tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19997509884714159752024-03-13T10:50:00.493-07:00RVing QuartzsiteNews and information for recreational vehicle enthusiasts about Quartzsite, Arizona, the RV snowbird capital of the Southwest.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-1911103603581478502016-03-24T15:19:00.000-07:002016-04-24T20:16:21.593-07:00Breaking news: Quartzsite survives -- maybe thrives on -- big rock festivalLast fall we posted information about an upcoming Quartzsite event – a rock festival. It was a "duh" moment for this writer – on seeing the big billboard advertising it, all I could think of, "What? Another QIA?" [Quartzsite Improvement Association Gem & Mineral Show.] Silly fellow, as I soon learned this "rock" had nothing to do with minerals, and everything to do with decibels – as in, lots of them, pounding out musical rhythm.<br />
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In case you got out of town in time to miss it, you may be wondering how the first-ever Latino rock concert went down. Well, label me an "old fossil," I guess I'm here to tell you that I'm kind of relieved it's over, but truly surprised at how well the whole event went.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panteón Rococo in 2014. Libertinus on flickr.com</td></tr>
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The two day event, which took place along the Interstate 10 south frontage road at the Desert Gardens Showground was truly a tribute to modern Mexican rock. The weekend of the 19th and 20th saw nearly two-dozen top bands from the U.S., Mexico, and elsewhere from Central America appear on stage before huge crowds of ecstatic Latin music followers. Maybe I'm dating myself, but the crowds weren't anything like those that showed up at Yasgur's farm back in '69, but for a "first time" festival, there were plenty on hand.<br />
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Prior to the arrival of construction crews who put up fencing, huge tents, portable lighting systems, stages, and pulled in plenty of semi-trucks of cerveza, many locals were placing bets on how big the riots would be. I spoke with one land-owner from the north side of I-10 who told me she wasn't setting foot outside of her home during the concert, she was certain there would be violence.<br />
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Violins, maybe, but no violence. Actually, the violins would have better been termed fiddles, as at least one band – a Mariachi cum heavy metal outfit showed up. We watched a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_5y5KrBoO8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Youtube video featuring the group</a>, and I almost hate to admit it – the group was good! If the lead singer were left out of it, the music was great.<br />
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I will confess I didn't cough up the freight for even a pre-festival ticket ($99) but I managed to interview one well-known festival-goer (hint: he works behind the counter in the post office) who told me that while the place was definitely crowded, the attendees were about as well-mannered as we could hope for. Most stuck to the festival grounds for the show, but plenty migrated out to Love's, Burger King, and McDonalds for refreshments. No, the National Guard never had to be called in, and the state patrol boys assigned to keeping an eye on local roadways looked like they were working harder at keeping their eyelids propped open than any other activity.<br />
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While the festival itself was slated for the weekend, the Wednesday evening prior to the show the outfit did a little "sound testing." OK, the showground is close to Loves, and our humble abode is behind the local strip mall, quite a distance away. We definitely got plenty of sound at our place, leading me into a grumble fit about how I'd ever sleep through the weekend. But come opening day, organizers chose to turn down the volume, and other than an occasional "bump, bump" of bass, we never heard a thing. A friend who stays on at Desert Gardens – a scant ¼ mile away, tells me that the wind came in from the west and carried the sound away.<br />
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Mainstream media suggested that as many as 20,000 festival goers would cram in and rave all weekend. In reality, only about 4,000 advance tickets were sold; my "insider" source guesses that by the end of the first day of the festival maybe 8,000 were on site. Judging from the amount of labor and equipment involved, it would be a mighty close shave if the promoter made a profit, but the festival goers seemed to enjoy it – and like the big Gringo music festival down the street in Coachella, the first year could be more of a trial balloon. Coachella lost money in its first roll-out – but today, it's a booming annual business.<br />
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Having been around QZ since the late 1990's and watching the seeming decline of winter visitors (most of us aren't getting any younger), maybe an annual music festival isn't such a bad idea. Seeing a lot of young people having a good time and bringing a few bucks into the economy is strangely refreshing.<br />
<br />Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-22297321284764180672015-12-30T14:31:00.001-08:002015-12-30T14:31:29.258-08:00Big cats on the Colorado -- not far from QuartzsiteSnowbirds who make Quartzsite their destination have plenty of interests. From rock hunting to quading across the desert, to strolling through the endless rows of vendor tents. And then there's always fishing. No, there aren't a lot of ponds to dunk your line in, but there is, not far to the west, that big hole for bass and catfish anglers, the Colorado River.<br />
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A couple of years ago we got a phone call from a fellow who was tiring of the cold winters and "lake effect" snows of Michigan. Desirous of trading in his snow blower for a fifth wheel, he made some serious inquiries about the climate, and before you know it, Ken and his wife showed up with a big fifth wheel and a hearty appetite for desert living. He also brought his fishing poles, and not long after, had a little fishing boat go along with the tackle.<br />
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Ken settled on down in the little town across the river, Blythe, California. None of us locals had a lot of experience with angling. Sure, some would go out occasionally a drop a line in an irrigation canal, or stick our toes into the river water, but Ken was serious about his business. Driving around the area, his eyes constantly scanning for "likely spots," it wasn't long before Ken settled into the life of the inveterate piscatorian. So it didn't surprise us in the least when one day, he brought home the big one.<br />
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The "masculine" side of our family well remembers the thrill when hooking and landing a seven pound cat fish. But Ken—well—with all modesty on his part, seven pounds would be fine, but something a little bigger would even be better. We can only imagine the look on his wife's face when he staggered up to the door with a fifty-pound catfish. Aside from, the "hows" and the "wheres," the "whats" also came to her lips. What do you do with a whopper like that?<br />
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The answer to that question came in the form of a very big fish fry, where about 40 of us descended and ate catfish – and those us from the southwest – some hushpuppies, too. One of our hosts cooked up a big turkey for those whose heart was to faint to taste something of a "mud eater like that thing." In reality, Ken's big fish turned out to be quite tasty, not anything like you might imagine.<br />
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Truth be told though, there are more "cats" on the Colorado that just catfish.<br />
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A few weeks ago, Ken was out stalking more of those scaled critters when he had a run in with another critter he hardly expected to see. Dunking his line on the California side of the Colorado as darkness began to settle in, he was startled to see something join him that had come in from the opposite shore: A bobcat.<br />
