Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Feb. 14, 2011 – Back in Quartzsite, AZ

The two-day trip back down from Antioch was fine. We spent the night dry-camping at Flying J in Barstow, CA. We always fuel up there and often spend the night in the parking lot.

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How is this for a room with a view?

Pilot has not converted the restaurant into a Denny’s like the other Flying J’s, so I suspected bad news. Unfortunately, Pilot has put that station up for sale or lease. We will miss it when it closes.

We thought we were free of medical issues until late May when it was time to go back to see Larry’s nephrologist. Unfortunately at Barstow, CA, we received a call from the dermatology doctor--which wasn't good news about the biopsy on my arm. The biopsy site and quarter-sized wound hasn’t hurt, but the rash from the Curad bandage has itched like crazy. I’m bringing my own paper tape to the appointment on March 14th!

We are back “home” on our little square of hard ground, dust, and a few sage bushes for the next few weeks. Quartzsite is like a new town. It was like a flock of birds leaving the area or a school of fish. The head one took to the roads and the followers went with him. Every day, fewer and fewer RVs were parked on the BLM land and fewer cars on the roads. There weren't any long lines of RVs leaving--they just melted away. Now we can breathe again in the space they left!!

Here are some samples of the range of RVs found spending the winter in the Q area:

You have seen the photos of our truck and camper. Other RVs range from this little A-liner trailer, that has been here since December, to million-dollar-plus buses.

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That is roughing it! At least we have a shower stall in our bathroom. We also use “green grass” to create some outdoor space. And at the other end of the spectrum:

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Yes, that is a car port for his truck, a screen room under the awning and six solar panels on the roof. I don’t think he is roughing it.

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And then there are those folks who set up their homestead with double and triple wide canvas rooms attached to the RVs for more protected space. I imagine they come for the October-April season. Within certain BLM restrictions, If you can think of it, you can do it—but you have to take it with you when you leave.

It’s been warm the last few days, but today the wind is howling and we have a 20 per cent chance of rain tonight. However, we have HOPE for better weather soon!

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Spring Has Sprung! We saw the first blooming tree in Blythe, CA.

Good times are around the corner—for us and you too. Winter weather is on the run—out of our lives for now.

1 comment:

  1. Sorry to hear your biopsy wasn't good, Carol. But I'm sure you'll get appropriate treatment to take care of it.

    I love the canvas rooms for more living space, but I'll bet they're hard to set up and put away -- big and heavy.

    Looking forward to spring!

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