Quartzsite AZ

All hooked up we left Santee CA in our review mirrors and traveled 8 East climbing to 4,100 ft in elevation to cross the Cuyamaca Mountains.  Now when you crest the mountain top and see windmills you grip the steering wheel a bit tighter, Mark didn't feel any wind but I sure did.

At a 6% grade it is a long climb and once on top you drop a 1,000ft and then back up again a couple of times before you then drop down at a 6% grade, what a roller coaster but the views are awesome. 

Once again on level ground before leaving CA we pass through the Imperial Sand Dunes B.L.M. Area which are popular with 4 Wheelers and dune buggies.  Then Yuma AZ which is rich in agriculture, broccoli and lettuce.  It's kind of strange because one side of the highway is desert and the other is fertile with green crops, amazing what water and tending to the dirt can produce.  North on 95 through the Proving Grounds and then...

We rolled into the show grounds for the "Big Tent", spoke with the owners and were hired, starting on Monday.  The show grounds back up to the La Posa West which is a long term camping area so we decided to stay there as we could walk to work.  $20 for two weeks and access to dump and water.

                                                    The view out of my picture window.

Our friends Jimmy and John were in Yuma so on their way back to Wickenburg they came to Quartzsite and stayed for a few days.  We went to Silly Al's for lunch, you can't come to Quartzsite without going there for really good pizza.  There are alot of campers here but there will be tons more once the show opens.  We showed Jimmy and John where the Big Tent will be, it is 600 x 100 ft and the workers were busy laying carpet, hopefully they will have it all done before we start work.

We wandered around town and then went to Beer Bellies Adult Day Care for some refreshing beverages. 

Me, Mark, John, Bob & Randee (our neighbors) and Jimmy. 

On Saturday Sharel and Bob Spears came down from Wickenburg to visit as they had never been to Quartzsite before.  This morning was the first of many troubles during our stay.  We woke up to the surge protector clicking like crazy, great just great.  After a new GFI breaker and completely removing the surge protector it was discovered that our plug into the generator was bad so we were now down to 20amp instead of 30amp, can't use the fireplace on 20amp.  Anyway, after the morning issues we all loaded up and headed to the Desert Solar Bar outside of Parker, AZ.  This place is only open on Sat & Sun from noon to 6pm.  It is completely run on solar and is 5 miles off the main highway and you really need a high clearance vehicle to get there.  This is a popular destination with 4 wheelers and is a pretty cool place.  It was an old mining camp in the day and the owner now just keeps adding on to it.  For more info go to www.thedesertbar.com

On Sunday the girls check out some vendors and the guys did guy stuff.  We were getting dry throat so we head over to Beer Bellies for adult beverages and who did we run into but the guys.

It was wonderful to spend time with our friends and we look forward to spending a month with them when we get done here.

We started work on Monday, our job will be trash removal on the midway once the show starts.  So now we are all busy getting ready for the big tent to go up.  The tent company was busy getting the center pole supports together then covering them with the tent.  It took them 3 days of work before it could go up.

We stayed busy laying carpet for the port a potties and vendors on the midway which is outside of the tent.

The weather turned very cold at night with temps in the teens and remember we are boondocking.  We had to run the furnace to stay warm at night and the generator wasn't running long enough to charge the batteries.  I don't know all the technical stuff about charging batteries and then inverting that energy.  We would have been fine if we were only staying for a few days, but a month is going to be a challenge.  We wanted to get an Empire brick heater but were waiting for the show to see if we could get a deal.  The one we found in town was sold when we went back so we just bundled up in more clothes and dealt with it.  On Thursday morning we woke up to a very cold camper, we thought we were out of gas so Mark switched tanks but nothing...well damn.  We had to go to work so we checked on it at lunch and things were fine.  The only thing we could figure is it was so cold and the wind was blowing right into the propane compartment so it must have froze the regulator.  That night we wrapped a blanket around the tanks and regulator and never had another problem.  Anyway Thursday was a horrible day with winds gusting at 35-40mph, the dust was terrible and it was really cold.  They couldn't put up the tent because of the winds.  My sinuses started bothering me last Sunday but today was the kicker, both Mark and I were having trouble.

You can't really see the mountains because of the dust flying around.  Now back home it is 80 degrees, whats up with that!

Friday was a completely different day and the tent went up.

We had the weekend off and took care of chores to prepare for 2 weeks of 10 hour days.  The weather started to warm up but it was still chilly at night. 

Back at work there was decorating to be done, tables and chairs to be delivered to vendor booths, trash cans to be put out, signs to be put up, carpet to be double taped and the list goes on. 

