By Barry & Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers
We’re packing up this morning, but before we head out of Quartzsite to get on the road again, there are some questions posed in last night’s comments section that I’ll try to answer:
“To be happy you must be free; to be free you must be brave.” This seems like an appropriate occasion to repeat that Norse adage.
Some of you are taking this place too seriously. You can make reservations and you can research everything there is to know about the area and local events, or you can do it like we did. You drive anywhere within five miles of town, look around, find a place near other RVs parked in the desert and turn off the engine.
Your neighbors, who were once as timid as you about the RV experience, will tell you more than you need to know. It’s that simple.
Now, in answer to Chestnuts, the best way to find information about the place, other than putting in “Quartzsite” in your Internet browser, is to call or visit the Chamber of Commerce. And don’t worry about our landlords, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). They aren’t going to tell you anything that your neighbors can’t.
To Drew, who is apprehensive, I refer you to Paragraph 2 above (the one with the italics). As commenter Thomas said, “It’s truly an experience that should not be missed.”
As for the honey wagon, the service that visits campgrounds to drain the tanks, we’ve heard that it has been available in past years but haven’t seen anyone around in the week that we’ve been here.
And, to Liz, Paul is not flaky. He runs a business and knows his inventory and his long-time customers from around the nation. He told me he is a nudist and loves the fact that he can practice that lifestyle (with a tad of covering) and still make money. Monique asked him questions about “Walk Across America 2” and about books on a specific subject. He knew that among the thousands of books in his collection, he had sold out of “Walk,” and he led her right to the area where books on her other subject were shelved. Another $10 plus tax wisely spent.
Before you arrive if you plan to dry-camp, bring containers for at least 10 gallons of water that you can fill at the Pit Stop everyday, plus a few gallon bottles for drinking water. If you are going to a private campground, it’s a good idea to ask them what you should have on board.
Out here in the desert — as I look out on distant hills where the sky is a neon orange as the sun approaches the horizon — the feeling is sublime. We read about a blizzard in the Midwest and hear about the cold and rain from our kids in the South, and we remember that we are blessed … or lucky … and always thankful that we now have this opportunity to enjoy our lives after so many years of toiling in the real world.
Prepare for your RV travels, but please don’t take it too seriously.
And speaking of preparing, the answer to most of those dry-camping and boondocking questions are very adequately covered in RV.net blogger Bob Difley’s ebooks. Visit his website at www.HealthyRVLifestyle.com. We learned a lot from what we read, and his writing is enjoyable.
PLEASE WADE IN
Having mentioned the word “blog,” I have a request of RV.net readers. The “Comments Section” is your opportunity to ask AND answer questions by other readers. We all have experiences and knowledge to share. Don’t be shy about wading in on the conversation.
For instance, in the previous article, I mentioned a few mistakes I had made about what’s not available in Quartzsite. That was an excellent opening for some of you Quartzsite visitors to say, “You forgot to mention there’s a Burger King, Subway, McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr., Dairy Queen and a bank in town.” I rely on you to straighten me out on these things – or anything. I’m pretty certain that all of us writing these blogs will agree that we want your feedback.
Uh-oh. It’s time to lift the Honda 3000 into the back of the truck. We’ll see you on down the road.
From the “Never-Bored RVers”
© Photo by Monique Zander. All rights reserved