| Wednesday
Feb. 15
Got
to Benson in time for the SNOWSTORM.
We
left Q the campsite all picked up. Shot is from the day before we left...
with
the Honda Gen. lifted into the truck bed hooked up to the RV power cord.
Let
me tell you the Honda 3000 is getting heavier each year. Not much worry
of
it being stolen as it is way heavy for one person and almost more than
two can struggle with.
But
it will run our A/C if we need so we like it more than our old 2000 unit.
On
Sunday we had a great lunch with our good friends Richard and Diane at
their home in Brenda... Along with Tad who priovided the smoked Sockey
Salmon from Alaska which his friend ships to him here in AZ. Tad loves
to host Salmon and wine parties. Don't forget the crackers, cream
cheese, and capers. Makes for many tasty mouth fulls. Diane made a luscious
Berry pie for desert. Good time and eats to be sure. I was a little
under the weather but enjoyed the friendship.
A good
drive on Monday with all going well with no big headwinds and the Chevy
Duramax truck was just humming away doing its thing.
It's
got 113 K miles on it and many say it should just be getting to a sweet
spot where it runs good. But me who never had an auto for more
than 20 -30 K miles in my younger years wonders. How stupid was that....
All that wasted money I spent on cars... Now retired with hindsight...
Would I do it different... probably NOT...
Now
back to our good old truck to hang in there...
We
will get you (our truck) checked out when back in Iowa this summer at our
orig dealer Karl
Chevy who has always treatred us well..
To
make sure we get all your systems are happy for many more miles.
Now
back to the drive....
We
did stop in Gila Bend for lunch...
This a popular hole in the
wall and Terry so likes his Mexican Food. I had the #1 Chicken enchilada
and this time was not impressed. It was a New Mexico style stacked enchilada.
Not rooled like I expected. Should have made a different choice...
But the from scratch salsa and homemade chips were a hit. Salsa was warn
but not too hot for me... OK I'm a wimp for this stuff... I grew up in
IA and was never exposed to much Mex food in my youth... It was like
a meat and potatoes only thing.
We will stop back
as this is a stop so many do. I when going out to ethnic food choices I
look at Terry and say OK what should I order...
That way if I don't like
it... I get to blame him.... How sweet is that!!!
As we passed through Tucson
on I-10 we saw this sign even though this was Monday we knew Tuesday was
AZ's
100 birthday.
Ya we got to Benson and were
tired... If in a car you can make this trip across the state in good time
but pulling a 5er kind of makes it an all day event. Traffic was good through
Tucson and we got back about 4:30 PM ... Terry worked hard getting the
important stuff unloaded from the 5er and we called it a night. But
not until my computer and DirecTV stuff was set up of course... Priorities
mind you... Ya he did also bring in the food from the RV fridge so he could
shut it down... The house plants we had put in buckets of water in
the house were still alive after a month and a half. Way to go mother
nature... One was dropoping big time but is rcovering...
Now hold on things went down
hill from there...
Take a look at what hit
us on Tuesday mid day... It started out with sleet and proceeded
to a whiteout snowstorm...
We remembered what winter
is all about but this took us of guard... We grew up in Iowa and
know full well what snow is but watching this storm brought it all back...
It was swirling and sticking
to trhe sliding door...
We are supposed to see mountains
to the south not this...
Later some sun beams came
out and upgraded our expectations that we might live though this blizzard.
I was bitching at Terry on how he could drag me to this highland where
it could snowed.... After all we just returned from Quartzsite where
this could NEVER happen... me thinks. But would I like to live there...
Not ever... Never... So I'll take it now as a brief snow event. It's
good to be reminded what life is like back up north once in a-while...
Especially if it only lasts a few hours and is gone by morning...
We headed to Tucson on Wed
for Terry's follow up with his eye surgeon and all is fine. After that
we got back to Benson and stocked up on food at Walmart. Now we can veg
at the winter property for a several days and unwind from boondocking in
Q.
Will see what the famed Tucson
Rodeo is all about that starts this weekend... to see if we want to attend.
Time to Google that tomorrow...
Must be a big deal as we
have heard they even close public schools for this...
Saturday
Feb. 11
Now
that the weather has turned perfect
Do
scroll down if you missed my Friday getting out of Q post...
It has gotten just down right
warm and is close to hot here in Q... not like summer but for those
who spend the winter boondocking here this is what they come here for.
But we like most everyone else will be out of here before the real high
summer temps happen... except for the poor souls who live here year round...
The locals seem to have a way to cope with the heat... hold elections and
later recall who they elected... but they do this over and over and over.
It's their entertainment me thinks. Heat does strangs things to a mind
an this is Q... Enough said....
Right now shorts are the
rule and they don't have to be replaced when the sun goes down...
Take that all you people
who left thinking Q was cold in January... But didn't know in February
and March it warms up to like perfect...
