2012 RVForum QZ Rally - Arrivals and rally activities

Larry and Mary Ann just arrived at the John Wayne RV Ranch near Maricopa -- nice short drive today. Relaxation time.

We had a great time, and special thanks to the staff who put things together for us and to Terry/Betty and to Frank/Barb for the 4WD excursions. And it was great to meet some new (to us) folks and to see some we'd met before -- thanks to all.

GREAT TIME AGAIN!!

Thanks to everyone who helped make it another fun time in the desert. We had a big bunch of new QZ attendees and I hope we see you all next year.

We gave hugs, waved and wished good travels to those who left today.  Those who are here now have "estate" campsites.....big...wide and expansive.  At 4 PM we had a happy  hour and it was fun to have a smaller group----more intimate.  Giggled, told stories and got to know each other better.  Several of us even had a "open house" and visited a number of each other's motor homes.  It was fun!!!

Since many of those who are still have not seen the pictographs and mortaros, just a short distance from here, we will jaunt over and have a look at 1:00 tomorrow.

So much fun....!

Marsha~

At 4 PM we had a happy  hour

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Photos Marsha? We love to see photos of forumite get-togethers.

Terry and Betty  arrived in Yuma after nearly 1.5 hours of hugs and good byes with  this group.  We had the pleasure to  join  George and Pam,  Frank and Barb and Betty  Jordan at Famous Dave's Bar B que for  a birthday dinner.  We  gave George a sack of golf balls that have  landed in our yard over the years.  He seemed pleased  and was a good enough sport to take the Carrot cake and candle I had packaged up for him.

Fond memories were made again  with our Quartzsite trip. Shame on Chris P for breaking the retirement rule of slow short  travel days!  You shoulda stopped , Nag , Nag, Nag!  Will see  many again in Phoenix in March at Good Sam Rally. Keep on  smiling everyone!
Betty

Ken & Sheila said:

Jim,

Remember the first Ridge ride. Up on the ridge and it looked like the road ended. No place to turn around. The road was there - it just dropped down so sharply you could see it in the car.

ken

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Ken,

That is one trip I will never forget. Pat won't either. She had to get out to guide me over the top so I could see where we were headed! What a great time that was and one which we will never repeat. I still hear Betty's laugh from either fear or fun.

Betty,
Despite living in the retirement age period I had to proof to Mimi that I still safely can control  the Dynasty. So I passed the test and she approved that we would not cancel our Moab trip reservations under the condition that we at least take more than one day to get there She did not like the part of our return trip when we had to drive the single lane part of the Pacheco pass in the dark bumper to bumper. I promised her that we would not drive when it is dark anymore unless there is an emergency reason to do so. We now have to get an agreement what is an emergency.
We had a wonderfull time travelling together with you and Terry and thanks so much for looking after those old seniors and Terry for making Mimi happy to fix our TV reception. I promised Terry to not touch anything what has to do with TV, Satelite, DVD or cable reception anymore.
To morrow off to the doctors.

Thanks so much for your friendship

Chris & Mimi

Bob Buchanan said:

Final Attendee List . . .

HERE is the final list of attendees this year.

If 47 this year, let's shoot for "over 50" next year. 

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Even tho we never got our coach moved over, we were in QZ for a few nites and were at one happy hour. Doesn't that count?  8)

Real sorry we missed so many, would have really liked to have been there for the whole thing.

BernieD said:

Even tho we never got our coach moved over, we were in QZ for a few nites and were at one happy hour. Doesn't that count?  8)

Real sorry we missed so many, would have really liked to have been there for the whole thing.

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Bernie, so sorry, my friend -- of course your name should still be on the final list. I have made the correction.

BTW, I may be in Goodyear later this week. Am having continuing trouble with batteries I purchased from Walmart in NCal. The one in Parker doesn't seem to have a Tire and Automotive section to honor my warranty.

This morning those remaining here in QZ said goodbye to Don and Peg Miller and Linda and Richard Sharp.  There was some talk going around about a Superbowl party somewhere near Phoenix....

Don and Peg were headed home; Linda and Richard were going to Lake Havasu to visit a long time friend of Richards.

Last night at "Happy Hour" someone mentioned that they had not been able to see the Pictographs; so this afternoon at 1 ish, a caravan of us drove the mile or so out to a parking area then hiked in about a 1/2 mile to see the pictographs and the morteros.  Photos are attached.  The first photo is of the Tom, Ray, Gary, Carol, John & Margaret with Tim on the far right walking along the dirt road.  The second photo is Carol, John and Margaret.  The 3rd photo is one of the group: top row:  John, Ray, Henry, Rolf.  Middle row:  Carol, Shirley, Margaret, Gary, Tim.  Bottom row section on right:  Charlie (the dog), Liza, Marie, Tom.  The forth photo is of the morteros.

It was a fun quick walk, and thanks to everyone who didn't mind that we brought Charlie along.  He loved it.

I love the fact that Tim and I stayed and have gotten to know all these wonderful folks a little better.  I enjoy all the big group activities; but I sure treasure the small groups where you really get to know each other.  Tonight at happy hour it just seems that RVing brings folks together.  We told stories, swapped info on camping spots and somehow came up with more happy hour treats.

