Friday, January 19
The griddle is packed! Today is a travel day!
Soon the outside room is rolled up and tucked into the back of the Perfect Tow Vehicle. The Best Little Trailer is hitched, the chocks removed.
“Canine co-pilots! Take your positions!”
We roll away from our campsite at Midland Long Term Visitor Area, Blythe, California.
Leave wanting more . . . .
Before driving into town to take Interstate 10 east, we stop at the LTVA’s dump station and trash bin.
Oh, It’s good to be on the road again!
Photo taken through the windshield as we head toward Quartzsite
Dome Rock!
Wow! I’ve never seen Dome Rock so heavily populated with RVs!
(Dome Rock is a BLM camping area to the west of Quartzsite. The original crew and I camped there a couple times, back in the day.)
At Quartzite we leave the interstate and swing into Love’s Travel Center to top off the PTV’s gas tank. Busy place, of course. Then, following signs for Route 95 south, we make our way through Quartzsite.
My photos do not come close to displaying the crowds and level of activity in town. I’m limited to photos I can take while waiting in traffic jams, plus I avoid taking pics of people, so these photos don’t portray the phenomenon that is Quartzsite at her peak.
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For me it’s a relief when we make it out of town.
Honestly, I feel heart palpitations and shortness of breath coming on. Well, gee, almost!
I spend so much time alone that crowds and traffic make me tense. I’m gripping the steering wheel as if climbing a steep grade to a mountain pass in Colorado!
I’m happy for the people who enjoy Quartzsite. Obviously there are many who do!
Route 95 takes us past the La Posa LTVAs.
I’ve never seen them this packed with RVs! Even further south, where folks boondock for free, lots of rigs. I’m on such a mission to get away from it all that I don’t stop for photos.
Gotta’ get away, gotta’ get away . . . .
“Ahhh, much better.”
How do we get to the scene above?
We shoot southward across flat desert on Route 95 . . . . You may be familiar with these places: La Paz Valley, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Palm Canyon, Stone Cabin, Castle Dome, the road to Martinez Lake, Imperial Dam Road.
At a pull-out next to the road that goes into the Army Proving Grounds, I give Reggie and Roger a walk-around.
Further down Route 95, Yuma looms.
I don’t want to go to Yuma.
Checking my Benchmark atlas, I see a detour around the Gila Mountains! It will cut off winding around to Foothills and driving a section of Interstate-8.
We should go that way!
The usual route is to take the interstate through Telegraph Pass to the view of Dome Valley spread out below. I’ve seen that a couple times.
By taking a zig-zag route starting with 3rd Street, 4th Street, and so on (for you map people), the crew and I enjoy a lazy drive and the sight of calm, green, cultivated fields.
I’d like to know what they grow here. (See link at end of post.)
So this is Dome Valley . . . . a peaceful place to live and work.
Someone has created a palace. A balcony overlooks roses in bloom . . . .
Our detour leads us to Interstate 8.
Interstate 8 carries us due east across Arizona.
We take a break at a rest stop. Nothing like cold, rotisserie chicken and a walk-about to settle the crew for a snooze on the last part of the day’s travel.
“You two have been very good travelers! We’ll be home soon.”
Oh, dear readers, I forgot to mention . . . .
We’re in saguaro country now!
rvsue
Did you know . . . ?
“The Yuma area grows more Medjool dates than anywhere else in the world . . . . ”
Here’s a link to an interesting article about agriculture in Yuma County (Dome Valley is in Yuma County):
“Yuma County: America’s Winter Vegetable Capital,” at arizonaexperience.org
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Hi Sue,
Yes, in addition to the “usual” crowd of snowbirds likely to be in Quartzsite at this time of year, you may not know Bob Wells from Cheap RV Living who puts on the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous or RTR each year there. This year, it’s estimated that some 3 – 4 thousand folks showed up. That would more than account for the more then usual crowds that you observed on your way through town:).
– karen
CONGRATULATIONS, KAREN! FIRST TODAY!
Yes, I’m familiar with RTR. Early in my full-timing I visited the RTR, a small group then, when they met at Dome Rock. Bob and I camped next to each other during a subsequent year at Saddle Mountain, Tonopah, AZ.
