January 27, 2013 -- Quartzsite, AZ – When it gets busy…

This is what we woke up to last Wednesday morning.  The sky was on fire! 
While it is beautiful, it also means there is a LOT of dust in the air—the air we breathe.  This happens every year in the middle January, just before the Big Tent show opens.  The RV show brings in thousands of visitors, many who now tow jeeps, four-wheelers, and “side by side” off-road vehicles.  And they come to run the miles of dirt roads and even make new dirt roads—which throws a lot of dust into the air.
A friend once asked about parking on the BLM lands,  “How do you know where to park?”  My response was:  Any where you want!
  These photos show a few different parking styles.
Some like to park with space around them.
Others like to park close, very close, to each other.
Some respect a set amount of space between RVs—as if there is a set “distance-between” rule,”  They park in a very orderly fashion.
Others park “willy-nilly,” according to their own rules of parking.
There are big expensive rigs.
And some that have been around for a long, long time.
For some, it must have been an act of faith to leave their home state and head to Arizona!  There were rocks behind the wheels on the RV on the right—to keep it in place.
And some RVers just can’t leave anything home—whether it fits safely or not.  This set up was a bit scary.  Imagine following him through Los Angeles, CA, in traffic.
Most visitors come for the RV shows.  I made my way to the tent three times. 

There are food vendors galore.  You name it and it is probably here.

This photo was quite unusual.  I could see the green carpet on the ground.  Usually the tent looks like this:

I had been hearing visitor numbers were down this year.  I believe it after visiting the tent.  Usually the aisles are so full, you can’t take photos.
Here are some booths this year. In addition to “everything about RVing,” other vendors come to cash in on the high visitor count.
This was just for dog owners.  Those are pouches to carry your small dogs and clothes on the back wall.  Dog accessories are a big industry in the RV world.

This was a new product—silicone sheets to put on the BBQ grill and cook food like in a skillet.


Janet carries everything microfiber.  It’s a fun booth to explore.

Chef Bob and his cooking gear.  He always draws a crowd.  I saw several generator booths this year.  Two of our brands were covered.  Honda is our favorite for the RV, while we have a Champion for the Texas house. (Texas has lots of BIG storms in the spring.)


Good Sam Club did not have a booth in the big tent this year.  This was a first for Good Sam.  Texas neighbors, Charles and Chris Yust, were in the tent with Good Sam Insurance products.

However, the Escapees RV Club had the same booth, # 201, as usual—good for them:

And, I think one of the crowd pleasing favorites is:

However, as I was wandering around alone, and it wasn’t very warm, I passed on the delicious, huge ice cream cones sold in this booth every year.
There were a few long-time vendors missing this year.  The show was a bit smaller than previous years—a sign of the down-turn in the economy.  We had enough visitors to clog the roads as usual, but not as bad as previous years.
Then, after weeks of  bitter cold weather and windy and sunny days, to round out the weather situation we woke up yesterday morning to:

It was so nice to see all the puddles.  The dust is out of the air.  We can see the mountains again!
Many of the off-roaders packed up and left yesterday.  We won’t miss them.
It wasn’t the best of weather for the vendors for the last weekend, but they too will breathe easier today—on the last day of the Big Tent Show.
Later this week, we are packing the camper and car and heading to the S. F. Bay Area .  We have doctor’s appointments on the 7th and 8th.  If all goes well, we will be back in Quartzsite around the 14th for another 4-6 weeks. 
If you are having nice weather, be sure to take a moment and enjoy it.  We are enjoying every sunny day—it fills the batteries so we don’t have to run the generator.  Life is good.
P.S., Ever wonder if we cook in the camper?  Yesterday’s rain brought on a “soup day.”

The pressure cooker that I bought at the Big Tent show two years ago makes wonderful soup in a short time.  It was sooooo gooood on a wet, damp day.  However, it trashed the kitchen for an hour.

January 14, 2014 Watching the Big Tent go up in Q.

