Gathering in the Desert - Quartzsite

 January 17-22, 2024

Quartzsite is a phenomenon--often said to be a bucket list destination for rv-ers.  It is called Woodstock in the desert, as thousands and thousands of people gather during January and February each year, boondocking (dry camping) on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land.  You see big rigs, little rigs, school buses, tents and everything in between.

Quartzsite is about 150 miles west of Scottsdale, and 20 miles east of the California line, just off I10.  It started as a stopover point on a stagecoach route, became a mining town, and has developed over the years into a mecca for rock, mineral and gem shows, as well as the annual Big Tent Sports, Vacation and RV show.  

The allure of the area is the remoteness, and the novelty of "dropping anchor" in the middle of the desert.  Since there are no facilities (no electric, no water, etc.) it's important to come with a full water tank and empty holding tank. (for obvious reasons...)

We joined a group of 100 Newmar rv's (the manufacturer of our rv).  

1/2 the circle of motorhomes in our group

 They scoped out an area about 6 miles out of town, with signs to mark the route (although we did miss  the turn and had to turn around).  They planned meals, programs. seminars and activities for the group. 

The whole weekend was well organized, and very impressive that they could feed 200 people in 10 minutes (9 lines at the table!)  There was a pizza night, a chili cook off, spaghetti, sloppy joes, etc.  And, each night's dinner was followed by a huge bonfire, and entertainment.

Entertainment by Rocky Watson

One night was a really good bluegrass band: Incidentally, Cactus Jack owns a Newmar!  

Cactus Jack and the Prickly Pears (1 guy and 3 girls!)

The desert skies are beautiful--sunsets and sunrises, and the night skies are a blanket of stars.     

Sunset Wednesday nite

Moonlit night sky

Sunrise Saturday morning

One of the highlights of the weekend was a trip on Saturday to the Desert Bar, an Arizona icon in Parker, Arizona.  It was an adventure just getting there.  10 vehicles from our group made the trek on the highway which took over an hour, while another group on ATV's took the "backroads" and they arrived 3 hours later!  

Our little CRV made it, but it was one of the few vehicles in the parking lot that wasn't a jeep or off-road vehicle. 

The Desert Bar is 5 miles off the highway, along a dirt, winding road, in the middle of an uninhabited rocky desert area.  If we weren't following someone who knew where they were going, we would have turned around.  The roads were as bad as those we encountered in Alaska and Africa!

What a place!  It is at the location of an old mine, off grid, with electricity totally supplied by solar power.  The owner installed a well and septic system, and has expanded the place over the past 39 years.  It is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm between October and April each year.

There are all kinds of interesting things to see...from the bathroom with a view,

to the horseshoe sculptures, 

a short hike up the hill to the crest, 

 cold beer, and a dance floor with a live band.

Thankfully we got there early, just as it opened, so we were able to grab lunch and a table.  By the time we left, the dance floor was full, every table and chair were taken, and there was a stream of vehicles still coming in.  Although it's on the site of a defunct mine, I think it is currently a real gold mine!

On Friday, we checked out the rock and mineral show and were amazed to see quartz pieces which were works of art priced at $15,000 and $30,000. (I was afraid they would charge me if I tried to take a picture!)  We picked up a few things on the $5 shelf-- supposed to get love and energy vibes from the rocks--we'll see!

On Sunday we hit the RV expo--a 70,000 square foot structure filled with 400 vendors and exhibitors, surrounded by rv dealers and an open air flea market. 

 Opening day was Saturday, so we waited until Sunday hoping to avoid the crowd, but that strategy didn't quite work...the place was packed!  We wandered the aisles and talked to people, gathered stuff, found ideas for our next big trip, and enjoyed being part of the activity.

We'll close out the final evening with a group happy hour tonite and say goodbye to new friends until next year!