No more an every other day
trip to the propane dealer for a fill. That's costly to be sure... to keep
the morning forced air furnace fired up to allow a person to get out of
bed. Now when we check the tanks and the pop up indicator is still green...
There is a reason the diehards
stay for the whole season as it starts out hot... Sept... Nov... gets a
little cool in January but ends up perfect in the spring. Like right now...
What's not to like if you are looking for or just plain need a place to
crash for the winter.
But of course we are heading
back to our property in eastern AZ early next week. We just can't take
all this happiness.
We hope to have another great
last campfire this upcoming Saturday night. This shot from last weekend.
We like to on Saturdays tune
into A Prairie Home Companion Hosted by Garrison Keillor on
NPR streaming via our favorite NPR station in IA. KUNI
(If you go there click on the Studio One link... Save the file listen
If it sez it already exists... Do you want to replace it click.. Yes...)
You may have to play wiit
like everything on the net to make it work... but it will work...
and you will be happy campers with great sounds.
If I can get tuned to KUNI
so can you... Better yet on your smartphone get the App TuneIn Radio
type in KUNI and connect the phone via bloothooth to bigger speakers. I
have Altec
Lansing IMT525 inMotion SoundBlade Now that was easy..
After PHC (5 central time)
we stay tuned for Backtracks (7 central time) hosted by IPR's
Bob Dorr.
Music that will take you
back through the golden age of rock 'n' roll.
It delves into obscure rock
'n' roll history, giving a weekly, in-depth, researched picture of music
that is at least 25 years old.
Here we are listening to
Bob Dorr and Backtracks. BTW all the music he plays is from
his extansive vinyl recored colection... you can hear the clicks and scratch
marks just like you heard with your old vinyl collection... why back
when... each scratch was a memory only you can relate to...
Were you stupid like me and got rid of... or gave away that collection?
Now you can hear how great it all sounded as he replays the memories...
clicks and all... Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause... Give him
a listen... . Do go to his web site www.bobdorr.com
He also has is own band
Blue
Band..
Boondicking in the BLM aint
half bad...
Friday
Feb. 10
Getting
the hell out of Q.
Unlike
many years in the past when we spent the entire season here.. this year
we came over to Q from our winter home near Benson for just a month or
so as we still wanted to experience the RVers Woodstock that is this place
in the sun each winter. So we came and set up in the BLM. We even
got our favorite spot to boondock in. We have had a great time... Terry
got to spend quality time at the rock club... He and our best friend
Tad got to grow in their skills and learn from each other... and have fun
doing their thing.
We
found people came for the big tent show... and they did again... but what
we found this year is they left even before the tent show ended.
Even as I post the RV dealers have moved their units out of town and it
is early into February. They used to stay around much longer... but
not this year... We have never seen that before. So the
bottom line is Q was a big hit as always for the big tent show where people
come to reconnect with RV friends and bond in the desert but it is more
and more turning into a 14 day or even just a weekend thing.
We
came for a month this year and right now feel as if we have over stayed
our welcome... You get to know who come here for the short season and who
as I put it live here for the winter. The BLM has returned to the
normal die hard full season winter visitor RV units.
We
have spent time here in Q on this same piece of desert dirt for many years...
You get to know the grease wood bushes, and our personal desert ironwood
tree and the rocks which you moved to make your fire ring.
It's like your front yard and you like own it and take care of it . As
we pull out of our special space in a few days we know it will be here
as we found it... for others to use for many years to come.
Wednesday
Feb. 1
Getting
clipped in Q.
The
Palm Plaza Barber Shop
For
years we have been going to as we call it Lees Barber shop on North
Central next to the only bank in town. Now let it be know Lee is retired
Navy and what did he do in the Navy why of course cut hair. As you
might expect short hair. So we joke with him about this and pleaded
for him to take it easy on us as we're not in the Navy and never have been.
So we come out little clipped but not bad. What you expect for $9 plus
tip. In Q you expect good value for your money and to many a short
hair cut is just that. Well his daughter was working instead of him and
and when she asked me how I wanted it cut... my good buddy Terry yelled
out "Give him a Lee cut". We all laughed... I said no just make sure
it is tapered in back instead of blocked. I got done and Terry had
his done... He immediately said NO Lee cut for him. I didn't know
what he meant untill I got back to the truck and looked in the mirror.
MY God I had a butch. I couldn't even grab any hair between my fingers
above my ears. I was scalped.
Notice...
no hair above the ear and the non suntaned upper neck where there used
to be hair.
Me
thinks I used to consider these just crazy... but they are looking beter
and better.
 
A
new hat is definitely in my future ... might not have built in hair...
until I grow some...
Of
course Terry came out with a great hair cut... just right. I do have
a hair trimmer and have threatned to trim his up a bit. At night when he
is asleep. You know he is paying big time right now for opening his
mouth... My come back is... At least You Have Hair...