First, I have to say, it is COLD in Quartzsite, AZ.

How cold is it?  Yesterday morning, it was 34 degrees—inside the camper!!!  And the outside temperature was about 20 degrees.  We don’t run a heater inside while we are sleeping.  It is a long story, but we sleep too soundly to have hot things running while we are asleep. We are quite warm under the layers of blankets, but those 3 a.m. potty runs are COLD!

Second, the wind is blowing along with the cold temperatures.  It is 43 degrees at 4 p.m.  Brrrrr.  However, we still feel blessed.  My daughter-in-law sent me a cute video of my GRANDson playing in the snow outside their house in Boise, ID.  Yes, we have cold weather and strong winds, but as of today, none of that pesky white stuff—called snow.

Third, we have two much time on our hands.  So much time that we have been watching the Big Tent going up.  We have been coming to Q for about 20 years and this is the first time we have taken the time and made the effort to watch the team erect the huge tent for Kenny  King’s Sports, Vacation, and RV Show held the third week of January.

The installation of the grass floor is the first sign the tent is going up.  There were just rocks and sand in this area last week.  The tent poles are laid down the center.  We have wondered how they get the poles up in the air.  There aren't any elephants to help raise the big tent.


The little piles on the right side are some of the canvas for the tents.  The main tent is white, but some of the other tents used in the show are blue and yellow.


The next day, the poles were up!



Notice all the guy wires used to raise the poles and hold them upright until the canvas is on.



Any sailors out there looking for a job going up the mast?  You can see that he is rigging the pulleys for the pole that is just going up.  Once the poles were up, they started laying out the canvas.  Another question answered:  How do they get the tent around the poles?  They connect each panel around the main poles on the ground—once the poles are up.  The guy on the left is connecting the seams working away from the hole around the big pole.



And then two days later, after a very windy day, they started raising the tent.  How do they raise a 200 or 300 ft. long tent?  Very slowly!!

 



First they attach the outside edge to the main tent and then use about 10 ft. poles to raise the entire outside edge, adding guy wires to support the outside edge.  We missed where they removed some of the big pole guy wires.  Once the outside edge is raised and secured, they start raising center of the tent from the inside.



We could hear the sounds of the ropes running through the pulleys and the sounds like a main sail being winched up the mast—and the top rose slowly up the pole.  AHA, that is how they do it!!
  


 

And the workers went to work on the second pole.  They winched and winched—moving canvas up to the same height as they worked down the line.  We left them to their work as it took most of the day.  The following morning, the big tent was up.



We stopped by on Saturday to see the next stage.  The sides had been attached—and another line of poles were in place.  The second poles are just about half way between the top and the bottom edge of the big top.



The electricians had started wiring for all the outside booths and food vendors.  I got a “charge” out of the connecting plug for the line.  It is as big as my foot.



Today, with 30 MPH winds, we didn’t go by the tent.  We figured the electricians were inside wiring the tent for the 600 booths.  The show opens next Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, and closes Sunday, Jan. 28th.
Thousands of visitors will fill the aisles—and vendors’ pockets--during the 10-day run.  I love wandering though, but it will be packed over the 3-day weekend.  When I was doing the Escapees Commercial Membership program, I would visit all the vendors who sold RV-related stuff to explain the program.  Now that I am retired, I go to shop.

The following weekend, the Hobby, Craft & Gem Show opens in the tent for 4 days along with a Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic Car Show.  So much to look at—so little space in the camper!  Ouch!

Since Saturday, we have noticed a dramatic increase in RVs parking in the BLM areas around Quartzsite.  It seems to be lighter than previous years, but I think the show will have a lot of attendees again.  Many of the Escapees RV Club’s chapters are holding rallies in the area as well as the Club’s Annual Happy Hour hosted by Denny and Susie Orr on Jan. 16th and 17th from 1 to 3 p.m. Several hundred Escapees members bring their chairs to a spot on BLM land for two afternoons of visiting and listening to two hours of fun entertainment.
 
