Quartzsite RTR Questions

[gypsydreamer]

Good Morning!<br /><br />This is directed to those who have been to the RTR in Quartzsite.<br /><br />Do the Vandwellers all camp in the same general vicinity?&nbsp; Is there a lot of in-and-out traffic?<br /><br />What's it like?&nbsp; Your thoughts?<br /><br />Ann<br /><br />Edited

 

[Guest]

Hi Ann, many folks will pipe up on this but my experience is that the only reason you will have to be in any crowds at all are to go into town to do business....get water, take garbage in, re-supply, etc. or just to enjoy the tons and tons of small businesses and the Big Tent Event if you are looking for a job. I go a few miles west to Blythe for re-stocking at the supermarket. etc. Not crowded at all...<br /><br />We camp a ways out of town and Bob has successfully found a place we used the last two events that was relatively remote. This year he is moving it to another spot to have it be more level and less rocks since we have some folks with mobility issues....it will be away from the crowds you can be sure...we all pretty much feel like you do.<br /><br />I like to be a little away from the main group of Vandwellers for my dog's benefit and I usually do park a little away...some park right in the middle and are the center of the gathering....your choice completely....<br /><br />That is all I will say as I bet Bob will do a post on it...<br />Bri

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited

 

[RAILROADGREEN]

hey ann, quartzsite is main old people that are in bed at 8:00 pm. i have been to, two of the rtr at the the big q and i didn,t see any kids or mean dogs!!. as far as&nbsp;million people noway, i say more like 75,ooo and they are spead&nbsp;over 20 mile area around!!.we were camp at doam hill !!.it is about 5 miles from the q with alot of room to camp by yourself.i think that they are plans to more closer to town. as for me&nbsp;i think i will&nbsp;go back to doam i like the view, but will be at the group meetings.hope this help you. gary&nbsp;&nbsp; happy roadsurfing you all !!!.&nbsp;

 

[gypsydreamer]

Gary,<br /><br />All comments/opinions are welcome!&nbsp; I know each person brings his own slant on things--that's really what I'm looking for here.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />

 

[Nemo]

Morning Qypsy <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />have been to Quartsztie a few times, and we generally find a spot to avoid the big crowds.. as to our group, we are respectful of others areas, it's generally quiet, and solitude isnt hard to find if you need to get away for a few, be it walking or taking a drive <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> &nbsp;<br /><br />As an example, I was camped less than 100 ft from the comunal fire, which was burning just about every night.. and I was never kept awake or made uncomfortable by the folks that would hang out later than I, it's a good bunch of folks that come to hang out <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />Now.. once the RV show kicks off.. Going through town can be a nightmare!! &nbsp;there are people everywhere and it can take you a half hour or longer to get through the 2 lights in town &lt;Grin&gt; &nbsp;but other than that, we have our space.<br /><br />