 Now our battery situation was becoming a problem.  The whole reason we were working was to earn the money to get solar this summer.  We will have 4 batteries and they need to be bought all at the same time.  If we bought 2 now then we would have to buy 4 more when we get the solar.  So Mark came up with the idea to take 2 batteries out of the golf cart to put in the rig.  The batteries in the rig were shot and wouldn't take a charge with a charger, dang.  He took 2 more from the golf cart to put on the charger at work, loaded them in the truck, jumped in and the truck won't start, well damn.  Batteries have not been our friends.

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Wednesday the vendors started to roll in and get setup.  It was exciting to see all the activity.

So now our job really begins, TRASH.  Empty trash cans, replace the bag, pick up tons of boxes and then take it to the dumpster and do it all over again for 10 hours a day.  One thing that I have to mention is the fact that 85% of the stuff sold at the show comes from China or Taiwan, that is really sad.

Our ride for the next 2 weeks.

Now to put on a show like this there are many jobs to be filled.  Traffic control, gate greeters, water truck to keep down the dust,  port a potty cleaning, honey wagon, shipping and receiving, problem solving, security and of course trash.  Everyone did a great job and things ran smoothly, but the dust sucked.  The show opened on Saturday and runs for 8 days.  On Saturday Jimmy and John drove down from Wickenburg to check out the show, that was a nice surprize!  We met them at Silly Al's after we got off work, thanks again we had a great time.  Mark and I made friends with several vendors which made the job fun along with some perks such as food.  Considering we only had 30 mins for lunch it was nice to get a free meal from the vendors and not have to go home.  Keep the trash cans empty and they will hook you up!  During all of this we would run home to start the generator in the afternoon to keep the batteries charged, remember the frig runs on propane but you still need the battery power.  We really had some nice neighbors and they had no problem with our generator as they knew we were having difficulties.  Generators are expected when you are boonducking and they can be run from 6am til 10pm.  One of our neighbors was Rob from Canada, he would have a fire every night and we could enjoy it with him watching the sunsets.  As a matter of fact he cooked us dinner one night.  The reason I tell you about him is that there are good people in the world and then there can be bad people.  Well unfortunately Rob pulled out and 5 rigs pulled in his spot.  After the 2nd day of the new neighbors arrival around 2pm we came home to turn on the generator, same thing we have been doing for several days.  Well when we got home that night there was a note placed on it.  Basically it said "We wish you would consider a quieter generator and does it have to run all day, the neighborhood".  Both of us were so pissed, Mark yelled out "If anybody has a problem with my generator they need to come talk to me".  He left to get fuel and I walked over to the new folks in the hood and asked them if they put the note on my generator, they said yes.  I tried to explain to them our situation and that we were working 10 hr days and I had a frig full of food.  Well this *^%$# told me that I should move and I told her she could move as I have been in this spot for 3 weeks.  I wasn't going to get into a pissing match with her so I just walked away.  Man some of these people think they own the desert, sad very sad.  These folks stayed 4 days and when they moved they left some plastic flowers by the generator and then grabed the plug that goes into the generator and pulled up on it trying to break it.  They did do harm to the plug and the receptacle but we were able to make adjustments and still use it.  Can you believe the never of some people, they better look out as karma is going to bite them good one day, again sad very sad.

  

I took these pictures from the top of the rig.

                                                                    Good neighbors.

BAD NEIGHBORS

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I am sure you all have either had the horrible cold/flu crud or know somebody that has.  It is awful stuff and I came down with it and thought I was surely going to die.  The last two days of the show I didn't work, I couldn't get out of the bed, slept for 2 days and finally the fever broke. The congestion and coughing is terrible and you feel so weak.  We were suppose to work another week as the craft show started Wednesday and then the car show finished up on Sunday.  Mark started to feel bad on Monday.  When we got hired the pay was to be under the table well over the weekend there was rumor that we all were going to get 1099's, so on Monday we met with the bosses and the rumor was true.  Asked if they could up the pay to cover the taxes but the answer was "no".  So we quit along with another couple who had worked there for 4 years and one other person.  It actually worked out for us as Mark couldn't have worked, he slept for 2 days.  This stuff is really bad.

 

We ended up buying our heater at the Gambler in town and they were suppose to come to install it on Tuesday but when they found out we were on BLM land they couldn't do it.  So we made plans to have it done Thursday on our way out of town.  We will never be cold again! 

We removed the stove and they tapped into the gas line.

Ran it behind the back of the cabinets.

And out the cabinet next to the fireplace. 

                                   It works great and is so much more efficient than the furnace.

 

We ended up boondocking for a month, made the money for our solar, got our heater, dealt with dust, meet some really nice folks, got sick and were part of a huge show but we are now headed to Wickenburg to our friends and full hookups! 

Thanks for following and make it a great day. 

The Holidays and LA

First of all I hope everyone had a very happy holiday season, I hope I am being politically correct with that statement.

Thanksgiving day was a beautiful day full of sunshine.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with our extended family Christo, Alida and Andre. 