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Now Lynx rufus is not a stranger to the area – winter visitors occasionally report sightings of these cats in the desert around Quartzsite, but they tend to be rather retiring creatures. Ken watched with fascination as the cat shook out his fur and eyeballed him for a bit – long enough for Ken to take a few pictures.<br />
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Big cats and big fish. Who knows, maybe if you run down the river, you might just run into one or the other yourself. But one of each for the same soul? Almost too good to be true.<br />
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If you have a hankering for fishing, out-of-state residents can pick up a fishing license for use in Arizona waters for $55 for the year, or $20 per day. Licenses can be purchased and printed from <a href="http://azgfdportal.az.gov/license" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the state's web site</a>.<br />
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Fish in California, an annual license is $126; however short term licenses for out-of-staters are a bit less: A one-day license is $15.12; $23.50 buys two days; or lay out $47.01 for a ten-day license. Again, these can be <a href="https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/fishing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">purchased on-lin</a>e.<br />
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Finally, if you've ever wondered why the bobcat looks as he does, the Shawnee people have an explanation. Bobcat was out hunting Rabbit one day, and had almost got him in his claws when Rabbit escaped into a hollow tree. Rabbit taunted Bobcat, telling him he could stay there forever, that he, Rabbit, would never come out.<br />
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Bobcat wisely replied that Rabbit would eventually have to come out to eat. So Rabbit, recognizing the truth of it, suggested that Bobcat build a fire so that when he came out from the tree, Bobcat would be ready to cook his dinner. This seemed reasonable, so Bobcat lit a large fire, whereupon, Rabbit jumped out of the tree and into the midst of the hot coals, spreading them all over the duped cat's fur. Bobcat escaped death by jumping into the nearby river, but to this day, his coat shows the dark brown spots where the coals landed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">photos courtesy Ken Stutzman, all rights reserved</span><br />
<br />Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-65795307075122596112015-12-10T16:19:00.001-08:002015-12-11T05:29:05.984-08:00Quartzsite ignites with propane wars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Snowbirds come to Quartzsite for plenty of good reasons: Desert sunsets. Scores of vendors with products to sell. Quiet times around the campfire with good friends. Warm weather. Warm weather? If you've looked at the weather map, you'll notice the "warmer than average temperatures" are giving way to some definitely chilly nights. Yep, you'll soon see Paul the "Naked Bookseller" put on his coat – when that happens, you KNOW it's cold.<br />
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Maybe it's a good thing that Quartzsite is in the middle of a propane war. Yep, the chief heating fuel of RVers is on sale across the great Quartzsite metropolis. Here are the prices (and a few tips) from around QZ as of December 10.<br />
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$2.15 Patties RV Park on the B-10 (Main Street) across from the Family Dollar. Patties offers free pickup and delivery, which is a big draw, especially for those with those honkin' big 20 gallon tanks. Trouble is, they won't take your credit card.<br />
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$2.15 Herb's Hardware Store on Highway 95 (Central Boulevard). When there's a line-up at other LP purveyors, you'll often find a quick fill-up at Herbs, and it's handy when you're picking up those repair needs. Many don't know about Herb's LP, because the tank is stashed away out of sight of the main road. A bonus: Herb's takes credit cards.<br />
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$2.15 RV Pit Stop on Highway 95 (Central Boulevard). The Pit Stop also offers a dump station, and you can fill up with either RO water or city water. Sorry, no credit cards here, but if you need custom-made LP hoses and LP fittings, you'll find them here.<br />
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$2.15 Texaco Quick Check, Highway 95 and the B-10. Credit cards OK here.<br />
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$2.09 Fill-R-Up, on Highway 95, just north of the Texaco Quick Check. These fellows moved in last year and are giving most of the LP retailers a run for their money. Making them attractive is their acceptance of credit cards – sorry, checks only drawn on the local bank. Fill-R-Up also offers free pickup and delivery for the same low price. Laundromat on the property.<br />
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$2.05 Mobile Station, far east end of the B-10 (Main Street). Yep, at present the low-price leader, but hang on to your hats, prices have been flipping around like a landed fish. Mobile will take your credit card; our big beef: You'll probably have to send somebody inside to fetch the LP attendant, then run inside again to pay. Kind of a hassle, but if you're watching your pennies . . .<br />
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<br />Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-88186013796900590272015-10-15T13:06:00.000-07:002015-12-11T05:29:21.171-08:00New rock festival in Quartzsite may not be what you thinkCruising up Interstate 10, a mile west of Quartzsite, we were a bit startled to see a billboard advertising a "Rock Fiesta" slated to come to Quartzsite in March. Now anyone who's been in Quartzsite during the winter season knows that Quartzsite is "all about rocks." From the fantastic "Rock, Mineral, and Gem Show" put on by the QIA, to the any one or more of dozens of rock vendors, if you want rocks, you'll find them in Quartzsite. So, we figured, a new rock selling venue.<br />
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<i>Perfectly wrong. </i><br />
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Come March 18 and 19, this Rock Fiesta is nothing about "a naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids," and everything to do with, "a genre of popular music that originated as "rock and roll" in the United States in the 1950s, and developed into a range of different styles in the 1960s and later." Ready or not, electric guitars a plenty are headed to this so-called quiet little corner of Arizona.<br />
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In an event aimed particularly at folks who enjoy Latino-accented Rock music, the existing Desert Gardens Showgrounds, (which is already getting populated with vendors of "naturally occuring solid aggregates of one or more minerals") will give way to this two (or three) day extravaganza that will bring in groups going by names like "Caifanes," "Maldita Vecindad," "Molotov," "PXNDA," "Kinky," and others.<i> Kinky? </i>As an RVer I'm familiar with that word – it happens every time I have to pull out my long water hose and spend a half-hour cussing the thing out when the water won't flow through it.<br />
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One of the local papers is praising (puffing?) the event like some tout flu injections every fall. Says Blythe's Palo Verde Times of the fiesta, it is "intended as an annual event providing global promotion for Quartzsite, tax revenue, revenue for contractors and local businesses and providing hope to this small town with the same financial concerns as any American small town. Rock Fiesta is the next jewel in Quartzsite's tourism crown." Sounds like a phrase pulled straight out of a media release.<br />