It’s amazing how the gathering has grown. Best wishes to all!
3-4k at the RTR is wild! Bob must of been pulled this way and that like Stretch Armstrong!
Shameless Plug, I do some amature composing and post some of my works on soundcloud.com/mrdsee
Some blogorinos might enjoy some of my classical pieces like January, June, and December. Plus see a couple of pictures of Peanut, now crossed over, and Zachariah.
WOW!!!!!
total awesomeness!!!
“January”
What a great soundtrack for this group of Sue’s photos.
My day is made…great weather temps, totally adorable pics of the Zoomer Bros, fun (for me as i didnt have to drive) trip to new campsite, beautiful music.
Nearly perfect.
If only Wally World would deliver a deli chicken here for dinner…….waiting….waiting…all i hear are crickets!
Anne
Thank You Kindly Anne!
Dates? Wow, never would have guessed!
Quartzite is a beast to me, there’s a serious love/hate relationship for me with that place! So shiny yet so chaotic!
Hmmm, where will you end up?? Excited to see your next home! Many blessings 🙂
Thank you, Seana. Many blessing to you, too. 🙂
Oh yeah, lots of dates grown in Arizona. When crossing the state from Yuma to Gila Bend and Tucson, the interstate goes by the tiny town of Dateland where dates are grown and sold. Date shakes are popular.
I love that about the AZ!
Eight years ago when I first moved here to central AZ my expectations were gleaned from old Clint Eastwood movies and Wile E. Coyote cartoons, i.e. sun, snakes and cacti, lots and lots of cacti. Imagine my surprise when I discovered acres of pecan trees and long stretches of green vegetables! Then came the clear, vast skies and clean air, jaw -dropping sunsets, well, you know 😊 I fell in love with the place and for the majority of the time have called it home since then.
Alas, this year is different. I guess it could be called hitch-itch. I’m not sure, I haven’t hitched anything before! Haha, I surely plan on it though. Gears are turning to meet our departure deadline in May to break into the world of full-timing. The anticipation is suffocating! In a good way, maybe the only way suffocation would be a good thing… anyway… that got weird fast.
On that note, I think I shall spend my afternoon contemplating if the desire to experiment with a date shake outweighs the incredible lack of desire to wrestle with the Fry’s parking lot. Have fun setting up camp!
Thanks, Seana. Camp is set up and the crew and I are hunkered down, out of the wind.
It is surprising how much more there is to the desert Southwest than what is the popular notion. I, too, thought cacti, snakes, heat, and dust. Well, that’s all here and a lot more!
Thanks for another fun comment. You make me want a date shake, too!
I am guessing that there are about 3,000 acres of dates on the north and south sides of W County 19th St between Avenue ‘A’ and Avenue ‘B’. That is south of Yuma and Somerton. Many of the palms are still small so not producing dates yet but some look like they may have a crop.
Hi, Ed… You know that area well. I’ve used your blog recently as my reference for Yuma weather. 🙂
Oh my Quartzite is a circus! Hope you found fresh air and blue skies
We have found the fresh air and sunshine after a morning of heavy cloud cover, Cathy. Where are you? Are you at Quartzsite?
Hello! Top Ten! Now to read.
What an exciting tour of Quartzite. I’m not sure I’d like it either. I certainly wouldn’t get any sleep!
It’s an experience like no other… a blend of carnival, fair, flea market, hobby club, RV show, festival, RV gathering, tail-gating, partying, restaurant going, ATVing, and a bunch of other stuff. 🙂
Hi, Sue –
Today, January 20, is the start of the giant RV show in Quartzsite AZ. I’m sitting in front of the Q library. It’s closed. I was hoping to charge up my laptop and hot spot, but I’m just using their WiFi in the parking lot.
I haven’t figured out how to charge my laptop, other than plugging it in to the wall, which I could do when I was in an RV resort and had an electric hookup.
Another new thing to learn.
My solar is finally working! So pleased about that.
Thank you, Sue, for sharing your travels.
Happy trails.
Pamelab
Hi Pamela, there is a converter you can get that plugs into your car cigarette lighter at one end and a port for your computer at the other. It is really convenient.
