More than meets the eye

That's Quartzsite. A whole in the desert where people have been coming for years to what is called a swap meet. It was originally where rock hounds would come to sell their rocks of many types, color and value. To trade for equipment to dig for more rocks. Some of those rocks were gold. Today the trade and sales still go on but the rock hounds have moved on to another area.



The swap meet has remained but the traders are different now. There are buyers who look for bargains at the countries largest flea market. They come to buy, to look, to camp and many just to travel through. Most dry camp on BLM land. Naturally, in the desert. Still there are many who stay at motorhome parks within the area. The place is loaded with travelers. Mostly from west of the Mississippi in the northern reaches of the country and Canada. Snowbirds.



The traffic is terrific. It jams the approaches to Kuehn Rd and US 95. The big draw being the Kenny King RV Show, The hobby, craft and gem show and the rock & roll classic car show. But all that is only a little of what Quartzsite is about and I only know a smidgen of it.



This is considered the valley. When it rains in the mountains that surround us you could find yourself in a world of trouble if you are camping in or near the many washes they have around here. One being in what we joke as Lake Quartzsite. There ain't no lake in Quartzsite. Only a parking lot that was built by the owners of Rice Ranch. We've seen it fill with water once and are waiting for the rains to repeat the event. Much of the dirt they dug out of that site they used to build up the vendor and motorhome sites they now use. That's where we are participating as vendors.



As more people arrived on BLM land the coyotes have moved futher up into the hills. That makes the little dogs that many of the people have here a lot safer. You don't leave your mini-dogs out at night. And while speaking of dogs it just amazes me how many people have these dogs who have become their new babies. And how much time they must spend cattering to the needs of the animals. I remember when my kids were small we would carry them on back packs so our hands would be free. We never had a carriage and when they started walking we put a leash on them so they wouldn't run away. Those little buggers were always faster than we were. Here I see the same thing for pets. Pets who will never get to the stage of independence that we are so happy to see our kids reach.



There is a sound of Quartzsite that is a regular sound many times a day. The sound of ambulances. When you realize that most motorhomers are over sixty and some even pass that by a decade or two, you also realize that health problems and death are your neighbor. I guess you can say as long as you can hear the sirens you are lucky.



I hate to sound like a bearer of gloom especially since I'm one of those septuagenarians but I have to look at my opinion of the reality of what I see. This lifestyle is one that people have chosen after, for most, many years of labor. We've paid our dues and wish to enjoy our remaining years and see those things that we were unable to see and enjoy during the years of labor. This is what we have worked for.



Now you spend your time hob nobbing with the wealthy and not so wealthy. The got it made and the just making it. Age and health puts all on the same level playing field. And you talk about places you've been and plan to go.You listen to the advice of those that have traveled the roads before you. You laugh a lot about the different experiences you've had. You all enjoy the grandure of this big country. And you help each other as best you can when there is a need.



Quartzsite is going though a change. Over the years it has gone from a two lane road on main street and US 95 to a four lane highway both ways with an extra lane for left turns. It has at least two traffic lights. And there is a button you can push as a pedestrian to allow you to cross the street. I think the person who timed the lights must have just come out of college and was a member of the track team. The light allows you to get to the middle of the street before you become an open target for vehicles. Someone didn't take into account the lack of ability of most pedestrians to even walk must less run across the street. Then when you think of this town being a mecca for only about five months and then it's just another desert town that dosen't have much traffic. Well what do you expect form a college kid with a summer job.



Another change that Quartzsite is going through is the rumor, I call it that because I have no proof, that the town council no longer wants the "trailer trash" in their town. The want to turn it into condiminums and make it a desert oasis. It seems that don't appreciate the monies that the "trailer trash" brings into the town. It's what runs the place for a year. But developers have the ear of the power structure in town and money talks.



I can't see this place being an oasis. The people that live here don't drink the water. They also say Arizona water is a bummer so I can't see why anyone would consider this an oasis. Unless you are selling water. What makes it even worst is it's city water and it taste bad, bad, bad. It's also bad for you with all it salts. We've had to get a reverse osmosis filter for our kitchen faucet. We have a triple filter for the input into the unit and have had to replace a couple of them. I watched the first filter turn from white to brown in two month of Quartzsite water. They usually last for six months. I also notice the collection of salts around the pipes before the water gets into the motorhome. When we leave here we'll give it a good flushing.



Last, but not least, Quartzsite is not as big this year as it was last year and the past few years. There is no million and a half people here this year. The crowds crossing the street aren't really crowds. The only traffic jam I've seen is early morning when people are heading for what is know as the big tent. That heavy traffic last until about noon. We are at Rice Ranch. We've been to Tyson Wells across 95. We've been to the Kenny King big tent. The crowds are not there and about 2:00pm you can walk without any congestion anywhere.



There are people walking around, mostly looking for and buying what I would call junk or needs to subliment what the need or want for their motorhome. Yet there are the large majority of people that walk around just looking. Not purchasing anything. It has become a financial lost for most vendors who depend on Q to make their income for the year. It's like the department stores waiting for xmas buying to put them in the black.



Quartzsite tells the story of the economy and high gas prices and their effect. Less people. Much less spending. Still if one were to come here they would still see more motorhomes than they could imagine. It is still a sight to see, a visit to make. BLM is the place to stay and the desert is the place to explore. It's beautiful. But I really wouldn't want to live here.