Monday
Jan. 30
Sometimes
it's the simple things
We
have been fulltiming it for like eight years or so by now and we always
went with the thought simple was better. And lighter the load was a must.
Maybe it's us getting older and wiser or just lazy. As we left for Q for
January from our winter house in Benson I said to Terry I think I'ed like
a coffee maker in the 5er. Why not we have a Honda 3000 generator... I
got a little spoiled as we have a cofe maker in the seasonal house (forgot
that coffee wasn't ment to be instant) and let me say coffee tastes much
better than that... I'm not a big coffee drinker but just one cup in the
morning (decaf of course) at times does make it a better day while reading
the blogs I follow. I hear Ya... Decaf why drink it at all? Bet Ya
don't have heart Afib issues... And we don't do caffiene as well.
Bet Ya think we're prudes.... not so... we have our issues... I like
my happy hour more than I should and Terry likes his after dinner wine.
I did give up smoking several years ago.... How I did that, and now why
did I ever do that, is just a memory...
So
back to the simple things....
We
found a small
5 cup one at where else Walmart in Benson... All set...
Now
in Q and here I go again thinking.... If fresh coffee (decaf) is good why
not toast from a real toster instead of that cheap time tested thingy that
sits on the gas bunner and sort of works... How many of these have you
owend over the years. Look all you want, have you ever found anything else
than this one. A better idea is in need.
They didn't do this toast
on this no way, no how... Or Ya think...
I found
it, it's called a real toaster... Remember I said we have a Honda
3000 and if it can run our huge A/C... it ought to be able to toast me
a piece of bread. Better yet a bagle... Why have we waited so long
to upgrade our boondocking lifestyle.
$10 at Family Dollar here
in Q.
See
it looks well on our RV kitchen counter.... Living the not so simple anymore
good life...
I bought
a package of bagels (Cinnamon and Raisins) at the Roadrunner grocery store
in Q and will test it out in the morning...
Now
asking (as I do the spell checking) Terry... do we have low fat Cream Cheese.
Yes and No... We have it... but not low fat as he got it in Q..
Diet
or Low Fat for the most part is not to be found here in Q. Small stores
and shelf space for only mainstream products.
But
I have to say prices are much lower at the Roadrunner this year... Head
lettuce to was 69 cents. His fresh fruits and veggie section is huge with
low prices... Think he is trying to run the produce stand vendor across
from the post office out of business.
Like
I said in a prior post this guy is in it to win it..
We
had a visit from a longtime blog reader from Tempe, AZ this afternoon.
We
found we had much in common and I hope we can meet up again and even go
camping together in AZ someday soon.
I'm
like an internet introvert by nature (not news to you) and when approached
by a longtime reader I tend to go OMG someone is stopping by... but after
we meet the interaction builds and turns into regret that we have
not met sooner. Don't stop you from stopping by or emailing...
If it's good for you... I'll get over it and later find it enriching...
Meeting people on the interent... is the norm these days.... facebook...
etc. but in person is so much better... Strange... let me do
a Google search on all this...
Sunday
Jan. 29
Many
taking a last look of Q
The
party is winding down.
The
big tent show for the most part was over on Saturday. They have an
hobby, arts and craft show that starts again in the big tent on Wednesday
and runs through the weekend with a classic car show on Sat. and Sun.
A
lot less buzz in the air to be sure. Except for the buzz of the above flying
machines.
We
stopped to walk a bit in Tyson Wells on late Saturday as we snagged a parking
spot right on Kuhen Way the main drag... so why not. We were returning
from getting propane and gas for the Honda. But must haves out here boondocking
it.
Some
random shots in Tyson Wells. Terry took them and he must have been
hungry as the food vendors seemed to get the most attention.
It was tempting but we didn't
stop to eat anything. Maybe next time as we are extending our stay
for a couple more weeks.
I did have to explore this
vendor by zooming in and playing with the snapshots Terry took. We walk
by something and I tell him shot this please knowing with the Cannon EOS
T2i I can zoom in later. To think we used to use darkrooms to do all this
stuff. A few key storks in Picasa 3 and it's done.
Before they headed out of
town Bob and Linda of www.Because-We-Can.net
stopped by for a visit.
When you follow people through
their blog for years you get to know them and condsider them like family.
It's the first blog I go to each morning, and that's a fact. Check it out...
In their Jan 27 post you'll get to meet Porketta, the pet pot bellied pig.
Only in Q.
Back on Jan. 15 I had posted
this general statement when I came down with a stinking cold...
It's
OK to wave as you go by, but if you stop, it's at your own risk... I'll
be sure to sneez on ya. Just because lIke this blog I want to share my
life with ya all. The good and the bad and most of all the nasal drip...
I thought
I had scared them off but they did stop and we had a great time bridging
life between the lines of our blog posts.
BTW
we are now over our colds...