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Who knows. Maybe all the features of this big show will bring in people with bucks. After all, what with saloons, a dance tent, "the world's largest inflatable double water slide," and a "human car wash" (boy, does that ever present some scary mental images), maybe the vast crowd that's to be contained by a 11,000 foot perimeter fence will bring plenty of loot to drop in on the local economy. Whether or not that 11,000 feet of fence will also contain high levels of rock decibels is another thing to wonder about – guess we're just glad we live a couple of miles away. Hang on – is that really far enough?<br />
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We posed the question of crowd control and "guest" management to one of the few local Quartzsite police officers. He said that the local police agency will definitely be needing help from other agencies. Meantime, festival organizers say they'll have their own security team, as well as first aid crews, and fire responders.<br />
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With tickets on sale now for as low as $99 for the entire weekend, Quartzsite may never be the same.<br />
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map: rockfiesta.com<br />
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Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-61656128957080732512015-01-30T06:26:00.001-08:002015-01-31T10:18:53.637-08:00One more Quartzsite "flyover" videoDavid Bott, of <a href="http://outsideourbubble.com/">OutsideOurB<span id="goog_597221169"></span><span id="goog_597221170"></span>ubble.com</a>, posted a fly over of Quartzsite during the recently ended 2015 RV show. David shot this with his drone. It's amazing how many RVers show up in this dusty outpost in the Arizona desert each winter. When the RV show is going on in mid-January, the place must have a resident population of 50,000, most in RVs. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="263" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FcG3ua5oY2g?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" width="468"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-22174885922429730562015-01-12T15:05:00.001-08:002015-01-17T10:28:12.204-08:00Quartzsite — before the masses arriveHere's is a drone flyover from David Bott, of <a href="http://outsideourbubble.com/">OutsideOurBubble.com</a>, of the public lands about five miles away from Quartzsite, Arizona in early January. As you can see there is a lot of open space for RVs. Starting about mid-January, with the kickoff of the huge RV show, this open space will fill up with recreational vehicles of every size, shape and color. Before long, the same flyover will reveal thousands of RVers, camped every which way on this huge open expanse. Camping is free here for up to 14 days.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="263" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KhAe9N_27b8?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" width="468"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-20155779315517443972014-10-09T15:25:00.000-07:002014-10-09T15:25:38.592-07:00Moving into the Quartzsite season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As fall leaves begin to change in the high country, the question on the mind of every business owner in Quartzsite is, "Are they coming?" Well, maybe not, "are they," but more, "When will they." If the number of rigs populating Quartzsite's Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) is any indicator, the snowbirds are coming early this season. <br />
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Earlier this week we drove out onto LaPosa South LTVA, the area where the Bureau of Land Management provides a dump station and fresh water fill outlets. From the highway, it appeared as though there were a few early-comers, but moving on to the back, there were rigs popping up everywhere, some "digging in" for the long term, with temporary tarp buildings festooning the desert. Up closer to town, at LaPosa West and LaPosa North, plenty of RVers are moving into the coveted areas near where the Big Tent Show will pop up come January. <br />
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If you're wondering about fees, the BLM has held the line on price increases. A full season permit still costs $180 (good until mid-April) and the short visit (two week) permit is still steady at $40. A lot more than when we first started boondocking on Quartzsite's desert back in the late 90s, but still a bargain. Where else can you get your pick of campsites on over 11,000 acres? A bit of warning to Canadians who've never been here: The BLM won't take checks drawn on non-U.S. banks. They also turn up their noses at loonies and toonies, so come prepared with American currency. And everyone, it's "exact change only."<br />
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You'll spot a few changes in town if you cruise on in. One of the biggest questions, "When is the big tent RV show?" You might think Kenny pulled the plug, because the big billboard advertising the dates has vanished. Well, not vanished, but collapsed is a better descriptor. The big sign, that used to stand tall next to those big yellow elephant water tanks, took a big hit in the summer monsoon winds, and crashed right down. But sign or not, the show must go on, and will run from January 17 thorough the 25th. <br />
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The local Business Chamber of Commerce also took a hit from the winds, with the local office roof peeled back like a tin can. Rather than fix the roof, the Chamber folks towed out the old office-on-wheels and have brought in another office building. Down the block, you old hands may recall good food served up at the Stagecoach Restaurant. It closed a few years back, along with its associated motel building. New owners bought up the place, reopened the motel, and started renovating the restaurant. Then, hey presto! Not long before the eatery was to reopen, fire leveled the joint. We wondered if the setback would be the end, but no, a new metal building houses the newly reopened Stagecoach Restaurant. We'll bring you word on the quality of the meals served up, later. <br />
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And if any of you entrepreneurial-minded folks wants food for thought, there's food for sale, after a fashion. Both the General Store and the Big Market have "For Sale" signs out front. The only other regular grocery store contender in town, Roadrunner Market, doesn't have a sign out, but did take a hiatus, closing up for a few weeks this summer, while its competitors sweltered the high humidity. The Road Runner is back up and running, and smaller, seasonal "dent can" competitors are putting down their green carpets and raising their tent walls for the season. <br />
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Winter must be coming, you can't hit a hardball down Main Street without hitting a car at high noon any longer. Come on down. Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-75230344762887131382014-07-05T17:05:00.000-07:002014-07-05T17:32:08.333-07:00First monsoon storm of season blocks Highway 95 -- with a building<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The first monsoon storm of the season struck Quartzsite mid-afternoon, Saturday, July 5, leaving behind a cleanup nightmare, and dramatic memories for some passing through.<br />
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Shortly before 4:00 PM, strong northeast winds, accompanied by sheets of rain and a thunderstorm blew into QZ. A passing motorist, headed south on Highway 95, had just cleared the Main Street and Highway 95 intersection when a sheet of rain caught her by surprise. Amazed at the intensity – and sheer blinding power – she stopped on the highway, just a few hundred feet from the intersection.<br />
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At that moment, winds picked up a multi-bay open-sided metal awning structure from the grounds of La Mesa RV, just to the east of Highway 95. Grabbing the huge structure, the winds dropped it down over Highway 95 – and the top of the unfortunate motorist's SUV. Happily neither the driver, nor any of the three passengers in the rig with her, were injured, but to say they were startled would be a bit of understatement. The four took shelter at the nearby Shell Station, while authorities shut down Highway 95 and scratched their heads, trying to figure out how to clear the scene and get traffic moving again.<br />
