Here we are again...another couple of weeks have gone by and we thought we'd give you an update on what we have been up to here on the Arizona desert.
Monday (Jan. 13) morning we drove to Blythe, California to wash the truck and pick up a few groceries. With the wind and dust, it was likely a lost cause but Steve wanted the truck to look good for a fellow we are meeting at the Blythe Airport.
The Colorado River as we cross into California...
We didn't hear anything further until just after Christmas when he sent an email asking if our truck was still available and if we still had plans to be in Quartzsite in January. Long story short, one of their portable skydiving simulator trailers is stored at the airport in Blythe and he needed it towed to another spot at the airport. We met the owner Peter and John at the trailer...they are getting it ready for a potential sale. They have a little work to do on it before moving it out onto the tarmac and setting it up.
Peter thought our truck would work well as a tow/storage unit for one of their trailers and wanted to get some photos to advertise them as a package to potential buyers.
Peter wanted us to hook up to see if everything lined up okay...we'll return in a couple of days and haul it out for them. It sat a little high on the truck but Peter figures modifications could be made. We unhitched and left them to get on with their repairs...
Wednesday (Jan. 15) we headed back to the Blythe Airport to move the trailer for them. Peter took a ton of pictures...he is going to promote the truck as the perfect portable skydiving simulator hauler and try and sell it as a package. The truck would carry all their flight suits, helmets, goggles, etc.
Looks pretty good, don't you think?
We're not "holding our breath" on the truck being sold through them but it was nice to see and learn about Peter's business and help out a fellow Vancouver Islander. So we will continue to advertise it as much as possible here in Quartzsite. As we were leaving Peter gave us $200 for our time and fuel and would stay in touch. We've since learned that he sold that trailer and has another one under negotiation, so fingers crossed one of his sales works out for us too or we get lucky on our own.
As we were driving back Steve got a message from a lady in Idaho that had previously enquired about the truck. She said she wanted it and would sign over her Duramax to hold it so she could fly down. Ah no! Steve could tell in her message that she was a little confused and naive about importing a deleted vehicle from Canada and suggested that she research what was involved and perhaps contact an Import Broker. We never heard back from her again.
Thursday (Jan. 16) we took the truck to park on Kuehn Street...the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show doesn't start until Saturday but Kuehn Street is buzzing with folks who have come for the show and to check out all of the vendors.
We wandered around for a couple of hours checking out the vendors...
Some clouds had rolled in making for a beautiful sunset. They've been rare this season with the lack of clouds...
Friday (Jan. 17) we did some chores around the trailer. The wind was calm so we were finally able to put up our new sunshade...
Saturday (Jan. 18) morning we were up and out by 8:00 to do laundry at the Main Street Laundromat. It's so busy here now, that the earlier you get out to do this chore, the better!
Later on in the afternoon, we decided to get a little exercise by taking a walk over to Kuehn and checking out the crowds since the Show started today. We won't checkout the tent until later in the week when it's less crowded...
On Sunday (Jan. 19), Steve decided to take his drone up for some pictures/video of the area. That is the 650' long tent where the Show is...along with the surrounding area full of outdoor vendors and where all the RVs have been brought in for display...
A 2:28 minute 360 degree video Steve took of Quartzsite and the LTVA's...
Monday (Jan. 20) was pretty much an inside day...well, at least the afternoon was. Our third windstorm was kicking up dust again.
A short 13 second video...
Tuesday (Jan. 21) morning we packed an overnight bag (just in case) and after purchasing another 2 week permit ($40), we headed south to Yuma, and Los Algodones, MX for Steve's dental appointment.
We paid $10 to park in the huge lot and walked across the border. They have really upgraded the building/border crossing and you now have a security check-point to go through, although they don't check everyone. They just opened my purse, had a look, closed it up and we were on our way. It appears they are trying to make the entrance into Los Algodones more "Welcoming". It was a little confusing at first because instead of walking down towards the Purple Pharmacy, you enter at a street further down. It worked well for us, because it happened to be the street our dentist is on...Bernal Dental Group.
We were right on time for Steve's 12:30 appointment...and after a consult, Dr. Bernal recommended the tooth be extracted and prepared for an implant. We had been hoping that he would just need a crown, but unfortunately when the veneer broke off, it took a good chunk of the tooth, so there really wasn't much left.
