. Love your ‘surprise’ visit with Kathy and Gil.
Oh, and if you lose male readers due to your naked bookseller photos, they’re probably worried about their own attributes!
Well, we ladies made such a fuss, I think it wasn’t something the guys wanted to get into. 🙂
Hey Sue,
I’ve been following your blog for some time, just bought a ’98 Casita SD a month ago and hope to do a rendition of what you are doing in the next year or so. Did you lose long time friends to distance, time, what? Lonesomeness is a concern of mine though I hope to work camp. You correspond lots and you have the dogs so that must help. I worry about leaving my wonderful neighbors even! Illinois Jane
Hi, Jane,
Welcome to my blog! And congratulations on your Casita!
With electronics you can keep in touch. Of course I’m not a part of the daily lives of friends back in Georgia, but I can always contact them to hear the latest news.
Lonesome? Never. I don’t know how to advise you on that because I don’t know how to be lonely. I think of loneliness as a negative state. Since I’m happiest when I’m alone, I can’t comprehend it.
People join RV clubs. If you frequent campgrounds and RV parks, and you make yourself available to friendships, they will happen. Enjoy that little trailer and the places it takes you… The friends will come while you’re doing something you love.
I checked out the Oliver trailer site and their Facebook site. These trailers are very nice indeed. Plus the added bonus of factory installed solar system is a very sweet option for someone like me. I live only an hour or so from their factory–might have to take a tour.
I used to salivate over the Oliver website. An Oliver was my first love. Then they stopped making trailers for a while and I realized a Casita was more affordable and would suit me fine.
It’s about time someone made a lightweight, small trailer with solar capability. Yeah, go take a look. I believe Olivers have a good reputation and they hold their value, if that’s important to you.
Chuck and I owned an Oliver before we bought the MotherShip!
DeAnne, you would love the folks at the factory… take a tour and make them take you out to the Junkyard for a black and blue steak! LOL!
Thanks Geri–sounds good! Tour and a steak!?! My kind of day trip.
BUT! Both Chuck and I owned Casita’s before we owned an Oliver! I prefer Casita’s and oh well…. I love the MotherShip but I can’t drive her! My Casita was a dream to tow!
Multiple rainy days in a row make plugs in wonderful. And since you have to pay to dump and fill anyway why not fill your batteries then your soul with a long shower while you are at it. At least it is still early enough in the season to not be crowded in the parks. I have 3 empty spots on one side of me and 2 on the other. I can handle that.
Hi, Linda,
That’s my thinking exactly. I wouldn’t want to do this for any length of time, but it’s fine for a day or two.
I’m not used to having rules of behavior after boondocking for so long. I left the door open and Bridget and Spike got out, of course. I have to be more careful or we’ll be evicted!
I’m just now catching up on your last several posts – wow, did I miss a lot! A dead battery in the desert, a hot pursuit, and a stay at a real RV park! I’m glad everything worked out for your vehicle, I was imagining you being stuck for a couple of days. And everyone deserves some pampering with full hookups and hot showers.
I loved the Arizona sunrise and sunset photos! It’s been gray and gloomy here the last few days. We are in the midst of a winter storm warning here, with cold temps, freezing rain, and sleet. Thankfully I’ve finished my ATM work so I can stay inside where it’s warm. But it’s all supposed to be clearing out by Tuesday.
Um, no offense intended, but what is up with Texas? It’s either 117 degrees in the shade or freezing rain or some other extreme… 🙂 Golly.
Cold is okay. Rain is okay. Cold AND rain is not okay. Stay inside where it’s warm, Cari!
You are so right about the weather in Texas. Sometimes you can have that temperature difference in the same hour!
Sue, is this your first “civilized” campground since you camped in Bluff at Cadallic Ranch ??? LOL Chuck would absolutely DIE if he couldn’t plug in everywhere we go! He is just soooo civilized! Maybe we will learn a lot more about boondocking at the rally in Feb!
I am so glad you cut Kathy and Gil off at the pass! They seem like great folks! Some folks are just too good to miss!
Chuck and I head south a week from today. Already hating the thought of leaving tranqil Franklin County traffic for the 4+ lanes of rush-rush-rush traffic of Bradenton and Sarasota! But will be great to see the grandkids and family!
