After a quick trip to Mexico I returned to crowded Quartzsite to meet up with friends old and new.
I left my Cargo Muchacho Mountains camp on January 17th, went to Yuma for supplies, then spent the night at—my favorite—VFW/BLM camp. The next day I went to Algodones Mexico with Gayle for hopefully her final dental surgery. After they put her under, I slipped out to breakfast and the recommended Mi Casa Su Casa was excellent. A huge plate of shredded chicken Chilaquiles with beans and potatoes for $3.50 USD was more than I could finish.
The next morning I headed to crowded Quartzsite. After fighting with the fridge for almost three months I decided to order a new thermistor at RV Lifestyles. Since buying that $64 part, the fridge has worked fine, and I found the part online for $10. Can’t return electronics so I’ll just hang on to it.
I attended the 13th annual RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) for my first time, video here. Arrived in time to hear RV boondock guru Bob Wells talking about the movie Nomadland. Then wandered around chatting to folks before waiting in line to meet Bob. I asked him “Where were you 46 years ago when I first hit the road and there was nobody to ask questions?” Think I caught him off guard with that. (The burning van will go up in smoke at the end of the RTR. Look above the front wheel for my signature.)
Mo, Sue, Gaelyn
Later in the afternoon I met Sue and Mo at the Roadrunner 14-day BLM south of crowded Quartzsite and they drove us into town for dinner at Silly Al’s Pizza. Waited over an hour for a table and the place was packed with noise levels beyond conversation but the table-sized pizza was good.
By now I was ready for some down days in preparation for my next meetup after the weekend. At crowded Quartzsite there’s very little bandwidth at Roadrunner with so many people but I did work on videos and blog posts to post later. The traffic in and out was like watching a parade so I took video. The Big Tent Show started that weekend and the crowds descended like flies on, well you know.
Saturday afternoon a trailer parked what I would call “too close” except for this location. Later they were joined by two other outfits and I felt like part of the party, not.
By Monday morning I was ready to get out of Dodge.
The wind was blasting and full of dust. I headed east of crowded Quartzsite to Scadden Wash BLM, a new 14-day for me.
Carolyn’s RV Life meetup was held there from 11am-2pm. I arrived way before that in hopes of a good signal and got lucky enough to upload the RTR video. I walked over about 11am and stood in line talking to strangers to meet Carolyn. She really is a down to Earth person and I like her a lot. We’re both trying to be more social this year. Just before noon I returned to the camper as I was cold. The wind was brutal. Dust almost obscured the Dome Rock Mountains to the west. After breakfast I walked back over about 1pm. Much warmer but still chill. A small group was asking questions. I’d guess 50-60+ people came through in that four hours.
Because of the great signal, towers seen on the top of the Plomosa Mountains, I decided to cruise up the road a bit and found a wonderful quiet and uncrowded camp. 360° view video here.
Tuesday I woke with a runny nose, sore throat, and no energy. Good day to stay home reading and knitting.
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I decided to be more social this year and get out to functions and activities, meet new people. That’s been fun, except for catching the worse cold I’ve had in forever. I’ve tested negative for COVID three times. Over a week later, I’m finally feeling a bit better. But now I’m even further behind on blog posts. Bear with me please.
Both of those meals sound and LOOK delicious! Maybe I need a pm snack…LOL Glad you’re getting out and having a good time but… Wow! that Saturday (not) party was quite close! Hope you continue to improve quickly and get over that nasty cold. Take care!
I am much happier near the ghost town of Tumco with only a few neighbors barely within sight. Feeling better every day thanks.
Chilliest winter trip to AZ so far for me, this being 8th year here. I had some warm days in early Dec, but in that month, its getting cold at 4pm. This week, finally, some warm afternoons here in Why BLM camp. It looks a bit like Quartzsite this weekend, with over 50 rigs. Most I have ever seen. Nonetheless, life is good here. Take care !
It was a cold January but warmer near Yuma. Haven’t made it south of Ajo yet as I’ve been waiting for warmer temps. Yea, for this week. And even clear sky to see the moon. Lots of backroading around the Cargo Muchacho Mts.