So, after the extraction and having an impression made for a "flipper" tooth (just a false tooth on a small plate that hooks onto the teeth on either side), he was done. We have an appointment to return at 9:00 tomorrow morning for the "flipper", so it is a good thing we packed an overnight case. Today's cost was $720 USD for the extraction, bone graft, and flipper. He will need to return for the post in 4 months and then the crown in another 4 month after that. Those last 2 dates will be extended though as it is doubtful we will be back down for at least another 8 months. In the end, the total cost of the implant will be $2670 USD...we just hope our 69 cent Canadian dollar improves before the next appointments.
Steve was unable to eat until the freezing left, but we still went to our favourite spot, El Paraiso, for a drink...
We went to the nearby Quechan Casino Resort and had no problem getting a room for the night. You can boondock here too...
It was about 4:00 by the time Steve's mouth was thawed out enough to eat...so we headed down for a very late lunch/early dinner. Followed by a couple of drinks at the bar before heading back up to the room for the night...
One of the entrances to the "Big Tent"...
Steve's BBQ is always here and in the same spot...
Vendors are also set up all around the outside of the big tent...
We had previously made arrangements to meet up with Bob and Karen at Beer Belly's for lunch. We first met them back in 2012 at the RV Dreams Rally in Oregon and have tried to get together every year we are down south. They are spending the winter in Yuma...as a matter of fact, the last time we saw them was 2 years ago when we spent the month of November with Dave and Leslie in Yuma.
Always great seeing them, as usual...and catching up after 2 years!
Wednesday (Jan.22) morning we both enjoyed long, hot, "full-on" showers before going downstairs for breakfast. We were back in Los Algodones in time for Steve's appointment at 9:00. It only took a few minutes to have the "flipper" tooth fitted.
We wandered around the vendors looking for a new belt for Steve...he finally found what he was after, I also managed to get a new wallet too! Then it was back to the border and into the US...and even a shorter line this time.
After a big stock up at Walmart and Fry's...and lunch at Wheezys Grill and Sportsbar...we headed back up to Quartzsite.
Friday (Jan. 24) it was -2.4C/28F this morning...brrr! It is "show day" for us...we always go closer to the end of the show when crowds usually thin out somewhat. Lots of Motorhomes, Campervans and Fifth-wheels to look through...and lots of salesmen hoping to make a sale!
A look inside the tent...there seemed to be a lot more vendors (and different vendors) than in previous years...
Saturday (Jan. 25) morning at 8:00 Steve took the truck over to Kuehn Street to park it...basically put it on display for the thousands of folks around the vendors. On his walk back he got a picture of these water tanks that are used to refill the water tanks on the RV wash vehicles and to wet down the dusty road...
After lunch, we walked over to the Show again. Steve was happy to see that TST (Truck Systems Technologies) had a booth in the tent. We have 4 faulty tire temp/pressure sensors Steve wanted checked out. As the sales rep was extremely busy he said he'd phone after he gets a chance to check them out. So we went across Kuehn Street to check out (again) the vendors over there.
We didn't think we'd get a seat at Beer Belly's but lucked out finding 2 empty stools at the bar. Beer Belly's is a great "people watching" place...even good music!
Steve took the truck over to Kuehn Street at 8:00 Sunday (Jan. 26) morning again. He's trying to get it as much exposure as possible since this is the last day of the show.
After Steve edited pictures, I worked on this blog update until early afternoon when we walked back over to the show. Steve has been meaning to take the LED light in the range hood over to get a replacement that is brighter. The show ends at 3:00 today, so it was now or never! We managed to find a new light and then did one final walk through the tent...it may be our last one ever!
Both yesterday and today when we walked to the truck, there have been lots of people checking it out. Everyone seems very curious about it and think it's very cool but no serious buyers here yet.
Monday (Jan. 27) we heard rain on the roof as we were getting up...actually, it rained through the night too. It has been a very long time since there has been any measurable rain here, in fact this is the driest winter we've ever experienced here. It wasn't a downpour, which is really needed, but rain nonetheless.
Not a very exciting day today. We had a quiet morning... I continued working on this blog until late morning when it it was time for lunch and then get the trailer ready to take over to the dump station at La Posa South. I remained at our spot while Steve took the trailer over...to wait in line. It's a very busy time during the show and now it's over, folks are heading out. Just over 2 hours later, he returned...hopefully next week it's not so bad as more leave.
