Quartzsite rants and raves

[akrvbob]

My feelings about Quartzsite are exactly the opposite of Garys. First I know a number of people who are vendors selling in the flea markets and they are all just, good, average people trying to get by in life. One couple lives in an older Class C fulltime, and in the summer she hand makes Tshirts and sweaters that she travels around and sells. They are not evil industrialists tying to ruin anybodies life and steal from people. They are just the opposite, good, decent people trying to live free. Hating people and a place because they are trying to make a buck and get by in life doesn't seem wise to me. I think it doesn't leave you much choice but to hate everybody. I never went to work for free a day in my life. I guess I'm money-hungry.<br><br>In my vandwelling travels I've spent lots of time in remote tourist towns, both in the desert and in the National Forests. One thing they all have in common is extremely high prices on everything, especially perishables. There are many reasons for that, first is the great distance everything has to travel. Shipping isn't free and with the cost of diesel skyrocketing, it will just keep going up. But the biggest reason is the limited time they have to make any money. They have just a few months a year during the "high" season to make the majority of their money for the year. In the National Forest thats June, July and August, in the desert it is.November, December and January. After those few months, the crowds and their income is gone. and town is mostly empty, just locals and a few tourists. The high prices allow them to make enough money in the good 3 months, to make it through the bad 9 months.<br><br>I worked as a campground host in the same spot for three years and got to know the owner of the main store in the tiny mountain town near me. She was the opposite of an evil money grubbing capitalist. &nbsp; She was a single mom trying to raise her kids in the beautiful mountains because she loved them. The only way she could do it was with the high prices. She was far from rich!!<br><br>Just some thoughts to present an alternative view. <br>P.S. Katie, please don't ban me, I won''t let it happen again!! Bo<br>

 

[twokniveskatie]

haha, my friend i told Cyndi this morning that i'm surprised you don't fire me for not keeping things on topic better......matter of fact i am the one most likely to wander off the path and need to be led home again <div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[Les H]

Do yerself a favor and don't come here.
How about 5.00 for a gallon of milk?
Jesus Christ, it's just milk.  If you have more money then brains by all means come to this clip joint.

I am not in quartzite, never have been, bi it's on my " bucket list" of stuff to do. I can tell you that in this tiny town in north Alabama, $5.00 is about the going rate for a gal of milk. If you get it at the gas/ convenience store just down the road, it is around $6 or more. Quite a shock comming from upstate ny where it was $3.28 in a convience store and $ 2.99 at a grocery store. But gas here is $.50 a gal cheaper. Cigs here ( thank god I quit) are $4-5.00 for name brands, the same name brand in ny will set you back $9.00 in most places, and $11 on major toll roads ( NYS thruway).
I'd pay the $5 if i drank the stuff just to be in Q for the experience. I have been to Sedona, and it was pricey, but absolutely gorgeous. Heck, most people pay $4-5 for a solo cup of beer at the ball game. You have to pick your battles.
Thanks Kate for being a mod, and Bob for the site,
Les

 

[karl]

Story I heard long ago-<br><br>A couple are driving through an area new to them and wondering if it is a good place to live, soon they see an elderly gent on his porch and inquire "How are the people here? are they friendly? Is it a good place to live?"<br>&nbsp;The old man asks "How is it where you live now?"<br>"Awful!- the people are selfish, and grumpy and greedy, we really hate it" they reply<br>"Same here" responds the old gent.<br><br>Little while later another car stops by and the couple ask the old boy "What's it like living around here?"<br>Once again, he asks "What is it like where you live?"<br>"It is wonderful- we really like the people, they are generous and helpful and friendly"<br>"Same here" says the wise old fella.<br><br>For the most part, that has been true of all the places I have been for any amount of time as well.<br>your mileage may vary<br><br><br>

 

[KatieinKansas]

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Good story Karl..</font></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Katie</font></span></div>

 

[akrvbob]