Thank you, Dawn😁
You can get a gadget that plugs into your lighter and on the other end has a conventional household wall plug, into which you can plug anything you normally plug in, in the house. I plug in my cpap and my computer and…whatever! Got mine at Lowe’s
Hi, Pamelab… Dawn is right. You need an inverter (inverter, converter, you say tomahto, I say tomayto. )….
This is the one I use:
Cobra CPI490 400W Compact Power Inverter
Thank you, Sue – I have a 100watt I’m trying now, even though it doesn’t appear to be for a laptop. If not, I’ll check into the one you suggested. I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me – and Dawn, too.
Pamelab in Quartzsite AZ for now.
You’re welcome!
Congratulations, Pamelab, on the working solar. You might find an inverter (400w is good) at one of the RV supply places or at a vendor’s booth.
I found a “car charger” for my laptop on Amazon. It just plugs into the car’s 12v outlet and the other end into my computer, it boost the 12v to 19v my laptop needs.
I searched for one using my laptop’s brand name & model number to get the right one.
My solar panel keeps the house battery charged & I plug into that..
Wow Sue! It’s sounding like quite the road trip! Can’t wait to see where you end up. I know that’s part of the excitement for you as well! My family will be celebrating my mom’s birthday tomorrow. It will be nice to see the whole family together.
How nice, that you have a family get-together tomorrow. Happy birthday to your mom!
Hey there RV Sue and “Boys”! Fun times ahead I see, and beautiful country! Saguaro country looks inviting! Hopefully, a year from now, I will get my first few glimpses of them in “real time”, with my own eyes. We are ordering our Casita LD day after tomorrow for a July pick-up. (Can you say “excited/nervous/anticipation” without pausing?)
I’m not sure the whole Quartzsite Rally thing is “my thing”, but maybe one needs to see it at least once in a lifetime? Kind of like the big Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in SD every year; once is enough!! LOL….
Happy travels Sue, and thanks again for your awesome stories and photos. They brighten my day! Smooch the boys for me….. xo
Suzi
You’re welcome, suzi,
It IS exciting ordering a home-on-wheels! After all the decision-making and anticipation, wow, the dream starts to materialize. I wish you many happy miles with your own Best Little Trailer.
I agree about Quartzsite. One should experience it at least once.
“I’m not sure the whole Quartzsite Rally thing is “my thing”, but maybe one needs to see it at least once in a lifetime? Kind of like the big Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in SD every year; once is enough!! LOL….”
I can relate having done both. Rode up to Sturgis one year and it was strange when as you got closer to the rally and went from being normally a minority of the traffic on a bike to being one of the majority of traffic. Quartzsite can also be crazy, but it was cool walking around the Flea market with the dog doing window shopping and people watching. Plus it’s a good place to get RV info and stuff. Both can be madhouses, with Sturgis there were over 650k bikes there that year. While Quartzite seems like a million people were around during its height. Once at each goes a long ways indeed.
I like your thinking! I tend to be open-minded and try things at least once. But the older you get (and hopefully wiser-HA!) you tend to know your limits up front. I shy away from crowds these days. But, I suspect, in order to say we experienced it, we will skirt around the edges if the opportunity arises. 😉
Oh happy day! If I remember correctly, if you mention RVSue when ordering your Casita she get a bonus of some kind! 🙂 Have a great adventure.
Thank you, Krystina.
YES! I plan to to! Sue was my “lead in” for sure. But I also have to mention the kind folk who actually showed us their LD, that the factory put us in touch with. I think they will have to share the commission? Either way, I love it that Sue will get some credit where credit is due! :*)
Hi sue
Just lurking, Trying to catch back up. Life got in the way for a while. Love your blog your life and the boys!
Thank you, Donna, for stopping by. Always good to hear from you!
That time, many years ago, when we were all camped at The Dome it was fun! But I am like you Sue, I simply cannot handle swarms of people like that very often and I hate the traffic snarls! I will take Eastpoint Florida any day over all that! It was fun, but once was enough!
Fortuna pond?
Hi, Geri,
Are we at Fortuna Pond? Noooooo… Fortuna Pond is next to Yuma. We went to the east side of the Gila Mountains( Dome Valley) and then across AZ on Interstate 8.
