Quartzsite 2012 Recap
Once again, several memebers of the RV America Quartzsite Trailer Trash Gang assembled in the La Posa North LTVA BLM area in Quartzsite, Arizona. The weather was very cooperative—the daytime temperatures were in the mid 60s to 70s, and the nights were down in the 40s or thereabouts.
We had one day of fairly strong winds that kept many of the flea market vendors closed down and which also prevented us from having our usual 5 PM munchies and libations around the campfire.
Camping with us this year were folks from Alaska, California, Colorado, West Virginia, and British Columbia. Three old-time Trailer Trash couples (from California, Texas, and Louisiana) were staying elsewhere in the Quartzsite area, but did drop by for our big Saturday afternoon/evening bash, where we had 22 people in attendance. At the end of the evening, there was even food left over. Thanks to all who shared their favorite dishes with the group.
As has become custom, each of the newbies—who had satisfied initiation requirements by spending at least one overnight with the group—was inducted as a member of the RV America Quartzsite Trailer Trash Gang. Each of the newbie fellas received a Quartzsite Trailer Trash ball cap and the ladies received a Quartzsite Diva sun visor.
The weather was quite nice, and we all had a good time around the campfire telling both good and corny jokes, but eliciting lots of laughs.
As has been the case for the past few years, the number of vendors and RVers camping in the area was noticeably down from the peak years six or seven years ago. It was rather strange, for an old timer, to see the Main Event almost empty. The vendors inside and outside the big RV tent seemed to be reduced in numbers as well, but the area still seemed to be teeming with hordes of people. The one bright spot was Tyson Wells, where the area was packed with vendors selling all sorts of goodies, stuff, and even some RV-related things. This area seemed almost more crowded with vendors than in years past.
Also, as has become the norm, RV vendors from all over the southwest brought acres of RVers for potential sale—everything from travel trailers, big and little fifth wheels, all sorts of Class A motorhomes (both gas and diesel), and of course Class B and Class C motorhomes. Many of the rigs (including motorhomes) were actually toy haulers that were outfitted for very comfortable camping. It was a good feeling to see that the RV industry is not yet dead—and many new and different RV designs were present for the perusal of the hordes of people walking around the area.
All RVers, should strive to attend a Quartzsite gathering during the third week of January—just for the experience. We admit that Quartzsite is not every RVers idea of a good time. We have found that RVers are at one extreme or the other—either you love it or you dislike it (with not many people in the middle). However, you will never know until you come out and see for yourself. As many others have learned, you can only experience the "real Quartzsite" during the third week of January each year. At other times, Quartzsite is a sleepy little town of only 3,200 people—not the hundreds of thousands that visit Quartzsite each year and make the desert look like it snowed (from all the white RV roofs scattered over hundreds of acres).
Good news for those of you who say "I don't dry camp," or "My wife won't even think of being without electricity and water." Over the past two years or so, there are two very nice RV parks that have materialized in Quartzsite. One is right in Rice Ranch, where you have your choice of electric and water or a dry camping spot on a wide patch of gravel. The other is a new RV park, just this year, located a short distance North of the I-10 and highway 95 intersection. It has fully paved spaces, and all hookups. (You no longer have to drive 13 miles East to Brenda to find nicely set up RV sites for those of you who have to have the very best.)
We hope to see some new RVA faces at the 2013 gathering of the RVA Quartzsite Trailer Trash Gang. 2013 is also the year for a possible trip to Puerto Penasco, MX, but it is too early, yet, to see if the violence South of the border will have abated enough by then for us to have a safe and enjoyable journey South of the border for a week of fun, frolic, and friendship—and even some shopping for the ladies.
