Two Claims To Fame.... Sept 15-28, 2014

I didn't want to leave anyone hanging as to where I am now.  And this blog will take a turn into 'something else' coming up shortly.

First things, first.  I'm about 6 miles from Dome Rock, my last stop!  Still in Quartzsite at an area known as LaPosa.  There's a lot to talk about.  I'll start out with a photo...last night's sunset...

LaPosa consists of almost 12,000 acres of desert land run by the Bureau of Land Management. It is an LTVA - Long Term Visitor Area.  If you have a self-contained RV, you can stay here from Sept. 15 - April 15 for a total of $180.  Yep! About a dollar a day!  Right now I have a 2 week permit in LaPosa South to see how I like it.  The general plan is to stay here all winter, but I don't have a crystal ball, so the future is still up for grabs, but that's the plan right now.  There is also LaPosa North, West and Tyson Wash.  It's basically a large rectangle divided into these sections, with I-95 passing through the center.  Route 10 runs along the northern border.  Right now I'm about 4 miles off 95 and about 4 miles from Route 10.  Nearer the entrance is potable water and a dump station.  None of the other three LaPosa areas have these amenities, but it is easy enough to drive over here.  I have to drive to the entrance, so there's really no particular giant 'plus' to being in LaPosa South unless you are going to secure a site right next to the water and dump station.  NOT!  

Here are some views from the site I choose.  These are not developed sites except perhaps by previous visitors.  You can park ANYWHERE in the desert you want to!  ANYWHERE!  I could have driven around for days determining a site.  I drove around a bit, but finally just stopped!

 This morning's sunrise

I am facing just slightly north of directly east.

 These are the western views.  That's Quartzsite below.  Looks closer than it is! 

This is the view from under my awning....facing north.  I have a lot of desert greenery from this vantage point...not looking out at a barren desert.    

 I don't know if this is one lizard or two different ones, but they are around!

I also have a pre-made fire ring and a little wood that someone left behind :-)

All in all, I have a pretty nice desert yard!  I even have a natural sculpture!

Okay....now....about Quartzsite.  Where to start??  It's a very, very basic, desert town about 36 square miles in size.  You would think absolutely nothing of it just driving through on Route 10 on your way to Phoenix or Los Angeles.  Why would anyone want to stay here aside from the fact it costs almost nothing??  WELL....come fall/winter, primarily January and February, this sleepy little desert town turns into something completely different!

THE WORLD'S LARGEST PARKING LOT!

Quartszite is THE desert host of thousands upon thousands of visitors during the winter months. About 1 million people pass through and many thousands stay all winter.  Why?  Well, the weather is fabulous (70's !!) and vendors from EVERYWHERE set up shop in Quartzsite.  I've mentioned the prevalent rock/mineral factor here.  There are huge Gem & Mineral shows. The ideal winter climate brings amethyst from Brazil, opals and crystals from Australia, turquoise from Africa and the U.S., fossilized geodes and ancient bones from everywhere.  Are antiques your thing??  There are dozens of antique dealers here from all over the country.  Like homemade arts and crafts??  There are craft shows going on all the time and major shows during the peak season.  Jewelry??  Of course! Plus, there are tons of indoor and outdoor swap meets and other vendors selling all kinds of wares.  There's an old saying around Quartzsite...if you can't find it here, it hasn't been thought of yet!  Shop til you drop!!

I have borrowed this photo from the Chamber of Commerce to give you an idea of what I'm describing.  This "tent area" abuts to LaPosa North.  (I'm sitting way out by those mountains somewhere!)  Vendors, however, are set up everywhere...not just in the tent area.  Live music is BIG here, too!  Always jammin' going on!

THE LARGEST GATHERING OF RVers IN THE WORLD!

During this same time, Quartzsite is also host to THE largest conversion of RV's and RV-related vendors in the world!  It is literally a mecca for RVers.  Full time, part time for just the winter, or those simply on "vacation"...75,000 RVers call this "home" for some amount of time.  You will never see more for RVs in one spot than here!

So, why might you ask, does SHE want to be here?  Well, it's very, very inexpensive... the weather will turn to paradise soon... until the snowbirds flock in for all the shows, it will be very quiet... and it's an easy way of life!  I'm not a "shopper" per se....I need nothing, but there will be a lot to see in the happening months of winter and a lot of 'characters', too!  My only dilemma is NO CAR!  But, by then, I won't be the only one camping out here, so maybe I can hitch a ride into town.  It's a pretty long way to bike, but I might try it.  Hard to think about that right now when it's over 100*!

I mentioned the blog taking a turn soon.  The longer I stay here, the less of a "travel blog" it will be, obviously.  I'm only traveling into town!  Only so much to say about that until the shows start.  So, I will post about RV life in general...what I've learned over the past 3 months.  It's all on the internet, but my info will be first hand from someone who has learned everything along the way!

Of course, here and there I will post photos of sunrises and sunsets and any interesting nature tidbits I come across.

So, for now I'm just going to enjoy an OVERCAST day!  No sign of rain yet, but I'm hoping!  Think I'll take a little hike while it's "cool"!

Everyone...have a great week!