Yeah, I appreciated you and Chuck escorting me into Quartzsite. I don’t think I could’ve handled it on my own. . . . and that’s where I got my great chairs and my favorite hat! 🙂
And didn’t you get one LED lights there for the BLT too ???
It was fun, I bought a lot of beads there for my various projects. I remember those chairs !! Comfey!
Of course your trademark hat! Grin!
Fun times!
Guess you are gonna make me get out my Atlas and figure out where you are headed! Hahaha! Kerplop Mountain?
Yeah, I think I bought the BLT’s first LEDs there and they’re still working! What’s it been — six years? Love my LEDs, great investment.
We took our bi-annual trip to Quartzsite last week and it was pretty empty but it was before the RV show. I felt bad for the vendors, so I’m glad to hear that the crowds are back.
I remember that newbie with that shiny new trailer and the two doggies, Spikey and The Bridge, being escorted to Quartzsite by Chuck and Geri.
We took a hike up Palm Canyon at Kofa and just relaxed around camp in the perfect 72 degree weather. It was funny the the highs were 72/73 and the lows were 47/48 which perfectly matched our weather at home.
Hi Chris B, I believe we may have passed each other on the Palm Canyon trail. I was admiring Diego and took his photo with your permission, of course. The weather was wonderful that week.
Hi Debra – I remember you! That was a beautiful day for hiking, wasn’t it? The weather couldn’t have been any better. I suppose I’ll be seeing you here on Sue’s the blog or maybe on another hike. We are considering going back to Quartzsite next month.
Hi, Chris B and Diego! I thought of you, Clete and Diego while driving past Dome Rock and again while going past Kofa. I hoped you would appear here!
Ah, yes… the newbie with the new trailer and two doggies… We were all so much younger then, eh?
I wonder if fried Twinkies are still on the menu at the Big Q. 🙂
For the bloggers who haven’t been around very long, my husband and I met Sue at Quartzsite through some mutual friends when she was a newbie. Here was this retired school teacher with a brand new trailer, no RV experience other than the days it took to make it to the west. What an adventure!
We talked Sue into sharing a deep fried Twinkie wth my husband and she was a good sport! You haven’t lived until you try some of the crazy stuff that people deep fry at these flea market/swap meets.
Sue – I did drive into Blythe to get some groceries and was going to look for you, but you know……rules. No stalking! I didn’t want to intrude. I was hoping that you might be at Kofa, too. No Sue 🙁 . Maybe next next month I’ll bump into you!
It would be nice to see you again Chris. I’m sure you understand that I can’t say “Hey, come on over!” on this blog.
Sue, would you send a link for the chair you are talking about? That would be great. Love the journey report. Makes me want to be there. The last picture with the mountain in the background touched my heart.
Whoops. This came up in the wrong place but guess that’s all right.
The chair I bought at Quartzsite isn’t available from Amazon. A similar chair is sold under the same brand — EEZ RV Products. You can see the chairs at this link.
Thank you!
Hi Sue, sorry to bug you, but you say “similar chair”. How similar, do you think? I ask b/c you’ve done nothing but comment about that chair ever since you bought it – about how it’s the most comfortable chair ever! I too have been quite curious about that chair. I bet all of us would buy one if we could find the exact one. You’ve been an ambassador for that chair for so long, I think you should get royalties! 😉
That’s a valid question. I should have explained.
The metal frame of my chair is a light brown (enamel paint over aluminum) whereas these other chairs look like polished aluminum. I think everything else about the two types of chairs is the same. I can’t be absolutely sure because I’ve never seen the other chairs other than what is shown in the photo at that site.
Let me put it this way. . . If my chairs were stolen, I’d replace with the chairs shown on that website, figuring there’s a good chance the quality and design is the same, given it’s the same company. 🙂
Oh, gee, about me saying the chairs are “the most comfortable.” Now I’m worried because, obviously, I’ve only sat in a few camp chairs in my life and I don’t know about all the other chairs I have never sat in. Ha! That’s my disclaimer. 🙂
Oh, suzi, if I may be vulgar for a moment….
I read where you wrote “You’ve been an ambassador for that chair for so long, I think you should get royalties. . . .” and I immediately thought “My a$$ has been in that chair for so long, I think I should get royalties!”
Okay, I’m going offline now….
