Rubber Tramp Rendezvous, Quartzsite, AZ (pt. 2)

Saturday, Jan. 22
Kaite and Alex started our day with pancakes, sausage and smiles! I'm feeling a little bad for you people that didn't experience this!


After breakfast Bob led a discussion and other members of the community shared their experiences and knowledge with regard to work camping.



Later, Jerry showed us how to make wind spinners out of aluminum cans



One section finished

Completed spinner


Watch for Jerry's "How-To" video on YouTube or contact him directly for an appearance at a venue near you!

Sunday, Jan. 23



After breakfast, the community gathered

to learn and share experiences when traveling/camping/boondocking and medical services in Mexico. Those "in the know" put to rest any fear and trepidation we might have felt.




That afternoon, Rain shared her passion for recycling (Stumpy also posted about Rain's recycling methods on her blog)

Homer paid close attention, but seemed unaffected

Stumpy was curious, too


Dinner at sunset: pasta and meat sauce ala Suanne.

Upper Camp at Sunset


Tuesday Jan 25
Sunrise:


Early morning hike up Dome Rock. Look closely, you'll see Elena, Gary, Laurie and Silvianne.


Here they are! Well, two of them; I don't know where the other two went. Same shot, zoomed in.


Aficionados of Single Malt Scotch attended an educational experience in which they were able to taste both expensive brand names First Malt Scotch and obscure brands enabling them to compare and rate the bottles.



If you would like to participate in the 2nd Annual Single Malt Scotch Educational Experience you have a year to pick up either a really expensive or an obscure brand of Single Malt Scotch. Oh hell, just bring a bottle of scotch, next year. We're not that fussy!

Tuesday, Jan. 25
Bob measures for a solar installation



Wednesday and Thursday saw a large exodus from our camp and Quartzsite, in general. Ten of us remain, enjoying the camaraderie and the great weather.

We're still suffering through 70-80 degree temperatures during the day. At night, it gets pretty chilly. The campfire helps and I personally, haven't turned my heat on in the RV. I am from tough New England stock and am a firm believer of piling on the blankets. As soon as the sun rises, it's all good!

**Disclaimer:

At some point I lost track of days, dates and my camera. Dates given are approximate.

Rubber Tramp Rendezvous: Here's what you've missed so far

I ran out of data/air time so I had to wait to post. We're having a great time. There are so many good people here! It's great fun checking out every one's rigs, picking people's brains and hearing their stories. I can't even guess how many people have been in and out of camp. The weather has been AWESOME! The days have been warm, with temperatures in the low 80's one afternoon. Nights have been chilly, but that's why we have campfires.

Saturday January 15

Informational sharing: Bob led a discussion with regard to solar power. There are many knowledgeable people here and we're hoping to do an actual install, later. (When I say we, I don't mean me. I'll document with the camera!)


Alex making "community soup" for dinner


A mini swap meet (we all have stuff we don't use, you can sell it or give it away here.)

Gorgeous sunset




Nightly bonfire (a couple of attendees showed off their juggling skills, including juggling lit torches! Video's uploaded when I return to civilization or on the 27th if I haven't exceeded my data limit)

Sunday (Jan 16) Sunrise





Bob led a discussion with regard to use of public lands

Sunset



Monday (Jan. 18)
Morning at the campfire


You could have learned to juggle! Johnny gave Alex juggling lessons


Friday (Jan 21)
Sandy showed how to install a hightop on a van



Kirk shares his knowledge and use of wind power


I didn't take pictures, but on Monday we also had a group of women gather to discuss Rving/van dwelling and life on the road. Our discussion broached a number of subjects including safety, guns, traveling alone, our choice of rigs and so many more. Awesome women, great role models and plenty of laughs!

If you'd like to meet the Quartzsite RTR dogs, Stumpy introduces them on her blog.

More, tomorrow! I broke down and bought more air/data!
Stumpy

"The best laid schemes..."

I'm sure you're familiar with the rest of the saying...

I made it to Quartzsite and the borrowed rig ran like a top (I was mistaken, by the way, it's a 1979.) I had a little problem when I passed the rendezvous site and ran into what looked like too much of a ditch for the RV (and my heart) I had to back up a loooooooong ways. At this point I still didn't realize I had passed by the camp site. So I passed them by again and found a place to turn around. It was because the road was banked with stones, that I had to back up so far. I pulled into the first available flat space and proceeded to set up camp. I figured I could be the greeter! Anyways, Bob came by later and we figured out who each other was. But, by then I was happy to settle in for the day.

The picture below is looking towards the RTR, you can just make out their rigs.


My main concern was getting the fridge turned on so as not to lose 3 weeks worth of food I had prepared. Yeah, that didn't happen. At first i couldn't get the pilot lit and then I got the pilot lit but it wouldn't stay lit. !@#$!!%$**&!!!!!
Even cussing didn't help! Fortunately, the refrigerator is well insulated and everything was still frozen, even those items in the fridge! I figured it was good until tomorrow morning and I would work on it then. Or I could power the fridge by generator in the morning, to bring the temperature back down and keep what was frozen frozen.

I went outside and joined Stumpy in relax mode.


Next up water.
Keep in mind the my son and his father worked all weekend to make sure everything was in running order.

So I turn on the water pump and no water. @#$%^&*!!!! yeah, that still didn't help. By now it was dark so I couldn't really see what the problem was. I could however see the water running across the floor when I turned on the pump! AWESOME!!!

"OK, I'll deal with this in the morning, too." I told myself (or the dog, as if she cared)

It was a gorgeous night! And today is gorgeous, too. There's a massive leak in the hose going from the tank to the water heater. I think I'll have to empty the tank to replace the hose. :(
The generator is running, cooling off the fridge. As soon as the fridge is nicely chilled I'll move camp and join the others up the hill.

Don't sweat the small stuff!

"The best laid schemes of mice and men often, go oft awry..." .... The saying is adapted from a line in “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns.”

Home Sweet Home (for the next three weeks)

We will be heading south in the morning.

This is where I will be living for the next 3 weeks. It's a 1975, 20' Dodge Jamboree, borrowed from a dear friend (Thanks, Michael! I hope you'll come down to Quartzsite and spend some time with us!)

I'm excited! And nervous!

Skimping vs. budgeting

This might fall under skimping!

see more That Will Buff Out