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The storm brought other minor disruptions to the area; flooded streets – and a bit of water flooding into the main branch post office lobby were noted, but nothing quite as spectacular as the aftermath of La Mesa's runaway awning.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos: R&T De Maris</span><br />
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Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-47245991282649830752014-01-09T15:07:00.001-08:002014-01-09T15:08:31.747-08:00Havasu lures Quartzsiters to Balloon Fest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loyal McCammond photo</td></tr>
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Hang onto your safety helmets, the Havasu Balloon Festival is floating into town soon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loyal McCammond photo</td></tr>
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Just an hour and a half north of Quartzsite, Lake Havasu City draws plenty of attention from folks that winter over in Quartzsite. A wide range of restaurants and "real shopping" tend to beckon some away from the bucolic Quartzsite frontier for relief from the dust and dearth of appetizing cuisine. But the annual Balloon Festival may be Havasu's trump card in all of it. <br />
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Set for January 17 through 19, the big festival will have a few more attendees this year, since the Good Sam Club says it wants to draw up to as many as 500 of its club members and their rigs into town for the show. It's a good idea to bring the RV, as there aren't many – if any – motel rooms left to rent for the show. So where to park your rig? Lake Havasu Marina is a popular RV anchor point; clever folk who don't mind being a little away from the traffic often park at the Bureau of Land Management's Craggy Wash camp area, just north of the airport on Highway 95. Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-4936139651730341542013-11-12T07:40:00.002-08:002013-11-12T07:42:26.125-08:00From eating to dancing with shows along the way -- it's the QIAGetting used to Quartzsite takes a bit of doing. Much depends on your interests, but oddly, some who visit have been actually heard to say, "What is there to do here, anyway?" Actually, there's a whole lot more to QZ activities than just walking the vendor tents. For many, the QIA (Quartzsite Improvement Association) is a whole new way of looking at this big-little desert town.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RocksinmyHead1 on flickr.com</td></tr>
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Back in the 1960s, when Quartzsite was still largely "undiscovered," folks rolled into town with pickup trucks, selling rocks and gems off the back of their tail gates. It was gritty and fun, but it had its drawbacks. The QIA was formed up in 1965 to help give a venue to some of this rock dealing, and to give folks a sense of place. Today the annual QIA PowWow is considered one of the biggest rock and gem shows in the world, is in an anchor point for the Quartzsite snowbird season. But there's a lot more to the QIA than just the big rock show. <br />
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The QIA is home to weekly classes, dances, and a place to get some fairly good grub cheap. Roll in on Wednesday evening and you can stuff yourself full of pancakes and the usual trimmings that go along with them. But the cooks also offer a weekly special – the opener this year was pork roast (a big sellout), and of course, you can expect plenty of gobbler late this month. As to education, classes range from hobby type activities, to helping you learn to use your computer more proficiently, maybe even pick up a new language. <br />
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During the season, plenty of evening shows, many musically based, come riding into town. No, these aren't all second-rate 'mom and pop fiddle scrapers,' either. For the last several years groups like The New Christy Minstrels have sold-out repeatedly. And if you're feeling like sitting for a show might cause you to need to get up and exercise, there's plenty of that going on with daily exercise classes, and line dancing. <br />
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So where do you tap into this information? The QIA set up a new website this year, with plenty of informational function. Check out the <a href="http://www.qiaarizona.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> at www.qiaarizona.org. Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-57968282872939856082013-10-28T16:11:00.002-07:002013-10-28T16:11:58.178-07:00Quiet boondocking near Quartzsite -- Crystal Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you've ever stayed on in Quartzsite during the high season – say anytime from mid-December to mid-February, you know the place is hopping. Sometimes a wee bit too hopping. Unless you're a vendor, the crowds can be just plain oppressive. Need a little break? Not far south on Highway 95--the road to Yuma, is the Kofa Wildlife Refuge. A favorable boondocking spot is at Crystal Hill.<br />
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Crystal Hill was once pretty popular among the rock hound set, as you could (and with persistence still can) find small crystal formations. Evidently popularity was too much, today the leaveright rule applies there. Spot something nice in the way of rocks or crystals? Look at it, appreciate it, but 'leave 'er right there,' because it's illegal to take them away. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo: Magnus Kjaergaard</td></tr>
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Aside from rocks needing to stay put, Crystal Hill is a relatively quiet place off the road, and yet not too far from civilization. The refuge is home to desert bighorn sheep and the only place in Arizona where you can find native palm trees--the California fan palm.<br />
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The former have a tendency to roam around wherever it is that a sheep's fancy takes them; the latter are found in Palm Canyon--a short hike from the Palm Canyon trail head (clearly marked by signage on Highway 95). We've also been fascinated by rock formations like the one pictured here. This fellow surely reminds us of a bobcat getting ready to set about a little luncheon. Now some will tell you he's quite natural, but a local friend of ours tells us he results from the artistic efforts of Spanish explorers who carved him (and other formations) to point the way to gold mines and other hot spots.<br />
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You'll find the road to Crystal Hill between mileposts 95 and 96. Palm Canyon road is 18 miles south of Quartzsite, follow the dirt road to the trail head and thence hike from there--about a half mile. Best light is found around high noon.Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-20664927093860036262013-10-22T16:40:00.001-07:002013-10-22T16:40:25.636-07:00Colorado River camping -- near Quartzsite and free!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Colorado makes a long run from its birthplace until it crosses over into Old Mexico. Along the way it has its moods and mystery. For folks along the lower part of the Colorado, between Arizona and California, there's a few spots where you can boondock--some even for free. Yes, Quartzsite has its own draw, but camping here takes you away from the loud crowds, but still puts you close at hand to the actions – less than 45 minutes away. <br />
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Along the Arizona side, just south of and below the booming Interstate 10, there's a little stretch of gravel road managed by the Bureau of Land Management called the Ox Bow Road (or variously, Oxboe depending on your maps). It doesn't offer much but an escape from the noise of civilization, and a good place to cool off with a quick dip, or a chance at a fish or two if you're so inclined. For several miles the Ox Bow runs with various places just to pull out and set up camp. On weekends when the weather is cool, you may run into a few noisy partiers, so be prepared.<br />