Gee, Sue, I’m glad your detour at least saved you part of the hassle. I know that feeling of gripping the wheel and so wanting to just get out of the snarl of busy interstates, crowds and traffic. It’s a good thing your boys are such good little travelers that they don’t make things worse at such times. I know about all I want to hear from any passenger when that’s all going on is ” Yes, it looks like you can safely merge right now.”
Gosh, I can imagine your relief when you reached camp yesterday. A chance to breathe easy for a while must have been a welcome respite after that trip. How nice for you to be in the Sonoran desert again, a wholly different type of desert than that near Blythe. It must feel like a fresh new world when you look around.
The PTV has recently been repaired and gassed up, your larder is stocked, black and grey tanks are empty. I’m guessing you are all set with enough propane and water, too. It sounds as though you’re all set to only explore where you are and go to next. I hope you relax and enjoy today and have a pleasant move tomorrow.
Thank you, weather. We are all set. 🙂
Actually yesterday’s drive, overall, was fine. We weren’t long in the traffic snarl, then it was easy driving across desert, then through the green fields, back to straight, interstate driving across the desert again.
It is nice to be in the Sonoran again.
Haha! That’s hilarious. “Yes, it looks like you can safely merge right now.”
That should be a rule posted in every car cab 🙂 nicely done weather!
🙂
I would love to see Quartzsite during January once in my life, but just for part of a day. I’d rather have my campsite neighbours a good distance away. Like the highway photo.
Hi, Val,
That’s why some people camp at Midland or at Kofa (like I did a couple times) — Close enough to visit Quartzsite but far enough away to have a quiet, private space for home.
It seems the older I get, the less I like the traffic, but I would like to go to Quartzite just once. I can’t even stand to go to the mall anymore. The Galleria is just 2 miles away, but I hate all the hassles. I figure out what I need to get, park as close as I can to that store, go get it and get out. Any Xmas shopping gets done early as I refuse to go anywhere there between Thanksgiving week and the 2nd week in January.
Can’t wait to see the new photos from the Sonoran desert.
Hi, Barbara,
I hear ya! Malls? Yuck. Remember when malls were first built and became so popular? Boy, the bloom on that rose faded fast… at least for me it did.
I hope you are enjoying a relaxing Saturday…
Wish I was. My friend who does the same data research I do for other counties had 2 separate heath scares last Monday and so I have been filing in for her last week and this one. I’ll be glad to just have my work next week, some of which is behind. I am pooped!
After Tuesday, I will feel like I am on vacation.
Thank you for the good wishes though. At least the weather has warmed up, felt like spring at 45 degrees this am. Got up in the 60’s today.
Loved this blog entry and the pictures. Especially BeerBellys Adult Day Care (calling a bar adult day care always makes me smile) and the mansion which seems so out of place juxtaposed next to the swarm of RVs. Will be looking forward to your next post. And even tho I don’t have an RV I would love to go to Quartzite in January. Talk about sensory overload! Here’s to a great next camp!
Hi, Stephanie,
That house with the roses is pretty, surrounded by fresh green fields. Quite a contrast to BIG Q!
I hope you do get to Quartzsite some January. It’s quite an atmosphere… I did enjoy the carnival-type aroma of meat and onions grilling, as I drove through, contrasted with the smell of diesel fumes. Ha!
I would not enjoy those Quartzsite crowds either. Yikes! You did well to get out of there quickly and on to the next spot. “Beer Belly’s Adult Day Care” How about that?
Hi, Marcia,
That’s a popular, outdoor, beer joint… “belly up to the bar”… 🙂
You mentioning dates brings back memories of my childhood when my mother would roll them in powdered sugar and place them out as appetizers whenever we were having company. I loved them and thought they were so exotic! I am a child of the 50’s!
Hi, Susan,
Never heard of sugared dates…. I have some in my fridge and they are sweet without adding sugar. I imagine your mom’s appetizers were considered quite dainty. 🙂
Funny some of the foods and recipes that were the rage in the 50s…. anything made with Jello or Velveeta, for instance. And frozen veggies were big.
Here’s an idea…. Let’s see if there’s a response….
Blogorinos: What foods/recipes do you remember being popular during the 50s?
