Seemed like every other vehicle was an RV of some variety... Motorhomes and Fivers the heavy favorites.
Hmmm... don't look like we'll be lonely, out there on the desert...
Linked up with some friends of my sisters west of town a ways at the TA truckstop, motorhomers all... and continued west.
... and I got to say, I had my misgivings... for a long time I had no interest in comin' here to the big Quartzsite show, or even to use the area to warm up part of the winter. My memory from growing up around Tucson was that the area 'round here was nothin' but a big, dusty, sand box. That, and I'd seen the pictures of the RV's adorning the countryside...
... with the desert, littered with Rigs... from one horizon to the other. Looked like a crowded Zoo to me... it just didn't tickle my fancy...
Seeing all those rigs... headin' for right here... as we rolled along, my misgivings didn't lighten up any.
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| *Rolling for Quartzsite* |
Then, after I think 130 miles or so from where we've been... My first view of Quarzsite slides into view as we crest over a small grade...
... and I think... Uh Oh... this is gonna be an "Interesting" week...
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| *1st View of the RV City at Quarzsite* |
Whooooeeee... thousands of 'em... white RVs almost as far as you can see... and I'm still wonderin'...
But you know what? It's 75 degrees while much of the rest of the country is gettin' hammered with winter storms... and I'm about to learn that First Impressions and Preconceived Notions...
... will often lead a shallow thinkin' Buster astray...
Sherry and Bud... and their lil' caravan of Motorhomes went south to their reservations... and I turned us north... having decided to try our luck on Plamosa Road...
Passed the Hi Jolly area... and it looked kinda crowded, but opening up some... rolled another couple miles to the Plamosa Road turn off... and pulled into the Camp Host site...
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| *Camp Host on Plamosa Road* |
Huh? It's free here!
"But I have a card that gets me half off 'cause of an Army Disability... don't I get some back 'cause of that?"
Uh... it didn't work this time either... Dang it... :o)
anyhoo... this area is 3 miles long... and a half mile wide... you just pick a spot that toots your whistle... and put down your jacks.
OK... things are lightening up a bit... this ain't half bad... it's warm... we've got Plenty of room... there aren't ATV's and dirt bikes scramblin' around makin' a dust storm... it'll do...
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| *View from under the awning on Plamosa Road* |
We picked a spot out on the edge... so anybody that comes in, would be behind us... though... most follks seem to want to give each other some elbow room...
It's a good solid base... so if it does rain, no problem...
... and herself can walk her pups, right out from camp without an issue...
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| *Plenty of space to run the Pups* |
Then of course, is the important stuff... the ability to do the hard work of Boondocking... once all that other junk is dealt with...
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout... right?
It's that risky and delicate business of depressurizing the cranial cowboy headspace ... It's best left to professionals... but... if you pay attention... and take great care... it is a chore that can be done by the amateur...
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| *The Dangerous process of RV Boondocking Depressurization* |
So... been here but a few hours more than one night... and I'm already startin' to see the error of my judgment..
Fact is... I could get a passle of writing done... sittin' here in this quiet desert... OK... almost quiet desert...
But, there's space... there's little pressure on a tight budget... the sun is shining... and except for the professional whiner... Life is Good...
And though I don't guess you can call the graveled area pretty... all you've got to do is lift your eyes a mite... and there's no shortage of Vistas to fill up your soul... to wash away the mental grime of the city... and refresh your spirit...
Then, the sun goes down... you get your fire goin'... pop a top... and, aw, if you're still complainin'... get over it! :o)
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| *Quarzsite Boondocking Campfire* |
What more can a fella want? Beer, Smores and big Red Motorcycles in a Boondock Camp! HooYa!
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| *Beer and Smores in a Boondock Camp* |
The morning breeze is gusting... and I got lazy last night... and left the awning down... so I better get to takin' care of chores... if we're gonna go do some shoppin' at the "Big Tent"...
So... as I close... if you've been Not comin' to the "Q" ... 'cause you had the same misgivings or preconceptions... ths Ol' Buster had... think it over again... I'd suggest you give 'er a chance... at least one time...
That's another lesson I gotta see if I can remember a lil' bit better...
Boondocked on Plamosa Road... and Better Off for it!
Brian
Return to the main site of goin' RV Boondocking or Visit my Sister website Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road
4 comments:
Hot darn! Looks a little different than when I came over that same crest in late May of last year. I'd not been there, was in the general vicinity - that is to say, I was in AZ wanderin' about, so just HAD TO go see what the area looked like. I think I saw a total of five rigs boondockin' and I drove around the area for more than an hour or two taking in the vistas.
Once again, my jealous bone is acting up, but I know my turn's coming. Thanks for the great post! Steven from Monument
I just KNEW that you'd find a spot in all that desert area that would appeal to ya!! I'm glad you found the perfect spot with all the advantages you spoke of. Now put your mind at rest and have a blast!!
Great pictures and telling about the area around you. Love the mountains in the distance. At this time of the year, are you bothered by snakes??
Steven... yeah by then it's warming up and folks have started movin' north.
Cindy... I believe just about anybody can find their fit somewhere around here.
Sharlotte... uh... Don't know that they bother me any time of year... my buddy Winchester keeps 'em right in line :-) actually tho I expect the weather is cool enough at night that they've denned up for the winter... sure haven't see. any :-)
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