Winter home 2011-12: Part Three–Quartzsite, AZ (edited Dec. 11, 2018)

We are having a stormy cold windy week. 
Looking forward to WARM coming back.

I have been spending most of my time at the Rock Club and am now a Sawyer-in-Training (left), and also a Lapidary Shop (right) Foreman.  I’ll concentrate on those two activities this year… and next year expand into the Silversmithing Shop and the Faceting Shop.   I’m learning a lot about how to cut stones and then how to finish them and create jewelry.  (The guy on the left is our Club President and the other on the right is always looking for a volunteer to do this or that!)
As a Lapidary Shop Foreman, once everyone has paid and signed in, I have time to volunteer to work on other projects… like painting this bench (left).  And the Club had a float in the Christmas Parade this week and it won the prize for the “Best Lighted” float… here it is being prepared (right).

It’s a wonderful bunch of people, really.  I have a new friend, Laurie, who is here with her mother.  They come down every year from northern Michigan.  Laurie knows how to do about everything… silver smithing, rock cutting, beading, lapidary, etc.  Very talented, especially at hiding from my camera.  That’s her Mom below.  They have graciously offered to let me park my trailer (which has too many rocks in it, lol) at their home/RV on Long Term Visitor Parking.  Next year I plan to park there near them, but this year I didn’t have the $ for the fee.   They invited me over for a couple meals.  They are delightful.

That’s Laurie’s Mom in the Wheelchair, and new friend Sue in the foreground (Sue’s husband Bill is my Supervisor and probably the next President of the Rock Club). 
It was very special to me to find the Vandweller groups… so many like-minded people (made me feel “normal”), but to find a whole colony of rock hounds and rock fanatics, is just pure icing on the cake.  Truly, I don’t see how life can get any better, not even if I had the money to have a multi-million dollar R.V.  I, in fact, would not take that monster if the guy gave it to me and also gave me enough money to run it the rest of my life.  Not a bit jealous.  I’ve said for a long time, if I suddenly had a whole lot of money… all I would change is to get a high-top, another solar panel and a couple more batteries, and stop worrying about how to pay for the next tank of gas or next shower.  I would also take every darn class at the Rock Club and pay for each open lab session that I could get to and I would probably make a large donation to the Rock Club so they could modernize.  I wouldn’t change anything else about my lifestyle, ‘cause for me, this is as good as it gets, until tomorrow.

I’m not sure what the large bird is sitting up on the rock, but it’s great to get out into the wilderness and observe such sights.

I’m also meeting many like-minded friends who, like me, think it perfectly normal to wander about the open desert… looking down and picking up rocks, and filling every nook and cranny of van/car/rv with rocks (reminds me of the Long Long Trailer with Lucy Ball).  We can’t help it, it’s an obsession we all love.   I have been picking up rocks since I ran into my first large construction site pile of gravel when I was four years old (near our home).  My Grandma gave me a small Sucrets cough drop box where I stored my jewels and treasures… imagining that they were diamonds and rubies and pearls, etc. (why do parents always throw those things away??)  Wish I had that silly little box of jewels now.

Field trip to the Red Jasper Claim.

I’ve been on a couple of Rock Club field trips and have decided  “SwankieWheels” isn’t going on any more of them.  It’s just too darned hard on “Wheels”.  It was not recommended that I take it to the last site (only short wheel bases should do it not 155” bases) and better yet 4x4, but I figured if it got rough, they would stop and let me park it and then ride with someone else the rest of the way.  They didn’t stop and I kept following.  The Wagon Master took a wrong turn and had to back track us and then I got the hitch hung up on a rock going down a wash, and rear wheels didn’t come down to the ground… we had to dig around the rock… and finally we got it off the rock but not without damage.

Then I parked it and rode the rest of the way with another.  I plan to remount the trailer wiring above on the bumper… a guy showed me how he had done his.

A couple more of the Hi Jolly BLM area residents, taken this morning (12/06/11).
Things are picking up out here in Quartzsite but folks say the vendors are not bringing in new stock, as they expect a very slow year.  This town goes from having  a couple hundred residents in the Summer to having over a million in January for the big show. Right now it is a boom town for sure… changing rapidly each day.  It’s a sight to see.  Another local said that they use 4x4 and drive through the washes/gullies to get around town and avoid the bottleneck of Snowbirds on the main roads.

I’m looking forward to having more Vandwellers arrive and to meeting and visiting those attending the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR).  See you then. 
Other RTR Links:

Suanne from Washington State
Ramblings of a Techno-Viking
TwoKnivesKate’s link
Vandweller News

When you get to town, find the Quartzsite Roadrunner Gem and Mineral Club and ask for me… Charlene Swankie.  Or, until 12/14 I will be at Hi Jolly BLM area at night… and here is my rig.  South Dakota plates.  (I’m not by those trees, but off to the right in the wide open  – first tire tracks you see going off to the right after turning in to Hi Jolly, near John’s rig… see picture above.)

