Friday Nov. 2
By your roving reporter
Terry
Has it really been 5 days
since our last post! Where has the week gone. I have been busy
at the rock club since they have reopened for the year, have not
yet been able to do any of my own work, but have been volunteering in the
Silver Shop and on a couple of the club's ongoing building projects.
That has been in the mornings. In the afternoon we have been hiding
from the heat, using the air conditioning in the trailer, and running our
errands in the afternoon. Ran over to Blythe one day for a few groceries
and misc items, the library on another day. Thursday morning
I took a bit of time to build a fire ring for our site, and went to
the rock club's meeting on Thursday afternoon. Today I scrounged
for firewood, and found a nice pick up load.
We had a campfire last night,
and we went through quite a bit of the loose stuff that I had obtained
a few days back. Still looking for a really good pallet to use as
a step for our front door. and some day we will be able to get the picnic
table and awning. Then we will be set for the season.
Things are still slow in
Quartzsite, but more and more people arrive every day. A few more
vendors start putting up tents and displays, and pretty soon everything
will be in full swing.
An Arizona sunset from our
back yard. We had Bob over for happy hour last night and this was
the view we were treated to. We never get tired of the view or the
company. It was fun last night watching the sunset, the shadows lengthen,
flames crackling in the fire and the distant howl of wily coyote in the
bush, the call of the wild, the tranquility and beauty of this place.
Just a few of the reasons why we so enjoy roughing it in the desert for
5 months out of the year.
Now by Ron
I made a few emails and
cell calls to check on truck tries we need to get soon. Thought we would
stick with GoodYear as that is what was OEM. Found GoodYear Wrangles AT/S
at Walmart for $160. You did know tire prices just went up 8% last month.
Went to the GoodYear web site and found they have new replacement tire
for that size called the Wrangler Silent Armor. Discontinuing the above
one and mostly out of stock.
 A
more aggressive tread and quieter, as is made with Kevlar belts. (Whatever
that is, but the FLASH pup up ad made them look good.) So I called the
closest dealer in Yuma and was informed it is a new great tire, but still
being made and not readily available yet. He checked his computer, just
starting to make my size at the factory. Call back in a month or
so, he said. Well so much for tire buying. Oh the price $170 each and I
need six. Och. At lest I'm not buying MH tires. They were good to talk
to, and friendly, so I think I will do business with them later on. Purcell's
Tire Yuma, AZ. Many PU tires are wider but with dulleys, mine are at width
of 215 so the dulleys don't touch. I know more than you ever wanted to
know about tires. Unless you have a PU and need tires.
OK so it is Friday night
and Terry is baking potato rolls and we will watch Bill Maher latter on
HBO. About the only thing we watch on HBO. Been a long time since I found
a movie to watch when we wanted one. Guess I should spend more time searching
and setting the DirecTV DVR. I leave it turned on, on a small portable
inverter so it is always on. I hate to have to wait if not, when powered
up, for it to download all the settings before it works. Just another helpful
RV hint. I also run our XM radio boom box off another small portable
inverter, so we can listen all night without having the main 5er huge 2000
w unit on. Gees look at me again, more tech stuff. Must be time for a campfire
and get the heck off the net. (John and Tony wanted to know if we we were
spending all your time in front of the campfire, since we hadn't posed
for awhile.) This is the time to sit outside, as later in Dec. or
Jan. right when the sun goes down it gets COLD.
Monday Nov. 5
We
have had a bunch more strange things electronic wise happen to us.
Need to to do more knocking on wood I guess. It started last week
when the power supply cable to the HufghesNet Modem went out. Next Yesterday
the DirecTV R15 DVR receiver wouldn't get any channel pictures. It would
show menu selections but that was all and the DVR function didn't show
up. Later saw all my recorded shows were gone. I called DirecTV and
they tried to fix it and said they would have to send out a tech (that
would be a week later for them to show up they told me) (love that next
day service) for $70 service call, or a one time charge of $15 and then
$6 a month for a maintenance contract. I told them i would call tehm back.
I swapped out Bob and sandys unit and it worked fine. so I called them
back for more options. I got a NEW person who said he had found out the
new download upgrade they did, with the R15 DVR unit, caused problems and
he knew how to fix it. He had me go deep in the menus and wipe clean the
hard drive and reset the unit up as if it was new. AND HE fixed the problem
and now I have all functions again. Lost all my recordings but so what,
it was a fast way of cleaning out the drive) I was about to trash this
unit and go out and buy a new one. WOW and I am happy that I called back
and got the right person who had a clue. For a little more than the price
of one service call or the maintenace fees for year you could buy a new
unit each year from Best Buy.
Then
today I turned on my MotoSat internet satellite controller D3 unit and
it just sat there and the busy red light kept blinking telling me it couldn't
see or talk to the upper control board unit on the roof on the dish.