Tomorrow Tim and I take off for Buckskin Mountain State Park up near Parker.  We've not been there, so this will be new adventure.  Charlie is so dusty from the hikes we've been on, that I think he needs to take a dip in the Colorado River.  After 7 days of boondocking, I might just follow him in.

Marsha~

A few pics at happy hour and later around the fire. Charlie enjoyed this as well . . . 

The last two pics were taken this AM with my Samsung Charge Smart Phone while driving back to the site from McDonald's. Had a nice breakfast with Tom Seiler - and as always, enjoyed our discussion of photography.

Liza -- thank you again for the all the chocolate chip cookies. 

You may have to scroll the sweep pano of Q mountain and points NW.

Well, the group around the campfire is getting much, much smaller.  Several of us are pulling out tomorrow.  But, there will be a few remaining.  Sad to see another Quartzsite end.  Thanks to all who made this year a great success.  Wendy, Betty and Bob to name a few. 

Also a Big Big Thank You!!! to Bill Dane for climbing all the way to the top of "Q" Mountain to get Ray's reading glasses!

See you down the road!
Ray and Liza

We exited the RV Forum QZ secret campground a bit before noon and drove across highway 95 to dump.  We were number 18.  I guess a bunch of folks had the same idea.  Tuesday AM is going to be quick.  Right.  Long story short, we did a U-turn and headed to Parker.  Found a great BLM campground with hookups.  Yup, that's right folks.  A BLM campground with water and electric.  At least is was news to Maria and me.  Still nubees you know.  $30.00 a night and right on the river.  California side but only 10 minutes from Parker.  It's called Empire Landing for those of you who haven't heard of it.  The geezer rate is $22.50.  Not a bad deal for this area.  The attractions are wild burros on the desert side of the campground, river otters on the shores of the Colorado and believe it or not, a baby coyote who plays ball with the local puppies and a baby bobcat that wanders through the camp site around dusk.  Well at least that's what we were told.  And a $.50 shower.  Six minutes of pure pleasure. 

Thanks to all for being such a great easy going, warm and welcoming group.  Happy trails and looking forward to our next RV Forum event. 

Gary and Maria

Tuesday night at the campfire there 16 of the 17 remaining souls. Lou S didn't come out, I hope he is ok. This morning most of us including me left, leaving about 6 left.

I wish to thank Betty and Wendy for doing such a fantastic job helping to put on the events this year. The 4WD trips, Hawaiian night and the pot luck was fantastic. I did look as hard as I could and didn't see any pot being served. The food was great but I never did find out who made the meatloaf.

I want to thank Bob Buchanan for all the work he did coordinating the rally and keep track of the comings and goings of us all. And I wish to thank Bob for taking me into town many times, for the great photo ops and for becoming my friend. I am anxious to go shooting with you again soon, Bob.

I wish to thank Jim and Claire along with Rolf and Shirley for allowing me to tag along on the 4WD journeys.

I wish to thank everyone else who I chatted with for the great company and the wonderful memories. I am anxious about next year's rally.

I drove to Phoenix today and I am now in an RV park. The drive was uneventful. The RV park has a guy in a golf cart that escorts you to your site. That is the first time I have had that experience. In the morning I will get to see the motorhome I am hoping to buy. If I buy it I will be able to put my Allegro up for sale.

I am back to a 4G connection here in Phoenix and it is 18 down and 11 up.

I took my Acer Netbook back to Walmart and exchanged it. It was booting to a black screen several times a day. I replaced it with a Toshiba NB505. 10 inch screen, N455 processor, 320 hard drive and 1 gig of memory. So far it is very impressive.

Hi Tom -

I made a run up to Parker that afternoon - that's why I wasn't at the campfire.

Lou - I am glad you are ok.

Thanks all for the great time at QZ from a couple of QZ newbies. Hope to try it again next year and meet a few more folks. Did get one decent sunset picture.

Water Dog said:

Did get one decent sunset picture.

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You sure did, Water Dog!! I like the texture of the clouds on some evenings. Nice image . . . 

And then there were 8 . . .

We began to run out of wood so began burning Lucy's "long" 2x4's -- didn't have a saw, so I let the fire cut each one in half. Worked well.  When we finally all pull out, the firering area will be clean as we found it. Hopefully, it will look this good when we all arrive next year.

Down to eight hearty souls now, John & Carol, Margaret & Henry, Paul & Ann, Lou -- and myself. Have had nice evenings by the fire. Probably the largest firering in Qz for just 8 campers.

Paul & Ann treated Lou and I to the Spaghetti special at Sweet Darlene's a few nights ago. Great evening!! They finally had to run us out as we were the last ones there and vacuum cleaners began to drown the conversation.

I will probably hang on a few more days - then will head to Bullhead City and Laughlin. Not sure of the others schedule's -- though Lou mentioned leaving on Monday.

A few pics -- the sunsets with my real camera and the ones of the fire and around the fire were with my Samsung Charge smart phone. The sunsets were taken the evening before TomS left to buy his new home on wheels, so it was fun shooting this exceptional evening of the sun setting and comparing notes.

Very nice Bob. That was an awesome sunset. I haven't even looked at mine since I have been so busy.