Heading to the Quartzsite desert

One year ago in Quartzsite

January is the time for me to head to the Quartzsite desert to meet up with friends and fellow bloggers.  Of course there are also hiking opportunities both in and out of town.

Weaver Mountains on the way to Yarnell

Martin Mountain through the window

It’s been a week of on and off rain here, ground is drinking it up and thankfully without flooding.

Plus four rainbows in one day including doubles and reversed colors.  A few nice sunsets but a little squishy to walk far from home.  Thus the reoccurring view from the RV Imax window.

Facebook friends and followers may have seen a couple of these photos already.  If I had more ambition I’d have driven across the tracks to avoid all the electric poles.

But enough rain now, please.  I’m ready to enjoy a warm, dry desert.

Been working my fingers to the bone on the key board, and my eyes are getting blurry from looking at the computer screen so much.  But I did get the new photography website launched with 30+ photos posted available for print.  Please remember, you can enter to win a print, greeting cards, or coffee mug until February 1st.  Just look for the entry form on the side bar.

Watching the weather

My original plan was to leave Thursday and camp around Bouse to do a little rock hounding.  Now looking at 70% chance of rain Thursday and Friday.  Hmmmm….  May just wait it out at home and drive the 2 1/2 hours to Quartzsite Saturday with less chance of rain but wind on the nose.  Wind in the desert can make even 60°F feel cold.  Gotta’ love the mobile jello plans.

I’ll be hanging out for a week just south of Quartzsite on BLM short-term with friends who’ve worked at Grand Canyon.  We each take a night to make dinner for the gang, hang out by the fire, walk, visit town, hang out by the fire, catch up since last year, and hang out by the fire.  Seems someone always brings Lots of firewood.

And it’s the RV show among many other items to look at like rocks, jewelry, junk, and more.  Every winter acres of Quartzsite are covered with vendors selling anything you can imagine.  In fact, it’s kind of like a zoo when 1000s of RVers descend on this otherwise lonesome piece of desert.  I’m not much for crowds but usually take at least one walkabout in town which tends to be an all day affair.  I do have a list of RV related items I’ll be looking for.

Then, the 28th is the third Blogger-Fest, also on the Quartzsite BLM.  I look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends.  You don’t have to BE a blogger to attend.  (More info on the sidebar.)

Hiking with friends staying on the KOFA just south of Quartzsite is also on my list.  And a meet up with some old high school friends near Mesa with up to three night’s free parking at the nearby Casino Arizona.  Plus I would like to get across the southern border–before that big wall gets built you know–and pick up some, things.  Also want to get to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument as I’ve read a lot of great posts about experiences and hiking opportunities.  I haven’t been to that area, and never into the park, in over 25 years and a friend and Ranger is working there.

From there will depend on weather, time, money, and attitude.  If any of you are in these areas, or nearby, maybe we can meet up.

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