I had internet but I dare not try to move the dish. So I called tech
support again, this time for Ground Control and they worked with me to
telnet the unit and redo the firmware. AND that did the trick and all was
well again. Otherwise I would have had to go up and remove the control
unit on the dish and them send a new one for $99. WOW saved again.
Terry
baked another loaf of bread and we cleaned the trailer WITH the A/C on
and the generator running. So I don't like it when it gets HOT so sorry...
And to think this AM I had to have a blanket on me in the recliner reading
the morning paper. I can get warm if it's cold but heat and me don't mix.
He
told me he took another picture of his latest bread loaf for the blog and
I told him we had enough pictures of his bread uploaded already. Right
now a few clouds making for a fantastic sunset... going out to enjoy it
(with a campfire) and get a life. Knock on wood for me...
Later
Ron
Tuesday Nov. 6
Monday
(last night) sunset another WOW We sat outside after sunset with
a campfire.
Another hot day... In the
land where the Quartzsite city slogan is "Where Everyday is a Weekend".
From inside the 5er I saw
this go by slowly. He has to get a vender permit from the BLM to drive
in here, and I doubt he is going to make much for his efforts. Oh, sure
I hope he does well, as he has obviously put much effort into this. I can
respect that. BUT There are many, many places just up the road in
Q to get RV parts. Now if he was offering a mobil RV repair service, he
might have a more viable businesses plan. If I need a part I will go into
town and look around to see who has a best price, not run out into the
road and flag this guy down. What then after he stops, and I look for a
part (in his limited space) and if he has my part and then if I don't like
his price, I say "I don't want it" Think Not. Now if he had
a cell phone number on his trailer I might call him as he goes by and ask
if he has what I need and his price... That way he doesn't know where I
am at till I accept the deal for him to stop. Another idea, might be later
in the season. just park it close by a large group of RVs in the BLM that
look they might need work, and put up nother sign that sez Cheap Prices.
The only other service that
does work is a mobile dump service. And they are pricy... last I knew about
$20. In that case most MHs just drive to the dump station and most trailers
use a blue boy or a setup
like we use so we don't have to use a blue boy. You might get a tired
MH Rver that sez screw it, and wave that service down, and pay the price,
since the dump station line, and wait time can be VERY long in prime season.
They
tell us the heat will break by this weekend. The AZ paper sez we have had
15 days straight of record breaking heat. About 15 deg. above normal.
Wednesday
is flu shot day in Q at the QIA building from 10 - 30 AM. Last year I got
passed off when several people tried to break ahead in the line. There
are jerks everywhere. The problem is the head of the line starts right
next to entrance door of the building, and people have to break through
the line to get to the end of it. Not well planned out. But the price is
right, $10, put on by the County Health Dept.
We
promise not to show you our flu shot prick site pictures as it happens.
Yuck... Blog content, is tuff right now, as not much going on, but
will spare you the points of contact, if you will, of the big event of
the day.
Update:
Sandy called on the cell phone to tell us a blimp was going over so Terry
ran outside and took some pictures.
I
picked this one, right between our internet dish and a solar panel on top
of our 5er.
Thursday Nov. 8
We
had a big day going to the rock club meeting and getting great buys at
the General Store (Thursday is sale flyer day) (4 cucumbers for $1,
head lettuce $.99, Pears $.99 a lb. for just a few items that were good
buys. It does pay to shop local and follow the flyers they put out. The
General Store is noted for its meat and at great prices. So why go 20 miles
one way to Blythe for main stay groceries when the prices are better right
here in Q. Think about it, diesel at $3.25 and 40 miles round trip. And
prices at Albertsens are VERY high. Some things are not available here,
so you do need to go out of town for them, but we will go to Parker for
those things in the future, even though it is a few miles more. Prices
are much better in Parker to the north, than in Bythe, CA. Now if
you drink the VERY BEST prices ( we are talking cheap) are at the Big Market
across from the Yacht Club on the main drag.
We
came back and again had a campfire, as Bob stopped by and I broke out a
few margaritas since I just got a great price on the booze at the
Big Market.
Terry
dumped the gray and black and later going back for fresh water for our
5er tank. So we are set for another week or so.
Getting
late so have to close the blog, as Terry sez it is time to eat, and
at 9:45 and we should shut down the gen. at 10 PM. So stop back tomorrow
as I took some pics I want to share of some of the venders that are setting
up, and the campsites we found on the way to dump and get fresh water.
People
do know how to live the winter season in the BLM and have come with the
most original ideas on how to do it in style.
Friday Nov. 9
These RVers are here each
season (at La Pose South) and they set out their canopies and then add
on them, and add on some more for huge outside rooms. It gets
very windy at times so they have to really secure them or they will go
blowing in the wind.
The Rice Ranch vender area
just south of the interstate on the east side is starting to get more venders
set up.
We took particular interest
in this one. Buster's BBQ Shack. He has taken over at least three
or more vender spaces and a green screen fence has gone up. All this for
a BBQ stand. It goes very deep also.
