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Packing up and saying goodbye is the worst.

We have been having so much fun that we just don't want to stop. And with most of our friends in Quartzsite being retired or working on the road from their rig, they can stay as long as they want. Whine Whine.

And then there is saying goodbye again to Scott. That's so hard. He's such a dear and we love him. He wants to be in San Diego so bad and we love his company. But he had to go back to Austin, Tx to finish work he is involved in, take a scuba trip to BonAire, and sort out some other things. Then maybe he can get here.

But it was time to take our leave and get back for work ourselves. So we packed up and hit the road. Don told us that the winds were bad in Palm Springs so I checked the Caltrans highway info number (1-800-427-7623) and sure enough. High wind advisory on Interstate 8 from Alpine east to the Imperial County line. Yikes.

We head out and as we approached El Centro going west the winds really started to pick up. Some pretty good gusts. The closer we got to the mountains the stronger the wind. Then as we climbed to the pass things seemed to abate a bit in the shelter of the high peaks.

When we got to the top, around Boulevard and the Golden Acorn Casino, and the clouds became fog. The wind stayed strong and then the rain started. Steve had to slow down to 35 to 45 MPH just to keep the coach on the road. The gusts had to be 60 MPH. It was a head wind and a cross wind and Steve really had to struggle at times.

We made it through the 60 some miles of wind and weather and finally got down to San Diego and headed south to Chula Vista. Once there, the days drama continued.

It seems that either Steve didn't fully pull the Remco driveshaft disconnect or it slipped back to engaged, but we towed the car all the way from Quartzsite in neutral. It wrecked the transmission. We have reverse, and low in the Suzuki. Ugh.

Steve got the car to go into drive if he started in low and shifted higher as the speed picked up so we could make it home. We unpacked the motorhome into the Suzuki, food, clothes, pets etc., and headed for the house.

Once safely home we discovered that we had left the house key in the motorhome. Shit.

The good thing is that on the trip I had found some extra keys in the motorhome that I figured we needed to have at home and had put them in the car. I found the extra key to my Miata and headed for Chula Vista again for the rig.

Traffic was good and it took little time to get there, retrieve the key and get back home. Then I called Mom and borrowed her extra car till we get the Suzuki fixed.

Once we got the car, I decided that we didn't need the hassle of cooking and cleaning. I took Steve to Baja Betty's for a much needed Margarita and a Burrito. That finished the day and us.

Truly an inauspicious end to a wonderful journey.

I hope all of the rest of you had an easier time of it.

G'night.........................

A rainy night, and a rainy day.

We decided that since the weather was inclement we would go looking at the array of motorhomes they have for sale here. Always dangerous for those who would like to upgrade but for whom the timing is just wrong.

The first place we looked, the RV show next to the tent I found a rig that I could easily have lived with. It was a 2007 Knight made by Monaco. A 36' deisel beauty with a bigger chassis, eight air bag suspension, side cameras, an 8.1 Onan generator, and a 10K towing capacity. It had 6,000 mikes on it. Not even broken in properly.

It had great wardrobes and lots of storage, a great kitchen and a full size refrigerator. The floor plan was one that we like, but the exterior color was not the one we cared for. Thank goodness. That and our lease on the North Park house saved us about 130K today.

We looked at everything they had in a short (34' to 36') deisel coach and then headed for the next lot. We went over to La Mesa RV and they surprisingly had nothing to show us at all.

Then we went to the National RV selloff. Since the company closed they are just trying to get rid of the inventory so the prices were good, but again nothing in a short deisel with a decent floorplan. Somehow National has decided that the refrigerator is fine in the hall to the bedroom. I hated that. Most inconvenient. Oh well, another savings.

A couple more lots and it was time to get a bit to eat at Sweet Darlene's, pick up an apple pie and head for camp to prepare for dinner at Randy and Wayne's. They have been trying to have our campgroup, Chuck, Scott, Steve and I over alone for days and finally we have a evening to do it. We all just wanted a bit of time together before leaving to enjoy some calm time and visit and connect.

Before we went though, we started to tear down camp as we are leaving tomorrow and got quite a lot accomplished before I had to get everyone to stop, clean up and go to our dinner party.

Just after we got to Randy and Wayne's the phone rang and it was Chase and Gary on their way back to camp on an errand. They had to give their cat away due to Chase's allergies and now that they will be full timing in an RV (albeit a 43 footer). The guy in the next rig over would take it
So they arrived for a cocktail and then Mitch and Dave arrived for a cocktail. So much for the small group. At least for a little while. And it was fun to see them all.