Hi there Gaelyn, pleased to hear you are meeting up with more people and enjoying meals out and about. Love all the wonderful photo’s here giving us a glimpse into your journey. I hope you have got over that nasty cold and it wasn’t Covid. I think everyone is sick of hearing about this virus but it’s best to follow rules i.e. by wearing a mask at certain times stated, well that is what is applied here in Crete anyway. Enjoy the rest of your journeys and stay safe. Also have a good weekend.
Thanks, just about over the nasty cold. Be well.
“I decided to be more social this year and get out to functions and activities, meet new people. That’s been fun, except for catching the worse cold I’ve had in forever. ”
Just part of being more social. The more of the herd you are exposed to the more ‘stuff’ you are exposed to catching. Stay well.
It was fun but I’m back to isolation for a while.
The Big Tent looks less crowed this year. We’ve driven thru Quartzite, even stopped for Al’s pizza, but never to the ‘Big Event’. Maybe some time, but it’s really too peopley for my comfort!
With the return of Canadians it’s busier in Quartzsite than the last few years, but I’ve seen it busier. Agree, way too peopley. I much prefer the quiet I’ve returned to near the Tumco ghost town.
After nearly isolating for those Covid years, I feel like we too are more susceptible to the “normal” run-of-the-mill viruses that have always been around. In a way, it’s a battle between physical and mental health because I do think we all need to be with other people sometimes (and to eat yummy meals we don’t have to cook ourselves too ;)). Sounds like Quartzsite is even busier than it was when we visited — and I could hardly believe it way back then!!
Winter population in Quartzsite continues to grow, especially with the return of Canadians this year. I’m working on a balance between social and isolation.
I missed the Big Tent this year. Stayed here in Yuma where it was a little warmer. Finally, getting warmer and I’ll be heading that way next week. At least it won’t be crowded. Hope your cold is gone soon and you can meet more people and spread your wings. Hopefully, we’ll bump into each other soon. Doug Laning
You really didn’t miss much at the tent, same junk different year. I do prefer this Yuma warmth and am back almost where you found me last, a little further up the canyon. Head cold almost gone. Feel free to drop by.
Boy I’d say you’ve been more social. Had to laugh at the idea of a table sized pizza. Wow!! I’m not sure which I dislike more dust or mosquitoes. I’m not surprised you picked up something from all your socializing. I just hope it doesn’t have this cough that I still cannot get rid of from late December.
Not sure being social paid off but even the cough is almost gone finally.
Always enjoy reading about your life and who you met. You are becoming more social, and me less.
Thanks. Not sure all that socializing paid off with getting sick.
Knock on wood, Mo and I have been a bit more social, after all, we were there at Silly Al’s. How more social can you get?!! Still, your cold must have come late enough that we didn’t get it. We aren’t isolating exactly, but we aren’t really very social people in general, and so thus far have avoided the Covid, or any other of the colds and flus that seem to be getting folks who are opening up from the extreme isolation of the last couple of yeas. Hope that cough gets baked out of you, Gaelyn.
So glad you two didn’t get this nasty cold. I think those germs were on the wind at Monday’s meetup. Now I’m back west of Yuma and the days are almost 80°. I love it!
Good times! Glorious here. Even with neighbors, it’s so quiet, and they’re there if we need each other. More are getting out now with warmer clime. I saw new term…catarrh. basically post nasal drip. Many symptoms, yuk. And saw roadrunner here; still beating coyotes:)
Glad you found a peaceful place to live. I love listening to the coyotes.
Your socializing seems to be paying off. You’ve caught up with me on subscribers, but I pulled ahead a bit again, last I checked.
Bobseyes
Not sure the socializing was worth this nasty head cold, or even an increase in subscribers. Also helped that YouTube made a couple videos go viral.
How fun to attend the RTR and meet Bob. He’s famous now! Still can’t believe Nomadland won the Best Picture. It was a fine movie, but hardly Oscar worthy in my opinion. Silly Al’s has good pizza but I can no longer handle the noise. Looks like you had a fun time.
RTR was fun. Maybe next year I’ll try the Skooliepalozza. Bob was famous before the movie. Which I agree was a good story but not Oscar worthy. I’ll pass on Silly Als in the future.