Then it was onto the games.

  Mark and Christo threw bags.

              Then we all played Ping Pong.  Alida was tough to beat with a very wicked serve.

This is the view from their door step and do you see the camper?  That was our last one before we bought the caravan, it was kind of weird to see it again and the fact that it was in CA.

And then there was round two of the fab dinner we had earlier.  It was nice to spend the holiday with  family.  Their daughter married our nephew and they will be here for Christmas.

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The following weekend we got together and went to the Oceanside Pier for dinner. 

Historic Oceanside Pier is one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast, spanning 1,942 feet in length.

We ate at Ruby's Dinner which is at the end of the pier, good food and a great view.  After dinner we went to a club in Carlsbad to listen to a band.  It was a Metalachi band which is a mix of metal and mariachi.  Different is how I would describe it, but we had a good time, thanks Christo!




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Since we didn't have reservations at Santee Lakes we have had to do the Santee shuffle.  So on the 28th of Nov we moved to a different site and then on the 28th of Dec we will move again for 5 days.

Our new site complete with a small river when they turn on the water!

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We have spent our time here doing some exploring and just chilling.  The weather hasn't been great but much better then up north.  On nice days we get out and walk, ride our bikes or take a road trip and do some exploring.  Weekends you will find us in San Marcos with Christo and Alida enjoying dinner and playing games afterwards.  There really isn't much happening in this park although it is nice but a little pricey.  We are right is town which has been great so we have caught up on movies from Red Box.  The library is also close so we got a card and get movies from them for free.  The only Blue thing (Blue is Mark's job, Pink is my job) that I do is wash and seal the roof, then Mark washes the rig.  So we are now good for another 6 months.  The golf cart wasn't holding a charge, after 10 minutes of charging the charger would kick off.  We checked each battery and found one with a dead cell, dang.  Mark did research and found a used battery for $50 so we are good to go for awhile but have started a battery fund as they will have to be replaced in the next year or two.

                                           I do have to say that it gets cold here at night.

The month of November was pretty nice but December has been rainy and cold at night.  What's up with that, this is suppose to be sunny CA.  Our site doesn't include power and running the furnace at night burns up the propane quickly and the heat pumps can't be run below 40.  So my genius husband came up with a great idea.  First he had me get out the down comforter and then when we go to bed we shut the door to the bedroom, leave open the bathroom door and plug in the ceramic heater in the bathroom.  It has really saved on the power bill and we are snug as a bug in a rug.  We plan on getting a blue flame heater while we are in Quartzsite.   It is definitely time to move, neither one of us like cold weather.

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I spend my free time making jewelry and getting my online Etsy store set up.  Now that has been a job!  Taking photos, editing, coming up with a name,  writing descriptions, store policies, shipping, etc.  I will be ready to open in January. I did meet a nice lady, Kimberly, that is a workamper and we have gotten together to make jewelry during the day and have dinner in the evening.  We went on a day trip into San Diego to the Spanish Village.  There are 29 artisan shops that you can browse through and watch the artisans work on their designs.  Unfortunately the day we went it was rainy and the glass blowers weren't working but the rain didn't dampen our spirit.  Next to the village is Balboa Park which was lovely with beautiful buildings.

We wandered around and had a nice lunch, just girl time with my new friend.  Afterwards we visited 2 bead stores, it was a nice day, thanks Kimberly.

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We took a road trip to LA to see all the famous sights.  HWY 1 along the coast is very picturesque but I do have to mention that we kept seeing oil rigs everywhere.  Now we have seen the oil rigs off shore but they were right in town, I mean like this one in the photo is right behind my favorite restaurant IN n OUT Burger.

OK so now moving on, we drove through Camp Pendleton then passed all the LA beaches and stopped at Venice Beach boardwalk. 

Now this is a really cool beach and as you know many movies have been filmed here.  On the left is for walking and on the right is for biking.

It was a beautiful day so we strolled along the boardwalk taking in the sights.  From the boardwalk it seems like it is a mile to the water. 

Volley ball nets are all along the boardwalk.  I bet this beach is something in the summer, but today it was ours.  I wish we had more time as Mark would have liked to do some metal detecting but we still had lots to see so we loaded up and headed to Malibu. 

We spent the night in Thousand Oaks which is between Malibu and Simi Valley.  The next morning we awoke to grey skies but we continued on with our plans to see LA.  First we took Mulholland drive into Hollywood.   The road is featured in innumerable movies, songs, and novels.  The Mulholland Highway is destined to be one of the heaviest traveled and one of the best known scenic roads in the United States.   It follows the ridge line of the eastern Santa Monica Mountains and the Hollywood Hills.  From the drive there is a good overlook where you can see the Hollywood sign and look down on the city. 