Good Morning!<br /><br />This is directed to those who have been to the RTR in Quartzsite.&nbsp; I want to meet the faces behind these posts but have some reservations about this gathering.&nbsp; I have read that between 750,000 and 1,000,000 people converge on Q during the big gatherings there in January.&nbsp; That's a LOT of people!&nbsp; Everybody knows that everything you read on the internet is "true", right?<br /><br />We all have our baggage from previous life experiences.&nbsp; A major reason why I love traveling in GypsyD is to get away, spend time in remote areas, chill and relax in quiet and solitude.&nbsp; I do enjoy getting together with others but a million people?&nbsp; In such a small area?&nbsp; I try to avoid campgrounds with more than 25 campsites!&nbsp; Of course, one can park away from such crowds.&nbsp; But that many people can = Trouble?&nbsp; And as for shopping and group activities, not my cup of tea.&nbsp; Sitting around a campfire or in a known group is fine, but to sit under a tent with hundreds of strangers or walk around shopping for "stuff" that I don't want or need...not for me.<br /><br />I'm not even sure what to ask here.&nbsp; Do the Vandwellers all camp in the same general vicinity?&nbsp; Is there a lot of in-and-out traffic?&nbsp; Loud, noisy groups at night?&nbsp; A wild and crazy party atmosphere?&nbsp; This is my impression from reading about Quartzsite in general.&nbsp; It is NOT my impression of the people here on this forum.&nbsp; It's a conundrum.<br /><br />I mean no offense to anybody here.&nbsp; Each to his/her own.&nbsp; I vividly remember staying ONE night in a provincial campground in Canada, whereby the sites were very close to one another, there was a very loud party going on, dogs were running around off-leash and I had to protect my little dogs from their big ones, which made it difficult to even walk my girls at all, unsupervised children running around, and I got in the van, closed the doors, and left very early the next morning.&nbsp; If I had not already paid to stay the night, I would have left within an hour of arriving there.&nbsp; It was awful!&nbsp; I am concerned it will be like that at Q.<br /><br />Of course, I can leave at any time.&nbsp; I really want to meet the folks from this forum.&nbsp; And as long as I know what to expect, I can tolerate ALMOST anything to achieve this goal.<br /><br />So, what's it really like?&nbsp; Your thoughts?<br /><br />Ann

 

[Seraphim]

Gypsy<br /><br />your feelings probably echo the sentiments of 99% of the members here lol. I won't make the January RTR until 2014. I probably would have avoided the event entirely except for a recent positive experience with members here. Now, I'll swing by in 2014 from wherever I happen to be. There are some good people here to meet.

 

[peacetara]

I am new to the forum and have never attended an RTR, so I can't comment on that, but I grew up in that area as a kid (Yuma, AZ, and Mexico) so I know the area pretty well.<br /><br />Anyways, you are right there are probably a million people in the desert southwest that come and stay part or all of the winter, to avoid the scary snow and bad weather wherever they are coming from. &nbsp;But only a fraction of those people are in Quartzite.<br /><br />But, like others have said already, almost all of these people are over the age of 60, and are in bed by 9 or 10 at night.<br /><br />If you wander around out there at 10PM, you couldn't tell there are that many people out in the desert. &nbsp;Plus most of them are all centered right around the town.<br /><br />Usually what you will see are either giant RV parks (most are quite primitive). &nbsp;Or you will see small clusters of RV's all circled together in camps.<br /><br />Even with this, there is a TON of wide open space. &nbsp;You drive 10 miles out of town, and you can find a place to park and not see another RV. &nbsp;So if you are wanting alone time for whatever reason, you absolutely can find it without looking very hard.<br /><br />Like others have said tho, the towns in the area do get over-crowded. &nbsp;Especially when the big shows happen, and spending a 1/2 hour to cross the street is totally possible.<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[SoulRaven]

As for your dogs... Well most dont leash their dogs, me included, but with two RTR's under my belt I have only seen one "kind of" aggressive dog... 99.9% of our dogs are all well behaved, non-violent, and friendly... Now some of the dogs are big and may hurt little dogs on the ground by accident, so you may have to be diligent in lapping your dog(s) till things clear or they settle down from playing... Camped by me now is Bob (the owner of this forum) and he has a big loveable coon hound named "Homer"... I have my buddy and travel partner named "Zeke" and when those two get to play fighting it is best to just step back and let those two gladiators have their fun... Just a heads up about the dogs...

 

[gypsydreamer]

edited

 

[gadgetMe]

<span id="post_message_1274804613"> Do the Vandwellers all camp in the same general vicinity?&nbsp; Is there a lot of in-and-out traffic?&nbsp; Loud, noisy groups at night?&nbsp; A wild and crazy party atmosphere?</span>

<br /><br />Quartzsite is very open territory.. lots of space to spread out. you can camp close to someone if you like, or you can decide to take a 10 to 15 minute walk to visit,&nbsp; or show up at the campfire.<br /><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pcD04v2tsHM/Tx4my8g3cnI/AAAAAAAABSA/QcxUGAjDkw8/s320/P1121404.JPG" alt="" /><br /><br />here is a picture of the crew one night when I had a pheasant feed<br /><br />Putz

 

[mountaintramp]

one of the best things about quartzsite is, everyone drives slow like me.

