Thursday Dec. 26 
Update...
It just goes on and on. That old saying... "Bad Things Come in Threes" 
I think we on four or five by now...
It just goes on and on. That old saying... "Bad Things Come in Threes"  I think we on four or five by now...   Follow up on my recent post about our tales of woe about Terry in the hospital here in Lake Havasu  City AZ. 
 Back to Terry issues...
 Also we found the surgeon here in Havasu is NOT In Network... in our current policy with UHC. So we had to find another one (we did online) and have to call him for followup... as Terry still has a drain  tube in him and needs more appointments. A CT scan and what needs to follow. Love this crappy  current health Ins stuff that we have to jump through hoops to even find if ER Drs. are in network. When very ill how do you do that.  CenturyLink changed Health Ins options for 2014 so f course we have not received the new Medica  Health Ins card for him for next year. I got mine but not him. So after several calls was told they would not give us the member ID or Group number till after Jan 1. As I wanted to print the card info out online. 
 It gets better... 
  Last night on Christmas night (would you believe I got calls from Bank of America Fraud Alert Center)  asking if I had been at a ATM in New Jersey to withdraw money. Ya right I have NEVER been to NJ.  I have been making many charges here in AZ so their computers knew something was wrong as I  couldn't be in two places at once. My debit card had been cloned and used at a Walmart in NJ for  $3.50 to make sure it worked then later at a bank ATM for thousands and was denied. So my BofA  Debit card was shut down. We live off this card while traveling full time. Now what. Had to go to the   local BofA bank to get a temp replacement. Looking at my online bank statement was thinking which  places I had used the card that might have sold my card info.  I had stayed at a Days Inn here in Havasu City on Sat and Sunday night before I moved our RV up  here. . I remember when I went in to say I was staying another night the clerk just said I'll call it in. No  card swipe, nothing.  So today I called the manager and he said my card info is in his computer system and would NEVER be removed. I told him I wanted my card info removed since I was no  longer staying in his motel. He refused speaking in tongue I could hardly understand. So I called the national Days Inn office and was told that was not their practice to keep card info on  file. They would investigate. Next I called the Fraud Dept of BofA and told them my findings... I was told it was Federal Law that motels could not keep card info after you checked out. They had all the info of the charges from Days Inn and would investigate. It is simple to run people who have had their debit or credit cards compromised to see if they had been used at this Days Inn.  The possible suspect scum bag in the local Days Inn m be in big trouble for selling bank card info.  I think we have been through way more than the as they say "Bad Things Come In Threes" by now..... I   need my cell phone... going through all this ... and it is not working so great... to make outgoing calls I find I need to reboot or it doesn't connect (call out) for several minutes. Just sits there and does nothing.  Anyway still hanging in there reporting "Life as we find it"  Things can only get better or worse.   BTW. Terry is doing better... His temp is normal... Life is looking better for him...
              Love Ya...
 

Wednesday Dec. 25
Last Post I said...Sometimes "Life as we find it in Q" can turn against Ya.
Well You Aint Seen Nothing Yet
Stuff Happens, Even if it is The Holiday Season..
Like they say the rest of the story...
A week ago on Sat. Terry complained he wasn't feeling well. It just kept getting worse with lower abdominal pains. So on Wednesday of last week we got into the Quartszsite, AZ Clinic. We have been dry camping in the BLM Long Term Visitor Area The PCP there took an x-ray and sez he had a partial colon blockage. Nothing more and with no follow up. Gave him something to clean him out. Well by Friday he still had pain and with repeated calls to the clinic, no call back from the Dr. At 4:45 called the clinic and demanded someone talk to us. The answer was by the still PCP on duty was to go north about 40 miles to Parker to the ER. So off we went... Late Friday that night they did a Cat Scan and determined he had an infected abscess close to or around his appendix. This was way out of their range of what they could handle on a weekend.
Now more of the story.
Yep we are in the outback of AZ on a weekend and the Parker Hospital was not able to handle this. So off he goes in an ambulance north to a bigger hospital in Lake Havasu City up north 40 miles as I try to keep up with the ambulance. There is nothing more exciting about trying to keep up following an ambulance with your loved one inside. I just broke up typing that...We got him there about 1 AM and by the time I got there he was in his room. Now this looks like a real hospital. All private rooms. 
Have you been to the outback in AZ lately...
So that was then and this is now.
It is now Sunday night and we have been here a couple of days... I'm staying in a Days Inn at a cut rate of $55 for hospital related clients close by the hospital. 
Our RV is still 80 miles away done in Quartszite, AZ.
They have now done another Cat Scan and as you know anything in a hospital setting takes time. Time seems to be a blur. Now on Sunday while calling staff in to deal with this... they inserted a tube using another live CT Scan (Cat Scan and CT Scan are the same thing) to position the needle probe and tube so to drain the infection saying they will need to do a 72 hour culture to determine what kind of infection it is so to fine tune the antibiotics. They can't operate as the colon wall is too damaged to hold up to that. In the past with this condition (about five years ago) it would have meant a removal of part of the colon and replace it with a colostomy. You don't even want to know what that is. 
So now they need to get the infection down before they can do anything more. 
So he has a drain tube and on massive drugs.