True to form I got to take
the picture instead of being it it. That's the way I like it.
Next time just for you two
I'll let my picture be taken... promise...
Wednesday
Jan. 25
We
went, we saw... we wondered why...
Today
was the day to go to the big tent show... I have said many times you should
go in mid week to avoid the crowds. That proved to work out
for us again this year. We left La Posa North and drove right to
the show and found a parking site after waiting for someone to back out
of a spot at about 50 yards from the south entrance to the tent. Can't
do better than that.
Got
out my walking stick and off we went... We have walked the big tent for
many years and it is a fun outing to be sure, but as my tag suggests...
we wondered why... as so much of it is a repeat of years past... but a
must do... because... they built it so they will come and so do we.
And glad we do as it is the quasi event that has to be done each year....
but you knew that...
Right
at the south center entrance was this hat vendor.... Would you put any
of these on your head ... Well let me tell you many people do. Perhaps
it helps to be bald. With my thinning hair, Ya I'm almost getting
there so I should rethink these caps.
Now these are just silly...
me thinks not as big sellers at the Harry ones above.
Terry said... How about some
fudge... and I said we are fat... and that was all that was said
as we walked on by.
Now RVers are big into campsite
games and this one was touted as the latest new one.
Did not check out the cost
but it did look like fun using a golf club to hit a bad mitten like ball
to a net. This could make it big time. You know you golfers out there will
go for this. And RVers are suckers for lawn games. You know that... just
drive around a campground to see the silly people who are out throwing
darts or bean bags at tragets.
So these guys may have a
hit untill you guys figure out how to make it in a home shop. Give them
a brake and buy this....
Wonder if the golf clubs
comes with the game.
Now we didn't find anything
to buy that we could just not live without. But may go back to get
some new sheets. They have been a booth in the tent for years and this
time we may try them out.
Anyway now back at our BLM
site and enjoying the warm weather and clear skies and did I say no wind.
It was a big day for me
walking and will get out and check out some other vender areas tomorrow.
Just being here in Q and
taking in the ambience is the real joy of this wonder in the desert. Many
thousands of RVers converging to an area all enjoying each other and just
being. Some may gravitate to the Burning Man event each year.
We and others have the Quartzsite event... a little more like an
RVers
Woodstock, not so much as the the origianal, but with the comradery
of an older post hippie mind set that comes together in the desert to share
the wonder. This phenomenon goes on and repeats itself each year here in
Q. It's here, and it's right now, and we are living it. Like the
cheer at an athletic event, the feeling of all this as it rolls over the
crowd of the RVs in the desert. We are all here celebrating this lifestyle
to the fullest.
It's gotten much warmer
and by this weekend the campfires are going to many and huge....
not as a single Burning Man event but for Q in the BLM many, can
make for more, as viewed from above.
Monday
Jan. 23
My
kind of RV
You
heard about the Tear Drop RV and how kool they are. Not much room but if
you have like a VW bug might be just the ticket.
Now
this one is a little worn and has ended up like many people and things
in Quartzsite. This burg tends to grew after the winter seson as
some just don't have the funds to get out of town.
Ya
wanna go prospecting... dig your own mine right here in Q in your side
yard.
Traffic
was slow going on south HW 95. I noticed by looking outside the RV windows.
Still stop and go at noon. It was cloudy and kind of light breeze
so I think people got started late thinking it would improve. It
didn't and now at 5 PM is very heavy overcast and it just might rain later
tonight. But's not like it is cold as it is in the mid to upper 60s.
Terry
got back from the rock club and at about 2 PM we headed out to get RO water
and to get our gas cans filled. Got to keep that Honda running. Not
getting much sun. A shot looking east at Kuehn and HW95 just south of the
I-10 overpass. Seems to me the traffic is not as heavy as in years
past.
Now
we shall see as some may have been waiting for better weather and the rest
of the week is looken great... mid to upper 70's, clear and no wind.
Looks like some campfires will be in order... We are ready as the last
few days have been less than spectacular.
Bad
weather when camping will build character but, I'd rather just be
a character, in good weather..
Update:
Guess I can have a double dose of character, because right now at 6 PM
its raining in Q.
Remember
my post Finding provisions in Qon
the grocery stores in Q a few days ago. I got a nice email from the owner
of the Roadrunner Grocery Store thanking me for my positive report on his
store...
His
email: Just a quick email to give you a "BIG" thanks on your positive
post for our store. My wife and I purchased the store 6 years ago
as a silent ownership. After failing in finding a good manager, we
decided last year to do it ourselves. We have made lots of changes,
and we hope to have many more positive changes for next year.
Geez
wonder how he found my blog... Ya never know who is reading these things.
Careful out there...
If
you missed it scroll down to the Jan. 10
Finding provisions in Q. post.
Saturday
Jan. 21
What
a difference a day makes.
You'll
understand why at the end of the blog.
