Tom said:
Looking forward to reading comments/observations from folks who plan to check it out shortly.
We have started gathering notes, Tom. Helaine and Wally are at the site now and Mike and Wendy may arrive Friday. I am at the site just East of downtown -- on the extension of Kuehn past the newer white church. Wally is coming in tomorrow to install my solar panels and according to how long that takes, we may have time to expore the proposed site.
Here are some thoughts so far:
o Coming in from the North, one can still do the Tyson wash to get to the show. I gave up on going to the show years ago until after 2:00PM -- and now just drive down the Old Yuma road and do wash parking adjacent to the big tent. It's then an easy walk to the show.
To get to the same parking from the North, I would "not" go all the way to Kuehn -- but would exit 95 to the West on the street North of the Post Office, or on several others parallel streets. They all end up at Tyson wash. From there drive the wash South and park in that area -- or cross Kuehn and park by the tent. Again, after 2:00, one could get across Kuehn OK.
o As to free parking, would imagine that will mean more RVers would tend to already be in any site we may pick by mid January. As Bernie can also attest, there are always RVers well entrenched when we arrive. Chatting with them in hopes they will either leave, or if they join us, move their rigs in a different direction or whatever is not a fun chore.
o Jerry's point of the conjested overpass is well taken. The right lane is a zoo most all day because Kuehn from 95 West is a parking lot until the Tyson show closes -- 5:00PM. So -- the right lane over the overpass has nowhere to go. However, would imagine the best alternative there would be to take the center lane out to the first ranger station and from there, shoot over to the wash as usual. You can do that without a sticker, I think.
o The Pit Stop: There is a North entrance and a South entrance - and an exit lane in the center. The design leaves much to be desired but it IS set up for entry from either end. Water, Sewer, and Propane stations provide each from either side -- so the South bound lanes fill with water first, then sewer, then Propane. Point is, there are two lanes, one in each direction. Also, I always wait until later in the day, and have never met a line either way. So -- one can enter either from the North or South entrance, from either direction, according to what they want done. The $5.00 fee there for dump and water fill is FAR better than the free dump area -- IMHO.
o The distance thing: That will become a factor for me: I drove out today and measured the distance from the Main/95 intersection to the site entrance. It is exactly 5.7 miles -- plus another 1.5 estimated to a site for us. Figure another 1/2 mile or so to ones destination that trip and we have at least a 15 mile round trip each time we go to town. Trips per day will vary from perhaps one a day, to in my case more like three per day. I like to do breakfast at the bakery or Taco Mio, plus a trip to one of the shows, an then either out to dinner or to a grocery store (I don't buy ahead). But just considering 2 per, that's 450 miles in my two week stay.
o Not sure as yet if it could be considered an alternative as yet, but where I am now has always been my favorite boondocking spot in QZ. I can ride my bike to most anywhere I want to go -- or, do a good walk. Plus, it's also a 14 day freebie. The drawback to some for the space up front is the freeway noise, plus it's worn more so more dust. However, as I drive around this space goes on forever and there are a lot of larger areas. Of course, finding a large area for 40 rigs in free areas after mid January here would be as hard as Polmosa.
o But then, do we need to park as a group. Was thinking today, if we set aside a center point for happy hour and firering, as long as we are all in the same general area that may work as well. Plus, we would meet a lot of other RVers that way that may want to join us. Just a brainstorming thought vs. a suggestion.
o I for sure like the idea of FREE PARKING: Think about this -- as a group, we are ponying up over $1,600 for the QZ rally!! Think of the party Betty could come up with if given less than half that much.
That's all I know so far. I haven't made a decision myself as yet -- but must admit, I do not like being that far from downtown. As a lone RVer, I have never been fond of staying in or around my RV all day and especially all evening. That's a pretty long partly roller coaster drive out there, and my eyes for sure do not like night driving -- plus I can use that gas money for more fun things. If where I am now was an alternative, I would give it a vote in a heartbeat . . .