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The variety of sites is wide--you can find some to give you wide views of the surrounding countryside, stuck up on a bank above the Colorado; others are close enough to the wet to practically fish out your back door. Take your choice.<br />
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From I-10, jump off at the Ehrenberg exit, and take the frontage road on the south side of the interstate. Drive west pass the Flying J truck stop and keep your eyes peeled for a dimly visible, and equally dimly readable BLM sign. Or follow your GPS to the begining of the road at 33.603125N by 114.525405W. The road runs several miles south along the river, and allows for an eventual cross on the Cibola farmer's bridge into California.Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-69576590766626706582013-10-01T14:48:00.001-07:002013-10-01T14:48:35.682-07:00Federal shutdown reaches Quartzsite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While finger-pointing runs wild on the East coast, the effect on RVers is reaching out to the West coast. The federal government shutdown on Tuesday, October 1, made its way to the West's snowbird capital, Quartzsite. <br />
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Each year as cold weather moves in, literally thousands of RVers move into the Quartzsite area to winter over. Many turn to the federal Bureau of Land Management's Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) where they can purchase a permit to stay through mid-April. <br />
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On Tuesday, no flags were flying at any of the LTVAs. Instead, orange-colored notices on the doors of the entrance stations spelled out the effects of the federal shutdown.<br />
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Among other points listed, these are of greatest interest to would-be visitors:<br />
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"This Site will be closed for the duration of the shutdown.<br />
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"No amenities will be available to the public during the shutdown.<br />
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"Persons unlawfully entering the site during the shutdown may be subject to criminal fines and or penalties.<br />
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"Visitors should vacate this site 48 hours after this posting."<br />
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How does posting compare with practice? While the entrance stations are unmanned, we were able to have a word with an on-site host. They told us that under the direction of the managing ranger, those visitors who had already bought permits and moved on site were told to, "sit tight and wait." New arrivals are being told they could not buy a permit, and were being told to perhaps stay on one of the area two-week visitor sites to, "wait and see what happens." <br />
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A few RVs were in evidence on the four LTVAs, and a handful of rigs were parked in the two-week short term areas. It's still a bit early in the season, but if by some chance the government shutdown does continue, the impact on Quartzsite's visitors will be far more reaching.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">photos: R&T De Maris </span>Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-69841162925092686482013-04-22T13:26:00.000-07:002013-04-22T13:26:36.318-07:00"Naked bookseller" gets shot at TV fame<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr3hrZNzO6yfCHQymVrQ_GX87jum34f0YXxtPVGNXvDECH7ZU4KG8epxdA4BZkFHG3YzYGSs_8IiCF45Saa0VDd3IU5rCGBub0QcVMbDz6aWga2iQYxnrLcJpYVEIWrFsEc8i173Hp46g/s1600/Naked+Bookseller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr3hrZNzO6yfCHQymVrQ_GX87jum34f0YXxtPVGNXvDECH7ZU4KG8epxdA4BZkFHG3YzYGSs_8IiCF45Saa0VDd3IU5rCGBub0QcVMbDz6aWga2iQYxnrLcJpYVEIWrFsEc8i173Hp46g/s200/Naked+Bookseller.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy: Palo Verde Times</td></tr>
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Quartzsite, Arizona bookstore owner and "local character," Paul Winer may get his chance as a TV star. A New York TV producer wants Winer to appear in a 12 episode reality TV show that locals hope will boost interest in the desert town, considered by some to be the RV Capital of the World. <br /><br />Winer, best known as Quartzsite's "Naked Bookseller," was offered the deal by Metropolitan Entertainment and its producer, Pierce Cravens. The producer will drop into Quartzsite this June to film a "sizzler," a preview snapshot of what the program would be like if put into full production. If Cravens can drum up enough interest among investors, filming of the reality show would take place next year, some of it directly in Quartzsite. <br /><br />Paul Winer has plenty of experience in the "entertainment" industry, aside from his informal exposés at his Reader's Oasis bookstore on Quartzsite's Main Street. Prior to settling down in town over 20 years ago, Winer was better known as "Sweet Pie" in cabaret and vaudeville acts. In recent years Winer has reprised the roles, albeit in more family-oriented costume, doing stage shows and benefits to the delight of snowbirds. <br />Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-29358076727890201292013-02-01T07:39:00.004-08:002013-02-01T08:43:03.384-08:00Photographer captures mysterious cloud formation near QuartzsiteTony King shot this stunning photo near Quartzsite while camping by Dome Rock Road. "The clouds look like sheep's wool," he wrote. Indeed they do. What a beautiful, mysterious image!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSBYhH-kdURBAuHFysH-MGtrezBssg1XasSSoQ-h4CO9sR-7nYvl67A2UOmFzf-1LgLZidWKGwrH5Yvyqjf_Ayzm6KP4uKXBlj1xyG2bpclL7TzjBMjtAg0JZAB8ZaByngnUfCRVhRpYE/s1600/571-q-468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMSBYhH-kdURBAuHFysH-MGtrezBssg1XasSSoQ-h4CO9sR-7nYvl67A2UOmFzf-1LgLZidWKGwrH5Yvyqjf_Ayzm6KP4uKXBlj1xyG2bpclL7TzjBMjtAg0JZAB8ZaByngnUfCRVhRpYE/s1600/571-q-468.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-66653728820875636492013-01-25T21:03:00.000-08:002013-01-25T21:03:01.421-08:00A visit to the 2013 Quartzsite RV ShowRVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury visits the 2013 Quartzsite (Ariz.), RV Show, one of the largest RV shows in America. This show was held in late January, 2013.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="263" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gsUNXEU5-KU" width="468"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-24513445810116459702012-12-31T10:49:00.001-08:002012-12-31T10:49:46.351-08:00January shows bring in the visitors--latest details<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BCre513001shtDSmOsEMWgBwnf2KEDND5gbnJiClcgCymZnbCB9QdbAhAGcn6wWygGG9FpgwoXGTgjvgHnr_xEAE0kkcrcRVu-FWEeSxDgGCmElygOSPjeDPZSAOzSCpGjnk4HicK93f/s1600/big+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BCre513001shtDSmOsEMWgBwnf2KEDND5gbnJiClcgCymZnbCB9QdbAhAGcn6wWygGG9FpgwoXGTgjvgHnr_xEAE0kkcrcRVu-FWEeSxDgGCmElygOSPjeDPZSAOzSCpGjnk4HicK93f/s200/big+tent.jpg" width="167" /></a>Quartzsite's main season is soon to be "off and running." While the snowbirds have been trickling in, the first of January looks like it will mark a big inrush. And no surprise there, January has some of the biggest "show attractions" of the year. <br /><br />Don't worry, all your favorite vendor venues are up and running already. There's treasures and trash a'plenty. <br /><br /><b>Here's the rundown of the big January attractions:</b><br /><br /><b>January 1 - February 28</b> Desert Gardens Annual <b>International Gem, Mineral, and Jewelry show</b>. You'll find it on the "south frontage road" near Love's Truck Stop. <br /><br /><b>January 12 - January 26</b> The Main Event host's the big<b> Steam Engine Show</b>. At the west end of town on Main Street (the "B-10"). <br /><br /><b>January 19 - January 27</b> The <b>Big Tent Sports, Vacation, and RV Show</b>. No doubt one of the biggest draws of the year, Kenny's HUGE tent will be up and drawing literally thousands. You'll find it on the west side of Highway 95, just south of the "south frontage road."