Just the opposite Katie, I feel like the luckiest guy on earth to have you as Super Moderator Extrodinaire!!!!!!!! In fact, I'm surprised you haven't fired me for being a lazy bum owner! Let me say publically, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Thank you, a million times, thank you! <img style="width: 25px; height: 18px;" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"></span> Bob<br>

 

[cyndi]

I spent a month in Q last year. I left camp, by vehicle, 3 or 4 times. Once to have lunch, do laundry and go to the post office, once to go to Blythe to pick up supplies, once to empty tanks and take a shower. <BR><BR>I'm not much of a shopper so although I would have liked to go people watching in the commercial zone, mobility issues kept me from doing so.<BR><BR>I'm accepting applications from volunteers to steal a grocery cart and push me around.&nbsp;I'll pay you in ndn tacos and frybread.<BR><BR>I intend to maintain the same agenda this year (unless I have a volunteer) I Had a blast&nbsp;just hanging around camp with great people. Many days I had the camp almost to myself during the day. That was great, too.<BR><BR>See you next week! I can't wait!!!&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>

 

[KatieinKansas]

<font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">Thank you for all that you do for us Katie! &nbsp;You are appreciated!</font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Arial">...Another Katie</font></div>

 

[swankiewheels]

<p style="margin: 0px;">You are doing a great job Katie.&nbsp; And I love Quartzsite.&nbsp; Have been treated to free breakfast and lunch at the La Mesa RV weekdays and join a group of other Rock Club workers... and we chat and laugh our heads off.&nbsp; What a great bunch of happy people.&nbsp; Tonight, my friend Liz and I went to Silly Al's for the best pizza I have ever had.&nbsp; We even had some left over for tomorrow.&nbsp; We observed there that everyone in the place was happy and laughing.&nbsp; I don't think I've ever had such a good time.&nbsp; Liz says the same.&nbsp;&nbsp; Can't wait for RTR... and again, I love Quartzsite.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Swankie</p>

 

[Guest]

Hi family....I am back just briefly to say that I will try to arrive in the early days of RTR and am REALLY looking forward to meeting new folks and seeing the old friends made last year.<br>I have always enjoyed Q if even for a quick overnite stop or the excellent last year's RTR.<br><br>Nothing really surprising about Q. Like 'lonu' reported about themselves, I have been passing through and enjoying Q since the mid 80's and it is definitely changing. In my view it is following exactly the route that all US capitalism goes...it mirrors the larger society....started out as a rockhound and jeweler enthusiast's tailgater event, became a wonderful slice of underground economy, and has now become the lair of&nbsp; big RV dealers and large dealers of stuff. What is different from anywhere else in "Generica"? <br><br>That opinion shared, I still love it and find that it is still as easy as ever to isolate yourself to whatever extent you want ....all you need to do is move further out on BLM land...easy peasy. The area that Bob chose last year was perfect in my view since it was only a couple miles away from the town center and you could choose how much you wanted to deal with the larger amounts of people.<br><br>To be truthful, the amount of RVers that spend time there has lessened steadily over the years from the hayday of cheaper fuel and healthier economy. <br><br>My friend Paul and I were able to do a walk-through of one on my favorite "if I ever win the lottery" camper rigs...a newly built Provan. Several people obtained very good deals on solar systems and folks at the RTR helped them install them. Several people got summer jobs through the contractor's outreach there. And as has been mentioned someone found a place to get $1.00 burgers. Another plus is that one of our family was working at a booth and was able to bring us a huge amount of firewood....<br><br>The various workshops and discussions in camp were priceless and it has nothing at all to do with Q...just the desert....<br><br>I think I am in the Karl Kamp and think if you are unhappy now you will be unhappy there, if you are a happy camper, you will be happy there....<br><br>JMHO<br>Bri<br><br><br><br>

 