Friday
was one of those days you write home about or blog if you will. Perfect,
warm, no breeze right up through sunset. The thousands of RVers out
in the desert were having the best time with happy hours (like Tioga George
sez "drinking to elevation" and and their campfires. All dreaming
of the big day ahead on Saturday with the big tent opening and all the
goodies they will buy.
RVers
were floodiing the LTVA BLM entrance stations all day long. Last
minute rush to find their buddies and circle the wagons.
Once
that was done off to town they went for a shop till we drop good time.
Hop to it... the vendors are a waiting.
On
the north side of I-10 is where the main action for true lovers of all
things Quartzsite. The Pow
Wow Gem and Mineral Show
Held
on the grounds of the QIA. It is one of the premier events in the country.
Like
I said Friday was just the best day ever here in Q and it set Saturday
up for a big disappointment. We awoke to clouds, wind and dust blowing.
Deffinatly also a day you write home about but you in that email you get
to add a few extra four letter words.
Opps...update...
now calling for possible thunderstorms on Monday.
Just
a blip in the radar as it will get better in a couple of days. Like Wednesday.
A hint:
We found the dump and water stations at La Posa South to be mostly empty
on Friday. Seems most people come with full water and empty dump
tanks so they they don't need the services till later in the week. Ya gota
flush em before Ya have to dump em.
Terry
just informed me we need to fight the traffic and get propane later today.
That will give us a change to add to the congestion and drive the town
loop and check out the action. It is the Woodstock for RVers and never
can tell what you might see.
BTW:
I'm mostly over my cold but now Terry has it. He's not a good patient either.
Thursday
Jan. 19
Countdown
to the big event.
It
started out slow as we saw less RVs in the BLM areas... just last week.
But I knew as we drove north on HW 95 over I-10 we could see off to the
right the vintage bus conversions had showed up behind the Market Place
vender area on the east side of Kuhen Rd.. That meant the Q happening
was now. They come in big time and don't stay for long but when you see
that they are here you know it's party time in Q.
That
means the big event is under way. They say it starts later each year and
this is the week it all comes together. The big tent opens on Saturday.
RVs are the main traffic on the roads. It's like the world of RVers are
converging to this one spot on this earth. I made the statement years
ago in my blog that this is the Woodstock for Rvers.
Many Rvers show up each year for a week or two to party hardy... You'd
think they felt they missed out on the original, and are here each year
to reclaim that feeling.
This
week the rigs are moving in... We just sit and watch in awe as rig after
rig come in to boodndock.. (I wondered as I sat watching from our
site close to the La Posa North main road... with RV after RV going by...
what would we do for excitement when we get back at our property in Benson
on our high up dead end road.?) Might just have to get the blow up hot
tub filled in the shop/garage. It's now all blown up but without water.
That needs to change. We can see the traffic go by from our up high view
of I-10 miles away but it's not like it is going right by us now. Terry
sez we may have to drive down to the HW and park just to watch the traffic.
NOT
Me
thinks we might reschedule Terrys Dr. appoiintment and stay a bit longer
in this love it or leave it mecca though.
Some
shots of the action in the vender areas...
Some never make it past here
for the whole day.
K and B Tools... Stack it
Deep Sell it Cheap!
Did have a Gyros. OK.. but
was missing the trditional tzatziki
sause. The ones at Greek restaurant in Benson, AZ are much better.
Now that I post this picture
I realize they are for eaten and not planten. Where is my South Dakota
state flag when I need it?
Tuesday
Jan. 17
Putting
a good face on an elephant.
It's
been a long summer and sprucing up seemed to be in order.
So what are these things...
Why we're in the desert... so of course water tanks, which are on the grounds
of the big tent show. Last week they were going under the paint crew.
In return for supplying
the major portion of the water necessary to complete the re-paving project
of Interstate 10 from the California border to Quartzsite, almost 18 acres
of asphalt millings were laid down on the Quartsite Shows Show Grounds.
This was a major improvement and nearly eliminated the number one exhibitor
and customer complaint of the past; "It's too dusty!" A Link to Quartzsite
Shows history
on all about this stuff. How the show started and how it has progressed.
A good read.
Looking good. Must be good
money selling water in the desert. Ya Think.
Even this little one is
ready to dish out water to little users.
But don't stop by with your
5 gallon tubs as the trunks are a little oversized for that. Bet they could
have filled our blow up hot tub we had here in the BLM last winter.
The
big tent is up and ready to open this weekend.
Sunday
Jan. 15
I
forgot just how much this sucks...
I knew
something was up for several days now but all of a sudden... Wham Bam Thank
You Mam... it hit me... A full blown head cold.
I
can't remember the last time I had one ... years ago me thinks .. But it
all comes back to you real fast when your eyes drip and your nose runs.
Might be the worst part is not being able to focus on the computer screen.
