Link to Quartzsite pictures: http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=325032052407:1778959043&cm_mmc=site_email-_-new_site_share-_-core-_-View_photos_button
When Deane first told me about Quartzsite, he painted this picture of massive number of RVers, warm sunshine, and an enormous flea market type of atmosphere. Well, he was truthful about two of his descriptors..... the one he missed was the one of warm sunshine.
We arrived in Quarzsite on Monday the 18th, and the weather was nice... not overly sunny or warm but it was not raining. The weather report we listened to said there was a front coming in from the Northwest and would arrive late Tuesday. IT DID!
We were able to get out on Monday and Tuesday and we spent about 2.5 hours each day walking around the area visiting both the great tent that has anything and everything an RVer could want. Then viewing the Rock and Mineral Show that is also here. You can get any size geo's, minerals from around the world, and if you are into making jewelry, you can get all of the supplies you need at really low prices. Plus, if you like jewelry, there are many independent jewelry stores to keep you busy.
We took a drive Wednesday up to Parker Az, then over to Blythe and back down to Quartzsite. Outside of Blythe there is an area you can visit Intaglios that were discovered in 1931 by a local pilot. They do not know how they were made or even how they have survived, but they were interesting to see. http://www.nuggetwranglers.com/blythe_intaglios.htm
Then Wednesday night came and so did the rain. It is Thursday right now and it is raining hard and the wind is blowing hard enough to rock the RV. Dry camping is an adventure. When it gets dark, you have a couple of options... turn the generator on for a while and watch a movie, play a game, read or go to bed! Conserving is the word to remember..... don't let the water just run.... we only have 100 gallons. Don't turn on all of the lights.....runs the batteries down, don't keep the heater on all the time as it uses the propane. Now don't get me wrong, we have enough of all of it to last us the week, but you have to keep it in mind. We are with the FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) group, so there are 350 rigs here with us and activities you can get involved in and people to meet. RVers are a very friendly group, and we have met some fun people from all over the country.
Quartzsite is a small town that gets to about 115 degrees in the summer months. There are about 4,000 people who live here year round, and in January and February it grows to over a million, almost everyone of them in some type of RV/Trailer setup. I pitty the ones that came to camp in a tent this year.
One of the most interesting things I have seen are the people who come and camp on BLM land. You can stay out there in the desert for 14 days, for free and without a permit. If you want to stay longer you must apply for a permit. Remember.... it is all dry camping!
Was going to post pictures, but being out here in the desert, we are using a Verizon card to get internet access and uploading pictures is deathly slow. So will get them posted when we get to Phoenix next week.