[swankiewheels]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hi Bro Bri...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">So glad I get to see you again.&nbsp;&nbsp; I agree with what you have said.&nbsp; Some first-timers to Q are saying the place is really getting busy.&nbsp; It is not.&nbsp; It is nothing like it was two years ago when I was here.&nbsp; I've talked to a few of the vendors and they have told me that many of their friends have already packed up and left as they aren't even meeting their rent.&nbsp; This vendor told me they have been coming here for 18 years but this is their last year.&nbsp; RV are spaced farther apart than before... to make the lots look full.&nbsp; But... the desert is still the desert and I'm really enjoying it and enjoying learned to make jewelry from my finds.&nbsp; The rock folk seem like instant family to me, just as the vandwellers feel like my tribe.&nbsp; I'm loving every second here.&nbsp; It's what you make it... like Bri said... if you are unhappy in general, you will be unhappy here.&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm generally a very happy person... and I am very happy here.&nbsp; Still fighting COPD issues... and others have said there is something in the air now that hasn't been here before.&nbsp; Of course, if you are grinding rocks all day... there is that dust in the air even though you use water and oil to do the work.&nbsp; I have to alternate time away from it to heal and time with it to have fun.&nbsp; It's the biggest dilemma I've faced here.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">And there is so much to see and do... I have to choose daily what I want to do the most.&nbsp; My friend and I went to the Oasis Bookstore to see the naked guy (not there) and ask about a fax machine (they don't have one) and look for a book my friend had.&nbsp; That experience alone is priceless.&nbsp; And if you want to see what all the vendors have, you better plan several days of walking long distances... there is so much.&nbsp;&nbsp; I haven't seen 1/10th of it all... and I've really been exploring.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I must say, if you like pizza, then Silly Al's is the place to go. Very nice place, good service, great pizza.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Anyway Bri... looking forward to another one of your famous bear hugs.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Swankie</p>

 

[Guest]

Thanks Charlene...I am looking forward to seeing you too, my sister. It sounds like you are having a blast and taking advantage of what the area offers....I know you are in rockhound cloud 9!<br>I am up in Durango right now enjoying Kit's company and hope to leave for Q early to middle of next week....and I have my little tiddler bike on the back of Chinookie....It is great for getting around there. One year I brought my bicycle and was able to cruise through every seller's camp there in a day...fun!<br><br>I'll save a hug for you C and see you soon<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Vanimal]

I just spent my first 3 days is QZ and I had a blast. Maybe it was because of my new friends I made but I still liked it before I met them.

Looking forward to meeting all the rest!

 

[bob144]

i was realy wanting to go i like it hot an dry an im a rock nut nor if i stay hear no electic or running water i haul everything in just if my little girl could get her life&nbsp;straiten out i would be gone&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://bornybornschein.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://bornybornschein.blogspot.com/</a>

 

[garcam123]

Sorry for the commotion, Group!<br>I was just arriving and was put off by the prices and what looked to me to be gouging and I was offended.&nbsp; I've been here a week or so and have adjusted to the lifestyle.<br>I hope I didn't hurt anyone's feelings.&nbsp; I felt this mercenary overture to everything even a trip to the hardware store!<br>I expect to pay a premium because it's a resort.&nbsp; I'm finding my way now.<br>I hope you all have a nice RTR!<br><br>Regards,<br>Gary From Florida<br>&nbsp;<br><br>

 

[cyndi]

Gary, you will be joining us up on the hill, I hope!

 

[Stillwater]

Life deserves a little rant every now and then. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Again, welcome!<br>

 

[Guest]

Welcome and hope to see you up at the RTR...<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[rattlesnake joe]

I heard a rumor last year that Q was being investagated by the FBI.&nbsp; Wonder what gives with that?&nbsp;

 

[sl1966]

I heard a rumor last year that Q was being investagated by the FBI.&nbsp; Wonder what gives with that?&nbsp;

<br /><br />There is a huge mess that's been going on there with between the mayor (ed foster) versus the council, and local police department over the last year. The FBI is investigating corruption charges against the town council. Ed was elected to clean things up and the council decided to oust him. Basically they pulled a lot of illegal stuff which resulted in a huge public outcry. Google can provide you with all the articles from day one up to this minute.<br /><br /><br />