AZ -– Quartzsite, 26-28 Jan 2012

 

We headed to Quartzsite with trepidation.  Each winter 750,000 to 1,000,000 RVers descend upon Quartzsite for the annual swap meets that include 9 different gem, mineral and rock shows.  Shawn and I prefer the wilderness, avoid crowds, and rarely shop so this did not sound like our kind of thing.  But we felt obligated since we had read about it in every RV magazine and forum. It’s almost like you can’t call yourself a full-time RVer unless you migrate to Quartzsite in the winter!

Well I must say that my reaction in seeing Quartzsite was different than I thought it would be.  Shawn yelled, "These are our people!"  There they were spread out over many square miles of BLM desert.  Most in groups circled like covered wagons with a fire ring in the middle.  The variety was impressive with motorhome rigs worth nearly seven figures to trashy trailers.  Quartzsite, aka “The Rock Capital of the World”, has a population of 3,497 so the only way it can absorb the hoards of RVers is on the periphery. 

Once I saw all of them spread out on the desert, I was anxious to find our spot and check out the “Big Tent”.  We found an empty spot in the Scaddan Wash area just east of town.  Posted at the entry was a notice from the “Duck”.  The BLM areas only have dry camping but folks from the “Duck” can find you in the desert and dump your tanks.  We love American initiative and ingenuity! 

We walked about two miles to the “big show”.  There were numerous RV sales lots.  We wandered through the rock show and saw rocks in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  Outside the “Big Tent” were several of the typical fair food booths.  Yea!  We found what we were looking for at Steve’s Smokin’ BBQ.  Shawn was happy to sink his teeth into a big ole smoked turkey leg and I had a yummy brisket sandwich.  Later we enjoyed a nice dish of frozen yogurt that was refreshing in the sweltering 74 degree heat.  The average high at this time of the year is 65 with a low of 38.  It was about 10 degrees warmer for us.  I’ll bet Quartzsite empties during the summer when the average July high is 108 and it only cools to 81 at night!  Ugh!

The “Big Tent” was a disappointment for me.  There were 15 booths selling balance bracelets and other cures for aches and pains.  The RV booths had tons of gloves, pliers, rugs, RV bits, and pieces.  LED lights were also available everywhere.  It all looked the same after an hour or two though there were a few unique items.  We bought a suction cup flag holder along with an American flag, Air Force flag, and State of Confusion flag.  We also got info from the Flag Pole Buddy folks.  Some day we might get one of their pole mount rigs for a weather sensor.  Amazingly we didn’t find a couple things on our shopping list.  However, I got a free nail file from the American Association for Nude Recreation.  Hmmm…   

   

We also did a nice, but rocky hike.  First we scampered up “Q” Hill and had a bird’s eye view of the flocks of RVs spread all over the desert.  Then we circled behind another hill where we admired the various cacti.  We finished with a steep, but short climb up a final hill for another great view.  Hiking on the loose rocks was tough!

   

        Arleen with “Q” Hill in the background                                         Three pretty cacti

Where should we hike?

  

Looking Northeast through southeast…the little white specks are RVs. (Click on each picture for a better view)

At the top of “Q” Hill

If you are curious about Quartzsite, check out these web links:

- Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce

- Quartzsite Visitor’s Guide

- The Quartzsite Shows

- Map of BLM areas

Quartzsite was like the world’s largest flea market.  Sure, we didn’t see everything, but two nights was plenty for us…been there done that! 

Next we will spend two weeks at Lake Mead, just outside of Boulder City, NV.  We’ll check out Hoover Dam, kayak some of Lake Mead’s bays and coves, maybe do some fishing, take a day trip to Vegas, and of course do some hiking.

 

Highway 62, east of Twentynine Palms

A glorious desert sunset