January 19 - 26, 2024 Our Time in Quartzsite

On Friday, 19th, we finished shutting down and away we went.

We met Sue at the VFW on US-95 - nice tank and anchor:

Past the little church:

Past the guns at the Yuma Proving Grounds entrance:

Thru border patrol checkpoint:

Thru the desert mountains:

Coming into Quartzsite - past the Big Tent:

Up and over the freeway:

We are staying with Chapters 6 and 21 of the Escapees RV Club.  Great group of folks.

After setting up and getting caught up, we headed to the American Legion in Bouse for their fish fry!  Yummy!

We finished the evening with a great campfire.

Tonight's sunset:

Love the contrails with the full moon:

Today's Stats:

Miles Traveled:  99 Miles

Arizona: East County 17th Street; Avenue 4E; East County 14th Street; AZ-195; US-95; Plomosa Road - MM3

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Saturday, 20th, Sue and I went to the QIA (Quartzsite Improvement Association) POW WOW.  It has been many years since I have been to the show and always enjoyed it.  They did not have as many craft items and equipment that I remember but there were lots of gems and minerals.  OH MY! The colors that our earth produces.  (There should be a line in the Bible where God says: "Let there be color.")  Sadly, I did not get any pictures.

We had lunch at the QIA cafeteria and headed back to camp for a great Happy Hour and ended the evening with a campfire.

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Sunday, 21st, Andy, Sue and I went to the Big Tent RV Show.  There were a lot more vendors than last year so that was great!  But I did miss the state and national park information centers.  We were really looking for information on Alaska since we are considering heading that way this summer.

The entrance to the Big Tent:

Check this out:

Years ago, we use to leave the guys here while the girls went shopping.  Good memories.

We had lunch at the famous Quartzsite Yacht Club - Yummy.  Sadly, this is their last year unless they can sell.

There was a Happy Hour and Campfire tonight but I was not feeling well. (Still can't shake whatever I caught.)  Andy had a great time though.

There was rain off and on today and they are calling for heavy rains for the next few days - Bummer!

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Monday, 22nd,  Andy and I were up early heading to Yuma (with the truck only).  It was lot transfer day.  So in between the rain drops, we moved our stuff from our shed on Lot 77 to our shed on Lot 30.  Our meeting was at 2 PM and since we finished the moving early, we were able to do some wash and go to lunch at In-n-Out Burger.  At 2 PM, we signed all the papers and we were off, with a short stop at Walmart.

The rain was heavy and about 15 miles south of Quartzsite, the washes were flowing over the roads.  Very scary but we made it thru and back to the RV.  All is good.

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Tuesday, 23rd was a hang out day.  We did have some rain off and on but then it cleared in time for a campfire.

Sue's dog, Annie:

Our area:

Tonight's sunset and moonrise:

What a beautiful day!

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Wednesday, 24th, was Party on Plomosa Day!  The Escapee RV Club has many chapters and groups and many of them have their rallies around Quartzsite during this time of year.   So one day during this week, the club sponsors a gathering so all Escapees can get together and socialize.  There was bands, food, announcements about the club as well as a row of information on different activities of the club.

It was good to see some folks I have not seen in a while and so many I did not know.  The club is changing and growing.

Our friends, John and Geri, did not camp here this year but came in for the day to visit.  It was so great seeing them and getting caught up. Hopefully we will see them later this season.

We finished the evening with a great Happy Hour and Campfire.

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Thursday, 25th - Big Day Today.

Andy and I joined both Chapters 21 (Arizona) and 6 (Michigan and Northeast).  This morning was the Chapter 21 breakfast followed by their meeting.  Breakfast was outstanding.  I made Hash Brown Casserole and found out that it is called funeral potatoes in the west - Interesting.  All the food was yummy.

This afternoon started with a Polar/Grizzly Bear Party - Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic.  (Polar was vanilla ice cream and Grizzly was chocolate ice cream.)

Andy and Mike volunteered to do the creating:

The day continued with a taco party late afternoon.  What a great day.

All contributions to the food and drinks are for the benefit of Escapees Care.  How wonderful.

The campfire was ongoing all day and continued into the evening as the full moon rose and we had our own howling at the moon.  (We could hear howling all around us so there were quite a few moon parties going on!)

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Friday, 26th, Andy, Sue, and I decided to roam Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama.  It was great to see all the vendors.  Last year, there was many empty rows, this year all of the rows were full.  Tyson Wells has a little bit of everything and then some - LOL!

Love the yard art.. now if only I can find a way to bring a few of these creatures home.

We had lunch at Silly Al's Pizza and then headed back.  A beautiful evening around the campfire with the full moon - life doesn't get any better than this.