Knowing it might be some time for him here in the hospital in Lake Havasu City, AZ instead of me living in expensive motels I went back 80 miles to Quartszite on Monday to hook up and bring our RV 5th wheel here. Friends in Q helped me pack things up as some items were too heavy for one person to lift. Do you know how much a Honda 3000 generator weights. Had to get it in the truck bed. I have never worked so hard to get us moved. In the past have relied on Terry to do the heavy outside work to get packed up and moved. Now I know who much he did for us . Getting a big RV 5 th wheel ready for travel is no small feat. 
Stayed overnight getting packed up and so on Christmas Eve I got all moved to a RV park here.

We have a spot till January 16. Havasu has a Balloon Festival in mid January and all the RV park sites are reserved, so we have to move out for a few days. Lots of dry camping sites in the area so not too big of problem hoping he is doing better by then. 
So now on Christmas Eve afternoon they let him out of the hospital so he can stay in our RV HOME in a very nice RV Resort. (Still with his drain tube and bag, and taking lots of drugs) in Lake Havasu Falls Resort with on the grid power and everything. We are not used to that as most of the summer we boondocked in the outback Off The Grid. This is kind of nice. Not cheap but with all the comforts of home. They gave us the monthly rate prorated for our three weeks stay since we can't stay longer to do bookings. 
We are happy to be in our RV together and relaxing so Terry can get better. He will have another CT Scan early next week to see what they want to do next. 
We are just happy that we have a home on wheels that we can move where needed. 
We do have a winter acreage east of Tucson near Benson but we have started with Dr's here so should stay with them for now. Besides having to live in a fancy RV Park in what they call the AZ Playground is not too shabby. 
This not the Christmas we imagined but so very happy Terry is in our RV instead of a hospital bed. 
An after thought... 
As I was moving the RV from Q to Havasu City just north of Q was young man with a small bag hitchhiking going north... Like on Christmas Eve. I felt sorry for him but I had my own issues. I have never picked up hitchhikers but a person on Christmas Eve how awful can that be... this not like going from a mile or two... this is the desert... miles and miles of nothing... So Sad.
I had to be there for my Terry and he could have been a threat to that. 
The other day going back to Q saw a man pushing a grocery cart along the side of the road heading to Parker at what could have only be his worldly possessions. It's over 30 miles from Q to Parker, AZ. That was when I went south get the RV packed up for the next day to go north. He was still on the the side only a mile or so up the road when I went by him again heading north the next day. 
Like we like to say we report on"Life As we Find It."
Ya All Have A Merry Christmas... Love Ya.
 
 

Saturday Dec. 14
Sometimes "Life as we find it in Q" can turn against Ya.
OK for the rest of the story... we had at times over the last summer noticed the Warning Dash Statement... "Low Coolant Level" Didn't think much about it till now in Q Terry noticed a dripping from under the front of the truck. He determined it was coolant. So off we went to Bradly Chevy in Parker 30 miles noerth of us who we have had work done in the past. 
We arrived at our scheduled appoinment time and the service adviser wrote down our concerns... and also asked about outher service options. Ya we needed a transmission oil change and new both internal and external filters replaced. At about $255. Also power sterring fluids changed. $65 That came to about $500 without anything to do with the coolant problem.   So as we sat in the waiting room the adviser came and siad our water pump was shot. OK about $1100 for that... It's only money so we rented a car from them and went back in the morning. 

