STILL FREE?

n these times it’s hard to find anything FREE anymore. But come to Quartzsite AZ in the winter time and you may get a chance for a free meal! Yep, I said, Free!

La Mesa RV sets up each year, on their corner fenced in lot that they purchased several years back. The area holds a building that once appeared to be some sort of a western type bar and grille and plenty of outside room to hold lots of Motorhomes, 5th wheels, toy haulers and travel trailers. They even have an area where they can prep what you have just purchased. There is still yet another area that sells used items that may have come from other coaches and such. You just never know what you might find under their tent.

To help draw customers to their RV lot and sales, they advertise free pancakes on two sides of their fence. Come 8:00am until 10:00am the doors are open to us greedy hungry folks. It’s almost a given that you will have to stand in line to wait your turn to be served two fresh hot pancakes. You also get hot coffee, orange juice and/or apple juice.

Last year we went in just a few times for their pancakes and always found them tasty. This year we got a little bolder and went in a few more times and was even surprised by one Saturday morning with Biscuit and Gravy.

But it’s almost a secret that they don’t advertise, but seems all those that come down for the winter months have caught on; between 12:00pm-2:00pm they serve a free lunch as well.

we even tried their lunches. We have had hot dogs with mac & cheese, 1/2 BBQ with pork n’ beans, bean soup with corn bread, spaghetti with lettuce salad and on their last day of serving this year we had pull apart BBQ pork with pork n’ beans and a desert cake. They have also been known to make meatloaf or have just hamburgers. On a few occasions they even had live entertainment during the lunch time.

Upon your first visit, you do have to sign in, and yes, by giving your address and such, then you are given a name tag that you must wear upon entering the building. During lunch time, as you enter, you are given a ticket and then you put the ticket in a bucket once you get your meal. I think the reason they do this, is to keep it down those that will try to go for seconds. During peak they even posted a sign that tells you not to ask for seconds.

They generally start their breakfast sometime in Dec, but are always closed on Holidays and Sundays. They usually go until sometime in late Feb or early Mar, but sells were down greatly for them this year (or so as the rumor is told to us), and have done their last free meal for this season early.

I commend those loyal to La Mesa RV for their hard work in prepping and cooking such great pancakes, Biscuits & Gravy and all the wonderful lunches that we have enjoyed. It’s funny on each visit we did make, we always saw the very same folks. Wonder if they made it a daily thing or just pure coincidence that they were there the same days we were….

There last week, they also had an ice cream social. You had to get your tickets in advance. We had other plans and could not make it, but upon coming back into town and at quick glance, I guess I’m almost glad that we didn’t get tickets. I bet the line was at least a quarter of a mile long!

As times do get tougher- we wonder if La Mesa RV will continue with their ritual each year here or if they will make changes.

Water Supply

Yesterday was time for our weekly bathing....
Okay, just kidding, we do bathe more often than once a week.  Anyways, boon-docking and not moving the rig, requires a bit of work to be done.  Meaning-since you don't move your rig to get water, you have to bring water to your rig.  Here is how we do it:

Some folks uses varies sizes and types of barrels, water jugs, and water bladders to haul water back to their rigs.  We choose to use 7 gallon water jugs to haul water back into our rig.  We find this is more convenient and easy for us.

We just can't "poor" the water in like some RV'ers, our water system is pressurized.  We also have to use a water pump to get the water to flow into our tank.

So before we are ready to get showers or if we need extra water put into our holding tank here is what we have to do:
 Brian first has to hook the first hose from the jug to the water pump and open the valve.  the second hose also hooks from the out on the pump and then into to the RV water fill connector.

Then when he is already, he just simply plugs the electrical connection to the cigarette plug in the car.

Now he has to watch it carefully as to not to run dry.  If the jug gets low he always makes sure that he has another 7 gallon ready to go and usually poors it in the one jug while the pump is running.  (as you see him doing in the upper picture).

Now we learned a great little secret.  One day he had an extra 7 gal of water and couldn't put anymore into our RV.  So he left the hook-up to the 7 gallons.  He thought that would be plenty of water for me to shower.  We discovered that we don't get the "surging" that you get from you in-house water pump, the temp is more stable, so no quick hot or cold water while showering.  AND we both can shower with 7 gallons of water!  So now when it's time to get rid of the stink on our bodies, Brian hooks the water pump up to the 7 gallon jug and we are all set to go.

Brian also forgot one time to open the valve on the jug.  We were lucky not to burn up the water pump.  By the time I got out, and he got in, he told me that he might have forgotten the valve.  I went out to check and sure enough the jug was almost sucked inwards!  No damage that time, so he's more cautious now.

So now if you are ever boon-docking, this will help you to bring in fresh water into your tank without having to move your RV!



