Photo Contest

The activities director in our community held a photo contest and residents could enter one photo during the week. The goal was to gather enough photos taken within our community so they can make and sell calendars next year. I thought about it and couldn't decide right away. I looked through my photos I'd already printed and decided on day 6 to enter a photo. There were about 40 photos entered and the residents voted on their favorite photos, with the top winners being choosen for the calendar.

This is the photo I entered. Its taken in our front yard at 5:30 in the morning just when the sun was rising, back in 2005. It's one of my favorites. I call it "A New Day".

After seeing the other photos entered, I decided that Rick could also enter a photo. This is the one entered with his name.

Its the state flower of Arizona, the saguaro cactus. Both photos were choosen for the calendar.

Part of the landscape

After 2 weeks in this beautiful (just a little crowded) desert, we are starting to feel a part of the landscape.

Quartzsite Sunset

Arizona has some of the best sunsets!

First day of Quartzsite Big Tent Event

We drove the 2 miles from our QZ camp to experience the first day of the Big Tent Event. We hadn't planned to go on the first day, wanting to avoid the big crowds, but our friends were leaving early and it would be the best day for them to see it all. So we got up early and drove down the road. And we were very surprised to not find the same large crowds as last year. We were directed to park around the back of the tent and had only a very short walk to the entrance. We saw all the vendors inside and outside the tent in a couple hours. It seems like the tent is a lot smaller than last year, with not as many vendors. The crowds were there as we remembered though.

The second day of the RV Show found us once again making the same trip with some other friends who were only going to be around for a day or so. We were happy to drive them to the tent on Sunday morning, especially when we found hardly any cars in the main parking lot at 9 AM! We parked right at the main entrance and walked the inside and out once again. I even found a cheese grator that I wanted to buy. Hand-powered for times when I don't have electricity, like now. We looked at a few of the new and used motorhomes for sale, just for kicks because our friends wanted to look. They'd like to trade up someday, but we're very happy with our 2008 Cayman. The crowds were very light, almost non-existent, which made for easy walking.

The rest of Sunday afternoon was spent in our coach with friends watching the Arizona Cardinals win their football game and then the Steelers win their game. I guess our motorhome might have been the only one with the game on. Whenever there was loud cheering and yelling everyone could tell we'd made a touchdown. We enjoyed some snacks during the game and topped the day off with a huge potluck.

Like spokes of a wheel

There are about a dozen motorhomes gathered around our little campsite. The 'Drifters' were the first to stake out our domain, and then we arrived along with a couple others, and it seems the coaches haven't quit arriving. Some are only staying a couple days, others may stay a couple weeks. As some leave, others are pulling in to take their place.

It is very beneficial to be camping with others who also have Monaco Coaches (including Holiday Rambler, Safari, and Beaver) because we're sharing what we've learned about our motorhomes with each other. Rick has gotten a lot of help from Mike to make modifications that he's been wanting to tackle. I think on the first day Mike moved and turned our sewer macerator which we've never used. Now that it's easier to get to, we will! Rick is also going to re-arrange all the switches near the front door so they make more sense to us. Rick helped another guy install their new interior sun shades. With everyone around for a few days, any questions that someone might have will be easily answered by others who have completed the same task.

Tyson Wells before the Big Tent Event

The day before the Quartzsite Big Tent Event, the biggest RV Swap Meet in the southwest, we walked around the area across the street known as Tyson Wells. I believe this swap meet area is open long before the Big Tent Event and stays active long after the Tent folds. In this swap meet you can find all the things you didn't know you needed, and then some. Rick bought some sanding disks for his wood working, a knock-off car duster that we "thought" was a good deal, and a 'Y' hose connection that really was a good deal. There are rows and rows of booths, many selling beads and rocks. There were a lot of typical swap meet stuff, some unique to Quartzsite, and some that you will find anywhere. In the "food court" my favorite is the roasted corn on the cob that is soooo fresh and only $3.

Last year we shopped Tyson Wells during the Tent Sale and there were hundreds, maybe thousands, of people, shoulder to shoulder. Maybe it's because we are here a day before the big sale, but there were not many shoppers this year. I'm sure we'll go back again over the next few days and I hope to see more shoppers.

Landscaping - Quartzsite style

Some of the campers here in the desert of Quartzsite arrange rock borders around their camping domains to stake out their territory. I think there is a rule that you're supposed to not be closer than 15 feet to the next camper, and the rock borders clarify the boundries. Some look like yards, with their campfire rings, chairs, and patio areas.

This is a picture of some of our guys moving rocks around to mark our territory and create our firepit and evening seating area. Thanks to Mike, Tom, Rick and Tim for organizing our landscape rocks and to 14 year old Luke for digging our firepit. This evening we had happy hour and good conversation while watching the sunset. Tomorrow night we'll have a roaring fire to sit around and enjoy happy hour. Feels more like home now.

Quick stop in Quartzsite

On our way back from our last trip to CA we made a very quick stop at Quartzsite, THE most popular place in the USA for RVers. Especially popular with RVers who love to boondock. In the winter of course, not the summer.

We spent a little time in Quartzsite last January and plan to do the same this January. The weather was a comfy 80 degrees, blue skies, and not too many RVs yet. If we had the motorhome with us we would have stayed a few days.