<br /><br /><b>January 23 - January 27</b> 44th Annual <b>QIA Pow Wow</b>. Yep, rock and gem lovers, this is THE BIG ONE. This is the show that probably made Quartzsite famous. Food, and lots and lots a rocks. At the QIA grounds, look for the signs on Main Street (the "B-10") traveling east of Highway 95. <br /><br />Where to stay? There are still plenty of spots at many of the area's RV parks. And as always, if you don't mind boondocking, there's room at all of the Short Term BLM sites around the area, free for up to two weeks. Want a little more "civilization" and a place to dump your tanks and take on fresh water? Then the Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVA) have lots of room available. Fees are still $40 for two-weeks, and $180 for the whole season. <br /><br />Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-67119097487892972802012-12-11T08:38:00.001-08:002012-12-11T08:38:25.028-08:00Quartzsite's nearest hospital makes dubious national list<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkeZLDkdViLh0GqOerLleGKf1GOrlEKyMJJqdJXbLkS8jxr7lbq-jfpIxfzro8DebAOKofwJsIkuf0tIy-mei5_dE9qFR4F7UecPo2d2ox8nEfWacixRZLv5L9xrbh17ufQqzBVtpRH_2/s1600/pv+hosp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkeZLDkdViLh0GqOerLleGKf1GOrlEKyMJJqdJXbLkS8jxr7lbq-jfpIxfzro8DebAOKofwJsIkuf0tIy-mei5_dE9qFR4F7UecPo2d2ox8nEfWacixRZLv5L9xrbh17ufQqzBVtpRH_2/s200/pv+hosp.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: <i>Palo Verde Times</i></td></tr>
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We've been saying it for years, and now a new list published by a coalition of public and private purchasers of health insurance benefits substantiates the view: Need a hospital? DON'T go to Blythe, California.<br />
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The report listed the 25 worst hospitals in the US, based on performance in terms of medical error, medication mismanagement, infection rates, and patient injuries. Palo Verde Hospital finds itself in the unenviable position of being in third place on the list. <br />
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This comes as no real surprise to locals, particularly any of those versed in the medical profession. A medical evacuation flight nurse repeatedly warned us against allowing any of our loved ones to be "treated" at Palo Verde. An RN we know who came from out of the area hired on at Palo Verde for a short time, then quickly quit the job, fearing she might be swept up in a legal tragedy after viewing procedures and records at PVH. <br />
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What's a person in need of medical care to do? We don't hold out a whole lot of hope for treatment at LaPaz Regional Hospital in Parker, either. Our own experiences at the hospital might not put it on the same list, but we've come away shaken by our visits and the seeming "back woods" feel. <br />
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Consider traveling a long way for reasonable medical care, either to Phoenix or, "down the hill" in the Palm Springs area. This might be a good time (if you can afford it) to look into an emergency medical evacuation plan, such as offered through the Good Sam Club. <br />
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Here's a <a href="http://news.health.com/2012/12/02/25-worst-hospitals-in-the-u-s-is-yours-on-the-list/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">link to the scathing report</a>. Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-10892876011204291762012-11-12T13:40:00.001-08:002012-11-12T13:40:38.683-08:00Quartzsite BLM camping information for newbies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ejhGNNn8ot5kLGzA2MA4Sm8vwRFjhV12DYymKBWqc5909ZxVuDEpGUb8cH7SBHvhrqRUwcuV2Wg6DP-qcM4JcDoa03vjMk4BF9s9yNoE4ADurKwgV41o26iYWXgL9XOZMNM8-oG2g3NR/s1600/HPIM1292R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ejhGNNn8ot5kLGzA2MA4Sm8vwRFjhV12DYymKBWqc5909ZxVuDEpGUb8cH7SBHvhrqRUwcuV2Wg6DP-qcM4JcDoa03vjMk4BF9s9yNoE4ADurKwgV41o26iYWXgL9XOZMNM8-oG2g3NR/s400/HPIM1292R.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Heading to Quartzsite for the first time? Thinking about boondocking? Here's first-timer information you can use. <br />
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The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) provides some of the most popular boondocking locations in the Quartzsite area. If you're planning a longer-than-two-week visit, you owe it to yourself to check out the Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) south of town. Yes, it costs money for a permit, but you'll get benefits: A place to dump your tanks, take on fresh water, and dump the trash. Buying water and dumping tanks in town is an expensive and time-consuming proposition. <br />
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There are four designated LTVAs, all on Highway 95. Closest to town, and in walking distance of popular show venues, LaPosa West and LaPosa North. A few miles farther south, Tyson and LaPosa South. This latter LTVA is "home" of the dump station and watering ports; all four have garbage dumpsters. Costs? For a season-long permit (September 15 to April 15) the cost is $180.00. Want to 'get your feet wet'? Then a two-week pass is $40. Get them at the entrance station of any of the LTVAs. <br />
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Together, the four LTVAs provide over 11,000 acres of "camping area." Nope, don't look for designated "sites," although you'll see plenty of rock rows outlining "camp sites." Everything is first-come, first-served, and stay where you like, provided your rig is self-contained. If not, the BLM requires you to stay in close proximity to a "vault" toilet. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHJO3NV8uhy42AIpBHulQAo5_wJbIfPLncIaJ5VQlpRwdJHz2DUgaNlIVYRFNWcdT6PiB8sPVEE4VALcs7-2H3NxezL4mNjEgiqgVPgOnJ79s_7NeoT1glE33TNS3ayJ0LR7oE89mNp2M/s1600/coyote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHJO3NV8uhy42AIpBHulQAo5_wJbIfPLncIaJ5VQlpRwdJHz2DUgaNlIVYRFNWcdT6PiB8sPVEE4VALcs7-2H3NxezL4mNjEgiqgVPgOnJ79s_7NeoT1glE33TNS3ayJ0LR7oE89mNp2M/s200/coyote.jpg" width="200" /></a>Once you've picked your own 'home away from home,' you can use your site as a jump-off point for your own activities back in town, or just "set a spell," and enjoy the wildlife--coyotes and birds primarily, although some of the other "winter visitors" can be kind of wild--or see how many different types of cactus you can avoid getting punctured by. <br />
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For early November, plenty of traffic is showing up in the LTVAs. But don't worry, even if you come late, there's always plenty of room.<br />
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All photos R&T DeMaris Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-21883227841888975562012-09-18T15:48:00.000-07:002012-09-18T15:48:17.394-07:00Early season for Quartzsite?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUWQUDrKqdEv-NkNl-mLIzXMiPRYORSqJ-w4TVFAJKY7w7sh3Cur9BYcptIA4-clWrbUhttaJcug6_taYvByxHVC8xjYXZjaFSa0nh-UsZIq2jURsyZRU3Ql4yxymyZXT3ugAt0DqYXA5/s1600/HPIM3939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUWQUDrKqdEv-NkNl-mLIzXMiPRYORSqJ-w4TVFAJKY7w7sh3Cur9BYcptIA4-clWrbUhttaJcug6_taYvByxHVC8xjYXZjaFSa0nh-UsZIq2jURsyZRU3Ql4yxymyZXT3ugAt0DqYXA5/s400/HPIM3939.