Leah & Vet

Living on the road like we do, one of the inconvenience we sometimes come across is locating veterinarian for our little dog, Leah.  It’s not really hard to find one, but to find the “right:” one can be the challenge.
When it comes time to finding one, we simply look in a phone book or go to the yellow pages on the Internet to locate one.  We will write down several and then call to find out their prices and scheduling.  We kind of go by how they sound on the phone as to whether or not we will take our pet to them.
It was different this year for us, we got use to and very familiar to the Vet up in Mountain Home AR.  Presley’s Veterinarian (Dr. Siedel) was gentle, kind and a very caring vet for animals and to their owners.  Even his workers were fantastic.  They were there when ever we needed advise or to answer any questions we might had.  Those that know our little dog, knows she has given us  few grey hairs and shed some of her 9 lives.  Even the crew at Presley’s was waiting to see what mischief Leah could find herself in. 
Being that this year we will not be anywhere near Mountain Home, it was time to find that Vet once again for Leah’s annual check-up and shots.  We did call around to areas in Blythe, Parker and even to the one here in Quartzsite.  Although they were to the point and very direct when calling, they were the cheapest and didn’t do a lot of unnecessary test that some vets seem to want to push in doing (like cleaning of teeth), so we did choose Quartzsite Animal clinic.
We both agreed that once walking into the clinic and upon meeting the vet, would determine if we walked out or stayed and let him give her her shots.  The verdict is:
The receptionist, which we assume might have been vet’s wife, was friendly and very courteous and chatted with us while we waited our turn.  The vet  himself, wasn’t very talkative and was very business like.  Most vet’s we have gone to allowed us to hold our dogs while given their exams or shots, this one kept demanding that we keep all four of  her feet on the table. 
His examining room desire maybe a little straightening and organization, but the exam table seemed to been cleaned and disinfected (or we least hope so). 
He did however, listen to her lungs, took her temp, checked her teeth and ears.  Called her a “wiggle butt”; which she was and that didn’t bother us, we thought that maybe we would see a little humor finally come out of him.   Leah did manage to wiggle so much that her first shot ended up all over Brian’s hand and not hitting the prime target-Leah….He was actually gentle on her when it came for him to give her shots. 
Leah must not have thought to bad of him either, she didn’t even make an attempt to bite him!  She has only bitten one, okay two vets.  The first one, he deserved in my opinion.  and the second time was poor Doctor Siedel, when she was sick, so I guess she had an excuse that time.
One of the things that really made me think better of this vet is he is the only one that I have ever heard that will help someone with a sick animal that can’t pay.  Oh, they don’t let them leave without something.  They ask if the owner has anything of value to put towards the bill until they can come up with the money.  The receptionist told us about a kid bringing in his sick dog last week and had no money, but had a violin.  So they are hanging onto his instrument until he can get cash.  I guess over the years they have accumulated jewelry and electronic gadgets just to name a few things.  Some folks have come back with money, others have not.  Too me that says a lot about a business owner and that will make me want to continue doing business with them.  You don’t come across to many people like that anymore, so I would rather patronize and help them out, if they are willing to help another poor soul out.
Will we go back there again?  yes; but only for her annual check-up and shots.  He takes no appointments and he does not do emergency calls after hours.  And most of Leah’s “emergencies” has always been-after hours.
After her shots-poor girl:                                                                                                Leah Kay-3 years old and spoiled rotten….

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Quartzsite AZ

Quartzsite is nestled in western AZ just about 17 miles from the California border. Highway 95 runs north and south while I-10 runs east to west through the town. During the hot summer months Quartzsite is a quiet sleepy little town with not much going for it. I think if it wasn’t for a few major truck stops and some fast food restaurant, Quartzsite would not exist during summer months.
As Fall time rolls around, Quartzsite slowly starts to come alive and then by Jan it’s a full blown little city. What attracts people to this area is the dry warm winter that many camp out on the BLM land for a minimal price. There are RV parks around the town that are very reasonable to stay in if you choose not to boondock in the desert.  When we arrived the first part of Nov to Quartzsite for the first time, it was already starting to show signs of folks temporarily staking their claims for the winter months. The BLM land around the sleepy little town was filling in with RV’ers from all over.  They come from the Northern colder states such as Idaho, Washington, Oregon, just to name a few  and of course, Canada.
So besides the warm dry desert winter months, what else attracts folks to this area?   Maybe it’s because of the huge Rock & Mineral Show, or the big RV and Tent show, or the Art & Craft show that follows.  Or just all the junk collectors that are in one area.  Many folks like to come and sell & trade many items.  Who knows what you just might find.  This is all spread out on both sides of the frontage road near Interstate 10.
On the South East Side (of I-10), you have the Rice Ranch.   No, it’s not a rice field, but just the name of the area where vendors set up to sell items. You will find many varies types of vendors selling anything from new to used items.   In this section you may find socks and other particular clothing items.  Maybe you are a biker in need of leather or accessory for you bike.   One one corner you might find someone selling regular speed  bicycles and accessories.  Or you are in need of an RV replacement part or accessories, the I suggest you visit the Gambler and again, no It’s not Kenny Rogers either.  But just the name of a huge outlet that sells anything RV in a huge pole building.
Hungry?  Well you have vendors that will sell you Ice Cream, Home Made Apple Pie (& other pies), breakfast items, along with Indian Bread and tacos.  If that don’t suit your fancy how about a pizza from a fire truck?  Yep, there is one!  It’s two couples, I believe they got the idea from a relative in Las Vegas.  So they purchased a recently retired fire truck  from NJ and turned it into a place to make and sell Pizza.  Of course our curiosity got the best of us, so we had to go and check it out.  What they did is keep the ladder truck in it’s original state, place a temporary shelter around it, and started doing home bake pizza.  Was it good?  You betcha.  I even think they chopped their onions, for it’s not too often you find red onions on a pizza.  Our first trip, they did forget to put my black olives on it, but on our second trip they made sure I had plenty.  The pizza are loaded with whatever topping you would like to put on and at a very reasonable price.  So I suggest if ever there and you see a Pizza hangin’ high in the sky from a ladder truck, go look it up and try it!