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This ends our stay in Quartzsite.  There was so much more I wanted to see and do plus visit a few of the groups but I am still not feeling the best.  Because of that we decided to head back to Yuma to check out our new lot and for me to try to get back to normal. So stay tuned for our next adventures and enjoy today.

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January 19 – 29, 2023 Quartzsite Arizona

On January 19th, we were up early, finished packing up and securing our lot, and off we went.

Andy drove to US-95, pulled over and I took over driving.  I drove to the Stone Cabin where we met Tami and Merle and then continued up US-95 to Plomosa Road.  We stopped at the camp host spot, disconnected and then I drove the car.   YEA!!  That part of 95 is nice and straight and surprisingly there was not a lot of traffic.

We pulled in at MM3 and found our way to Escapees Chapter 6/21.  After setting up and a run for gas for our generator, we spent the rest of the day gathered around the fire.  It was so good to see folks I have not seen in over 7 years and to meet a bunch of new folks.  Let the fun begin.

When we went for gas, we drove around Quartzsite and there are lots more flea markets and sell-a-rama for me to explore.  Plus lots more folks to reconnect with in our little area.  Can’t wait.  It is going to be good week.

Our place in the desert:

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From January 19th thru the 20th, we were busy…

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Shopping and Exploring

We spent a few days exploring the Big Tent RV show and Tyson Wells.  It has been 7 years since I have been here and I was really shocked at how things have changed.  In the Big Tent, about a quarter of the vendors were RV related.  The rest were the usual vendors that you would see at Fairs – Pots, Pans, Cleaning Products, Jewelry, etc.  They have three rows and the center row always had folks from all over the country advertising State Parks, Touristy Places, etc.  Not any more.

Tyson Wells was usually packed with all different kinds of vendors.  In other words, if you didn’t find it here, it didn’t exist – LOL!  There is usually about 30-40 rows of vendors.  There were about 20 rows of vendors.  Still some good buys and interesting items – LOL! 

There used to be three major craft and bead stores in Quartzsite proper.  There is only one now – Desert Camel Beads and Crafts.  Great store and the new owners are doing a great job!

I didn’t to the other areas – just ran out of time – LOL!  Next year, I hope to stay longer to check them all out and I truly hope there are many more vendors or the old ones come back.

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Old Friends and New Friends

I realized that I never knew how much I missed some of the folks that we met along the way until we reconnected. It did my heart so good to see so many of these folks.

There were others that I missed and hopefully our paths will cross again.

We camped with Chapter 21/6.  In 2009, Bruce and Bunny from those chapters took us under their wing since we were so new to the desert.  Sadly Bunny has passed and we met Bruce’s new friend Maxine – wonderful person.  It was so good to see them.  We also reconnected with Mike and Mary – great to see them as well as others from those chapters.

We spent some time with Pam and Steve, Gerry and John M; and Judy getting caught up.  We hope to see them later this season.

It was also great to see Gerry and John B; Ellen and Lou; Gretchen, Jackie and Kaz but sad that we didn’t get a lot of time to spend with each other.

And it was nice getting to know Jill, Tami and Merle and others who names I forgot.  (One of the downsides of getting older – Bummer!)

Mary and I getting caught up (Sue, we missed you!)

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Chapter Activities

We had so much fun camping with these folks.  We had Soup Day, Spaghetti Day, and Brunch and Polar Bear Drink day – What fun and what good food.

Most mornings were coffee hour and afternoon/evenings were happy hour and campfires (while watching the beautiful sunsets.)

I love how the mountains light up as the sun is getting ready to set:

 

And there she goes:

Beautiful, isn’t it!

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Quartzsite

Quartzsite is this funky place and someday I am going to spend a season here.  Check this out:

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Road Trip:

One of the days, Andy and I took a road trip to Bouse, Parker, Parker Dam Byway, and had lunch at Emerald Cove.

Road to Bouse:

Saguaros and Chollas all over:

The residents of the Parker Dam Byway – aren’t they cute:

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Weather

The weather this year was so different.  We had a few VERY WINDY Days where everything shut down.  It was also much cooler than normal – very strange.

One of the windy days:

Kitties:

They love watching the activity in the desert:

 

What a great time we had here and hope to spend more time next year.  Lots of things to do on my Bucket List!

Tomorrow (1/30) we are heading to Emerald Cove so stay tuned and enjoy today!

 

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Miles Traveled (01/19): 100 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona: S Avenue 4 E; E. County 14th; AZ-195; US-95; Plomosa Road; MM3 – BLM Land

January 14 to January 23, 2016 Blythe, CA and Quartzsite, Arizona

(02/14/16 - I have been a little lax in updating so hopefully over the next few days, I can get caught up.)

On Thursday, January 14th, we packed up and headed west and north to Blythe.

