V6N2A

Quartzsite x 2

Along with a short stint in the desert on our way through to Desert Hot Springs, California, we returned for a week in the wilderness again. There were several things we hadn't done on that first stay. Walking through all the vendor areas such as Prospector's Panorama, 4 Corners, Main Event, Rice Ranch, etc., and there was the huge RV Show Tent that we had missed because it wasn't open at the time. We hadn't had our fill of Sweet Darlene's Pecan Rolls or eaten at Billy Bob's BBQ on the first visit. We actually couldn't find Billy Bob's even though we had looked. We had spotted it the day before we left, but it was too late to get the Chicken and Ribs he's famous for. It would have to wait until our second visit.

We started out slow, and deliberately rationing our time because we knew there would be no repeat visit after this one. We thoroughly enjoy our visits to Q because it's like no other place in the world. There are bigger flea markets and other towns with fine places to eat, but somehow they just come together here on the desert. The campground is dry, dusty and desolate with no hookups so the attraction is not the accommodations that a person has here. The cleanliness of the people is not an attraction, because some of the residents are dirty, unshaven and looking like they never had a bath in the last month. These are fondly referred to as the "Quartzsite Residents" even though they probably aren't. I don't think even Quartzsite wants to claim them.

The Gem Shows were in full swing and the traffic was officially horrendous. But if you know where to go, and when to go there, you can graciously excuse all the impositions that are placed in your path. You patiently wait instead of trying to jump ahead, and know in the back of your mind that these people will get tired of all this commotion and just go home. It happens every year right on schedule. By 3:30 in the afternoon you can do what you want, and go where you want, without much hassle. The road construction here in Q has helped the traffic situation immensely. What used to be 3 flashing red lights are now 2 regular traffic signals controlling the north/south traffic on Highway 95 that runs through the middle of town. And 5 lanes of traffic, with turn lanes, at the 2 traffic lights. It has helped the congestion to be relieved at least at those 2 main areas.

Billy Bob's BBQ Chicken and Ribs was as good as we remembered it, and Sweet Darlene's Pecan Rolls tasted just as good as they did 2 weeks ago. We managed to spend an afternoon in the Good Sam Tent without actually spending any money on useless things except Roy's Lemonade. But we could get a refill of lemonade for a dollar if we wished. Now that's a good deal in any man's book. We'll be back again next year if only to pick up our new Quartzsite Snowbird pin. But I'm sure we'll stay longer than that to ferret out the incredible bargains.

Wind Energy Farms

Answering a request from the "Family Educator", Jennifer, back in Iron Mountain, we obtained information about the Wind Energy Farms located in and around Desert Hot Springs. Some interesting facts emerged in the acquisition from the Chamber of Commerce. First off the quick stuff. There are, at last count, 2,550 windmills in the San Gorgonio pass which starts at Desert Hot Springs and goes about 5 miles west, between Mount San Jacinto and the San Gorgonio mountains. The "Turbines" range in height from 80-160 feet. Their blades range in length from 21-75 feet. Their cost is in the range of $1 per watt. So a 500 watt turbine will be in the neighborhood of $500,000.00. It will pay for itself in approximately 5-7 years. And the cost of the turbines is determined by the Kilo Voltage and number of blades.

Now for the meaty stuff. How do they work? Well the obvious answer is they spin when the wind blows. But how does the wind blow? Well, during the daytime the sun heats the desert and the warm air rises causing a vacuum between the mountains. That warm air must be replaced by other air and that process creates wind by sucking the air between the mountains through the pass and through the windmills. See isn't this fun?

Now just because the wind is blowing that doesn't mean the windmills are going to spin. No siree Bob. It has to be the right speed. The turbines start spinning when the wind blows between 8-14 MPH. They will start producing energy at that speed UNLESS the're down for maintenance. Oh brother what next? If the wind blows anywhere from 56-67 MPH they will shut themselves down to prevent damage to the turbine itself.

So there you have it. When you travel through southern California if the wind is blowing, the windmills MIGHT be turning. OR 60 will be turning and 5 located in the middle of the group will be stopped for whatever reason. The 3-bladed turbines will turn easier than the 2 bladed ones but they'll produce less electricity because they're older and smaller in kilovoltage. Have I got you completely confused? Well, welcome to the club. There is more to these babies than meets the eye. And it's more involved than whether or not the wind is blowing.

Now that the environmentalists have these eyesores trashing up the scenery here's the kicker. When these things are turning and producing the electricity, they're killing the migrating birds. Oops! A little mistake that was overlooked when they put these things up by the thousands. But you won't hear about any of this from the Animal Rights Wackos because they come from the same school of weird. The upside is that while they're chopping up the migrating birds they're keeping the coyotes healthy and well fed.