Wind Rips Through Quartzsite

We spent a couple weeks last year in Quartzsite. During that time we experienced a humungous storm. All of the folks in our little group hunkered down in their RVs as the winds and rain ravaged the area. Antennas were down, slides were in, 5th wheels were hooked back up to the trucks and smaller units faced into the wind. It was nasty but I sure don't remember it getting as cold then as it has been this time.

After the storm water filled the creeks and low areas. Some spots were difficult getting out of. The good part was that much of the BLM in Quartzsite is rocky. In Yuma it’s sandy. Thank goodness we weren't there then or some of the RVs might have really sunk in and needed a tow to get out.

Wednesday night the winds ripped through the area again. We pulled our antenna down but left our slides out. I know this is winter and other areas of the country are experiencing ice and snow but this is also southern Arizona! It’s not just been cool here. It’s been downright cold! By morning the rain was gone but the wind blew all day long.

Our mission for the day was to visit the little town and all the vendors in it. And, that’s just what we tried to do after checking up on “cousin” and saying so long to “brother”. However, many of the vendors were closed up so we didn't stay out long. The wind was still whipping through the area and not a lot of folks were around. Even the little consignment shop we love to browse through was all buttoned up. We did find K & B Tools open and, of course, made a few little purchases.

We didn’t let the day go by though without rattling a few cages. Actually, we didn’t rattle the cages we jingled them and set up a time to meet for dinner at Palo Verde’s …… again. Lee (IYQ) and Dave (Sailbad) were more than happy to get together for another meal out. I think that’s what RV’ers do best --- eat together. After a day of being homebound due to the chilly wind, it actually gave everyone an excuse to get outside and go some place.

Lee does a lot of whittling. Check out his work. Isn’t it fantastic? He’s definitely a man of many of talents.

Dave brought along his best girlfriend, Millie the mooch. And, of course, we had to say hello to her. As Dave says, she loves people most and is always so happy to see everyone. She was excited to see Terry and loaded him down with lots of kisses.

Friday? Well, we were ready to try the vendors again. The wind had finally died down a little. In it's place was a thin layer of ice on most everything left outside. Yes ... I did say ice!! The wind didn't stay away too long. By mid-morning it was back!

All over the nation people are putting up with terrible weather. Well, except those in south Texas. They've been bragging like crazy but we know their time is coming when we'll be rubbing in the Arizona weather and they'll be suffering too.

I have a cousin on his way to Yuma. They've been fighting strong winds too. Highway 58 across Tehachapi was closed down Wednesday. They sat it out in Bakersfield along with a lot of other RV’ers but at least they were warm and safe in their motorhome. Arrival in "Q" was slated for Friday.

With our Saturday plans changing, we've decided to head to Yuma a day earlier than thought. So, now we'll arrive some time on Saturday ... some time. We don't know exactly when or exactly where but somewhere there.

Luggage Update -- Actually there is no update because Southwest still doesn't have a clue where they lost it. However, I did discover both of my camera battery chargers were also in that bag. That's bad news for someone who likes to take a lot of pictures. I am hoping Best Buy in Yuma has a generic one.

Happy New Year