On the South West corner starts the Rock & Gem show and then the huge RV tent.  This really doesn’t get going until mid Jan, but other vendors will come in and start selling early.  Here you will find K & B tools; they carry anything you might need such as tools, mini solar panels, solar yard ornaments just to name a few items.  Out here in the desert we see many temporary tarp buildings put up by RV’ers.  This is the number one place to get all you will need to purchase your temporary tarp building!  Once again you will find more clothing and jewelry. 
You will also find a few vendors that will actually sell many outdated grocery items!  Nothing cold, but in boxes and in jars at a very reasonable price.  One vendor comes out here to set up just to sell buffalo sausage and specialty cheeses.  While another will sell specialty beans and nuts.

When you see the huge tents go up (there will be two), one is just full of vendors that sell nothing but Rocks and Gems from all over the world.  I never knew there was so many Rocks, Gems and Minerals that exist until I went to the show to check it out!  I can’t help but wonder if people do buy these things?  But I guess they do, or this show wouldn’t make it otherwise.  The sedond tent that goes up is behind all the other things going on, but trust me, you cannot miss this gigantic tent!  This is the RV show that goes for only one week in Jan.  This tent is filled with vendors of all sort and not just RV.  We found anything from pots & pans, to knives, rugs, ring cleaners, and one guys selling some kind of a unique tiny animal that lives in your pocket!  There were a few campgrounds trying to promote themselves, you also had Land & Leisure as well as Amazon.com.  LED lights are a hot things for several vendors trying to sell the best one on the market.

Thirsty?  You will find a beer garden amongst all the vendors, just follow the sound from the live entertainment and you will find it.  There are other vendors selling a quick meal if you need one.  Only one bad one sticks out in my mind, and that was when he had his food items sitting out along the ledge.  Whether the items were for show or actual sell, I wasn’t sure, but knew it turned me off and we just walked on by and didn’t stop.
Now on the North West corner is where you have the sell and trade vendors.  We call them the junk collectors.  Again you find more shops selling yet more tools and gadgets of all sorts.  We didn’t spend much time over here, for we don’t have room to buy and collect “junk”.  Sorry folks….but hey, if you like that kind of thing, then you will love this area!
The most thing you find around Quartzsite are RV’s!  new or used, 5th wheel, tongue pull, deisel pusher, you name it, it’s here!  Several large dealers come from near and far to try and sell their rigs.  One of the largest is LeMesa RV they have literally taken up the North East corner.  Once they have all their rigs in place inside this huge fenced in yard, then they begin to dish our free, yes, free pancakes everyday, but Sunday!  And if you didn’t get your fill from that, come back at noon and they will feed  you lunch-FREE!  Each day’s menu changes, and you never know what they will serve for lunch.
Each year there has been over two million visitors alone to this sleepy little town of Quartzsite!
All in all I was amazed as to the vendors selling their goods.  I didn’t know the demand for socks was such a huge thing, there were plenty of vendors selling just that-socks.  Tools, tools and more tools, at every corner, someone was selling some sort of tool or another. 
There were plenty of laundry mats around as well, one in particular and probably the most popular is in a pole building right on main street.  In past years, they close down by late April, but they are thinking of keeping it open year round this year.  Although it’s in this pole building, it’s kept very clean and always someone around to help you if you need it.  they also have a little restaurant adjacent to the laundry.
There is a convenient easy in, easy out place to get propane called RV Pit Stop right on Hwy 95 .  Very friendly and courteous.  There are other places to fill propane, but we found this one to always greet us with a smile.
Plenty of places to go and chow down if you don’t want to eat at the shows.  Silly Al’s seems to always carry a full house.  Although we never ate there, we were told the food and spirits are great.  They have Karaoke night, if you like to sing.
Sweet Darlene started out as a vendor at the shows, and now has their own place in town.  the food is excellent anytime you go there.
Quartzsite has a place called the QIA in town where they have plenty of things going on at all time.  They find entertainment, have line dancing, plus many other activities for the winter folks that come here to visit. 
You are sure not to ever get bored while visiting this sleepy little town of Quartzsite…