Early season for Quartzsite?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ATV rally draws new interest to Quartzsite

B A Bowen Photography on flicker.com

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.

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.

In addition to off-road activity, back at Tyson Wells a number of vendors will show off their off-road specific wares.

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."

Check out the promoter's web site here.