Boomerville at Quartzsite--2011

Each year in January the deserts all around Quartzsite, AZ swell with RV'ers. We have attended this unique event several times since 2004, and this year was no exception. We drove north on US 95 from Yuma for 70 miles, then east on I-10 to exit 19 to go 2 miles more miles out into the desert, down a dirt washboard road to gather with our RV friends (approximately 150 RV's) in Boomerville. As you can imagine there are no hookups, so we all come in with full water tanks and empty holding tanks. We use are generator when need for electricity and keep our batteries topped off.

Our time is kept full by activities thought up and posted on the "Boomer" board by fellow boomers. Daily announcements, happy hours, morning walks, hikes into the desert, movies, presentations, geo-caching, 4x4 outings, potlucks, chili-cook-offs, campfires, wine-tasting, games, meals in and out, crafting, beading, jewelery making, discussions on smart phones and so much more. So many decisions--ah but so much fun!!

Then there is the "Big Tent" in town and all of the hundreds of vendors throughout Q selling everything and anything an RV'er could possibly want or need. So much to see, incredible amount of stuff for sale, so many good deals and thousands of people everywhere you look--it can be overwhelming after a while. So the trips into to town are planned accordingly--what's going on today that I may want to do, how much energy do I have, what do I think I need,  do I really want to face the masses of people or do I just want sit out my home "for now" in Boomerville, reading a book, chatting with a friend or relax (aka sleep) in my reclining lawn chair--hum...guess what I pick most days.

Free Beer and Entertainment

There are a whole heck of a lot of people over 50 years of age here in Yuma. Snowbirds who have fled their homes North for warmer weather. They arrive by the thousands from Canada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Minnesota and many other states that are just too cold for retires. On any given day in January-March you will find move license plates from WA or OR than AZ. And since they are mostly retired, there are various activities, special events and fun promotions to attract and entertain this group of people.

 

Unbelievably there is a RV resort here in Yuma, The Palms, that host a Burger Bash at poolside with free entertainment and all you care to drink free beer and soda!

Gathering of the Gunfighters

Each January, Old West reenactment groups ride into Yuma, Arizona for the Annual Gathering of the Gunfighters at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park and we decided it would be a good way to spend our Saturday.

The event draws thousands from around the Southwest to experience the old west lore in this historic territorial prison setting through acting groups preforming skits, set in the time period between 1876 to 1909, for coveted prizes. There are a host of individuals and group competitors from nasty outlaws, rough and ready cowboys, audacious saloon gals, to some just plain ol' low-down dirty, rotten characters who assemble for a day of fun, competition and mayhem. Of course there are the various "western" vendors and food booths.

Much of the prison complex is still there, including original cell blocks as well as a museum displaying the history through photos, artifacts video presentation, and memorabilia. The prison's legacy continues to live on in the movies, such as 3:10 to Yuma.

A Spot in the Foothills

Today we arrived in Yuma, AZ and settled into our little spot here in the foothills on Doc's lot. He is a member of the R(o)ving Rod group (think Winchester Bay and crabs) we belong to and he rented us this great space for the winter.

Doc is on the lot as well, and we are at the end of the street with a view of the Muggins mountains to the East out our window. Yuma is located near the confluence of the Gila and Colorado Rivers in the very SW corner of AZ, on the border with CA and near the border of MX and is the sunniest, driest city in the nation, with 350 days of the sunshine annually. Also, known as the "winter vegetable capital" of the nation. It's a good bet your lettuce was grown and shipped from Yuma.

Doc, Bea, Dianne and Frank from left to right (with Ken behind the camera),

Happy Hour with Doc and the Marlers began the next day--it is good to see old friends. We last saw Bea and Ken when they were traveling through OR and stayed with us while we were in Canby house sitting in May of last year. It was warm earlier in the day, but as the sun began to set, the air became cool and jackets were don.

The Cold Winds are Blowing us South

Baby it's cold out there....and rainy...and cloudy....and were outta here! Yep, the time has come for us to head were the weather suits Frank's clothes. So the wheels on the bus go round and round, the motor home is on the move in a southerly direction.

Thankfully no snow in the passes, only beside the road, so the drive was smooth and without a problem. It is always a good day when you get behind the wheel and the weather is good and the RV is on it's best behavior. We had several days such as this and so we are happy.