Gee, I’m trying to think of an answer to your first question. I do think the last private campground we stayed at was in Bluff last May. Prior to that I don’t think we ever stayed in a private campground. If I’m wrong, a reader will straighten me out. 🙂
Bradenton beach is a nice beach. I have fond memories of that beach. Have a great time with family!
I’ve been following your blog since last year and have learned so much from you. We sold our house in the Hill Country of Texas back and May and hit the road. I figured sooner or later we’d end up in the same area. We (no me!) are just up the road from you on Hwy 95 & Plomosa Rd. We had plans to do some exploring around Quartzsite for several days, but my husband has been “under the weather” since this past Monday. “Under the weather” turned into a ruptured appendix and he had emergency surgery yesterday at the hospital in Blythe! Hopefully, he’ll be as good as new in a few days and we’ll be back on track in a week or so. I’ll wave as I drive by in the morning on my way back to Blythe for the day!!! – Paula
Oh My Paula,
Hope the hubs feels better REALLY FAST!
Barb from Hoquiam
Hi, Paula,
Wow! I’m glad your husband is on the mend. That must’ve been scary for you and painful for him.
Thank you for reading my blog. I learn a lot from it, too. Great bunch of people show up here!
Thankfully, Jack’s a tough old bird. He doesn’t let much get him down – not even a ruptured appendix. Enjoy the full hookups – and be sure to luxuriate with a nice, long, hot shower before you head out. — Paula
One of my favorite memories of Quartzsite is one spent in an RV park in town — about ten years ago. My late husband Charly and I had been out in the BLM area for a couple days (we were weekend campers), and thought it would be fun to get a spot in town so that we could walk to the various vendors. It was a Friday in January, when the town is at its busiest. We travelled in a 22 foot Toyota Dolphin RV, which was notorious for being able to fit almost anywhere. The owner/manager of the RV park saw us coming, and “rearranged” the campground to fit us in. The spot was a back-in, right on the sidewalk! Our first thoughts were “Oh no, that won’t work”, but once we settled in, we decided that it was to be quite an adventure. We opened a bottle of wine, sat in our dinette, which was rear facing and faced the sidewalk/road, and sat there and just “people-watched” all the evening long. It was really a great time. All parts of society are represented in the folks who walk, cycle, and drive through the town during its high season.
My own preference now (as still a weekend camper, but with my two doggies), is to head out to one of the BLM areas in early February, when the crowds of RVers are gone, but when there are still a few vendors in town that might offer a bargain or two.
Quartzsite has very special place in my heart. Thanks for rekindling it.
Enjoy.
Eileen in Phoenix
Well, as the saying goes, there’s a lot of different ways to RV” and that includes sidewalk camping.
Easterners and other out-of-state people in general may not know that in Arizona you can drive a quad on the streets. Lots of folks that stay here long-term use a quad to get around and some ride bicycles. There are a lot of them in Quartzsite so that you have to be very careful when entering or leaving a parking lot.
That was very accommodating of the RV park. You had a front-row seat at the parade.
(Link removed.)
There ya go Sue,
Just for kicks I went onto Ebay looking at the Porta Botes (cause I never pay retail,LOL) and found several but this one is in Tucson,Az and was at 100.00 with 5 days to go.
They are a cool little boat arn’t they?.
Thanks again for sharing with us Sue,Have a wonderful week.Looks like it might dry out down there.
Hi, Trip and Lisa,
I think the boats are great for RVers. It was nice of you to post the eBay link. I removed it because the Amazon robot doesn’t like competition and I don’t want it mad at me. 🙂
Just got back from the first walk of the day… dark sky…
We have known Kathy and Gil forever it seems like. We have shared many campgrounds and camped at their house in Washington. They were just here in Coarsegold for a visit with us, on their way south, and Kathy showed me your blog RVSue. I have been enjoying it but today when I clicked on it, I recognized the photos even before I read the blog. It always amazes me how small the world can be or at least how like forces seem to be drawn together so often.
You’re right, lindale. I do believe a force pulls us together. I’m glad to have you join us here, and I hope you continue to enjoy my blog.
Have a happy day Sue. Just checking in to say hi. I laughed at your response to the RVSue get-together. I know Ladybug means well but it made my stomach hurt to think about it! Lol
That’s the difference between an extrovert and an introvert. Say “get-together” and “pot luck” and the extrovert gets happy while the introvert cringes.