Ye Ol’ SwankieWheels

The New Year - 2012

Well, the old year couldn’t have ended any better.  Thanks to a vandweller connecting me with Liz, I now have a new lifelong friend and soul sister.  We met in the desert on BLM land and first thing we had in common…. was matching key lanyards.  What a hoot.  That was just the beginning.

We drove on out to find a more wilderness area and made camp, talked, giggled, walked her dogs, etc.  Then a neighbor came by, Cliff, and asked if we liked fish.  Said he would bring us some for supper the next day.  The next day he brought us even more fish.  Wow!

 

Our camp was surrounded by more wildlife than I have seen in any Quartzsite area BLM land.  Quail, doves, sparrows, and some other little bird I didn’t know.

Gamble Quail ?

More giggles and laughter as we told each other our stories, followed by the best fish I’ve ever eaten… Ocean Snapper I think he said.  He fishes all over  the country full time, has a large freezer, vacuum packs and quick freezes it – then I guess he runs about the desert on his ATV giving it out to homeless ladies?  First meal I’ve cooked in ages… guess I haven’t forgotten how.

The meal was followed by more laughs and a really awesome sunset.

The next day did get better, we had free breakfast and free lunch at La Mesa RV.  Three free meals in a row… how can it get better? But it will.

I took an early morning walk to scout out a better camp… because we had parked on top of an ant colony.  This is what our camp looked like then.  A lot of people ask, what is it like out there…. well, BIG.

We relocated and then I made Scrambled Eggs and Ham for breakfast.  Had found these bell peppers at Trader Joes and they are to die for.  Very yummy.  Liz’s furries looked on mournfully.  Last night they got a whopping big piece of fish that slipped off the plate.  They got no ham and eggs.  Great pooches.  Great New Year’s Day.

Rescued dogs, BooBoo in background and Lew-Lew in foreground.

I experienced some social trauma right before I met Liz and was pretty upset… and she just let me vent and vent until I got it all out.  I had heard on the radio a couple of days ago, that "Happy people don't make New Years Resolutions. I'm not happy about ONE thing so I made ONE resolution: "I will not speak the word "arrogant" in 2012, nor two names that have the initials JL and GC. One hates Quartzsite the other hates me... but I love both Quartzsite and myself… so moving happily on assured that each day will be better than the last as I continue to grow and learn.

Happy New Year friends and I am wishing you all the good health and happiness that I am feeling right now.  Oh, thanks to a dear Canuck I know, I now have a new tool… the Swankie Whammie!   I’m all ready for whatever 2012 brings my way.

Dances with Coyotes

This was a morning of uniqueness.  I woke feeling very congested from spending two full days in the lapidary shop and even though I wore a mask, my COPD is acting up.  So, slept in, and then drove out to a wilderness desert area and walked (and picked up rocks, of course).  After about an hour I headed back to the van.  Got almost there when a coyote began yapping.   So, I turned… tried to spot it… walked to the side a bit and finally caught a glimpse of it with the sun sparkling of it’s light tan coat.   It keep yapping at me… so I yapped back.  It yapped, I yapped.   I imitated it.  It imitated me.  I began walking toward it in hopes of getting a better photo.

It kept glancing off to it’s right… as if talking or warning a youngster.  “Stay there… stay hidden!”  We kept yapping at each other and I kept getting closer.  This went on for nearly 30 minutes.  Finally, it turned and looked over it’s shoulder as if saying “I’ll be back, you stay put, stay hidden!”  Then it slowly walked off to it’s left… and down along the wash.  I kept walking to the spot it had been sitting all that time… and there was the youngster.  Mind you, I didn’t get very close before it forgot about it’s parent’s instructions and lopped off in the opposite direction from the parent.  So, I turned and walked back toward the van. 

When I got to the same spot where I heard the first one… the second one began yapping at me.  My dialog with the first one was long enough, that I could distinctly tell the difference in the way the second one sounded.   I yapped back a couple times, but didn’t want to confuse it… so I became silent and kept going toward my van.

As if that experience wasn’t special enough, I then found this strange cactus.  I don’t know what made this thing all rippled, but very odd indeed.  What a special morning.   It was noon by then and all I did today was “dance with coyotes” and admire a cactus (oh, and pick up rocks, of course). 

Oh, though not a favorite topic for some… saw one more curious thing.  I’ve seen this before, but can’t help wondering why they do it.  Pooping on a rock!???

A volcanic rock with a bowl in it.  And there it was.

In the bowl!

