Is Quartzsite history?

[The_Texan]

Just received this from a friend who lived there for over a decade, but sold and moved further north this past year. I guess the politics of the town really got nasty this year and vendor fees, plus the taxes went through the roof.

"We were in Q-Town for a Christmas party about 2 weeks ago. The free BLM campsites are virtually empty, the Main Event only had about 5 vendors there, and the RV parks along Main street all had an abundance of empty spaces. I think the town is toast! When we first moved there, vendors came before Thanksgiving and stayed almost until May"....

[Supercharged]

D&E Johnson wrote:
didn't take your post as negative, I agree, his skin does look like leather. Its not for me, but to each his own. Dona

Tooled

[D_E_Johnson]

didn't take your post as negative, I agree, his skin does look like leather. Its not for me, but to each his own. Dona

[Highway_4x4]

I did not mean my description of the Book store owner in a negative way. Good to hear he is still there and doing well. But really, he was quite an eyefull on his bike. In a way, I tip my hat to him.

[D_E_Johnson]

I would not say prices have "doubled and tripled". You can still get a good fish fry on fridays at all the restaurants for 8.99. The two grocery stores in town have expanded their items, and yes Albertson's in Blythe is a high priced grocery store. Right now, reg gas is 3.25 at Love's and Pilot. Diesel is 3.95 and 4.05 credit(big truck advertised price.) Many vendors have starting setting up at Desert Gardens and Tyson. Rice ranch still looks a bit empty. More are coming in each day. Had pizza at Silly Al's last night, place was packed! Prices have not changed. Lots still goes on at the QIA. And Walmart in Parker is 40 miles away, not 70 as the linked article states a few posters back. Don't bring lots of shorts and t's, mornings are down right cold. We had a campfire this morning. It is going to be low 70's in afternoon.
The Leather man, as you call him, has been putting on fabulous concerts around the area, even in Blythe. He is an accomplished pianist, and the shows are well attended. He does wear clothes at all public events.

[jwmII]

Highway 4x4 wrote:
Does anyone here know the "leather man". He rides a bike with nothing more than a thong on. His skin is so tanned by the sun it looks like leather. I havn't been there for a few years but he left an image burned into my brain I can't get rid of.

He's there. He owns the used book store on the east end of town.

[The_Texan]

If you're talking about the owner of the book store at the east end of town, yes he is still there wearing his itsy bitsy thong......

[Highway_4x4]

Does anyone here know the "leather man". He rides a bike with nothing more than a thong on. His skin is so tanned by the sun it looks like leather. I havn't been there for a few years but he left an image burned into my brain I can't get rid of.

[2gypsies1]

Shopping and buying stuff is not what a majority of folks do in Quartzsite. Sure, they'll go into 'town' for a few hours to see what's doing but for some, once into town is enough. The rest of the time is doing fun things. They stay out in the desert in groups of like-minded people. There are groups for any purpose - 4-wheeling, geocaching, ham radios, certain RV manufacturers or just plain groups of friends getting together in one place.

[peaches_cream]

The Texan wrote:

SuzzeeeQ2012 wrote:
ps. we will always go to Quartzsite. Love the area. love Sweet Darlene's (hope THAT doesn't close) Love to camp out in the boonies. If there's less people, we'll still go, I'm sure.

You will NOT like the prices there this year......How do you spell "double or triple" increase on most items, from last year.

Sounds like a "great" reason to stay home and save my money. You talked me out of stopping there. :S

[Supercharged]

Clay L wrote:
We have been spending all or a good part of the winter in Bouse (about 25 miles from Q) for the last ten years.
When we first started coming here,Plomosa Road (intersects 95 north of Q) had a lot of rigs parked on the BLM land by the second week in December. Less than 30 last week when I drove into Q.

The Palo Verde cafe is closed and the building is for sale. A counter person at RV Lifestyles told me this the slowest they have seen it in seven years. They are hoping for a big influx of folks in January. There are signs up at RV parks in Q advertising $1000 for the season and one saying $179 per month. I don't recall seeing that in past years.
The RV park we stay in only has about 1/4 as many RVs as they usually do by this time.
I sure hope it really picks up in January.

I drove that in 1961 before I-10 came along, watch it go from a large truck stop closed and dispear, from nothing, to large land sales, no parks, to large parks, remember it started after World War 1, they sold the land west of Vickburg for $100 down to Black G.I's getting off the boats in Ca. It has more water under it than anywhere in the southwest, It looks now that it will head a new way, who know where in 100 years.

[Clay_L]

We have been spending all or a good part of the winter in Bouse (about 25 miles from Q) for the last ten years.
When we first started coming here,Plomosa Road (intersects 95 north of Q) had a lot of rigs parked on the BLM land by the second week in December. Less than 30 last week when I drove into Q.

The Palo Verde cafe is closed and the building is for sale. A counter person at RV Lifestyles told me this the slowest they have seen it in seven years. They are hoping for a big influx of folks in January. There are signs up at RV parks in Q advertising $1000 for the season and one saying $179 per month. I don't recall seeing that in past years.
The RV park we stay in only has about 1/4 as many RVs as they usually do by this time.
I sure hope it really picks up in January.

[John___Angela]

tahiti16 wrote:
I think it is much bigger than just Q. We were in Palm Springs at the TT campground for 2 weeks. Normally anytime from T-day through late march there are only a few empty spots anywhere in the campground. This year huge holes through out, we didn't have anyone closer than 2 spots away in any direction for 5 days and then only got somebody behind us for the last few days.

Rangers said they had never seen it before either and some had been there 5 or more seasons. Nobody is sure why, figure gas prices may not be cheap but better than some of the prices we have seen the last 1/2 dozen years.

See the RV dealers still selling coaches every week of every description, new to used, big to little and every class and model of trailer. :?

I think it may depend on the campgound or area. We are in Palm Springs and where we are is a little busier than last year. Also less fifth wheels in a permanent situation and more roamers with new units, new trucks and about 20 years younger. Things are a changin.....

[The_Texan]

SuzzeeeQ2012 wrote:
ps. we will always go to Quartzsite. Love the area. love Sweet Darlene's (hope THAT doesn't close) Love to camp out in the boonies. If there's less people, we'll still go, I'm sure.

You will NOT like the prices there this year......How do you spell "double or triple" increase on most items, from last year.

[RVUSA]

Highway 4x4 wrote:
I am not changing the subject and this is not political, but, do you think the economy is rebounding the way we are told in the news? Don't answer that.

Do you? Dont answer that.

:B