Another Restaurant Review in Q
Ya we're out in the middle of nowhere and eating out has not been our thing so much. But once in a awhile we do eat out and when we do we expect it to be up to some sort of standerds. 
First off it is cold but not like up north so since it is Friday night so a Fish Fry as in order.
In my last pots I talked about plcaes to eat out here in Q. So now a new review on life as we find it here in Q. 
I did these posts in Yelp.com  tonight...
The Grubstake Bar and Grill

GoogleEarth pic
I did a review last year after this place changed hands and at that time reported the horrible service and that they had gone from cod to pollock (an inferior fish best referred to as cat food) for their fish fry.  And did away with the all you can eat, which had made this place.  Back with the orig owner, can't imagine anyone wanting more than the first serving as it was huge. But still.  People were waiting for over an hour after being seated for their food. It was not even on a Friday night and we almost walked out. But at last go our food.  At that time when paying  I told the manager how bad the service was and she said they were just hit with a crowd all at once. I told her they had no crowd and what she thought they would do when the snowbirds actually showed up. She had no clue. 
SO ON TO THIS YEARS REVIEW...
We wanted to go and see if they had got their act together... but first I called and asked what the fish fry offering was about. She said fish, fries, and clow slaw. I asked what kind of fish... Pollock, not cod, two pieces for $10.75 I asked how long to be served... answer over an hour for food and a long list to be seated. The only thing they did right was answer their phone just after a couple of rings. That did it off we went to Three Times Restaurant for a much better Cod fish fry event. Go to Three Times for my review of that restaurant.
The Grubstake may have been busy tonight, but me thinks those people will not be back... and will tell their friends this is not the place it was in years past after the new owners took over.
The Three Times Restaurant 

We went back to Times 3 this Friday night for the Fish.  We ate here last Friday and I did a review on Yelp.  So did it live up to last weeks review... YES it did with even larger portions for just right deep fried cod. We had a hard time eating it all. By the way the tarter sauce is made in house. $8.99 Ice tea $1.99 Great service... our meal was served within 15 min. And our young server was more than friendly. She even asked us how we rated other restaurants in Q as I told her I was doing blogs about them. She stated hoped we hadn't been here last Saturday night for prime rib as they were short servers and their service was not good. She was apologizing for poor service that we didn't even know about. Guess what she got just like the other server last week a $10 tip. We don't eat out all that often, so when we do I like to tip a little more as these servers work hard and it makes me and them feel good. 

Now check out the plate I snapped with my smart phone at Three Times. This was after I asked Terry to go to the truck and get my smartphone as I had already eaten some of it. 

Now I tonight did a review of the Grubstake here in Q as I called them asking now since they just opened for the season and didn't get a very good feeling about their offerings. Go to Yelp.com for my review of the Grubstake.

We don't ...like I said eat out often but when we do and we get shitty food and bad service you will here about it... But lke the above post when we do find a gem in the wilderness we will also post about it.
 
 

Tuesday Dec. 3 
Quartzsite IS Empty

A poster on RV.NET forum made this comment...
Just ran over to Quartzite for what was suppose to be a couple of days and were back in 24hrs. Hardly any sellers yet and just plain old deserted. Was told that the BIG SHOW was going to be shorter this year and that sellers is way down. Of course I picked up a couple of things at the tool place. In half a day we did everywhere, that's how slow it is. I know Dec is when it builds, but it's empty now. Glad I had a friend camping there to go visit. 

Well I just had to respond.
We have been in Q in the BLM LTVA for over a month now and have posted on my blog www.fulltime.hitchitch.com over the years what we found in this boondocking capital of the country. And for many years spent the entire season in the LTVA here.
Every year the talk around town is always "Are they are coming back to Q this year." And we always have fun with that but let me tell you it is now December and the OP is very correct... Quartzsite IS empty...
The people who have always been here early in the season in the LTVA in their favorite sites are not here.
Now we may get an influx of people as they travel after thanksgiving, we shall see. 
A couple of the restaurants in town (The Palo Verde is for sale) and the Grubstake looks like it is going to be a no show. Update: 12/03 Today word is the Grubstake has opened but nobody wants to risk going there. (All you have to do is read the reviews on Yelp from last fall). 
And you can see For Sale signs on some in town RV Parks. 
Even us who for 10 years spent the entire season here as we love going to the largest Gem and Mineral Club in the country are not planning to be here for the entire season as we like so many others have found other places to spend much of our winter season in.
A couple of years ago we bought a property east of Tucson near Benson. The price was right and some others may have done the same. 
Over the years we have seen a huge rush of RVs that just come to Q for the fair like events in late January for 10 days or as a day trip. Many are on a like RV rally circuit who go from one event to another. The Big Show in late January is a big draw for the big bucks MH people who gather and have fun and shop till they drop in the Big Tent and venders. It is a good time but that kind of deployment of RVers only lasts a max as it seems of about 14 days.
If you are not interested in a rock club to play at or running your ATV in the desert what is there here for you for the season. Lets face it's nice and warm in Oct. and Nov. But in much of December and January it is just darn cold here. So for many who have tried it, now go to Yuma or south TX as it is warmer in those places. 
So what is the bottom line I am talking about.... You should by all means come and experience Quartzsite. It should be on your bucket list of things you must do. You may love it, or hate it, but do come at least once. And the price is right... Free BLM 14 day areas. $40 for 14 days with water and dump station. Or $180 for the full winter season. 
Update later on if they came or stayed away this year... 