I'll give up a lot but my computer time is like life. This has got
to get better fast or Terry may want to move out. I am the worlds worst
patient. Just ask him. But he is a good nurse as it is right now
about closing time for the Family Dollar store in Q he is off rushing to
it... as I said I needed a better variety supply of cold medicine. Not
that any of it works but I like a full selection to choose from just in
case. The best thing is a hot toddy... forgot just what that was
but it sounds good so I'm settling for a vodka and squirt. Works for me
as it will help me forget that I'm sick.
All
I want to know now is just which one of you lovely people in Q gave me
this crap. Terry must have dragged it back with him fron the Gem
and Mineral club... I always knew those people were evil to the core.
And the rest of you it's OK to wave as you go by but if you stop it's at
your own risk... I'll be sure to sneez on ya. Just because lIke this blog
I want to share my life with ya all. The good and the bad and most of all
the nasal drip...
One
of the things Terry brought back from Family Dollar was Halls triple soothing
action menthol cough drops. Cools nasal passages... The package sez
BONUS
33% more.
What a regular size package wont get me through my cold or your
product sucks so bad I'll need 33% more it.
As you can see this one
only has 30 drops mine has 40 drops. How many of
these do have you hidden in the back of your medicine cabinet that you
never used and later threw away as they got old and NOW when you need them
you have to run out and get more and at 33% more. Bet the bonus package
costs more than the normal size.... Must be the meds or the vodka... so
I'll stop...
Oh and did I say Terry is
making chicken soup from scratch with saved frozen chicken stock and homemade
noodles.
That should help... I'm
spoiled to be sure.
Now
go ahead and read my below boondocking post if you missed it from Saturday.
Saturday
Jan. 14
So
you wanna boondocking in Q.
Like
all things in life you have ask a few questions first.
None
of this just jumping head first. You could get hurt. Ya I hear
ya you wanna boondock in the desert cus it's cheap don't ya know.
Hold on there fellow, not so fast... Lets determine what yawl need to do
it up right so you will actually enjoy yourself. Sure you can pitch a tent
or live out of your trunk but is than anyway to have fun... that's just
existing. And for some that's what they are having to do these days. People
are all out here in any and all types of camping units for the week or
the season and you know what, each is respected. We are RVers first
and formost and don't worry about what uniit you are in... it's the person
who you are that counts out here.
Back
on topic... Remember there are no plug ins out here. You have to furnish
your own power. Think you wont want power... it gets dark and cold at night
and you will want to have light and remember that football game is on TV
and your forced air furnace needs lots of it to run as they are about efficient
as nothing.
OK
get out your paper and pencil (if you have power use your adding machine)...
here we go...
A
solar panel system with controller to charge your multi string of deep
cycle batteries. $3 to $5 K
Batteries
$70 to $140 each...figure 4 to 6 ea.
A
1.5 to 2K watt inverter/charger $2K
BTW
Discount Solar on East Main would be happy to sell and install all this
stuff.
(It's
where we had ours done at.) Ya know... the standard line. I don't work
for them...
A
generator if you don't have one already in your unit. Honda 2000
$1K Honda 3000 $2K
Gas
to run that generator $5 or so a day
Propane
to run your fridge., heater and stove. $25 to $50 a week if you use
your forced air furnace.
Propane
is about $2.89 a gallon + tax in Q. A 7 gal tank $22.05. It gets cold at
night after the sun goes down here in the desert.
We
don't run our furnace when we go to bed at night... but turn it on in the
morning when we get up. We have flannel sheets that do the trick for us
to keep us warm under the covers. Bring them with you as you wont find
fannel sheets at many stores in AZ... It's not an AZ thing. A clerk at
Walmart told us she found them at Target... Your one your own on
this one.
Back
on topic again...
BLM
fees if you want water and dump $180 the season or $40 for two weeks.
Sure
you can stay in the free 14 day areas but prices in Q to get water and
dump have gone way up... like $15 to dump and $5 for undrinkable water
to fill your RV foe washing etc. Drinkable RO water 5 gal for a buck.
And
you have to take your unit to them for that price. Much more if they come
to you.
That's
just a few items off the top of my head, bet you can think of more.
But what does it tell Ya.
You
could live pretty high on the hog if you planted yourself in a nice RV
park in town and not have all that upfront expense BUT
in
town you are nothing more than a sardine packed in a can and out in the
wide open desert you are free to roam to spots that you can't even see
another camper. That's Freedom and that doesn't come cheap as they
say. Almost forgot pick up a load of wood in town and get that campfire
going. Can't do that in an RV Park.
Or
you can be like our neighbor... see the power and water pole in the center
of the picture. He brought his own.
Remember
they told us our old site was open so surely they would share their power
pole, don't Ya think.
Wonder if the BLM charges
extra.
Thursday
Jan. 12
In
need of shade
What
Ya Gunna Do. You're in the desert and its sunny and you need shade.
