QUARTZSITE 2011

We pulled out of the driveway yesterday, and after stopping for fuel, we headed south toward Quartzsite, AZ. From Lake Havasu City, it's only about 70 miles, so we pulled off the highway near mile marker 99, and selected our parking spot in the desert, early in the afternoon. Unlike past years, we are by ourselves at our camp spot, but the desert is full of RV's as far as you can see. The number of RV'ers that come here every winter, varies according to which rag you're reading, or who you're talking to. The general consensus is that over about an 8 week period (Jan-Feb), several hundred thousand folks temporarily inhabit this small town in Western Arizona, and the estimates range as high as a million.

The original attraction was and still is the warm weather. A small gem & mineral show started things off many years ago, and that has evolved into a huge RV show, attracting hundreds of RV related vendors, and RV Dealers. The Flea Markets have expanded to the point that they are all over town, some small, and some with hundreds of vendors selling just about everything. Part of the attraction for me, is the ability to find a parking spot in the desert, and live off the grid for usually about a week. However, this year, we'll only be here for about 4 days, and will be heading for Tucson on Tuesday. Marc is juggling several balls while Chandra is in CA with her mom, who is still very ill. They both have a lot on their plates, and we'll be able to help with things at the Tucson end. Marc's Aunt Claudia and her husband Marty have been helping with Laila, while Marc works, and Chandra has been traveling back and forth to help with her mom. After talking to Marc, we are all thankful that Claudia and Marty, who live in the Phoenix area, have been able to help out.

In the next 4 days, starting today, we'll get our annual dose of mega RV/ flea markets, and then drive to Tucson. Not sure how long we'll be in Tucson, but that's the good thing about taking our traveling house with us, we've got just about everything we need on board, including our four legged children.

Here's Patty yesterday, chillin on the desert patio, soaking up the sunshine. The forecast for today is 70 degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. Life is good!