In the meantime, we hope you are warm and comfortable—wherever you are!

Dec. 29, 2012 Back in Quartzsite, AZ, again.

Time seems to have gotten away from us. We have been here two weeks as of today.  It feels like we just parked here last week.  We at La Posa North, the Long-term BLM parking just south of Quartzsite, AZ.  We paid $180 for the annual permit which allows us to park on the BLM land from Sept. 15th to April 15th.  I enjoy figuring out what the daily cost is for us.  Tonight our cost will be $12.  In four days, we will be down to just $10 a day and going lower each night.

The RV on the left is Doris and Clyde Scoval from Iowa.  They missed last year due to a family emergency.  Fred and Arlene Cray should be on the right side of our camper, but snow has kept them from leaving Alturas, CA.  They hope to start south tomorrow, if Hwy 299 to Redding, CA, is clear.  Notice all the open space around our RVs.  That won’t last; the desert around us will be full of RVs in about two to three weeks when the big RV Tent show opens.

While some of us rough it here in the dry desert, some folks bring all the comforts of home with them.  Clyde brings his pressure washer to keep his car and RV looking spiffy.  He connects the hose to his outside shower spigot and runs his generator for power.  Isn’t he clever?  (And clean!!)

Between the two solar panels on the roof (Thanks, Don) and the small generator, we have enough electricity to cover our basic electrical needs.  The water and sewer needs are taken care of every 6 days down the highway at the BLM sewer dump and water station—a perk of paying the BLM fee.

We spotted this RV at the library last Saturday.  At first I thought it had been a garbage truck in its previous life, but it was built as an RV—a German RV.

There are windows behind the metal plates with little holes.  It is built stout and for some serious off-roading adventures.

I think I will keep our friendly-looking camper, smile.

We come for the drier weather, clean air and beautiful sunsets.  I can’t capture the correct amount of  color with my camera, (color all the clouds bright pink)  but this is what we see almost every night.  We had a very quiet Christmas and are looking forward to a quiet New Year’s Eve. And then 2013 will be with us—bringing more new adventures as we travel in the Shoe Box! 

The Jennings wish you a fun-filled and healthy New Year!

Dec. 14, 2012 The Jennings are on the move again.

We left Livingston last Saturday.  Our plans were to head west on Sunday, but the approaching storm upped our schedule by a day.  And of course, the weather man heard we were leaving to beat the rain in Houston, so he moved up the rain by a day too.

Sorry, no photos today as my “soon to be deceased” computer has decided it no long wants to recognize my camera storage card.  Apparently when Larry worked it over for several reasons last Friday, it found a way to retaliate!  It stopped accepting any signal from the card reader.  Soon, very soon, I may start refusing to feed it any electricity—and then see if it is a good Frisbee!  GRRRR!

We spent the first night at the Texas Rest Area between Luling, TX, and Sequin, TX.  It was a HOT and humid night.  (Should have just stopped at RiverBend RV Park like last June.)

We took a new route around San Antonio, TX by using Highway 46; it was a hint given to us by Tommie Sue and Harrell Hicks.  It was an easy run because it was early Sunday morning and lots of fog and mist to keep people home.  We didn’t stop to see the Spring Branch friends as we wanted to get further west because of the weather.  To spend the money we saved on Saturday night, we stopped in North Llano River RV Park ($33) in Junction, TX, as the cold front was supposed to catch up with us that night.  It did—with LOTS of strong winds during the night.  The temperature at dinner hour was 80 degrees and had dropped to 28 degrees when we got up Monday morning.

We continued pushing west to Fort Stockton, TX.  We stayed at a different park this trip because we just needed electricity.  The Comanche RV Park worked out fine, even had free WIFI and cable for $16. 

By Tuesday, Larry was feeling better and we were able to share the driving to El Paso, TX, and then on to Deming, NM in one day.  We spent two nights at the Escapees’ Dream Catcher RV Park so we could visit with Jim and Penny Scott and do some Wal-mart shopping.  I enriched the Deming economy!