Soon Chase and Gary went overt to Mitch and Dave's to watch an episode of Corner Gas, a Canadian sitcom that I have yet to see but hear is really good, and the small dinner party was on again.

Randy had made some wonderful cream of asparagus soup and a salad, and Wayne had baked two quiche that were delicious. Mostly it was the company that made the evening special. The guys are really great and we enjoy their company.

And Dakota was there too.. That Great Dane is such a wonderful animal with such kind spirit.

At the end of the evening, after pie and ice cream, and a short visit to the fire, we headed back to the rig. A new man we met, Ralph came by to see the changes we had made to our rig's interior. Soon thereafter we were asleep after a tough day of eating, drinking, and disappointment that we couldn't spend a hundred thousand dollars. Oh well. No sticker shock in the morning either.

G'night.

Cloud cover kept the air warmer last night. Probably in the 50's. Slept well in the cool.

Today we took a journey. Chuck drove Scott, Steve and I to Parker Arizona where he stayed for 2 months after last years Quartzsite campout. It's only about 35 miles away on a completely straight road. He showed us around town and then we stopped at Spanky's RV and Marine Supplies. We all still needed a few things. We can't seem to go into one of those stores without seeing something we need. We needed some levels for the new satelite dish and a window thermometer. Oh, and a tee shirt that says Spanky's of course.

Chuck found the perfect hat for Scott - black with white lettering that says "Tattooed Trailer Trash". Perfect. And he found things he just had to have, and then we went on.

We passed the Blue Water Casino and headed up the Arizona side of the Colorado River. It's really quite nice with a bunch of developements, both manufactured homes and stick homes with pretty hight prices. There were many RV parks along the way too.

We saw some of the State RV parks and they were pretty impressive. But I can imagine what it would be like in the summer with the heat and the crazy people who come with the load cigarette boats racing up and down the river. Serene no more.

We stopped for lunch at a place called Fox's floating bar and grill. The entire place was covered with dollar bills that people had written on and stapled to the walls and ceiling. The place smelled like urine, but we decided to have a drink anyway. By the time we got it the smell was no longer an issue so we ordered burgers and fries. They were actually pretty good.

We met the only other couple in the bar which were two guys from Phoenix. They had been living in Orange County. It was just odd that in such a rednecky place on the river where everyone is so rowdy that we met another gay couple.

Then we headed on our way. We continued up the river to the Parker Dam and the bottom of Lake Havasu. We crossed the dam and headed back up the California side. There was really not much on the California side. A closed campground, either Federal or State owned, a small campground where Chuck has stayed for a few days, and then the town of Wyatt Earp, CA. It consists of a post office. That's all we could see anyway.

Then back to town to prepare for a dinner at Randy and Wayne's. Or so we thought. Things change.

It seems that word got out that they were doing hotdogs and hamburgers, and someone else was having fish and someone else something else, and finally....an intimate barbeque for 9 became the last potluck of the campout.

The food was great and the company was truly wonderful as just a hard core group of good and sweet folks were left, oh except for two. Interesting those two. I will say no more. Oh yeah. Three.

Georgia Ann and Kiera were there along with one of their roomates on a scooter that had no manners at all. everyone was disgusted by her behavior, probably a cry for attention. Positive attention would be better.

Neil and David showed up for the event too. They had been up in Hi Jolly with Neil's family most of the time but made it for this evenings doings. It was great to see them and they had fun with the group.

After a busy day and a long potluck we were fried. It was definitely time for bed.

G'night. Sleep tight.

Cool this morning but not so bitter like earlier this week. We slept well.

Today we started with a run to town just to pick up some odds and ends like the crystal ball that Mother wanted and Scott needed some chairs. We only had a bit of time as Kathleen had asked us if we wanted to go Quading (4 wheel vehicles like motorcycles meant for riding the hills) with she and Bill and Randy today and of course we jumped at the opportunity.

We found out that we were too late for the crystal balls that we wanted in Tyson Wells - sold out - but we remembered some beautiful ones over at The Main Event. As we were leaving Tyson Wells I got a call from Rick at the satelite place saying that our receiver was in and we should come over so he could show us how to set it up. We did and got on our way.

We got to The Main Event and quickly found the crystal balls we wanted and started home. Well, almost. We had to stop and look at the Rexhall with two full body slides. Eh. I didn't like one of them and the other I would have to change the flooring.

From there we decided to go by the bakery and get another pie for tonights dinner. (We were again having guests.) I picked out a peach pie and we headed back to the rig. We had spent more time than I had anticipated and I hoped we had not missed our Quad time.

We had not. We got ready and headed over to Kathleen and Jeannie's and paired up for the ride. Steve was behind Kathleen I was behind Bill and Don Coats climbed on behind Randy. And we were off.

