Quartzite, AZ ... Day 1

Yes, we finally made it to the biggest RV show in the USA, dry camping in the desert about 4 miles from the "big tent", on BLM land. This is a new and interesting experience! There are easily 5 miles of desert, covered with RV's of every flavor, even some brave tenters, on both sides of Hwy 95 south of Quartzite, AZ, as far east and west of the highway as you can see.

Although we dry camp in Fowler's Camp most every year, there is water and a way to dump gray water there, and a short drive into McCloud if you need to dump black water. So, it isn't REALLY dry camping, to some extent.

Well, this place is TRULY "dry camping". You cannot dump gray without risking a huge fine, and the only water is what you bring with you. So, we are learning to conserve like never before. You can sign-up to have a private company come out and empty your tanks and haul it away for a modest fee ... which will happen on Thursday. We are hoping to make it until then. :-)

So far, other than our coach batteries failing in the colder weather, causing me to source a replacement in-town, the stay has been uneventful. Tomorrow we visit the big tent (2 football fields long) with over 400 vendors, and maybe look into getting the tow bar safety checked, for free, so I've been told. Also, lots of gadgets, new inventions, and non-RV stuff ... like a giant state fair and flea market all in one.

Every RV manufacturer has something to show here, so it will be fun to do walk-throughs. BTW, the desert has been beautiful, a different perspective, dusty, and cold in the mornings. "QuartzFest" is also going on this week, which is a big amateur radio thing, for amateur radio operators (aka, hams) and enthusiasts, like me, coming in from all over. There are seminars and much to do related to amateur radio. I've met several people I talk to every day on the radio for the past few years, but have never me in person. More fun!

And, more to come ... so stay tuned.

Dennis, Louise and Christie