Quartzsite, AZ–winter home 2011-12–Part Two

 

My camp at B-10 Campground in Quartzsite
(with GG’s grey van on his stop-over visit).

GG showing me his new catamaran kayak… under his bed.

Nov. 13, 2011 – I fled my camp this afternoon, after an increasing number of smokers moved into my area.  Last night, while sitting in my van working on the computer the smell of weed was so strong, I nearly got high. 

Smoker to the left of me (smoking?).

Today, I learned another smoker and drinker is moving in next to me tomorrow.  He was even registering drunk.  Staggering even.  And last night two more dogs moved in across from me… and they barked often at the little dog next to me. 

Smokers to the right of me (just ciggy smoke).

And Steve… the Lawn Mower Guy played his radio or CDs all night.  It was my kind of music, but I’m unaccustomed to listening to music after I fall asleep.  It woke me up about five times during the night.

Smoker in front of me.

The nights are getting very long… it’s dark by 6pm so I go to sleep… and by 11pm I’ve had all the sleep I want.  Then what???  There is nothing to do.  I can’t run lights.  I’m not much of a reader.  And then last night it rained the better part of the night and usually that makes me sleep like a log.  This morning the tent was wet (it was set up so I  had a place to put stuff while sorting through the trailer and downsizing more) and not for camping, but I’m tired of stuff getting wet… so today I dried it all out and loaded it back up.  I feel disgusted.

O.K. the dammed dog is as cute as can be.

So, I ran away from home.  Drove a short way outside of town to the west… and just went off road.  I don’t know if I’m in a BLM area or not but looked like people have been camping here.  I’m hoping to spend the night, let my lungs and nose clear up… and my brain quiet down.  Just the hour or so I’ve been out of town… has made me realize I cannot stay at B-10 or anyplace in town.  I need space.  I need peace and quiet at night.  I can’t even imagine what it will be like when the B-10 Campground fills up it’s 173 sites, with only a couple dozen filled now.

Another smoker next to the Lawn Mower Guy.
And in front of him will be more smokers (and drinkers) as of tomorrow.

The owner/managers are sweet as can be… but…..  free coffee daily and free donuts on Sat. a.m. is not enough to keep Swankie trapped. 

Here is what one online reviewer said about them:

this is the nicest place and very clean, We keep coming back year after year. The manager is super nice. Can"t wait to get back there. We really feel quite safe here and we have a great time. Try it you’ll like it as much as we do.

November 12, 2010 by cooky joiner in Choctaw, OK

I really do like those people, but it’s an untenable situation that’s just not going to work for me. I am considering putting an ad in the paper saying “senior would like night security work in exchange for 35’ parking spot”… you never know.  I want to keep my daytime hrs free for rock club activities… or else the whole point of coming here will be lost.

My first 4x4 outing with the rock club members,
and guess what, no one smoked.  Is that amazing or what?

The first rock I cut and polished in Quartzsite.

Second rock I cut and polished in Quartzsite.  This one I won as a slab of rock at my first Gem and Mineral Club Meeting.

Three more days until payday… and I will be gassing up and making a run to stock up on supplies and meds.  Then I’ll settle into the first two-week spot, unless they insist I pay for the whole month of November like I agreed.  Yes, they let me move in free because I didn’t have the money to pay up front… and I agree to pay them a full month on 11/16.  Very nice of them.  But I can’t stay.  If I have to pay for the month, I’ll use it as a place to store the trailer and take showers and do laundry and get free coffee and donuts… and that’s all.  I may not even be able to sleep there once I am surrounded by cig. smoke (and other kinds of smoke) and drunks!   Yuk, phooey.

So, I ran away from home… and when I got to the “wilderness” I could not hold an internet signal long enough to get my blog finished and uploaded.  But it was nice out there and quiet.

West of Quartzsite a couple miles.

So I drove back into town, put $10 of gas in the van at the Pilot Truck Stop ($3.39 gal), and drove out by the Courthouse… where there is this large tree – the Great Tree of Arizona.  I followed the trail and I wasn’t alone… I don’t know what these little quail are called, but they make this sweet chirping sound.  There is a lot to see around here… attractions.

So, finally came to the 1,050 year old tree, I guess… the trail ended there, but it looked like a green mesquite tree to me and not much different than others in the area.  Maybe I didn’t go far enough, but the trail ended???  Nope… searching on Google Images… this is the tree.

I am going to try to stay as close in to town as I can… so I can ride my bike… but that might not work out well either???  Oh, whoa is me!  Why can’t this be easy?

Maybe tomorrow will get better than this???!!!!   A vandweller I met in Deming NM said he may be heading this way.  That would mean it will get better.  I wish there was at least one other vandweller here… that I could find.