Quartzsite, AZ

Graduation, Dust, The Big Show, Dust, Snuggy Meets A Friend, Dust, Warm weather, Dust, Naked Bookstore Guy...

...Did I mention dust?! This was the finest, talcum powder like stuff I have ever seen, and it coated everything we owned by the time our week in the desert was done. Thanks to the full-timers group for selecting a convenient location for us, 2 miles off the main road with the 2 track access (who's idea was that anyway?)



Yeah, I know, its been a while since the last the post! Currently enjoying 72 degrees here in Yuma, AZ. This is the first internet we have had acess to since heading from Phoenix to our adventure in the desert.


We met up with the 'Full-Timer 2005 Graduation class' In Quartzsite (dust bowl!) Arizona. We stayed on BLM land, cheap, $20 for a 14 day pass. Park anywhere you want in the desert! Despite the dust, we had a wonderful time meeting all of the others that started their own full-timing adventures in 2005. We shared stories, travels, breakdowns and places we visited over wonderful pot luck dinners and warm campfires. Below is a borrowed picture of the 2 track into the campsite, followed by some of our group members 'wagon train'. Finally, a group pic of the 'graduating class'!




























We capped off the time here with a wonderful campfire cerimony where everyone recieved their 'diplomas'. It was cold that night, around 32-35, not a cloud in the sky. The nearest city is almost 20 miles away, so the stars were the brightest I've ever seen! Here's our diplomas':


In between swapping stories with other full-timers, we took some time out to visit the largest RV Show and Flea Market, I think, on the planet. This little town in the desert swells up over a million people for this week long show. We looked at a few rigs and are really starting to lust over the diesel pushers. Our gasser has been good to us but, it would be really nice to have the stability of the bus chassis, the power and fuel economy of the diesel. Most important for me would be the pac or Jake brake to help you down the mountains. I've had my share of white knuckle descent's and smoked brakes on the Georgie Boy to make me really want to upgrade, we'll see!

While checking out the flea market (with the limited space in the RV, we can't buy anything, that's a good thing!) we kept hearing people talk about the 'naked bookstore guy'. So, of course, we had to go investigate. Sure enough, this guy is a legend in these parts, has over 80,000 books, mostly in a tent, and can point you to any genre or author in an instant! He is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the town, so we had to do the tourist thing and get a pic of him (we did buy a couple of books too!)



Almost everyone we spoke with said every RV'er needs to experience the spectacle that is Quartzsite at least once. I agree, just be prepared for the dust invasion and 3 day clean up that follows!!

We have spent the last couple of days washing everything we own, The motorhome got cleaned inside and out. A fresh coat of wax for the car, the coach and the bikes. Now that we are put back together and clean, we are headed back to Tucson for some RV repairs (refrigerator and water pump). We will pass through Phoenix again and head towards Palm Springs, to revist what we missed on the last visit (we both sick with the flu there in Dec!) mainly the Tramway and Joshua Tree NP. Then its over to San Diego (can't wait to see the zoo) at the beginning of March. Followed up by the Pamona, CA FMCA Rally in mid march. Then we begin working our way up the CA coast!



Rich