V2N2A

QUARTZSITE WRAP-UP

There were some things that we were not able to relay because of space constraints in the last issue. We'll try to do it here. People are quick to point out that, Quartzsite during the shows is absolutely crazy, to say the least. IT IS! If you don't like bumper to bumper traffic that doesn't go anywhere.........it's not for you. If you don't like elbow to elbow crowds..........it's not for you. If you don't like living in a little town with 3 gas stations and 3 small grocery stores..........it's not for you. But if you like Flea Markets, and shopping whenever you want, taking side trips into Mexico, and a lot of fun......than this place is for you. They have 2 Korean doctors here working out of a small clinic. (Double-Wide Trailer) They even have a motel. (Although I wouldn't stay in it) This place has all the comforts of a large metropolitan city..........almost.

Our campground for the month, including electricity came to $5.02 per day for the 33 days we were there. We did have to fill our LP Tank because of the temperature at night and the fact we were trying to save electricity by turning the fridge on gas. We surmised that gas was cheaper than electric.

Sharon and I walked a total of 40.8 miles during the month of January. It was however, getting difficult to walk on the roads near the end of the month, because of the traffic. And trying to walk in the desert was an exercise in dodging RVs. It's hard to describe how many people are actually here, but they're 50 feet apart, 6 miles in any direction, and all 50 campgrounds are full to overflowing.

The friends we were with here, have gone in different directions for now. But we will rejoin the Werden's and Petersen's at Valley of the Sun RV Park in Marana, AZ, along with Bob and Jayce Dale. And we will be with the Schultzes at the FMCA Rally in Casa Grande, AZ. All in all, the month at Quartzsite was a very enjoyable one. This may become a regular stop.

On recent trips South of the Border, we were doing the very shopping that I mentioned previously. I thought that on our first trip into Algodones I may have tried on every vest in the town, and was not satisfied with either the price or the sizes of them. On the second trip into Algodones I was trying on more vests. And when I asked the price, it was unusually high, I thought. I suggested a lower price as everybody does, when shopping in Mexico.

"Oh no, the teenage salesman insisted, this is very good leather." When asked what made it such good leather, he replied, "It comes from a 6 point Buck." Caught by surprise, on the spur of the moment, I had no answer for him. I did not, however, continue negotiations at that time. And I did not have the heart to tell him that leather comes from cows, and Deerskin comes from deer. I did wonder what the animal would look like though, or be called, in real life. A Deercow or a Cowdeer?

Last year, when we did a day trip into California with the car, we were stopped and we said we didn't have anything, only to discover a few hours later that we had a cactus in the car that we had bought for Jessica, in Lake Havasu City. I guess we lucked out that time or it would have been theirs. My sister-in-law Marge said they took a large pail of cherries from her, and she was sure they didn't throw them away.

So on our trip to California this year with the motorhome, I tried to be prepared. The week before we were trying to eat the fruits and veggies that we had. But on the day we left, we still had a few. I hid the lettuce in my shirt closet, and scattered the oranges, carrots and kiwis in the pots and pans. As we drove up to the inspection station, and with a wave of his hand, he let us pass through. IMAGINE THAT!!! So I took my wilted lettuce out of the closet, and put the fruit back in the fridge............where they belong.