I remember celery stuffed with cream cheese sprinkled with dried basil. In fact, I just started scooping cream cheese on a celery stick recently and it is really refreshing. Something I’ll keep doing.
My mother made celery stuffed with cream cheese and green olives — a Thanksgiving staple!
I don’t know if it was “popular” in the 50’s but my mom frequently made Spanish rice. I also remember my grandmother made “head cheese”. Good grief what a smell. My brothers and I stayed away from the house that whole day.
My mother used to feed me braunschweiger on saltines. Never see that anymore. But my favorite thing was longhorn cheese, sliced on a sandwich with white bread and miracle whip. Yuck! What was I thinking?
Hi Sue! I was there outside of Quartzsite! I’m staying at the RTR in Scaddan Wash BLM. I certainly understand the lack of enjoying the crowds! You went thru on Friday, Saturday the “Bib Tent” officially opened – you lucked out!!!!
I wished I could’ve met up with you! I know you cherish your privacy though.
Being this is my maiden voyage I’ve had a wonderful time! It’s funny though, I came here for the opportunity of attending seminars from “people-in-the-know” and I’ve found that I’ve stayed to myself most of the time!! I can truly get used to this!!!! I’m happy because that’s what my plan is!!!
Thanks for all the great pix (always love seeing the crew!) I’m traveling with my three little ones!!
Lauri
You’re welcome, Lauri. Love your enthusiasm and the happiness your comment exudes. Wishing you and your babies more of the same!
😀
We are headed west of Tucson sometime this coming week. Thinking of either up to the Parker area or just over a little to the Why area. We promise not to get to close if we end up near you. 😏
Glad the boys had a good trip, they are such good travelers.
Except for Quartzite it sounds like a peaceful trip. Hope your new spot is nice and quiet.
Thanks, Lisa. It is quiet here. The only sound right now is the wind. Have a safe and fun trip across Arizona, wherever you decide to go.
What is DDC? I live in Tucson…well Marana actually, at the Valley of the Sun RV park.
Hi, Ginger… I wondered about that, too… DDC?
My wife, now ex-wife, and I visited Quartzsite once in March. We walked around the big flea market. It was interesting, but even that late in the season (March 10 or later), it was too much for us. I’d intended to use “easy mode,” but after that in the morning, we drove straight to Yuma, fueled up, and went all the way to Casa Grande. The “trucker mode” I learned from my family had kicked in. We slept in the lot of a motel; no rooms were open anywhere because of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
We came back much later and lived for two months in Tucson. That’s when I really fell in love with saguaro country. The saguaro picture is the best one of all in this posting for me.
Hi, Calvin,
“It was too much for us”….. I can relate! You apparently suffered from what Stephanie (above) called “sensory overload.” One HAS to get away!
I’m glad you liked seeing saguaros again in this post. More photos like that coming soon! 🙂
Gee, Sue, thought I wanted to see what Quartzite was all about but your photos have convinced me to stay away. Thanks for the warning. I’m sure and the boys are heading for a more peaceful place.
Warming up here at bit. Sure hope winter is over.
Gee, Nora, I don’t like my blog’s photos to turn you away from the Quartzsite experience.
Any blogorinos with positive reports on Big Q?
Enjoy your warmer weather. Did you send the cold this way? Today we have cold wind and overnight lows are expected to dip into the 30s. I’m not complaining, although I admit I’m spoiled.
Anything and everything you might or night not want can be found at the big Q! Don’t deny yourself the chance to go there at least once! Chuck and I had a ball there, he has been there often and would go back in a heartbeat! Me? Once was a fun experience, but once was enough for me…. Unless we were gonna meet up with Sue there! 💕
Awww… I got hearts and it isn’t Valentine’s Day yet. **sigh**
I’ve camped with Bob Wells at Dome Rock a couple of times but not when you were there. The last time I went to the RTR we had about 75 people. This year they brought in six port-a-pots. It’s not the same gathering anymore.
I wonder if the RTR will, by necessity, break into smaller gatherings at different times and/or different places. Six port-a-potties… Quite a production!
I went to the RTR two years back & really enjoyed it. I’m here this year and was not really sure at first.
The good “vibe” is still here!
