Quartzsite, Arizona

After being at RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) for five nights, the group had enough as we didn't really feel like that was "our crowd".  It was a fun event and I appreciated the opportunity to attend some of their topic chats and meet fellow RVers. 

A couple, Pat & Ellen, who follow Joie and Mike on Instagram came to RTR to meet them in person and mentioned where they were staying in another area of Quartzsite and that there was lots of room there.  So we all packed up camp and headed to the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land off of Plomosa road. 

We're allowed to stay on BLM land for 14 days (for free!) and then we're supposed to move at least 25 miles to another site for at least 7 days.  Thanks to the US government shutdown, there was no one to enforce the rules so we stayed a little longer than allowed.  Shhh! 

Quartzsite is very popular this time of year and there is a "Big Tent" event where it's possible to buy all things RV related.  There are also many different groups that meet up here on BLM land and form communities with organized events.  The groups can be based on interest such as a Jeep group or RV manufacturer or friends.  The Escapees also have chapter events here.  We attended some of the Boomers events.  It's a pretty fun experience and everyone is so friendly! 

We were lucky we moved on the day we did because after we got moved and settled in, the next day it poured rain!  Here we're huddled under Pat & Ellen's EZUp to keep dry!

Our camp turning into a swamp!

View from inside our nice and dry RV!

Can't have too many photos of the new truck!

Our Circle of Friends! (Photo courtesy of Pat)

After the rains we were treated to a beautiful sunset!

 After the rains the sun came back out and we had beautiful days!  Here we're gathered for one of our many group chats. 

Dinner with our Quartzsite family (from left:  Al, Nancy, Dave, Kathy, Mike, Joie, Wes, Kelley, Dogs, Ellen, and Pat).  Cool photo taken by Pat with his drone! 

Pat has a real cool drone and the goggles to see what the drone is seeing.  We got to play with his drone and I know what Al will want for his birthday in February! 

Ellen watching the drone, Pat steering the drone by watching his cell phone connected to the controller
and Al enjoying the view!

Our view from this location in Quartzsite is beautiful!

One day another YouTuber couple, Paul and Lorena of @TheMotorhomeExperiment had a meet and greet.  I didn't know this couple before so I "studied" up before the meet.  They had a nice gathering of over 50 people and played a fun ice breaker game as we all sat around a couple of campfires and laughed.  It was very entertaining and fun meeting them and hearing their story. 

A video from the event can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTXqURNz4Bw

Paul and Lorena of The Motorhome Experiment

Another night a different group nearby our camp had music so we brought our chairs and walked over and joined their campfire and listened to some great music out under the stars by @notesfromneptune.  This event was called Ooberfest 2019 hosted by @OutsideOurBubble . 

Check out the event at https://outsideourbubble.com/ooberfest-2019-thanks/

One day it was Dave's birthday so he celebrated with a bag of Cheetos instead of a birthday cake.  Funny thing is Kathy and Dave lost track of the days and started celebrating a day early thinking it was his birthday on Saturday when it was really Sunday.  Ah, the retired life!

Eventually our group of friends had to break up.  Pat & Ellen went to meet friends visiting Phoenix.  Kelly & Wes and Joie & Mike went to check out some land in Bullhead City.  So, and then there was two! 

Ok sorry, another photo of our new truck and the trailer!

After the holidays we left California and picked up the RV in Surprise, AZ and headed to Quartzsite having no idea what to expect.  Thanks to Joie and Mike, we met in Quartzsite for the RTR event and through their Instagram account, met up with Ellen and Pat who introduced us to Kathy and Dave.  Our time with this group has been a blast and we consider them all friends now and look forward to connecting with them again when our paths cross.  

Pat & Ellen from Washington:  @Rolling_Along_Country_Roads

Joie & Mike from California:  @OurMobileBackpack

Kelley & Wes from Oregon:  @RoadHoundAdventures

Kathy & Dave from Wisconsin:  @OffOurRockerRV

I created a new Instagram account so if interested, you can follow us at @ImagineOurRVDreams

Next we did some sight-seeing with Kathy and Dave.