Quartzsite: Why we do it
Well, at least it didn’t snow. Despite night-time temperatures in the mid thirties and daytime to the mid to high fifties with some winds, we endured and had our fun. I don’t know how many eggs showed up but it must have been about two hundred, same as last year. Saw lots of Casitas, Scamps, Escapes, Bigfoots, Olivers, a Lil' Snoozy, an
Oxygen, a
Boler and a Compact and, probably one other I couldn't identify.
After every one of these get-togethers I tell myself, that’s it, I’m done, not going again. Dome Rock BLM? There can’t be a more ugly, un-hospitable trailer camping ground. Rocks, gravel, gullies, plus rude and aggressive Neando-tholic plant life, predominant color being gray-brown, emphasis on the gray. How can you even walk there? No water, no cell phone service, no television, no amenities at all. Just a free and open, un-fettered land where you can park and chill, alone or with your friends, for as long as you like.
That’s what brings me back. Pity them in tents because we seniors have our eggs to keep us, well, quite comfortable. Everyone there is happy and eager to share the things they like about that one giant common denominator, the great outdoors and our blessed
fiberglass trailers. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of that special group of people.
I have eavesdropped on some amazing life stories. So much experience is concentrated in one spot. If you have some problem with your trailer you can’t solve, this is the place where someone will have an answer for you and happy to help.
On Friday at 4 PM the band began to play. Soon after the campfires were all lit and the people began to gather with their camp chairs. We listen to very fine musicians, chat and cook hot dogs over campfires. Greg’s competition for best hot dog holder made me laugh. At least a hundred
rally folks gathered around. Weather was cool but reasonably comfortable if you were properly dressed. Fellowship and happy feelings made things exceptionally warm. My hot dogs were fine, ok maybe 20 per cent acid, but good, thanks really to the excellent mustard I brought.
That night it got cold again. A tap on the shoulder signaled a request to turn on the heater. Low 40’s at 4 AM.
We had to leave on Saturday but before that Ron from BC had organized a very fine orientation meeting for those who might be wanting to drive across the Mexican border down to the Baja. And, later that day, held a group meeting for those who would for sure be going to the Baja, if maybe just to pat a whale shark on the nose, once the rally was over. I had wanted to drive to the Mexican border and get a picture of me pushing against the wall but, at the Algodones border crossing near Yuma there was big congestion and no wall so, no picture. Oh well.
In Quartzsite town we found an excellent fenced dog run for Josie to romp around with new friends, we shopped at the Roadrunner market, filled jugs of water at the Burger King, got turned off by the long line into Silly Al’s, had terrible fish and chips at The Grubstake, and toured a great quilt show at the Senior Center. Herb’s Hardware store is the absolute go-to place for everything, especially if you need O-rings.