This winter has been an unusually cold one for Arizona and California, with temperatures diving to freezing, (or even below!) some nights. It appears that the usual warm winter climate of the southwest has been pushed aside by El Nino. Several areas, such as Death Valley, have had snow a few times. Having worked in Canada's north, I am used to the cold but didn't think to bring a down jacket as one man wore last week, along with some mitts and a toque!
Nevertheless, there have been many beautful warm days with plenty of sunshine and the temperatures are rising.
It's been interesting to drive along the dry desert and then come across the lush green fields of vegetables, irrigated by water from the Colorado River along the border of Arizona and California.
The currnt severe drought conditions are having an impact on growing crops and will effect export.
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| The arid desert |
We may have to learn to live more in tune with the seasons and eat food grown locally. Do Canadians need to eat lettuce,tomatoes, oranges and strawberries imported from California in the winter or can we go back to living more naturally with the seasons? My grandmother used to collect pears,plums and wild mushrooms to dry on racks in the attic and enjoy eating over the winter. Apples would get pressed into cider. How have our lives and appetites become so complex?
I continued to follow the WINs northwest to Martinez Lake, a resort town along the Colorado River, where we once again stayed on BLM land. This time we were within walking distance of the many services the town offered. It was a treat to have access to laundry, showers, restaurants, water, garbage bins, and a dump station.
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| Our campsite at Martinez Lake |
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| Burros wander freely and visted us |
When dry camping in the desert, we have to think about those things daily and always have a plan, eg is there enough fresh water in the tank to last until there is water available? What to do if the black tank (sewage) gets too full? Where to dispose of garbage? How about food, gas for driving, propane for cooking and heat? It requires a lot of planning and checking. A big benefit of travelling with a group is that many of these issues are taken care of. I can check ahead to see their schedule and info about services, then stop to fill up or dump before catching up to the group. Sometimes a member of the group who has a pick up truck will offer to take everyone's garbage to a disposal site in the area.
Martinez Lake was a delightful place to spend a week. Dancing, restaurants, and a fabulous day of kayaking on the Colorado River were just a few of the activities that kept us busy. At the nightly campfires we would talk about the day or listen to a pack of coyotes singing very close by. They can sense people's pets and everyone kept their dogs or cats inside at night.
As in other places we have visited, each day there were activities we could take part of.
As in other places we have visited, each day there were activities we could take part of.
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| A hike along the Colorado River |
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| A visit to an old silver mining town ( now a museum) |
The group's activities and travel are planned by volunteers. The WINs travel throughout the year and there are usually one or two circuits on the go. The one I have been traveling with is their winter circuit including Arizona and California.
There is also a group exploring the east coast and recently, some of the WINs are driving down to Mexico. I would have enjoyed that experience but soon need to begin my journey back to Canada.
On Jan 10 many of the WINs and thousands of other RVers congregated on the BLM lands surrounding Quartzsite, Az. I was there last year and it felt good to be back. Quartzsite is a small town that swells to a major destination in January for their RV and gem shows. A huge tent is set up and vendors set up their booths inside and out selling mostly RV related supplies but also various crafts. At flea markets you can find just about anything you could possibly need or want.
The atmosphere is festive and the bustling crowds look for bargains or enjoy the food and music.
On Jan 10 many of the WINs and thousands of other RVers congregated on the BLM lands surrounding Quartzsite, Az. I was there last year and it felt good to be back. Quartzsite is a small town that swells to a major destination in January for their RV and gem shows. A huge tent is set up and vendors set up their booths inside and out selling mostly RV related supplies but also various crafts. At flea markets you can find just about anything you could possibly need or want.
The atmosphere is festive and the bustling crowds look for bargains or enjoy the food and music.
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| Camels used to live in this area |
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| One of Several RV sales companies |
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| A booth in the big tent |
Staying with the group for so long meant I was getting to know many of them and make some lasting friends. Most are retired professionals and solo travelers like me and many are full timers. They are from all over the US and Canada and may have lived this lifestyle for many years, resulting in a wealth of experience.
It's been fun listening to their stories at the nightly campfires. There is often laughter and I no longer felt alone.
When we travel together, the camp host would discuss any planned activities for the day. Those with cars would offer rides, the passengers pitching in for gas. The most difficult part of the process is choosing which activity to attend , eg go kayaking , visit a museum or go on a hike? ( or just stay at the campsite and hang out). How wonderful to have friends to share these adventures with!
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| the board is updated daily |
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| Playing "desert golf" |
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| A hike to Crystal Hill, a wildlife refuge where mineral collecting is permitted. Quartz crystals occur along the slopes and almost everyone found some. While at Quartzsite, we visited some other RV clubs camped nearby. The LOWs ( Loners on wheels) invited us for wine and cheese while we went over to dance with a chapter of "The Escapees". We reciprocated by inviting everyone to an ice cream social. I had no idea there were so many RV clubs. I have met " The traveling pals" and have heard of the "Rubber tramps". It's a whole different world than what I had been used to and I am loving this lifestyle and the interesting people I am meeting. From Quartzsite, some of us left the group to travel a bit further north to Parker. One of the WIN women invited us to spend a few days at a resort as guests of her brother who lives there. For a very small fee, we were able to hook up and take part in their many services such as a heated pool and jacuzzi, a bar for dancing and karaoke, and a community center. The Emerald Cove resort was situated along the Colorado River, across from Parker and had a lovely beach. One day, her brother invited us for a trip on the river in his platoon boat. I felt like royalty! A few days later, I left there to drive back to Quartzsite to try and sort out my electrical problems that continue to be a mystery. That journey will be described in my next blog as I had better send this before people think I've given up writing!  "Life is what's happening while we're busy making other plans" ( so we miss out on life rather than living in the present moment) --- John Lennon Did you know......... That the microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket? That Winston Churchill was born in a ladies room during a dance? That February 1865 is the only month in recorded history not to have a full moon? Spring is on its way!!! Don't forget to take time for laughter. Maria whyknotrvmaria@gmail. com |
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