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As the fall travel season gets under way perhaps your mind turns to that self-proclaimed Snowbird Capital--Quartzsite. What's new in the little desert town? If local prognosticators prove true, this could be a big--and early season. <br /><br />Down at the post office counter man Reuben says the summer doldrums are a thing of the past. On Monday (the 17th) he reported that there was plenty of traffic keeping him busy up at the counter. The good folks down at the local hardware haven (Herb's) are rolling back into "winter hours" this coming Monday the 25th. <br /><br />No, we can't report that there's been a huge "land grab" on BLM locations. Up north on the short term areas only one brave soul appeares to be living on the land. Nevertheless, the weather is working in favor of early arrivals. Usually the nasty mugginess associated with the summer monsoon hangs on like a virus right up to the start of October; this year most of the humidity fled by mid-September. <br /><br />A few changes will greet winter visitors: Adding to the shopping opportunities, Quartzsite's newest fame-claim is yet another dollar store. Dollar General has built a new facility on the B-10 (Main Street) across the street from the Big Market. As we've mentioned, the Best Mexican Restaurant not far west from there has given way to a new (and pretty good) eatery called the Q-Town Cafe. Locals have taken refuge from the heat (and empty stomachs) at Q-Town all summer. <br /><br />On a sad note, real jerky lovers will mourn the closure of the Jerky Store and More, famous for its meat sticks and propane. You can't gas up in more ways than one now, as Bob and Alice shut their doors and have moved to Oregon, leaving the place vacant with an unknown future. <br /><br />Other changes include government, where the number of officials on "administrative leave," seems to change on an almost daily basis. Even the local papers can't seem to keep up with the musical chairs they're playing up on Plymouth Street. At this time the police chief, town manager, and assistant town manager are cooling their heels at home, Monday through Friday on the town dime. <br />Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-40798646153772476452012-08-27T15:15:00.002-07:002012-08-27T15:15:44.373-07:00ATV rally draws new interest to Quartzsite<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2463/3713170773_19295a747d_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2463/3713170773_19295a747d_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B A Bowen Photography on flicker.com</td></tr>
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Many snowbirding ATV enthusiasts find Quartzsite an attractive locus. Plenty of trails. Warm winter days. Now the ATV set has even more to look forward to: Come mid-February of this upcoming season they can participate in the Desert Bloom Off Road Rally.<br /><br />Promoted as "one of the premier off road rallies in the country," the event will anchor at Tyson Wells Showground from February 14 through the 17th. All ATVers, Jeepers, motorcyclists and others sharing the common bond of getting off the pavement will find guided rides, drive-in motion picture showings, raffles, a poker run, lots of chow, and of course, RV hookups for landing on at the end of the day.<br /><br />In addition to off-road activity, back at Tyson Wells a number of vendors will show off their off-road specific wares.<br /><br />With the choice of a mid-February rally date, show organizers Five2Productions may have picked a winner. The huge wave of crowds that impacts Quartzsite in January will have ebbed off, yet plenty of "other" vendors should still be in town. If your an ATVer with saddle sores, a walking trip among the vendor tents may come as a welcome relief, and as they say, "If you can't find it anywhere else, you can always find at in Quartzsite."<br /><br />Check out the promoter's web site <a href="http://five2productions.com/desertbloomrally.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-60337342450560202822012-07-24T12:28:00.001-07:002012-07-24T12:28:41.568-07:00Quartzsite's unsung heroesIf you follow the news about Quartzsite, you'll find plenty said about politics and scandal, courts of law and courts of public opinion. You've heard enough of it elsewhere. We're here to talk about the unsung heroes of Quartzsite. <br /><br />You may know some of them, others you won't. Nameless here, these folks and ones like them are the "salt of the earth" folks who make your day a little nicer, ones who take the edge off what could have been an otherwise rough day. <br /><br />There's the woman who sits outside in the heat and cold at the refuse transfer station. <br />This morning it was 104 before 9:00 and she was still happy as a clam, and came out to help me get the garbage cans out of the back of my truck and their contents emptied into the dumpsters. Never mind the also-nameless idiot who was dumping his sticky, yucky garbage--not just into the dumpsters--but on the ground outside those bins. When she made a polite reference to his lack of manners, he reacted with fire and venom. I would've been happy to see him fall into the refuse bin but kept my mouth shut, while she simply dealt with a difficult situation with dignity and aplomb. <br /><br />Then there's the guy behind the deli counter down at the store. Always a cheerful word, a helpful suggestion, a broad smile. Never mind that he feels the pressure of being a businessman in a town that's presently being torn down the middle by political infighting. These folks are his neighbors, some his customers. Sadly, some want him to take sides in a volatile issue where he just wants peace. <br /><br />How about those men and women who volunteer their time and energy out on the desert on BLM lands? They help snowbirds get registered for their winter stay, point them in the right direction, keep them from falling into real or symbolic cactus patches. One older gent spent years camped out across the road from the dump station at LaPosa South, keeping an eye on things. I can think of a lot of places I'd much rather RV than downwind from that operation, but it was a job that needed to be done. He did it, right up until the summer when he died. <br /><br />Time would fail us if we went on about everyone in Quartzsite who makes life a bit easier for us, those who come to warm up in the winter and those who stick it out year-around. The young fellow down at the postal counter who manages to smile, even while being fairly well cussed-out because somebody didn't like standing in line for a half hour to buy a stamp. The folks down at the library who dig through the stacks for us, smiling when we give them a ribbing about their clocks running five minutes ahead of the rest of the world. The guys and gals at the hardware store who'll bend over backwards to help you fix some weird plumbing or electrical problem. The unknown person who took time to wander around in our yard to locate the valve that shut off a broken water line when we were out of town and would have otherwise been left with a big water bill. <br /><br />Yeah, these are the folks who ought to be make the news. Thanks to all of you. <br />Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-10497234301732037772012-01-12T08:55:00.000-08:002012-01-12T09:10:15.768-08:00Deserts fills, shows set. Come on down!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-TfkFECpjZBU9XTKNILi3gt-I8lqI5PS9sB68jWW077vICCcP7oyjLNbs9GHpPFAjUIXGw3irYxJdyfOlxGfeoBQehGVa1p2-SC01N9PMn3RHuE2cuuVqDJBwCvVaHUtNnd3AQCXM_Zl/s1600/DSC06017.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-TfkFECpjZBU9XTKNILi3gt-I8lqI5PS9sB68jWW077vICCcP7oyjLNbs9GHpPFAjUIXGw3irYxJdyfOlxGfeoBQehGVa1p2-SC01N9PMn3RHuE2cuuVqDJBwCvVaHUtNnd3AQCXM_Zl/s320/DSC06017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696793758516910514" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >It's beginning to look a lot like Quartzsite at high season. The big tent for the Quartzsite RV and Travel show is now up and in place, although the show is yet still ahead of us. Vendors report to us that sales are improving, although the perennial growling about, "Not enough business to make it worth coming back next year," is still heard. Oddly enough, many of those who growl are the same ones who've done the same noise-making for years.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >Out on the desert on BLM lands, there's still plenty of territory available for RVers (and those with "alternative" arrangements) to stake out a claim for the warm, sunny desert.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1FoC7iGeVEa6KvB_wlbTlJYQgrsAMnJlNbFRA4vP2548n3Oa4LA6HEBVyj01RsGX8hPcDhg7ULYcW1j6r4EPMzFO9qykHFA54KpTnJeb2TXghu13PlrlVpCJfxMzuf9fAMU09oA4rtdN/s1600/Paul+Winer.