Glamping Days

 ...aka Quartzsite Fiberglass RV Gathering was originally a "Rally", which is a more organized event. When the organizers decided to step back, it became a "Gathering", where folks just get together. However, someone started an FaceBook page for the event, & individuals organize activities & post them there, but there isn't any central organization or registration. But, old habits die hard, & folks mostly refer to it as a rally. Quartzsite is the nearby town & general area, & Dome Rock is the specific site where we meet. So, it's called either a rally or a gathering & either Dome Rock or Quartzsite.  Today's main event was a swap meet, where folks bring things to give away or sell. Also, one guy arranges to have 2 lithium batteries donated to give away - a very popular item. The musicians will meet at 4:00, & I'll meet a couple of friends for pizza for dinner before the evening campfire. It's a tough life keeping such ...

This morning, a group got together to do rock painting, but I went to talk to a friend about Alaska. This afternoon, I went to town with another friend to get water, firewood, & ice cream; the town of Quratzsite is only 4+ miles away. After posting this, I'll wander down to help some friends burn up that firewood we bought.  Since a rally is about trailers, here are a few pics of them.  the main group of the rally these 3 are Olivers, a top brand gotta have a fun name A major rally pastime is talking about trailer modifications. This guy's solar panels sit flat for travel, like everyone else's, but he's made them so that they can be tipped up to catch more of the low winter sun rays; this way, they will easily power up 3 Li batteries whereas my flat ones will just power up 2.  

The only scheduled event today was a discussion on how to RV to Alaska. A friend here who is going this summer had requested that someone lead such a discussion, & when nobody else volunteered, I did. We ask for anyone who had been or was wanting to go to come to exchange ideas. It was a lively discussion that those wanting to go seemed to appreciate. Someone did come by & take a picture of the group, & I'll try to get that pic to share tomorrow.  In the meantime, here are a couple of interesting saguaros growing nearby.  Last night was topped off with a campfire, & I'm anticipating one this evening as well. 

Today was a typical rally day. We early birds watched others arrive & greeted arriving friends. We picked up our name tags as we walked around the area.  Due to the rains this winter, there are more flowers than usual. 

The rally really runs Thursday-Monday with the pre-rally beginning on Tuesday. However, folks come & go as they please with a few folks arriving weeks in advance or staying weeks afterward. I took this last day before the official start of things to go to town to do laundry, get gas, pick up a few groceries, & get some firewood to contribute to the group.  Quartzsite is a fun & quirky place. These places pass for shops, but you can find just about anything you might need over the winter here. 

One of the things I enjoy most about travel is the little things one sees along the way. This unusual load on the back of a tractor-trailer was in a truck stop.   Back at Dome Rock, a lovely sunset was in progress. The rays of the setting sun caught the mountains to the east before the very last rays of the sun caught the clouds to the west. With a number of number of rally friends having arrived during the last 2 days, it felt like coming home.