Now remember it was a very overcast day so the picture is what it is, but we saw it!  The Hollywood sign began as a real estate promotion.  A gigantic billboard was commissioned in 1923 to promote the development called "Hollywoodland".  Mules hauled telegraph poles, sheet metal, and 4,000 light bulbs up the side of Mount Lee to create the sign.  Several years later, a landslide destroyed the 4 last letters.  Time and weather ravaged the rest of the sign, until the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce started the "Save the Sign" campaign in 1978.  Patrons paid $27,700 per letter to rebuild the sign, now an internationally known landmark.

                    From this same spot you looked down onto the city and the Hollywood Bowl.

The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater that is used primarily for music performances. It is the largest natural amphitheater in the United States, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000 and has been featured in many movies and television shows.

Now moving onto

                                                                 and the Walk of Fame.

                               I have to say it wasn't as glamours as I had pictured in my mind. 

                 At the Chinese Theatre they were preparing for the first showing of "This is 40". 

As you can see they were expecting rain as they had the tents up so the stars and the red carpet wouldn't get wet.

We weren't able to check out the hand prints in the concrete as they are in front of the entrance to the  
theater and it was being covered by the red carpet.  So now when we see on TV all the stars at a red carpet event we can say that we have been there!

                                                                 Next we headed to

And you can't stop in Beverly Hills with out going to

                              I'm glad we were there when it was all decorated for the holidays.

Mark found what he wanted for Christmas.

It's a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport with a price tag of $2,400,000.

 















I found what I would like for Christmas and I only want one!

It's all here on Rodeo Drive except for the Thrift stores.  I doubt I could afford anything even if I could find one!

We have never seen so many Mercedes, Rolls- Royces, Bentleys, Bagattis, Jaguars all in one place.

It was an experience to say the least.



OK back to reality and time to move on to San Gabriel CA.  This is where Mark was born so we drove through the town and visited the San Gabriel Mission which was the fourth built in a chain of 21 missions.  By this time it was getting dark and we needed to get back on the road but as luck would have it we got caught in traffic.  It took us an hour to go 10 miles, I don't know how people do it everyday.

                                                       I can now mark LA off my list.

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We attended a party with Christo and Alida one weekend and meet a very nice guy by the name of Carl.  It just so happened that he had a motorcycle so we made plans to go on a ride.  The weather was perfect for our trip that started up through the mountains

and down in the valleys.  In most rural areas when you enter a valley there will be something growing in it or grazing on it.  We passed cattle, sod farms, orange groves and the list goes on.  I believe CA grows everything. 

Over the mountains through the valleys to the Pacific coast.

Thanks Carl for a wonderful ride!

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If you find yourself in Santee or San Diego CA I highly recommend that you check out Mission Trails Regional Park.  There are wonderful hiking trails along with biking and horse back riding.

Site of the historical Mission Dam.

 Mission Trails Regional Park has been called the third Jewel in the City of San Diego Park System, along with Balboa Park and Mission Bay.  Yeah me, I have been to all three. 

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Before we hit the road we were once asked, "Won't you be lonely on the road, you won't know anybody".  Well let me tell you that is the beauty of this lifestyle.  You will make friends and as long as you stay in contact you may see them again down the road.  For example: I received a call a couple of days before Christmas from Jim and Linda Hadley, we trained them to take over our job last winter in Mesa AZ.  They were camping on base at Camp Pendleton and struck up a conversation with their neighbors who happen to own a Mobile Suite rig.  During the visit they mentioned that they knew of a couple who owned a Mobile Suite as well and that they had met them last winter workamping.  The neighbors asked them if the couples name was Mark & Bonnie Williamson and of course they said "Yes".  Well the neighbors happen to be our friends Jimmy & John Francis from Alaska who we will be meeting up with in Wickenburg AZ in February.  They were visiting John's family for the holidays.  We prospected with them and their friends last winter in Congress AZ. 

See what I mean, it is a small world.  You will only be lonely if you choose too.  So get out of your rig and visit with your neighbors!

Jim and Linda arrived here at Santee Lakes the day after Christmas on their way to Mesa.  We had a nice visit and plan on seeing them next year at their home in Montana. 

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We spent Christmas with our extended family.  Randall and Annilean flew in from Florida where he is attending Chiropractic school.  It was so nice to see them again.  A wonderful dinner was enjoyed, we Skyped with Lynn & Susan (Mark's brother and Randall's parents) back in NC and then had a nice soak in the new hot tub.

Alida, Andre, Mark, Me, Christo, Annilean and Randall.

Then we headed over to visit and have dinner once again with Jimmy & John's family that just so happened to live in the same town. 

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We wish you all a happy New Year and remember, "If you can dream it, you can do it".

On January 2nd we will be heading to Quartzsite AZ and to work the big show.

                                                           Cheers to the Good Life!!!