Ya do a Goggle search for sun shades of course. Who would know Walmart
would come to the rescue. Let it be known we did drive the venders
and didn't see anyone selling these. Sure you can go to B and
K tools and buy the conduit and tarps like the one had had put up for years.
That's like building a almost S&B with frame and all... But we
wanted a small canopy that was light and easy to take up and down. So off
we went to Parker to Walmart... we needed supplies since my article on
finding provisions in Q. Bashes grocery has a great meat dept. and
was also on the list for a special on New York Strip steaks. Anyway
Walmat had the canopy in stock and at a great price. I thought these must
be a cheap bunch of junk at under $100. Till I read the reviews.
Heavier than I had anticipated. Found it was well built. It's 10X10
and just the right size and I think we can use it back at the house on
our front deck over our patio table also. They also had in stock a Coleman
canopy 14X14 but the size of the folded up unit looked larger than what
we wanted to deal with. I'm a sucker for bigger is better but not so in
this case as it was bigger than we wanted to carry in the basement of the
5er. It was only $30 more, but still not worth the huge size of it.
So if you want a bigger one that might be right for you Walmart in Parker
has em.
They
even carry screens and solid side curtains for it. And we saw replacement
tops for sale.
There
are some things Ya need in the desert... Shade and Water. To be sure, a
more summer thing but still ...
Now
for the water if you are new to Q it's Don't drink the city water.
There is a reason you see the water stations around town selling RO water
at about a buck for 5 gallons. See
how RO water is proccesed. Go ahead and fill up with filtered city
water for washing and such... Some do drink the deep well water from
the BLM La Posa South LTVA where you can get water and dump with
your pay to stay permit in the LTVA BLM. You're not allowed this service
when staying for free in the 14 day BLM areas. They have a volunteers
checking your window sticker... OK it's $40 for 14 days and $180 for the
full season of 7 months.
How's
that for camping at a bargain.
Well
not so much afer you figure in the upfront costs of outfitting your rig
for boondocking.
More
on all that in my next blog on why it's not
cheaper to stay the BLM... so why do people
do it?
Tuesday
Jan. 10
Finding
provisions in Q.
There
are two main grocery stores in Q. Sure you can find another one on
the west side but it's more known as a hardware and liquor store than for
food. So that leaves The Road Runner and The General
Store. If you are paying attenion you can see one is expanding and
one looks like it has given up. The one going downhill used to be
the place to go but not so much anymore.
Wonder on in to the General
Store and look around. The inventory over the last couple of years has
shrunk. It's a small building and still several of the isles have no goods
for sale in them. One our last visit the main frozen food cooler was empty
as in EMPTY. They were famous as the place to find meat and even that looked
pretty shaky. It's like they are not even trying to compete anymore.
Now this is the busy season and the the place should be over flowing with
inventory. Milk was a dollar higher than their competition just down the
street.
I can understand many winter
visitors are maybe heeding off to Parker once a week and going to the bigger
markets and Walmart... but still the General Store is more like chasing
them away.
Now on the other hand head
off to the Roadrunner Market... and you'll se a big difference. This
guy has not given up... he is expanding. Huge new long cooler for
produce which means he is competing with the produce stand across from
the Post Office. He carries a full line of liquor and beer. He is
also expanding his meet department big time and is known for his deli salads.
He had more just chicken for sale than the General Store had in all their
meat. This guy is in it to win it, as they say. As I was walking around
he said to me, out of the blue, that a new large shipment was do in the
next day. I didn't see any space wasted or unused. He was actually
trying to sell product.
They both put out sales
flyers so check them out as you can find a good deal or two at each store
on sale days.
So there you have it more
than you wanted to know about the cut throat grocery business in Q.
Monday
Jan. 9
Build
it, They Will Come
The
Big Tent is going up...
This is what it will look
like when all up.
Now
this is one huge sucker. And it will be full of booths selling anything
and everything along with RV vacation resorts enticing you to their summer
destinations. The hint of the day is don't go the first day as it's just
too crowded. You'll have plenty of time in mid week as it runs from Jan
21st thru 29th, 2012 - Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM. I like to get out my FRS radio
and just listen to the crazies taking to each other.
If
you just can't wait for the action to start feel free to visit my
posts from January of last year. Lots of pictures.
Also
the big tent
official web site.
Oh
and now the good news we got a call early Saturday morning... way before
I was ready to get up I can tell you.. that our prime old BLM boondocking
site was about to become vacant. Hooked er up and trekked on over
to La Posa North to survey the site... True bonndockers need to take
their time setting up... ya got to determine the best angle to place the
unit for the the opimum solar panel action and of course how close you
get to the fire ring and where to place your green outdoor carpet... no
water or mowing for our yard. We got all that accomplished and are now
ready to enjoy our surroundings.