We headed up the smaller of the hills to the west of camp and stopped at the old mine overlook. We took some pics and headed further south and west up some great and wonderful slopes, some steep, some rocky and all fun. The ride was safe and not dangerous but had it's thrills. Bill was a fun driver, not as adventurous as Kathleen but she had ridden more.

After a while they decided that since we were on the flats and headed toward home that Steve, Don and I should drive. Okaayy.

I did pretty good. Then we headed over to gas station at the Love's on the 10 highway. Only once did I leave the trail. It was on a very steep rise and I just couldn't get the thing to stay to the left. But I stopped and Bill guided me back to the trail and then we were great. Then my thumb went numb and kept sliding off the throttle. We barely made it to Love's. I made Bill drive back. Way more fun.

We got back in time to set the table and get ready for Mitch and Dave and Bill and Don to come to dinner. Chuck had done all of the work. He made a wonderful salad and a shrimp and noodle dish. Everyone was duly impressed. It was delicious. The peach pie was also a winner.

It was a long day and Steve and I did a few dishes, with the majority going again to Scott's (at his request) and we retired for the night. We will sleep well tonight.

G'night.

The night was not nearly as cold as it had been. Of course we woke at 5:30 AM to the sound of rain. That was a surprise. I stayed in bed until 7:00 and then got up and pulled the awning down and put the wet chairs under cover. I didn't want to make that much noise too early.

Today was a day to rest, mostly. The rain stopped early and the sun came peeking through and the day actually was pretty and fresh.

Steve and Scott went to town to get things we needed to hook up the satelite dish. I just stayed around camp. Chuck took off for town too. It was nice to be here just resting for a while. No power shopping.

After Steve and Scott got back, Steve and I borrowed the water barrel from Mitch and Dave and headed to the other side of Tyson Wells for a tank of fresh water. We were running really low, like out of water. The tank helped us avoid driving the rig over to fill up. It's really a cool operation with a 12 volt pump that plugs into your cigarette lighter to pump the water into the RV.

Bill came for our walk right when the water rig was set up, and I had screwed our walking up so many times I left Steve to hold the hose while I went with Bill. I hated to leave Steve with the water task but there wasn't much left to do.

We decided to walk a different direction and took the other road out of camp. We figured less traffic, less dust. We were right. Bill had a stop watch and we walked at our brisk pace for 15 minutes (a bit more to investigate the end of the road) which was about a mile and turned around and headed back. Great walk.

We had invited Randy and Wayne and Kathleen and Jeannie over for dinner. We really owed them from last year and we love spending time getting to know them. The women are extraordinary. they have a great sense of humor and are really confortable to be around. We spent a little time with them last year and were really happy they came again this year.

We were so lucky that the rain stopped early in the morning so thingslike the chairs, got dried out.

I cooked two pork loins mariniated in raspberry chipotle sauce, some zuccini with red pepper and scalloped potatoes. Chuck made a fabulous salad, had had picked up an incredible raspberry/cherry pie from the bakery in town. Wow.

Dinner was a hit and everyone gathered around the fire for a while. It was really getting cold so the evening was early, but quality. We really enjoyed the company. Thanks to our guests.

Scotty got stuck with most of the dishes. He volunteered. We did the glass ware and the pots and pans. We appreciated the help. Big kiss Scott.

Then to bed.

G'night

Not as cold last night, or I really getting used to it. I'm sure it wasn't down in the 20's like it has been. Anyway, our batteries have been holding out so that is a good thing.

Chuck cooked breakfast today. Great scrambled eggs with sliced of fried Spam, with English Muffins and marmelade. So good. Scott had never had Spam before. He liked it. Bad for his diet, even though it was the low fat Spam, but it tasted soo good.

Then we headed across the freeway for the Post Office so Scott could get his mail, and on to The Main Event. Man has it shrunk over the years. They somehow sold a chunk of land right in the middle of what had been the vendor area and the quality of merchandise really fell. No more are the small interesting vendors like the Persian rug guy I bought our rug from 4 years ago. There is more Asian things and some great Budha's and Quon Yen, but mostly stuff from yesteryear desert folks. Nice I'm sure, but not interesting to us.

I'm not sure how many people go further west to find the other half of the Main Event. I'ts about a block west and has a couple of cheap tool buildings and a bunch more vendors. I feel sorry for them in both locations because a lot of people wouldn't find one or the other. We were lucky to go that direction in search of the cheap tool places.

