I attended the first ever 2015 Blogger-Fest near Quartzsite Arizona and I’ll bet it won’t be the last of bloggers gathering in the desert. Turn at the yellow balloons.
A big thanks to Jerri and Sandie (standing in front of the group) for organizing this gathering attended by at least 50 people, mostly bloggers that full-time in their RV. And there were mega-loads of RVs parked out on this BLM 14 day camping area off Plomosa Road north of Quartzsite. Many of the folks attending parked within walking distance, drove a toad/towed/tower over or came from other nearby camp areas. Started off with introductions then moved on to food and socializing with business cards handed around.
Finally met some bloggers I follow, some I’ve heard of, and others I didn’t know until now along with some of their mascot/pets. I was happy to put faces with Gayle (standing) and Jim (in the hat and black sitting behind her) from Life’s Little Adventures as their profile photo is an unbelievable hoot. Ivan from Roadtrip travels with his cat Hailey exploring the southern US and Baja, Mexico during the winter and all over Alberta and Canada during the summer. I’ve long heard of Judy Bell from Travels with Emma and although she’s a little behind posting I look forward to adding her to my reading list.
I met Nan from Trippin With the Talleys while camping at Anza-Borrego and I’ve followed Kevin and Ruth since their travels in Southern Africa last year and more recently returning to the States in their motorhome from Mexico.
Al & Kelly came down for the day from Congress, Arizona along with their famous Pheebs from The Bayfield Bunch. I talked to but didn’t get photos of Jerry and Wanda with their adorable dog Sally from Eggrollings who I missed meeting when they visited the North Rim last fall. Finally met Diana from Life on the Open Road who I’ve followed forever. Met a whole lot of new people to add to the blog reader like Retired Rod, John and Sharon from On the Road to Retirement, Marianne of Frugal RV Travel, and Doug with his dog Yuma from Missadventure Travels. Plus I know there were more people I didn’t meet and I don’t remember everybody’s name so apologize for leaving some folks out. In fact I could have spent more time chatting with everyone there and hope I get the chance to do that next year if not before.
Afterwards I drove out into the desert and spent a delightfully quiet night with barely another RV in sight. Then Sunday I drove back to Yarnell to check on things in general and get some forgotten items. I suspect it will be colder here than I like so I’ll soon be heading back south to warmer desert temperatures.
That is so cool! I love meeting fellow bloggers. Thanks for all the links to the other blogs. Hope you are doing well.
I like to meet bloggers too and it was fun. I am doing well and hope you are also.
That was a lot of bloggers to meet …I enjoyed it and seems to make reading their blogs more interesting. Sunday was a beauty day to arrive in Yarnell….
Yes, I sure hope we can do it again. It was a beautiful drive Sunday. Only took me 4 hours with all the stops.
I love attending blogger and e-tourism events. Its always great to meet people you only know online and its also a great source of inspiration.
Love to meet fellow bloggers.
We enjoyed our time at Blogger-Fest 2015 as well & how nice to finally put some faces to all these Bloggers we are so familiar with. And always nice to touch base with old friends as well. And especially nice being a part of the very first Blogger-Fest of ever:)).
Really nice to put a face and voice to these bloggers. If I’m not overseas next year I’ll be there again.
It was great to finally meet you! Jim says he’s growing into the profile photo. Should be just another few years;-)
Nice to meet you both and so many others. I sure hope he isn’t working on growing into that photo. 😉
I wish I had been able to be there. I would have loved to have met Judy. She is the one I made the T-shirt quilt for a couple years ago.
Wish you’d been there also. Judy is a kick.
What a fun event and it’s always nice to put names to faces!
Had a blast. Sure hope it happens again.
I really enjoyed meeting you too. What a fun time!
Nice meeting you and so many others.
Enjoyed visiting with you. It was great to meet you and all the many others I”ve followed for years. Hope we make it again next year.
Was a great event that I too hope happens again.
How fun to meet up with fellow bloggers. I think I have followed Diana almost since I started blogging many years ago. I hope they do this again.
Always great to meet bloggers, especially those followed a while. I too hope they organize this again next year.
I am really envious of your being there and getting these great pictures of bloggers I read. So thanks for going for me since I’m so far away. But at least as much I love your last two pictures of your great boondocking spot. Looks like a little piece of heaven
Maybe next winter you’ll be west and at another blogger event. Was not to get out of the crowds for camp.
What a neat event…..so many bloggers that I follow regularly.
I sure hope it happens again and more can join.
I love the light in those last 2 photos, Gaelyn. You had a blogger-meeting bonanza. I look forward to reading some of their blogs. It’s been so “warm” here (low 50’s) – maybe we sent the cold weather to Yarnell.
Thanks Barb, there is something very special about the golden hour on the desert. Many great bloggers. That seems way to warm for CO in January. Not too bad here at 60/40.
How fun! I love meeting fellow bloggers. What a great place to meet. I am an Arizona blogger too. Wish I could be there.
Gaelyn, so glad you have fun and met so many fellow RVers and bloggers. Love the photos, but that last shot is just stunning!
Thanks Kathie. It was fun to meet these bloggers.
What a lot of fun to meet up with so many fellow bloggers! Perfect place for it. Neat; thanks for sharing the party.
I love meeting bloggers and this gathering made it easier. Sure hope it happens again.
What a bunch of fun. I love meeting bloggers IRL and seeing what they are like. It is like meeting somebody you have always known. The funny thing to me is seeing people in three dimensions after years of seeing just pics.
Like meeting new old friends for sure.
That is such a great idea. We should do one here too.