Here we are, almost half-way into January...and life continues here in Quartzsite. We haven't done an awful lot but do manage to get out walking, especially since we are waiting for the new radiator for the truck.
Wednesday (Jan. 1) afternoon we decided to walk across the bridge over to the south side of Q and Kuehn Street. It's about a mile...we enjoyed a brew and music at Beer Belly's Adult Day Care. We were also entertained by this fellow who had his parrot with him. It's well trained, when his master lifts his arms it knows to spread it's wings...
Thursday (Jan. 2) morning our walk was a longer one...about 4 miles, all of the way down to the end of Main Street and back. It was very interesting to walk down a street we usually drive down...we noticed so much more!
Hassler's RV Park boasts a 'Mechanical Zoo and 10,000 horseshoes'...
From out of what some people might call junk, Hassler was able to wield together and create palm trees, whales, planes, crosses, fish, cowboys, penny-far-lings and even a few reindeer. It’s said he used over 10,000 horseshoes to make his mechanical zoo. He’s moved on now but his Mechanical Zoo still remains a testament to one man’s tenacity, vision and inspired form of art.
This is called the 'Judge Hagley Site'...I couldn't find much about the Judge other than he was known as the "marrying judge". Here is a link on what I found...The Life and Legacy of George Hagley.
The Camel Stop Auto Repair Shop in Quartzsite used to have a small US Post Office attached. Both are now abandoned and in decay...
And inside there is some really beautiful rock stuff...
Friday (Jan. 3) afternoon we decided to walk down to Best Auto RV and Truck Repair to see if the radiator had arrived. It had...so the truck was booked in for first thing Monday morning. Yay!
After that we walked to Ironwood Outpost on East Main to pick up a parcel...that was enough walking today!
A beautiful sunset tonight...
Saturday (Jan. 4) morning we decided to walk over to the QIA (Quartzsite Improvement Association) and check out the QIA Craft Show and Yard Sale. It is held the first Saturday of each month and draws quite a crowd. Some very talented folks selling their crafts...
Without having the truck, we sure are getting lots of walking done...not much else to do, other than read and knit. Sunday (Jan. 5) we decided to walk over to Beer Belly's to listen to the band, have a brew and people watch (great people watching at our favourite hangout!)
The "big show" starts in a couple of weeks and more vendors are arriving each day...
Monday (Jan. 6) with the truck up at Best Auto RV and Truck Repair having the new radiator installed, we prepared to leave the RV park tomorrow. I did a couple of loads of laundry while Steve vacuumed and took care of some odds and ends.
Just after 3:00 we got a call...the truck is ready. Yay! So we walked the couple of blocks to pick it up...and pay the bill. Ugh...especially with the Canadian dollar being so low right now at 69 cents!!!
We took it for a drive to test it out...and then headed home to fill the trailer with fresh water, along with a couple of other outside pack-up jobs.
Tuesday (Jan. 7) morning we enjoyed our last long "full-on" showers at the park, going to miss those! Then we finished packing up and pulled out just after 9:30. We managed to get the exact same spot at La Posa West LTVA that we had before we went to the RV park, so we were happy with that. It seems to have about the best exposure to the highway since we can't park in the open lot at the entrance anymore.
After getting set up, we drove into Kuehn Street and picked up 2 new outdoor mats (one to take home for the Montana) along with a sunscreen. Unfortunately, the winds have returned to Q...we managed to get the mat down with some help from a neighbour that saw us struggling with it, but it was just too windy to try the sunscreen.
Wednesday (Jan. 8) morning Fred and Terry picked us up and we headed to Parker and the Blue Water Casino where a Tourism Expo is being held. This is the description:
Discover the best of La Paz County at the Tourism Expo! Join us for a day of exploration, where attendees can dive into the rich culture, vibrant history, and natural beauty that make this region unique. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, the Expo offers something for everyone. Meet with representatives from local attractions, hotels, restaurants, and outdoor adventure companies to learn more about what our county has to offer. Enjoy live demonstrations, sample local cuisine, and get insider tips on the hidden gems of La Paz County. This event is your gateway to planning the perfect getaway or enhancing your hometown experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, discover, and celebrate all that La Paz County has to offer!We didn't really know what to expect but we found it interesting and, hey, it was something to do...thanks, Terry and Fred for inviting us to tag along!
After running a few errands and doing a little shopping, we headed back to Quartzsite and a late lunch at the Sunset Grill...it was "Walleye Wednesday". Terry and Fred had raved about it, so it was nice to finally go and try it...they weren't wrong! Delicious!
Well the wind we had experienced the last couple of days was just a prelude to what was coming on Thursday (Jan. 9). It was a chilly start with the temp outside 2C/36F and 6C/43F inside...brrrr!
We managed to get out for a morning walk and Steve was taking care of some odds and ends in the truck when all of a sudden the wind started...with a bam! It was super windy with gusts up to 62km/39 miles/hour. Needless to say, we hunkered down inside for the rest of the day.
Friday (Jan. 10) morning we parked the truck on Kuehn Street at 9:45...we wanted to get it parked early before it got too busy. We left it there for most of the day...as we wandered through the vendors and checked out the RVs on display.
We even met Marilee and Wally at Beer Belly's! They are ATV friends we met in Logan Lake BC a few years ago and they have come south, visiting Q for a few days before continuing on to other southern Arizona spots. We enjoyed a great visit with them...safe travels you two! Enjoy the rest of your winter!
Back at La Posa West, we watched as new visitors arrive...there is quite a variety of RV's here...
Saturday (Jan. 11) is a big day! We are going to the Desert Bar! We really didn't think we would get a chance to go this year but again, Fred and Terry invited us to go with them!
They picked us up just after 10:00 and we were off! Just past Parker, we turned onto Cienega Springs Road...and the start of just over 4 miles of a very rough gravel road.
The Desert Bar is normally open from October to April, Saturdays and Sundays only, from noon to 6:00 p.m....and cash only. It's powered by all those solar panels which also provides shade. The entrance...
A 1:52 minute video...
Steve on top of the hill on the right...
That's the main area with the band, food, and an outside bar...
A great day...thanks again for invited us, Fred and Terry!
And that pretty much brings you up-to-date. Quartzsite is really starting to fill up with the 'big show' only a week away. It's going to get pretty crazy around here!
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