I did enjoy it this year and there are 5 potties at the main camp & 5 at the music camp. (Seems there was a loud music issue last year).
It was good.
Hi Sue,
It will be fun to see where you end up next. Me thinks I know. I won’t suggest lest I give away your location. Al & Kelly rendezvous? So glad to see the brake controller on your list. Hopefully it was me because I save everything in my amazon wish list and was not sure if it worked to give you credit. Bought some chairs too. Thanks for everything Sue,
Your blog is the Best!
Thank you, Scott, for rating my blog “the best” and for your purchases. When I saw chairs and attachable trays, I thought of you and hope you enjoy them. That brake controller is yours, most likely, as no one else has bought one lately. You’re kind to shop through my blog. 🙂
Friday was a good day for you to head out, I heard the LaPosa LTVA closed the dump station and water on Saturday due to the gov shutdown. So perhaps Midland did the same.
I made the big drive back from FL and arrived in Tucson on Jan 2nd. Stayed at Snyder Hill BLM. My first time in Sonoran Desert. I LOVE it, as I knew I would from reading of your visits the last couple years 😀 From there went to KOFA for a week. What a beautiful place, so quiet and peaceful. Wednesday drove to Quartzsite where I am now. Like others I figured I should do it once, and I think that will be enough to last me haha!
I am camped with some new friends who have been coming since mid 90s. They feel the numbers have been declining over the last few years. Still gobs of people though. Went to Tyson Wells on Friday and the big tent today. The traffic was slow but it only took us about 15 mins to get there and park, so not too bad. I did find a very comfortable chair. I’ve been considering getting a TPMS. This is a good way to see all of them in person and make comparisons. So that’s one positive if one is planning a major purchase.
I will most likely leave here mid week and do some exploring around south central AZ. So much to see!
Hope you are enjoying your new camp!
Hi, Debra,
Kofa is a pretty camp and it’s easy to find a nice and level spot there. The campsites between the highway and the border of the wildlife refuge are on BLM land. It’s all good.
Yay, you found a comfortable chair! That’s a positive about Quartzsite — the shopping! (For those who don’t know what TPMS is, it has nothing to do with female pain. It’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System.)
I’m pleased my blog has helped you find camps you enjoy. Yes, Friday was a good day for driving, hardly any wind. The wind has picked up quite a bit in the past couple hours. I hope tomorrow is calm as I want to get back on the road.
YES, I love the level campsites here. So far the 3 places I’ve camped I haven’t had to level side to side. A nice treat after some really unlevel places the last few months. At the site I had in Yellowstone, every time I stepped out the door I thought I was going to roll down the hillside 😀
Yay! It’s fun to be on the road with you again. Of course I enjoyed your time at Midland and all the photos of the expanded canine gang, also. We’ll be down that way soon. I’m looking forward to some desert sunsets and sagauro photo ops!
Glad to have you on the road with us, Marilu!
I’ve been to Q for close to 10 years now. Mainly staying south on 95 at the ham radio people site. But this year I had a memorial for a friend that died so decided to skip it this year. Maybe a good thing as I’ve heard they were having problems getting water because of so many there. Never heard of that problem before.
My sympathy, Dave, on the loss of your friend.
Thank you for a positive note about Quartzsite — the fact that people who share an interest such as ham radio can get together and also that they want to do so again, some for ten years, like you.
I don’t know anything about the water situation either.
My sympathy on the loss of your friend, Dave.
Thank you for a positive note about Quartzsite — the fact that people who share an interest such as ham radio can get together and also that they want to do so again, some for ten years, like you.
I don’t know anything about the water situation either.
I understand your anxiety with crowds. I feel the same way. I typically do not see any people where I live, but, when I have to go to the closest town (population of 460) I feel sick. I would just die.
We are not far away from you. Spent few days hiking in the Grand Canyon. What a great time to be there. No crowds! We drove through Sedona, Phoenix, and Tucson and tonight we are in the Kartchner Caverns State Park in the southeast Arizona. This is my first trip to the southern Arizona. Have never seen so many completely full RV parks in my life. Cannot imagine being one of the sardines.
I hope you found a remote camp.