We didn’t have firm plans for Thursday night, so we kept driving hoping to make Casa Grande, AZ, to see Mary & Jerry Frye and return some lost items they left with us in October.  We knew a big storm was headed our way—again—and had alternative plans just in case we got tired.  Things were going very well—until we crested Texas Canyon, the big pass just east of Benson, AZ.

Suddenly, instead of a tail wind pushing us, we hit a southerly wind that was hitting us broadside and was picking up dust as it headed north—across the freeway.  It wasn’t too bad, some tight-fingered driving, until we got just outside of Tucson, AZ.  Suddenly there was a lot of blowing dust coming across the freeway.  Larry even called Jerry to see how the conditions were in Casa Grande to see if we should just stop and wait it out until the rain came that evening.  He said Casa Grande weather was beautiful.  Well, Tucson was NOT beautiful!  We kept an eye up ahead with plans to pull off the road if the cars started disappearing into a dust storm.  We hit one spot where it did—but as we entered the solid dust line, we could see out the other side.  That one was close!!

We are now parked at the Fiesta Grande Encore Park in Casa Grande.  It rained on and off most of the night—which means the dirt is out of the air.  We are headed to Quartzsite, AZ, tomorrow; we have about 200 miles to go—a day’s drive.  This is a beautiful destination park with lots and lots of activities and events going on.  Wish we wanted to stay for the winter here, but we have friends to see in Quartzsite.

We are making a early morning visit to the NextCare Urgent Clinic this morning to have Larry’s arm injury looked at by a doctor. He took a tumble last night on a walkway and scraped back too much skin for my limited first aid skills.  We visited a NextCare Urgent Clinic here in Casa Grande about two years ago to have his lab work done and we were very impressed with their service.  Thankfully, they take Medicare insurance!!  Big blessings that Medicare insurance!!  I hate to see the proposed changes to Medicare as it sure is a life saver for us when we travel!  But that would be another posting just to explain my position on Medicare, smile.

Happy Holidays—and if I don’t get back to post in the next 11 days, Merry Christmas.  Please remember the reason for the season—and it isn’t to buy presents that won’t be remembered by the recipients by next Christmas.  Give  Love, Peace and Joy—and even a helping hand to those you love—it doesn’t cost money and is remembered for life!

Dec. 3. 2012 Finishing up Texas projects……

We are in the count-down to leaving Texas.  I have one more kiln firing to do later this week to glaze some bowls that I bisque-fired on Saturday.  The car is packed for the trip and the camper just needs our medicines, food, and computers—and it will be packed.

Larry had his fun on Saturday:

Notice the dirt screen behind him?

Guess who got to wash his clothes and shoes?  He had a layer of dirt covering him!

Meanwhile, I was playing too—firing the kiln:

Unfortunately about five days ago, some one, some place, slipped me some cold virus germs.  I spent Sunday laying on the couch instead of unloading the kiln. I still feel it trying to attack, so I have cancelled plans to go to the Livingston Art League’s monthly meeting as I don’t want to infect anyone else.  I sure wish someone had been as considerate about five days ago and had stayed home with their cold!!  I worry about Larry fighting it off and both of us being sick instead of driving west!

The weather has been crazy!  I run the air conditioner at night—to get the house back down to at least 72 degrees—and then  change it over to heat in the morning—when it is 42 degrees outside.  The temperatures have varied over 40 degrees difference from morning to afternoon!  The leaves are falling—and falling—and falling, while some trees are still green?

The weather can’t decide what it wants for Fall—cool or warm. 

In addition to playing with clay, I like to smoosssh bread dough around.  Larry is always giving me a hard time about how many Panasonic bread makers I own—five or six.  However, he loves it when I drag out both the big 2 lb. bread makers and make dough.