Don't
have the big canopy and picnic table as in past years but still have enough
creature comforts to make it livable, me thinks. After all we are not here
for the entire season and traveling lighter. Terry also wants to get back
to the Tucson area for the really huge Tucson
Gem and Mineral Shows first part of Febuary. We can day trip over to
those shows from our S&B seasonal place near Benson.
Now for the bread.... Terry
might bake ya a loaf but if ya don't want to wait for that... Get Your
Buns into the local Q bakery...
Terry fired up the duch
oven over coals and did a loaf outside late on Saturday.
  
It was a great evening
with a near or full moon rising in the early sky. We did come in early
to watch the latest reality TV show.
The GOP debates. What
a waste of time and another loosing ratings season for that series.
Ya know the line "I'm not a real politician... I just play one on TV"...
Thursday
Jan. 5
We
found Quartzsite OPEN for business.
We at last got the 5er loaded
up about 10 AM on Wed. and took off for our across state treck for our
stay in Q.
All the home on wheel systems
seem to be working up to the task after being on standby for a few months.
It's like a shake down cruise all over again. We did find the bathroom
overhead vent cover was busted. Must have succumbed to one of our Benson
hail storms. Wonder duck tape took care of that. Me thinks we might be
able to find one in Q don't Ya think.
Our friend Tad went out to
our old Long Term Visitor BLM site to see if per chance it was unoccupied.
Sure enough vaccant. We pulled in to Q about 3:30 PM and found a
MH had just grabed that site and were putting out their lawn carpet.
Oh well it's a big desert out there so we went to the free 14 day area
for the night and will check things out later. After all this is January
and if you want a site you had before as in years past.. you better get
here when the season starts. And the season does start when it's
still way toooo hot for anyone but the most dedicated with big power plants
to pwer AC or the down and out who are here because they have to.. be here
at that time so as time moves on it's a crap shoot to see if an old prime
site stays open till you get here.
Thursday AM Terry just had
to go to the rock club... And I needed my morning internet fix...
He had been missing the interaction with all the gravel hunting groupies.
Later after the Thursday
afternoon general membership meeting we went for a drive looking for where
we would later find to land in the BLM. We needed water and gas for
the generator and the must do loop the main drag to check it all out...
Then back to the BLM to look for sites... As we drove by our old spot at
La Posa North the people next door came out to great us and said the MH
who had just moved in to it were only staying a day or two and they would
call when they are leaving so we can get our old site back. It will be
old home week with knowing so many of the campers in that area. People
came back year after year and many times get to regroup with their friends
that they only camp with during the winter season. This is a seasonal community
that when the spring desert heat moves in, people get hitch itch and move
on to points cooler.
So now back at the BLM 14
day holding staging area, so to speak....
My Droid X using Pdanet unlimited
internet keep timing out... (had to reboot it a couple of times)
I think Verizon get wise and times Pdanet users out after a usage for a
bit. Enought to get email and a little suffering and then no internet
access. So I broke down and called Motosat my satellite internet provider
and got my account unsuspended. First was told to send them a email. I
said if I had internet I wouldn't need to turn it back on. That got
a laugh and was transferred to a guy who said he would do it right away.
And it was so... came right up and worked great, new faster advertised
speed than it used to be.. and more download bandwidth. So I'm a happy
camper with not having problems getting back online and also by going back
to our old favorite camp site. This adventure to the wonders of Q
is working out better than expected.
Stay tuned as I once again
share my impressions of this "Love or Hate it Mecca"
First obsevation is the
vender count is way up this year. And many say the camper count
is down... so less people... may need to spend more... to make it all work.
It's so strange to come
in AFTER all is set up... unlike arriving early like in years past, all
empty and barren, and watching it grow to what we found, already done,
as we arrived today.
If you have never been here...
now is the time of year to experience all this...
Ya know anymore buying bread
in a grocery is a hit and miss proposition... if it looks good, those premium
breads, cost a bunch. So many times later when you try it it sucks,
and it gets tossed.
Here in Q there is a local
bakery across the street from the general store that sez... "Get
your Buns In Here"
They do good stuff and you
know it will be good.
BUT... This is one
Terry baked last week...
After you factor in the
cost of the bread baking books ("The
Bread Bakers Apprentice" by Peter Reinhart) not sure homemade is cheap,
but it sure is good... to be sure. Terry sez the information in the book
by Peter Reinhart more than paid for it.
An investment to good eats.
This is not your bread making machine stuff... Now none of
that homemade... doughy tast.
Make the dough ferment for
a long time to develop flavor is the secret according to my baker Terry....
I do don't give him any
slack on his cooking... I don't say this is yummy if it's not...
but I have to say his breads
are getting to be fancy bakery quality...
He might be busy at the Gem
and Mineral Club this month... so when he calls at noon and sez anything
you need...
I might say... Get your
Buns to the Q bakery... and then bring'um all home... Yours and
and the bread...
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