On other observations...
I mentioned above about the restaurant situation. Here is a post I did on Yelp last week...
Times 3 Family Restaurant
1265 W Main St.

We have been in Q for about a month. Things are still slow. Was wanting Friday night fish fry. Now if you have been to Q you know about the Grubstake and their Big Fish Fry. It was sold last year and we went at that time and found it lacking. Changed from cod to pollock, not as good and terrible service. This year it is not even open yet. Driving by it now at the end of Nov. looks like it wont be opening at all. 
Update: 12/03 The Grubstake is open and will get reviews from people and post them here later. 
So what's one to do for a Fish Fry in Q. Tried the Times 3 across from Gem World. Got there about 6 PM not many inside. This town is still very empty as RVers go.
So we sat down and a sweet Grandma type waitress comes over all bubbly. Said we will have the fish. She smiles and sez if you want the baked potato it will be a bit as they are still cooking. Naw we said french fries. She laughs, sez should have known. 
Now for the review... Two huge portions of cod  in a light batter. Great looking fries with a nice breading on them, and a big dish of cole slow... not one of those little plastic cups. I had to call her over and compliment the food. The fish was great, the best we have had in a long time. She said yes she know as she had trained the cook to do it this way with the light batter. She was just a joy to be around. I told her they were going to get a lot of customers when word got out about the fish. As we started to eat she brought a small loaf of fresh warm bread with butter to the table. Not sure if was part of the meal or not but it sure was good.  A group of people came in as we were leaving and I told them how great the fish was.  Cost $8.99  And the place was fresh and clean. Not a dive at all and the rest rooms were spotless. We know where we are going every Friday night this winter season of boondocking in Quartzsite.  The bill came to under $20 and I slipped her a 10 dollar bill for the tip. We were all happy.
Now you can read all that Yelp has to say on restaurant reviews in Q.

More ramblings on life in Q as we find it.
Last weekend was Santa's Workshop Arts and Crafts Festival at Tyson Wells Show grounds.
As so little else was going on we felt it was our duty to attend. Ya for all of 15 minuets. Terry spotted pine needle basket wall hangings for $300. His remark was that might go over in Tucson but not here. 

Notice the crowds... both above and below. 

They did have lots of craft venders but we didn't see anyone buying. 
At least while we were there.

Now this was the one item I think was selling. Pop Can Wind Spinners. At a mere $20.  Lucky he got a space outside so they would turn in the breeze.  Wonder if he asked not to be inside.
Take a closer look below. The pop can tabs had never been pulled and they were not painted, left as original pop cans. Me thinks if they had been painted they wouldn't have been as cool. This way you get to see what they were to start with.  Damn I looked, but didn't buy. Dumb Ronnie. This guy has a gold mine... a few simple pop cans, an idea, a little craft work and Whoo a money maker. 

Now this woman was at the end of the hall doing her thing with a smile on her face. It's why people do crafts and why Terry and others at the Quartzsite Gem and Mineral Club do their thing. 

We have been driving by this food vendor in Tyson Wells and have not as of yet stopped by to check them out. But we will, to be sure.  First off, I want to see their menu and prices. So many of these food guys come off the summer fair circuit and expect to get state fair prices. To that I say NOT... This is not a county or state fair. You are here because you have nothing other to do in the off season. 
When I see a Ferris Wheel or kids parading around their 4-H animals then you can get out your pre printed fair price banner. 

Now if some food vender would just show up offering a to die for Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich which us in the midwest (Iowa) grew up eating. 

Look at this sucker, this is not some wimpy thick processed pork sandwich from a fast food place. 
But a very thin breaded deep fried pork loin. Not even a large bun can cover this thing. 
If someone tries to put one in front of you as a pork sandwich and it doesn't extend beyond the bun, 
it's not a Authentic Midwest Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich. 
As we are here to help...
Now if you like the look of this Breaded Pork Sandwich... we offer a link to a site for you to make it. 
How to prepare Iowa's #1 Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
It may take time to make one like in the picture... but go for it . 
Want more info.  Stalking the wild breaded pork tenderloin in Iowa
Don't you love it when I start out with not so much to blog about and produce a me thinks a not so bad post.  But as Terry sez I can produce a blog post from nothing... 
 

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