Hi, Marysia,
It’s nice to hear from a fellow loner (and I say “loner” as a compliment!). We’ve never camped at Kartchner Caverns. I want to do that someday. I hope it isn’t too cold for you in the caverns. Gee, it’s cold in Arizona all of a sudden. I checked Blythe’s weather and it’s cold there, too.
Enjoy your “first trip” to southern Arizona. I suppose those RV parks are full because of the bitter cold and deep snow around a large part of the country. So here I am fussing about temps in the 50s. Oh well….
This camp isn’t remote. Fortunately no lookie-loos… either they’re not here or the wind and cold has them looking at the inside of their rig. ha!
We put up with the crowds for only a few minutes a day then head back to the LTVA where not too many pass by our rig.
Safe Travels and Enjoy your next stop.
It’s about time.
Thank you, Richard. I wish the same to you and Kathy. Your strategy is good– Quartzsite in small doses.
I’ll never forget the time the laundromat in Big Q was so crowded a fight broke out. Not fists and blood, rather it was shouting and throwing laundry on the floor. Gee, almost made me wish I had a washtub and washboard back at camp. Well, not quite.
In that picture with the sign for “Beer Belly’s Adult Day Care” says a lot about Quartzsite this time of the year!
I really enjoy Quartzsite, the crowds, the stuff, the rocks and all the different RVs all over the place! It’s a real show.
The RTR is over & we’ll be probably heading towards Yuma & the BLM land down that way for the next day 14 day stay. Something a little less crowded, I can have too much fun! 🙂
Safe travels Sue.
There we go! Someone who enjoys Quartzsite! Hi, Rob… Safe travels to you, too. 🙂
Hi Sue,
All I had to read in your blog was “traffic jam” and I realized Quartzsite wasn’t for me. I got a traffic jam every day here in Seattle. However, I do need to brave it one time to find a friend there. Flatlander is a second hand store that used to come up to Granite Oregon for the annual Memorial Day flea market. He can’t make it now and I haven’t seen him for a few years. So I figure I need swing through once and catch up with him this next year.
Hi, Rick,
Spending time with your friend is the best reason I’ve heard so far for making the trip to Quartzsite. I hope you make that happen. Always good hearing from you and Brock the Dog. 🙂
Hi, Sue,
I send you well wishes for a peaceful, clinger and lookylou free weekend! 🙂 Glad that you and the boys had one last visit with Del and his crew. I hope Skeeter does not run away, looking for Reggie and Roger….the poor little guy will miss his playmates. Maybe your paths will cross again. 🙂 Thank you for sharing all of the adorable lamb photos. Lambs always seem to have a sense of gentleness about them. 🙂
I am looking forward to seeing where you take us next! 🙂 Sending you love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! We are enjoying a quiet weekend…perfect! N’nite! 🙂
…love and hugs to the boys, too! 💕
🙂
Hi, Denise and Gracie pup,
I hope you slept well and are still “enjoying a quiet weekend”… Good for you! I, too, wonder how Skeeter is doing. I bet Del took his crew over to our empty campsite to let them all sniff around to know that we have left. Skeeter is part of a pack and he loves Del very much. That should keep him close to home and Del does keep a close eye on his “family.”
Happy Sunday to both of you… 🙂
Co-pilots! That line cracked me up. Love your boys. They are such characters. Safe travels and fun times.
Thanks LiSe…. A nice surprise to see you here! I hope you are having a great weekend! 🙂
Hi Sue and crew,
Don’t comment much but always enjoy your blog.
Medjool dates – kicked it in today. I love ’em and the grocery store has been out for a month. It’s my go to treat when the sugar crave appears!
Save Travels
Sharon
I do that, too, Sharon! A few dates and I stop thinking about cake with icing, praline pecan ice cream, chocolate candy . . . .
Safe travels to you, too! 🙂
I’d like to go to Quartzsite someday, although not for long. I don’t like crowds and traffic jams. It seems like such a phenomenon, though. I’d like to go to the RTR sometime, too.
I don’t know when I’ll be able to go, though.
Dates. Yum! Love them! I wonder what a date shake tastes like.
Hi, ValGal,
Life has a way of twisting and turning so that what seemed impossible becomes possible. In the meantime, eat dates! I’m gonna’ open up the fridge and have a couple right now — that’s dessert. 🙂
😃