As full-time RVers, Betty & I follow the axiom on our doormat: “Home is where we park it”. Through our travels we have found many kind, friendly folk with whom we have shared stories and life adventures for a matter of minutes, or maybe days, and sometimes months. While even brief encounters can be extremely meaningful and memorable, our longer stays have resulted in lingering friendships, based often on a common love for travel and our shared encounters in that particular location.
One of our first experiences with a sense of neighbourhood – and neighborliness while on the road – came from our stay at Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, Texas. The full-service sites in this county park are fairly close together, and many residents on our “street” near the beach were seasonal campers who had been going to not only the same park, but the same campsite, for 20 years or more. They were able to point to fully-mature palm trees and shrubs that they had planted years ago. Betty & I were warmly welcomed and invited to join in on local activities. It created a most enjoyable experience!
While we had made a two week visit to Quartzsite a couple of years ago, and enjoyed our encounters with fellow travellers at that time, Betty & I had no idea what to expect as we planned an extended stay in the Arizona desert.
There are no assigned parking spots on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land where we are staying, and campers can park as near or as far from others as they choose, although the local rule is not to set up closer than 40 feet from your neighbour, unless you are invited to do so.
We fairly arbitrarily chose a spot in La Posa West Long-Term Visitor Area, although there are thousands of acres of BLM land set aside for short or long-term camping stays. We chose the west side of the main dirt road, as the wind tends to blow from the west, so campers on the near east side receive more dust from passing ATVs and other vehicles. We chose to park near one of the “washes”, as the trees and other vegetation are a little more robust there. And we chose to not park too far from downtown Quartzsite, so we can make easy trips in for groceries and other necessities.
The hand painted sign at the entrance to our “loop”, or cul-de-sac, as they would say in French (lol) identifies it as “Rattlesnake Flat”, although apparently the snakes have remained in hibernation for the duration of our visit so far. That’s fine with us! lol
As mentioned in prior posts, Betty & I have met all of our near-by neighbours, and find we thoroughly enjoy their company. We are living in a very laid-back, impromptu neighbourhood, where there are no raised angry voices, and generally there doesn’t appear to be a care in the world! Everyone seems to go out of their way to be helpful, and to watch out for their neighbours. It’s a very safe place to be. The warm sun shines almost every day, providing enough solar power to keep us going without those pesky hydro bills. The cost of our campsite can’t be beat – $180. for seven months – so it’s possible to live on a very modest budget in this community. There is a lot to do locally (including a quilt guild and a free golf course, as previously noted), so travel further afield is optional. While there are a number of local restaurants, we enjoy preparing meals at our home base, often outside on our trusty Weber bbq.
After dinner, it has become customary to join our neighbours at a communal fire. One neighbour has a large truck that he has regularly loaded with free firewood from Yuma to the south, and Alamo Lake to the northeast.
Those who know me know that I cannot sing, but do know one campfire song: The Mountain Dew song. Well one night I sang a few verses, until Betty told me to stop and another neighbour encouraged me to continue. Following the rule “Happy wife = happy life” I shut up, but prepared a few more verses for the next evening’s fire.
Now known as Kevin’s Quartzsite Fire Choir, in honour of our campfire host, we have the following verses, with hopes of one day making our Grand Ole’ Opry debut. Here is a link to someone else’s version, so you can catch the tune: https://www.countrythangdaily.com/good-old-mountain-dew-2/
The Quartzsite Mountain Dew Song
(Chorus)
Well they call it that good ol' mountain, mountain dew, And them that refuse it are few. I'll shut up my mug if you'll fill up my jug With that good ol' mountain dew!
Well my good friend Kevin Is in a little part of heaven In the Arizona desert known as Q Every night he lights a fire And the only way to get higher Would be drinkin’ that good ol’ mountain dew! (Chorus)
Well then there was Pat She just said “Imagine that We’ve assembled us quite a crazy crew! They’re in Quartzsite for some beer But what they really need is here – It’s a cistern of that good ol’ mountain dew!” (chorus) Well my neighbour Bruce He came lookin’ for the juice He was wondrin’ if it was really true If Kevin lights a fire Is he really gonna get higher By drinkin’ that good ol’ mountain dew? (chorus) Well there’s Cathy & Gary The way they golf it is scary Every shot is another woo hoo! They put the ball on the green On every hole that I’ve seen Because they both had lots of good ol’ mountain dew! (chorus) Well our neighbour Marvin He comes out with dear wife Ardith To discover what’s all that ballyhoo? His neighbours just won’t be quiet Are they getting in a fight Over who drank up that good ol’ mountain dew? (chorus) Well Darlene & Dale Have a life that just won’t fail They're having fun in everything they do Whether going on a cruise Or with Debbie they can’t lose ‘Cause they’re chuggin’ lots of good ol’ mountain dew! (chorus) Well Betty’s sitting by the fire Her eyes sparkle like sapphires Is that love she shares with even me and you? No, it’s just a touch of lust Mixed with all that Quartzsite dust And a hearty dose of good ol’ mountain dew! (chorus) Well Mike & Elaine think this place is insane What’s with all of these crazy yahoos? What brings everyone to Quartzsite? Is it because no one’s uptight? Or ‘cause we’re hankerin’ for more good ol’ mountain dew? (chorus) Well Bob is a dear On his bike there’s no fear His rides around here are more than just a few Is he looking for a drink To whet his whistle don’t you think He’s just on a search for good ol’ mountain dew? (chorus) Well Charlie’s dawg-gone pretty Even though he’s awful dirty He really needs a very good shampoo But the problem here tonight: There’s no water in Quartzsite So we’ll have to wash with good ol’ mountain dew! (chorus) Well then there was Graham It's hard to know what he's sayin' With all that desert sand he's had to chew. We should flush out his system Then we'd all be able to listen With a gallon of that good ol' mountain dew.
Cheers!