After hours of shopping we came home and on the way ran into Bill Hanson on the road taking his power walk, so I jumped out to join him. I had been trying for days to get together with him to walk but have been too busy shopping to bother with exercise. Today is the day to start so I walked the rest of his walk with him. Boy does he move. He keeps a good fast pace, like me. It was fun and we set up a time for tomorrow.

Dinner was at Chuck's again. He fixed some wonderful breaded Cod filets he brought and a salad. It was wonderful. I'm not such a fish eater but I really enjoyed it. And for once we didn't feel like we ate too much.

Steve and I came home a watched a bit of TV before going to bed. Another day shot. The time is flashing by.

G'night

Another cold night. I guess we are getting a bit more used to it. It didn't seem so bad.

Today I fixed breakfast, bacon, scrambled eggs with cheddar, hash browns and toast. Since breakfast is my favorite meal and I love the smell of bacon cooking outdoors I used the Coleman stove for the bacon. Yum. That aroma. The Bloody Mary was nice too.

Then Scott, Chuck and Steve and I headed for Tyson Wells Arts and Crafts Market and Lapidary Show. It's just a huge swap meet with crafts and a lot of cheap new stuff, parts and pieces for the motorhome and gadgets we all buy and don't need and seldom use. But it's fun.

We went by the RV tent and found the satelite guy,Rick, and changed our Dish 500 in for a Dish 1000, and told him to order us a receiver for the motorhome. He said it would take a couple of days and he'd call when it came in.

Dinner was a potluck again and this time Chuck made a ground beef and noodle dish. It was really popular, but everything was delicious. The fire was again a special time to yak and share with guys we haven't seen in so long. There are some really great people in this group. Lucky us.

These days here at the gathering go far to quickly. Time for bed again.
G'night.

Today started a bit windy, but the sun was out and the temperature mimicked yesteday. Wonderful.

Neil came by on his quad for a visit. He was going to explore the hills around us and some of the trails he found on a trail map he had purchased. Fortuitous because Frank had just offered his dirt bike to Scott for the day if he wanted it. Neil and Scott took off for the hills.

Chuck and Steve and I took off for the tent. We had been there but Chuck had not and he really wanted to check out more of the work camping opportunities, maybe closer to home, like California.
He found some great contacts.

We found that we could buy a satelite dish for little money so of course we did. We thought that we would just bring one of our receivers from home. Everyone else said we should just buy a new one at the show so Scott could show us how to hook it up. We will do that tomorrow.

Michael Culpepper and his new beau Ken arrived and set up over by John and Ben (Miller). Glad to see he made it from the rodeo in Phoenix.

Later we broiled some steaks and broasted some potatoes, Chuck made a salad and hosted the dinner at his table, the only one large enough to seat us all inside. Bill had invited us all over to Randy and Waynes for a birthday cake for Jeannie so we headed over there where there had been a birthday dinner.

Chase and Gary has some problems with fumes in their coach and were naturally worried. We loaned them some comforters and others were trying their best to rectify the problem. It's too cold out here to be without heat. We've been there. NO FUN.



We enjoyed a cake baked by Bud and had a fea more cocktails before heading home for bed.
Of course we watched a little satelite TV first. Can't waste that.

G'night

Today was a beautiful day. Warm, sunny, wonderful.

When I woke up I knew it was cool, but then I found out that the water on the potluck table had frozen, Randy and Wayne's great dane Dakota's, water had frozen, and the guys around all said their thermometers said anywhere between 25 and 28 degrees. Okay. Cold. It warmed up later to be a great day. Like 68 degrees.

Some of the first folks I saw today were Mark and Ray. Ray has been having sciatica problems, and with John's death I didn't think I would see Mark this year, so I was so pleased to see them both. I offered my condolences to Mark, all I could do, with a hug.

Then everyone started to come out of their motorhomes and the place came alive. All it takes is some sunshine. I chatted with Don Coats and had a nice conversation with Bob Seifert, whose partner Calvin didn't make it to Q this year. Bob showed us his inverter that he uses for watching TV and we decided it was a great idea. (We are so dumb about the tricks and gadgets. It's nice to come to Q just to get new info on stuff like that.)

We took Scott's tow bar into the tent for servicing and found out that we could bring ours in also. It never has had service so I guess we will do this. Maintenence. I'm learning. Of course the trip down the wash and back in his 4 wheel Jeep was another adventure. He loves going off road, up and down hills, through gullys and anywhere it looks tough to to go. It was fun.

Chuck arrived this afternoon. He had to work yesterday doing flowers for a huge party in Palm Springs so he left this AM. We're happy to see him here. And bouncing Bentley (his dog) is here too. The campsite is complete.

