Quartzsite

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It is going to be difficult for me to explain what the experience of Quartzsite is like.

Quartzsite's name is pretty self explanitory. Still in the Sonoran Desert which, from what I have read, was created millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions, Quartzsite is arid, generally flat desert that is sprinkled with quartz. Everywhere you look. No one even bothers picking it up except the tourists.

During the hot summer months the temperature here can reach 120⁰F and the population dwindles to about 3,000 heat tolerant inhabitants. However, during December and January the average daily temperature is a very comfortable 65⁰F and the population soars to 1.5 million folks; mostly RVers. The big draw apart from the dry desert heat is the availability of free camping on Bureau of Land Management, the nine major gem and mineral shows, plus one of the largest RV shows in the southwestern U.S. More than 2000 vendors create one of the world’s largest open air flea markets. It was quite amazing to walk through the tents and buildings to see the stuff that was for sale. There were people selling minerals that I didn’t know existed, but the stuff I did know about was amazing: amethyst, jasper, onyx, jade, and agate. There was also a lot of malachite. All were available in raw and polished states, or that had already been fashioned into jewelry or ornaments—and so cheap!
Since the majority of us are full timers (or wannabees,) we had to go to see some of the 1000+ RVs that were on sale; I know that if ever I am in the market for another where I’ll come! On January 15th the BIG tent went up, that was what a lot of our members were waiting for. You could purchase anything and everything for the RVing lifestyle. I stayed in Quartzsite for three weeks and as an RVer I loved it! If you don’t understand the lifestyle it is hard to imagine it being fun!
I met up with my SOLOs group on January 9th. Our area was about 4 miles north of Quartzsite, no facilities just a piece of desert flat enough and large enough to accommodate the 80 or so rigs that were expected. We all have generators and I had two solar panels installed before I came so I had enough electric power. The SOLOs Annual Meeting always takes place in Quartzsite so this was to be the largest gathering I had attended. The actual Rally goes for five days, and the small registration fee includes some meals. Our group also enjoys “Hugs and Mugs” each morning starting at 8 AM and a “Happy Hour” which starts at 4 PM. One of the guys brought in a trailer loaded with wood so we had a great campfire each evening. The night sky was awesome, you have to go into the desert-- or far away from some big city, to see all the stars that are out there! It made me wish I had been a boy scout so that I could identify all the constellations.
I had a great time, made several new friends with whom I plan to meet on my way north again. I won’t be able to come back in 2010 but will be here with bells on in 2011!

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Photos

Desert Patio
Taken from my doorway. Lots of room, even some shrubbery

Campfire
The nightly campfire was very enjoyable with lots of social interaction as a group and individually. This photo was taken through my windshield. The sunset was outstanding.

Gem and Minerals Show
Anyone and everyone who makes jewelry either for themselves or for sale comes to Quartzsite.

Gem and Minerals Show
There are thousands and thousands of pieces of rock containing raw amethyst and all kinds of precious stones for sale.

Palm Canyon
A large group of us took a trip out to hike the canyon and see the native Arizona palm trees that grow in the crevices on the canyon sides. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good shot of the palms but I got this shot of the desert from high up in the canyon

Desert Bar with BBQ Smoke
We had to make a visit to the Desert Bar. Miles away from anywhere. The guy who built the bar (mostly with his own hands and pieces of scrap iron he could find,) took a heck of a chance but the place was crowded.

Enjoying a cool one
Me, Lorraine, Anne, Jim and David--all SOLOs and looking to stay that way!

Desert Bar Church
The church isn't really a building, just a tower. Cool and quiet inside though

House
This is the Desert Bar owners home. As with the bar, the only cooling is from the towers that have water dripping and circulating through them to create the cool air.

Road Out
The road back to the highway from the Desert Bar. Hope nobody has one too many!

London Bridge
We took a trip up to Lake Havasu City the home of the rebuilt London Bridge. The story was that it was purchased with the idea that it was Tower Bridge. But having seen the site I don't think so, each brick was numbered so that the bridge could be rebuilt exactly as it had been.

London Bridge Village
The area around the bridge has been beautifully developed to show off the bridge

London Bridge Village
Both sides of the bridge have little restaurants and bars--don't know whether the palm trees are in keeping but then this is the desert!

Golfing
A group wanted to go golfing and since I love the wildlife that usually lives around a golf course I went along. A golf course in the desert is definitely a challenge for the grounds crew

Golfing
Someone with great imagination developed this golf course. Just laying the watering system required major effort.

Rough
The rough was VERY rough. A bad shot usually meant loosing a ball. Our group lost a bunch! I didn't play of course so kept quoting them some of Wally's gems "Good distance now let's talk about direction!" "Hit the little ball before you hit the big ball!" etc. etc.

Ehrenberg
I am now back in an RV park with full hook ups. Not as much room as I had on the BLM land of course but nice facilities.

Colorado River
Ehrenberg is right on the Arizona/California border, and the border is the Colorado River, so the valley is lush and fertile, such a contrast to the dessert which is less than 500 yards away.

Quartz "Bling"
These huge quartz rocks border a driveway just up the road from the park. The guy obviously went out into the desert and collected them. Hope you can see the "bling."