The weather has turned cold and rainy this week so I'm sure the generators are running to keep warm.

Ever wonder? What's Pickleball?

We describe pickleball as half way between tennis and ping pong. A combination of the two games. And it's a very social game with conversation and laughter. At least at the level we're playing. I've heard the more experienced players are competitive and take their game very seriously.

Pickleball is played on a court about half the size of a tennis court, with a net, with 2 or 4 players using hard paddles and a 3" hard plastic ball with holes. Like a whiffle ball. When you hit the ball it sounds like a bink, or a dink, or a plink. (Glad I don't live next to the courts.) The object of the game is to successfully hit the ball over the net without it being successfully returned by the opponents.

Hey! One thing pickleball and flyfishing have in common is that my pickleball paddle and my fly rod are both made of graphite! That's the only thing in common. And I like them both.

We've wanted to play pickleball for years. We knew we would like it, having played a little tennis, some racketball, a little badminton, and lots of ping pong. After all, a racket sport is a racket sport. Right?

We have about 10 pickleball courts here in our community, along with a number of tennis courts. And lots of other activities like shuffleboard, horseshoes, and bocce ball. By far pickleball is the most popular. Players start to arrive at the courts at 7:30 AM for round robin play and continue to use the courts throughout the day and into the evening. There are lessons on Mondays, ladies only lessons and play on Thursday afternoon, and couples sign-up each day. We can easily play game after game from 7:30 to noon, but they say come January it will be difficult to find an empty court. Reserving a court in advance will ensure you get on for an hour or so. Our high season here in Arizona is January through March so we are taking advantage of the uncrowded courts now. At least Rick is. I'm still benched with a torn muscle for another week or so.

We have a fun, active pickleball club here also. They party, potluck, and get together more than most other clubs. A few club members just returned from a road trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Maybe next year we'll take our motorhome and join them.

Something I've wondered, "Where did Pickleball get it's name?" I just found an explanation on the USAPA.org website that says the game's creator had a dog named Pickles that would steal the ball when they played so they named the game Pickleball. The game was created in the summer of 1965 by a couple of dads in Washington state as a means to entertain their bored children.

There's a national organization for pickleball and information can be found at USAPA.org. There's a short video that will give you a great look at a few games actually being played. People of all ages can play, but it can be a fast game requiring quick reflexes. We were warned that playing pickleball can be addictive. Yep, it is. I used to say that going fishing was the only activity that would get me out of bed on a cold, early morning. Now I have to add playing pickleball as a second reason to set the alarm clock.

More on our Bobcat visitor

I'm still amazed about the visiting bobcat. What astonishes me is that these bobcats are hanging around this community with so many people. In such an inhabited place.

Years ago, 23 years ago, when this and the surrounding communities were being built, we displaced snakes, hawks, and many others animals. It used to be fairly common to see raccoons while on an evening walk or to have skunks saunter through the patio at happy hour. Numerous snakes had to be removed from yards. The roadrunners became almost tame taking raw meat from the neighbors. I remember realizing when the hawks were becoming scarce. The golf course lakes and green grassy areas must be attracting more and more animals back into our fenced community.

The rabbits came back to eat the pansies and petunias we plant. Some people put out bird seed to attract the quail. The rabbits and quail attract coyotes, and now, bobcats. I'm happy the original inhabitants are making their way back into the neighborhood.

It's a Zoo in our Backyard

In our small desert RV community it's common to see coyotes, roadrunners, quail, rabbits, and even a javelina once in a great while.







When we returned home a couple weeks ago we were told bobcats had set up residency in our park. Bobcats! How cool is that?!?! Cool, unless you have a small dog or cat I guess. Anyway, some people have snapped photos of the bobcats, seeing 3 together at one time. Ever since we've been home, and we learned they were here, I've wanted to see one something terrible! Everyday I've said to Rick "Wish I could see the bobcats."

Some of the residents of our park have complained that there are too many rabbits and they eat the flowers they plant. And the shrubs. And the cactus. The rabbits eat almost everything. Well, the resort personnel have asked the residents to not bother the coyotes or bobcats because they are starting to get the rabbit population under control. That's one way to deal with the cute pests!

This evening Rick's parents were having dinner at our place and Rick's dad says "Hey, there's a bobcat out front." What!! I couldn't believe it! I only caught a quick glimpse of it, but I was hoping for more. I saw it come into our front yard, heading for the backyard and I ran to get my camera. I got a quick shot of it passing through our side yard and I ran to the bedroom. Rick and his parents went into the living room to watch it. The bobcat was right below the bedroom window! Standing right below me! I could tell it was getting ready to jump the 6' wall and I snapped another quick shot as it lept to the top of the wall. I thought it was going over, but it was my luck that it sat on the wall for a minute and I was able to get a few more shots. I was about 4 feet from it, inside the house.

As I watched in amazement I kept thinking, "What a beautiful wild animal!" The bobcat sat on the wall, surveying the yards on the other side, looking for movement in the bushes perhaps. I like to think that it knew I was inside, watching, fascinated, marveling, getting the photos I wanted so badly, before it jumped over and trotted after it's rabbit dinner.