While Chuck was setting thing up in his rig, we went to the Gambler for a couple of things, like an invertler like Bob showed us. Scott and Steve rigged up something so we get dish TV from Scotts rig. But the rest of the day was relaxing and visiting with the guys. Nice.

The potluck was another success. We brought Tequila Lime Chicken Wings tonite and Scott brought a green Jello dish (delish!). Maybe tomorrow we will cook here at the rig.

So we are watching a bit of TV now before bed. I'm tired but have to stay up past 8:30 if I'm going to sleep till sunrise.

Loving my time here, loving seeing all my friends. Loving meeting new ones.

G'night.

Yesterday I worked a full 10 hour day as hard and fast as I could go, and Steve did the same just so we could take a week off. Our clients are settled into their substitute hairdressers and we are free to go.

Because of the unexpected repairs, the water heater getting replaced and a new starter and carburator for the generator, we didn't get the coach on Wednesday to pack. We picked it up at 7:00 last night, packed as fast as we could (we had selected clothes and shopped for food and had everything ready to go), and started for Quartzsite at 11:30 PM. We had heard there would be wind gusts of 65 MPH in the mountains so we left last night to avoid road closure and perhaps missing the trip.

We got as far as El Centro and found a rest stop to pull over and sleep. Others had the same idea as we got the last spot on an edge of the lot. We slept till dawn, around 6:00 and took off, stopping only in Yuma to fill up on gas.

We got to the TOW camp at La Posa Tyson Wash in the BLM land at about 9:30 AM San Diego time (10:30 AM Arizona time) and promply found our friend Scott. Many hugs. Man! does he look hot now! We hadn't seen him in a year. He has lost 50 lbs and has been working out and is a whole new guy. Good for him. No, GREAT for him. He's such a sweet man and we are really lucky to have him for a friend.

Next to him is Mitch and Dave from Palm Springs (and Des Moines). More hugs. Next to them is Bud. Across the way is Randy and Wayne, near them is Bill, and so it goes. Many folks here that we know. We quickly got the motorhome and Steve placed it at a angle to Scott so we have common area between and we started to set up camp.

The astro turf (I mean grass) got installed and the chairs and tables came out, and of course the torches. We had to make it pretty! Now is time to relax, have a cocktail and then go to town or the RV tent. We decided on the RV tent so Scott could see some guy about Solar tracking devices.

We took Scott's Jeep Grand Cherokee and headed down the wash, a fun four wheel adventure toward town. We ended just beside the RV tent and started our tour of the vendors.

After a couple of hours of looking at booths and this years new thing, sheet sets, we headed back for camp. We'll go back several times, I'm sure, so no need to do it all today. Besides, Chuck arrives tomorrow and he needs to see it too.

It was almost time for the potluck around the fire. Saturday night is the big night, before Sunday when the working folk (other than those of us who took time off) have to leave. And the turnout was wonderful. I think there are only between 35 and 40 rigs here but then there are the tent people too.
The food was plentiful and great. Everyone tries hard the first potluck and it really was good. Thanks to everyone!

Neil, another friend from San Diego finally made it out to the campfire. He was going to camp with our group but signals with this parents got crossed and they needed his rig for some friends of theirs to use so he is stuck at Hi Jolly camp north of town. At least he made it out to meet some of the guys and see what it was like with the gay group. Maybe next year he and his partner David can plan to come and stay out here. Great guys. They would enjoy this group.

It's cold out tonight and the moon is so bright it blocks the light from the stars. Beautiful. But now it's time for bed and our warm comforter.

Randy and Wayne - I hope your battery lasts the night tonite!!

Off to bed.

The New Year has arrived. While 2007 was a wonderful year, it was too busy with the three moves and lots of work. I'm looking forward to enjoying 2008 in our new Palm Springs home and taking a few trips. NO MORE MOVING.

Chuck is living in the house for three weeks until we all go to Quartzsite. His dog Bentley and his cat Samara are there too. After the territorial stuff and the rules get laid down between Buster, Namale and Samara and Bentley we will have a wonderful time. Things progressed nicely this weekend.

New Years Eve we were invited to a party at Ray Quesada's house where we got to see a bunch of the Quartzsite group and our friends from Canada Randy and Wayne. It only made the anticipation for Q even greater.

New Years day we were again priviledged to be invited to Mitch and Dave's house for brunch. They are great hosts and we always enjoy our time with them. This time there were about 60 people. Big brunch. Again many folks from the Quatrzsite group with RV stories and travel tales. It was great fun to see Don Coats, and Bill, Bud and Randy and Wayne (hey there Randy, I'm catching up with this blog!)and more.

The food was great and plentiful and the bar was well used. It was just the right way to bring in the New Year. Many thanks to you all.