The only thing we can figure,
here we go again speculating, is they are goinig to try to go big time
and have music and a big bar area. Would that be called a Honkey Tonk?
Wonder if the powers to be in Q will give out a booze lic. so a vender
can compete with the local sticks and brick bars.
If so, here I go on that
business plan thing again, isto wonder it they forgot it gets COLD
right after sunset in the desert. And the streets are empty after 7 PM.
They better have big gas heaters. The other point is, there is at least
a couple other vender BBQ places up town. Not on this scale, just
BBQ stands. So one more thing to watch, to see how it goes.
Hope this works out great and you know they must think they have great
food.
We see so many ideas come
and go to make big money for the season in Q. I remember two years
ago a big semi pulled into La Posa North with showers built in the trailer.
Fancy set up. Not used much... They didn't understand everyone
has showers built into their RVs. Great idea for a bike across the state
type of thing, or (race tracks as on their web page) where they ALL need
showers, but not here. Just one of the many entrepreneur plans that fall
flat in Q. But Hey, they're trying, and we get to watch, and if it's good,
we buy what they're selling. People watching is the BEST all season right
here. Some flop so bad, they have trouble getting money to get out of town
in the spring.
I went back and searched
my old posts and found a picture of it. They are called MauiShowers.
Oh, let me not forget. It
was NOT hot here today. Got to about 80 and overcast all day.
Also we can watch DirecTV
but can't record anything on the DVR function. I called them late last
night and a new (R15) unit is being shipped for FREE.
Their reset fix the other
day didn't last and it crapped out again. I called them this AM to confirm
the shipping address etc. and sure enough it was going to our old home
address we sold years ago. Got that corrected I hope, we shall see.
I got the Quartzsite
rock club web site all updated with the latest shop hours and events,
etc. Check it out, you might want to join the club if in the area, or see
on the google links that interest you if you're into that kind of thing.
We do the rock club site as a free courtesy of our main
www.Hitchitch.com site. I tell Terry to join the club it costs $15,
and to keep the web site up $61.60. Shouldn't I be a charter club
member? Now aren't we nice. Don't answer that.. Terry is the casting instructor
at the club, and I tell him he can go play in the gravel parking lot, (rocks
right) for all it's worth. As you can tell I am not a member. I've got
to many rocks in my head, to try to play with them. Just give me a computer
and I'm happy.
Above link to the Rock Club
now working... Sat. AM
Saturday Nov. 10
A few more shots of
more food venders in the Rice Ranch area. This one was here last year so
it must have worked out for them. You have to know that food does seem
to be a good item to sell as everybody eats. Saw a stand for Greek Gyros
and another for Bratwrusts going up. Of course there will be kettle corn,
buffalo burgers, Indian bread and tacos, ice cream, to entice your appetite.
It's beginning to look like a state fair concourse. Now if they just don't
think they can charge state fair prices. Many of them come off the fair
circuit and think that is the going rate for their great concoctions. Well
this is Quartzsite where people expect fare or better prices.
This one just getting set
up. Looks like all new trailer with several refrigerators lined up outside
on the ground. They are building a counter and putting together new outdoor
furniture. No expense spared by this vender. They got a prime spot
right at the bottom of the overpass ramp south of I-10 on the east side.
Just across the street from Rice ranch and to the west is Tyson Wells show
area. Last year Baudry RV took over the area north of the street and kicked
all the venders out. A longtime food buffalo burger stand was right here
but had to move to Tyson Wells and now this year this guy gets to set up
there. Must have connections with the RV dealer. Some people come
just for the Big Tent event in January, but the rest of us who get here
early and stay the whole season, get to see the canopy city grow from desert
dust, to a city of thousands. We also get the best camping spots in the
BLM. We think so anyway.
Tyson Wells is on the left
and Rice Ranch (highlighed) on the left, both south of I-10, HW 95 in the
center coing north and south.
Sunday Nov. 11
I kind
have been on a roll, pointing out the reality check side of Quartzsite.
Take this vender. A stand to only make keys. Just how many need keys made
as they walk through the vender areas. They are looking for fun things
to buy (that is the wife side of the equation, the man side of it, is get
me out of here so I can go back and the campsite and have a beer.
Is
he going to make that many keys to make his rent payment?
Next up is the big Super
8 Motel along the interstate up from Loves truck stop.
Right next to the motels
paved parking lot sits a van, without wheels and busted out windows. Now
if you were to drive up the access road to the motel, (you have to drive
right by it to get to the entrance) would you feel safe parking you auto
here. Bet you would get back on I-10 and head on down the road. It
has been here since we got to town. Wouldn't you as a the motel manager,
insist that it gets towed away. Reality Check...
Clueless.
So
much for a fantastic Sunday in Q. The weather is about 80 and lows in mid
50s for at least the next week.
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