Because he absolutely loves this kind of bread the most:

These mini loaves are as close to heaven as he can get while still breathing!  I make there around the end-of the-year holidays for gifts and to make my favorite guy happy.

We had a very quiet Thanksgiving dinner with just the two of us:

His sodium-restricted diet actually allows for a bit of ham, so we cooked that instead of a turkey.  However, we had all the other trimmings.  And it was worth all the work to see his smile:

Because when I count my blessing, this guy is at the top of my list! 

I hope you were with your favorite blessings on Thanksgiving.  And as we get ready to head back to Quartzsite, AZ, for a few months of warmer and drier weather,  we look toward to happier and healthier times in 2013. 

The old Chinese proverb of ”May you live in interesting times” was used to wish someone some “less-than Happy” New Year wishes.  These days, listening to TV and radio stories, it sounds like we are living in “interesting times.”

So, I am amending the proverb to:  May you thrive in interesting times—and have thousands of blessing to be thankful for next year.

Nov. 17, 2012 Lessons Learned—the hard way, of course.

Well, I started the month out doing great.  As I had finally caught up on some household chores, I decided we needed to go into the BIG city of Houston to buy clay and glazes.
I ordered 200 pounds of clay which comes in four 50-pound boxes.  The two young ladies loaded it into the car—with 100 pounds on each side of the back seat of the Honda.  Easy, right?  Easy turned into a lot of pain—after I moved the clay from the car into my shop.
 
Those four boxes weighing down the shelf contain two of the blocks of clay on the right side.  Note to Self:  Do NOT move the boxes next time, move the clay one 25-pound slug at a time!  I have a hand truck to transport the clay, however, the clay does not help itself from the back seat or floor to the hand truck—my arms and back do it.
The hand truck won’t climb up the 12 inches to the shop porch, over the sill and up on to the wire rack.  Ouch!  My favorite word for about a week.
Next lesson was firing the kiln.  I tried something new by using the “preheat” setting for 20 minutes.  Something was wrong in my figures as 2 hours into the firing, it was at 140 degrees instead of the normal 600 to 700 degrees.  Note to self—stick with what works!
I aborted the firing and started the kiln with the settings I usually use.  It was a perfect firing! 

As I often fire at night, I need the back porch light to illuminate the porch when I go out to check the kiln.  Of course, it went out just about the time I had to fire the kiln!
We bought a new light and then had to figure out how to install it.

It is about 7 feet high which requires a ladder.  Unfortunately, Larry’s not good on ladders these days—and his finger tips lack feeling.  And unfortunately, finger tips are needed to put the wires together as well as strong legs to stand on the ladder for 20 minutes.  So, guess who learned how to change out a light?  Note to self:  Forget what you just learned!  Ignorance is bliss in hiring a handyman!  Because, once we got it all back together, it failed to light.  Up ladder again, reverse process and fix the white wire that came apart—reverse that process and put back together and exit down the ladder.  It does work now!  Don’t breathe hard around our back door!
The next lesson was a good one!  My friend Dianne suggested I enter some of my pottery in the Livingston Art League’s annual show on the 10th.  She also offered to print any photo I thought was exceptional to enter it in the photography division.  She is a talented photographer and has won awards for her beautiful photos.
I wasn’t sure about it, but decided to enter two bowls and my Luckenbach, TX, photo.  She talked me into entering a free-form bowl I made a few years ago.

It won third place against some really, really great photographs!
 
Angel Wings won second place and Brown Eyes Blue won a honorable mention as well as the free-form Hard Road.


Note to self and all my readers:  Take more risks with your artistic side!!  I did not feel my “stuff” was worthy of being entered in an art show and obviously, with four ribbons, it was!  Reach out and explore your creative side—you will be pleasantly surprised.
Life is interesting.  Each stage of our lives brings challenges and rewards—to help blunt the pain of growing ‘more experienced.”
Happy Thanksgiving.  Take a moment this week to start counting all your blessings and, if you are like me, you may run out of time and numbers long before you exhaust your list of blessings.