Way too much fun in Quartzite

[Desert_Captain]

Just returned from your 5th consecutive annual trip to Quartzite. We had even more fun than the previous trips, which was hard to do. Permit me to share a few tips that have worked well for us.

Timing: Every year we drive over on the Monday morning following the opening weekend. We are lucky to be just 250 miles away so 4.5 hours makes for an easy drive. The usually huge opening weekend crowd is thinning out and you can find a spot just about anywhere.

Location: While we stayed out on the BLM land at Sadden Wash when we had our TT, utilizing the truck to drive into town where we always found plenty of parking, now with our Class C we have spent the last three years at the Rice Ranch RV Park. Now the term RV Park is a bit of a stretch... just a dirt/gravel lot where full hook ups go for $35 a night but we prefer to dry camp for $7 a night ($15.85 including tax for two nights). By their own admission the one and only thing they have going is "location" as they are on the southeast corner of Kuehn and 95 making the big tent a short walk of just a few hundred yards.

We fired up our trusty Campfire in a can and soon had 4 neighbors joining us on both nights. The weather was spectacular with highs around 68 - lows around 46. You can still get a great breakfast at Bad Boys Cafe but by 0800 the line was out the door. Selling a good cup of coffee for 25 cents will do that. You can also get a cup of joe for a quarter next door at The Sweet Shop and try their cinnamon rolls for $3.75

Moderation: Everyone there is mellow but we find that after 2 days and nights we have seen all there is to see, completed our shopping and enjoyed a couple of afternoon brewskis at Beer Belly's Adult Care and it is time to get on down the road. We usually head up towards Lake Havesu but his year had commitments back home so we cut this trip shorter than most.

Nothing but nice folks: In five years we have never even seen an armed member of the law enforcement community (through I am told La Paz County Sheriff's have a large undercover presence to keep an eye on things) nor have we ever seen the need. Everyone is friendly and polite, no harsh words or even loud voices to be found. About half of the folks there have their dog(s) with them and even the pooches are on their best behavior.

The Big Tent: Seemed less congested than past years with a larger percentage of actual RV related items. Going shortly after 9 (when it opens), seems to be an ideal time in terms of the crowd but by mid afternoon things usually thin out as well.

Said before and will say it again... everyone should go to Quartzite at least once. For many that will be enough but rest assured we will be back for all the fun again next year.

:B

[Homer1]

Now this is way RV.net used to be all the time, just good post and pleasant conversation, informative and civil. Lets bring it back.

[Emptypockets]

Due to age 81 along with disabilities wife & I can no longer make the trip to Q'site. For several years we had friends we would meet there - friends from school days back in the 50's. In recent years for one couple both have passed away. Three other have lost spouses. At one time there would be six couples now only one makes it back every year.
I'm not complaining we have a warm house, plenty of food on the table & lot's of great memories & pictures to help us re-live the memories.
PS: We have downsized to an 18 foot TT that we call the "Little One" & still can get out when the rambling fever settles in on this old truck driver.

[lanerd]

We too always stay at Rice Ranch, but limit ourselves to one visit every four or five years. We have found that if you've seen/gone once, it's not gonna be much different the next time. Typically we go when we are in need of maintenance on the coach, generator, or tow bar. Works for us.

Ron