 

[freenez2]

GypsyD, The RTR experience can be anything you wish. I prefer more privacy and park a bit away from the group and socialize as desired. Aside from civility, the group has no expectations.

 

[grammahugababy]

Good morning GypsyD.&nbsp; RTR is a very unique experience.&nbsp; Most of us are in our 50's, 60's or older but I am always amazed and inspired by the number of much younger vandwellers that camp with us.&nbsp; We have even had a few in their 20's.&nbsp; This makes it easy to connect with someone who is interested in what ever you are interested in.&nbsp; Most mornings there are seminars on things of interest to vandwellers like solar power and workcamping etc.&nbsp; If the topic of the day interests you just pull your chair into the group and enjoy.&nbsp; There is a women's group scheduled and it is very informal.&nbsp; We gather to discuss topics that interest us without any input from the men.&nbsp; GRIN&nbsp; We have a lot of solo women vandwellers and many that travel with a partner.&nbsp; Some of them have been living this life for years and they have amazing stories to tell and lots of good information about how to live safely and comfortably on the road.&nbsp; I make wire wrap jewelry so I have a class in basic techniques scheduled for that.&nbsp; This is a really fun thing.&nbsp; Very very basic.&nbsp; I provide copper wire for everyone and some beads or something and we bend wire.&nbsp; Lots of laughs and everyone ends up with something pretty.&nbsp; Each year there are people at RTR that need advice or help with things they want to do with their vans and there is almost always someone to help.&nbsp; Last year there were solar panels installed and beds constructed and lots of other stuff done.&nbsp; Sam turned my passenger seat around and I now have a great chair in my living area.&nbsp; That made a big difference in my comfort level.&nbsp; <br />Sorry, I do tend to ramble when I am talking about RTR.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp; It is a big desert and you can camp as close to the action as you want or find a secluded area and be as private as you want.&nbsp; There is always a large group of dogs and most of them do run loose but they are well behaved.&nbsp; I have a little 5 pound yorkie that I keep on a leash all the time because he doesn't know he is tiny and I worry about him.&nbsp; I am sure your little one will love playing with him.&nbsp; I really hope to meet you at RTR this year.&nbsp; Cheri and Tony<br /><br />

 

[cedric]

Hi everyone,<br /><br />Could someone please fill me in on where to go to learn about the RTR event. such as dates, cost, location, list of events. Is there water available or do you all go buy water in a store?<br /><br />thanks<br />cedric

 

[cyndi]

Hi Cedric,<br />There's a link <strong><a href="http://rvlyeverafter.blogspot.com/2012/09/3rd-annual-rubber-tramp-rendezvous-2013.html">here</a></strong> to Bob's official RTR info page. There's also a link to Suanne's blog that has a bunch of links to other blog posts written by other RTR attendees with info about the event

 

[cedric]

Found it. <br /><br />http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Rendezvous.html<br /><br />thanks

 

[akrvbob]

Hi Cedric, I hope you can make it, the more the better!! There is no water provided at the RTR. But it's very easy to get in town. All across the desert southwest there are vending machines outside of many stores that sell purified water by the gallon (desert water from the tap tends to be very mineralized). The cost is from 15 cents to 50 cents a gallon. I think in Quartzsite it is 25 cents a gallon. There are several RV service centers that sell deep-well water for 5 cents a gallon. It tastes great. You put in a quarter and 5 gallons come out of the hose.&nbsp; Bob

 

[blars]

There's also a park in Blythe (15 miles away, Groceries are cheaper there too) with several spigets set up for filling RV tanks -- free.

 

[rubbertramp]

got a question do you need a gray water tank to be able to stay on blm land i was planning on just using a rubber tote for washing dishes etc. and holding water in a couple of 5gallon water jugs ?