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1FoC7iGeVEa6KvB_wlbTlJYQgrsAMnJlNbFRA4vP2548n3Oa4LA6HEBVyj01RsGX8hPcDhg7ULYcW1j6r4EPMzFO9qykHFA54KpTnJeb2TXghu13PlrlVpCJfxMzuf9fAMU09oA4rtdN/s400/Paul+Winer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696792730700510082" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >The big non-vendor event coming up is on the </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >24th at the QIA</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >. We b</span><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >ring this up early, because if you don't get your tickets soon, it'll probably be too late. It's Paul Winer, in concert! Don't know Paul Winer? You probably know him in his better known-persona as Pantless Paul the Bookstore Guy.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >That's right, long before Paul was "the naked bookseller," he was also known by his stage name of Sweet Pie, a latter-day vaudevillian. A wild man on the piano, Paul was a music-loving comedian who performed in Canada and New England before his present life. When Paul and his family moved into Quartzsite years back, he knew it was time to settle down so he could give stability to their daughter Celia. Tragedy hit the family when Celia died at eight years old. Paul kept on with books, but recently, 'got the call' to hit the stage again.<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=" ;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:black;" >For those of us with tastes a bit more modest than the casual sporting of a G-string, fear not. Paul puts on his pants and shoes to perform. It's a rousing show, and the admission to the 2:00 pm show is but $5. But as we said, best get on down to the QIA and get your tickets while you can. </span></p>Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-47559248902274398282012-01-04T09:35:00.000-08:002012-01-04T15:47:03.600-08:00January warms up Quartzsite<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1ZZNqaiePwD7huFoKJR7r1IW5wiOTIag8LAVj3OG5SH0Mmk3mZvT0iQq6g8OBnUwf2bHmKOXL5Vt05E4jPHiWOnKQ_d-7SLSVteZUQx8xu7KnkPjP85Aw6RnB04IOTiggFxh33nB-jGP/s1600/DSC02087.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1ZZNqaiePwD7huFoKJR7r1IW5wiOTIag8LAVj3OG5SH0Mmk3mZvT0iQq6g8OBnUwf2bHmKOXL5Vt05E4jPHiWOnKQ_d-7SLSVteZUQx8xu7KnkPjP85Aw6RnB04IOTiggFxh33nB-jGP/s400/DSC02087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693927480551716098" border="0" /></a>Quartzsite is heating up--in more ways than one. A spate of unseasonably cold weather has finally moved along, bringing "normal" daytime temperatures back into the 70's. Also heating up? The seasonal crowds are typically blocking streets with interesting manuevers--take for example, idling your motorhome in one of Quartzsite's busiest intersections--Main Street and "Post Office Way." <p class="MsoNormal">Sure enough, just as Quartzsite Police were sending four cars to investigate a vehicle pointed the wrong way and blocking two lanes of busy Highway 95 near the B-10, a couple of--well, bozos--decided to stop and chat in their motorhome blocking traffic at the post office at 2:00 in the afternoon. No, these weren't a couple of confused seniors trying to get directions to Phoenix, but a couple of 40-ish kids who apparently didn't want to drive around the block while one picked up the mail.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Quartzsite's major vendor venues, the Main Even<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlw_j_kE5etO-Srv1BAJBkJUWVJ4NCmjFDjk51BiS2TpbPaIPzZquwK-G_9PqlKN0ey7nHnly5ky1mkU5Fjwn-fjfDo4szt8pZPcxyO88H-KzcyuMcZ0GTcZtjCYaBhgNrE_BVvtfOuK3/s1600/DSC06010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlw_j_kE5etO-Srv1BAJBkJUWVJ4NCmjFDjk51BiS2TpbPaIPzZquwK-G_9PqlKN0ey7nHnly5ky1mkU5Fjwn-fjfDo4szt8pZPcxyO88H-KzcyuMcZ0GTcZtjCYaBhgNrE_BVvtfOuK3/s400/DSC06010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693926890133029602" border="0" /></a>t, Tyson Wells, Rice Ranch, and all the rest are fired up and rarin' to move out their wares. The Big Tent is still just a blip on the radar--this year show promoter Kenny has pushed his Big Tent shows off a week. The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">29th Annual Sports, Vacation, and RV Show</b> that's the major drawing card for the season pops up in full January 21 through 29. This puts the ever-popular <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Rock and Roll Classic Car Show</b> into February. To our thinking, Kenny has made one of the best moves possible. Instead of "packing the house" of Quartzsite events into a narrow slot, show promoters would be a lot smarter to stretch out the season. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Lest you think there's nothing going on but vendors in the meantime, here are some upcoming events you might take a shine to:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Saturday, January 7</b> The town's big street extravaganza in the form of the annual <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">High Jolly Daze Parade</b> firing up at 12:00 noon, appropriately at the fire station at Highway 95 and Tyson Street. Find your way to the end at the Town Park for food and music. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Friday, January 13</b> If you're only as old as you feel, you might still recall <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The New Cristy Minstrels</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Think folk songs like, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">This Land is Your Land</i>, and the ever raucous, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Saturday Night. </i>OK, so this time we all get together on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Friday</i> night, or afternoon, depending on your sleeping habits. The group will play to an undoubtedly full-house crowd at the QIA, two shows, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets are $12 a pop, available from the QIA office. If you want tickets, better get 'em early, as prior years have sold out quick. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our next installment on 'QZ Activi-tees' will include a wild show featuring Paul Winer, "Bookstore Paul" and his not-so-secret "other life."<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yep, there's more to Paul than a G-string and thousands of dusty books. </p>Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999750988471415975.post-50211094905098795202011-12-28T12:47:00.000-08:002011-12-28T13:01:56.881-08:00Quartzsite public art makes for ironic political statement<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzgIp_Uy7t6VfVDb_I4Tr2Mf2hjNWGD91Z1R64jDRIGHp3_c-IOA70EAbjnLeArsXx7VOew3UnFziiySoiqylwdAoFsDXDN8dY3wx19gnoeekfOnqrRmcV0Od1E_Tqp6hQCCRp2SqP7Jv/s1600/DSC05980a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzgIp_Uy7t6VfVDb_I4Tr2Mf2hjNWGD91Z1R64jDRIGHp3_c-IOA70EAbjnLeArsXx7VOew3UnFziiySoiqylwdAoFsDXDN8dY3wx19gnoeekfOnqrRmcV0Od1E_Tqp6hQCCRp2SqP7Jv/s400/DSC05980a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691286820844920194" border="0" /></a><br />Every year to honor the snowbirds (and encourage their return) the community organizations of Quartzsite put on their best efforts. Sometimes these efforts have unintended consequences. Witness if your will, the current round-town art show called Rockin' in Quartzsite. Since the town is prominent for its pebbles, why not get local artisans to paint pictures on slabs and then distribute the art around town, a sort of earthy easter egg hunt, if you will.<br /><br />To our twisted thinking, the jewel this year is posted just outside the door of town hall. Mary Jo Gilder must have spent considerable effort recording an image of the entrance to a mine, nicely laid out on a brownish slab. However, a close look at the title Mary Jo selected for her masterpiece just seems to some--well--somehow just suitable to its location.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgIxO2FKnSOcwMoZbqsKEMJ2tyMNnzBupU273p-ERkFOXm1rtEq0q3JvommGXkK0qe4_prwXkeeKNacnYQYypwpt2PB5df6kJvZAEGUnuNKwbFfRrrHfZde5HUKG8lGp0ajOe7SKbV2hO/s1600/DSC05982a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgIxO2FKnSOcwMoZbqsKEMJ2tyMNnzBupU273p-ERkFOXm1rtEq0q3JvommGXkK0qe4_prwXkeeKNacnYQYypwpt2PB5df6kJvZAEGUnuNKwbFfRrrHfZde5HUKG8lGp0ajOe7SKbV2hO/s400/DSC05982a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691286657715229554" border="0" /></a><br />Some just don't get it. Local political pundits will tell you the whole town gets it. You be the judge.Russ and Tiña De Marishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17858684951887200481noreply@blogger.com0