Our travels took us thru desert scenery:

Into farm country:

It amazes me how it goes from desert beige to farm green in a few short miles:

Interesting houses:

We arrived in Blythe, met up with Bill and Shelly who were coming in from Casa Grande, then headed to the Colorado River Fairgrounds where we will be for the next four days.  We have never been to a bluegrass festival – a new adventure.

Andy and Bill:

Shelly, me, and Bill:

The festival ran from Friday thru Sunday.  There were two stages set up and each day, four bands played at each stage.  Most bands played a few times throughout the three days so we did get to hear quite a few of them.  Our favorites were: The Gibson Brothers, Blue Canyon Boys, Vintage Martins, Band of Ruhks, and David Parmley & Cardinal Tradition.  The talent of these folks is just amazing!!  

This is the Colorado River Boys Stage:

This is the Bommer Stage:

Many folks set up chairs in both areas.  If the chairs are empty, anyone is welcome to sit in them until the owner shows up.  Very interesting!

It was great to see some old friends and meet new ones.

On Friday, Pam and Steve came in from Boomerville in Quartzsite – great to see them:

Sherrie and Jack came in on Saturday – didn’t get a picture – sorry – .   Barb and Larry were there too but no picture again – bummer.

On Sunday afternoon, one band that was scheduled had to leave, so there was a jam session made up of members from several bands – what a treat.

Speaking of jam sessions, there were quite a few sessions on the grounds each evening.  It was wonderful.

Besides the music, there were vendors selling food, jewelry, clothing, etc. and on Saturday, a wonderful quilt show.

Would we go again? ABSOLUTELY!  There are a few festivals in this area of the country during the wintertime – we hope to check a few of them out also.  New Adventures –

On Saturday, 16th, we went to Quartzsite to a celebration of life service for a friend who passed away this summer.  The service was very beautiful especially sending all the lanterns into the sky.  Ginny, we will miss you.

Stats for the 14th  - Yuma to Blythe:

Miles Traveled: 103 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Arizona: E County 17th; South Avenue 3E; I-8 Business; I-8

California: I-8; SR-S34; SR-78; W. Hobson Way; US-95; East Chanslor Way; Olive Lake Blvd

The Bluegrass Festival ended on the 17th so on the 18th, we packed up and made our way to Quartzsite (20 miles away).

Up and over the mountains:

 

Into Quartzsite:

We made a stop behind Silly Al’s pizza to dump and fill with water and then made our way to Plomosa Road where we camped with Chapter 6 and 21 for the next few days.

It was so great to see everyone and spend some time getting caught up with each other.   That evening, Andy, me, Sue, Bruce, Geri, John, Jackie, and Bob, all went to Silly Al’s for dinner.  We have all not been together in a year and it was great just to get caught up and laugh and laugh. 

Two of the days, Sue, Geri and I went shopping – one of the days we went to all the bead stores and Tyson Wells.  Another day was spent at the QIA for their POW-WOW!  What fun.

At the POW-WOW, Geri and I bought geodes.

This is what there are like before opening:

This is what they are like when they are open – Beautiful!

Honestly, it is not that easy..  The vendor promised us hollow geodes for a reasonable price.  Andy and I went geode shopping one of the days and the vendor was VERY EXPENSIVE!!!  Yikees.  Now we just need to go find those rocks for ourselves!

Chapter 6/21 has their annual polar bear / soup here and it was wonderful.  Polar Bears are a drink with ice, vodka, Kailua, and ice cream – very rich.  The soup was hobo stew where we all donated 2 cans of vegetables.  It was great to see old friends and meet new ones –

I always loved Quartzsite and every year I say that I would like to spend a few months here.  And I continue to say it!

The sunsets here always take my breath away.  The mountains in the east turn red:

And the sky to the west looks like it is on fire:

Even Bella found it interesting – not really, she was just looking for the night creatures:

One of the days we went to Boomerville to get caught up with friends.  Here we are at Gloria and Frank’s rig (thank you, Sharon for the photo):

L-R: Gloria, Frank, Nancy, Linda, me, Andy, Jim, Karen, and John:

We stayed thru Happy Hour to say hello to more folks.  I missed being out there but I don’t miss being sick from the dust…. 

The great think about being here this time of year is seeing the great folks that we have met along the way.  The downside is that we don’t get to spend some one on one time to get caught up.  Just one of those things…  (I guess I should say that I do better one on one then in a big crowd..)

We headed out to Yuma on the 23rd but that will be the topic of the next blog.

Stats for January 18 -  Blythe to Quartzsite

Miles Traveled: 35 Miles

Routes Traveled:

California: Olive Lake Blvd; US-95; I-10;

Arizona: I-10; I-10 Business; SR-95; Plomosa Road

Enjoy today!