I am not sure what my real expectations were when we finally decided to go to Quartzsite but I think I mostly envisioned a lot of people packed into the desert with huge crowds visiting the exhibits and the big tent. Sharon envisioned lots of down time that might become a little stifling. Well, as it turned out nothing could be farther from the truth!
I was correct about the sea of RV’s packed into the desert and thousands of people crammed into the big tent… However, what I hadn’t envisioned were the tight communities of people who gather in Quartzite for the social side of the RV’ing boondocking lifestyle. People who are nomadic but still in search of “community” find just that here in the Q. From the minute we drove up people such as these greeted us with open arms and made us feel right at home. Remember these are people we have never met before…
The Class-less group of Escapees who began as a class of 2008 fulltimers have evolved into a large gathering of RV’ers who have been on the road since 2008 and others who have been on the road only on a few months. They call themselves the Class-less group since they are composed of so many different classes of fulltimers. This all inclusive group of very friendly folks far exceeded our expectations… truly an oasis in the middle of the desert!
We have gone on hikes with some of our new friends, partaken in fireside chats, enjoyed semi-organized events such as the exquisite margarita night which even included a beautiful “house on wheels” piñata. The evening social time beginning at 4:30 has been a big part of the frivolity that this group represents. I can truly say there are very few, if any, neighborhoods in the cities and towns around the USA and Canada that could rival the friendly atmosphere here in the Q. It has been so refreshing to spend time with like minded people who embrace this lifestyle as we have. Thank you so much Marsha and Paul Weaver for inviting us to this wonderful gathering and it was fun finally meeting the two of you for the first time too..
We urge anyone out there contemplating retirement, whether early or not, to come join the denizens of people wandering around the USA and Canada in an assortment of homes on wheels. Quit your jobs, sell your houses and enjoy exploring this great land of ours. We guarantee that in addition to wonderful sights, you too will meet more friends and interesting folks than ever before in your life…
Take a chance and we cannot wait to welcome you on the Road of Retirement…
NOTE: We leave for Mesa, Arizona today but I am a bit behind in blogging (due to all this fun and adventure) so one more blog is forthcoming on Quartzite and our stay here…
Very nice! And, it was wonderful meeting both of you. It sounds like we'll be meeting again and doing some partying in Mesa. See you then.
ReplyDelete...look forward to it!
DeleteSo, so glad you two decided to join us. We loved meeting you two and look forward to reconnecting in Phoenix.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels. I think Sharon has a new drink of choice....hehehe
So sorry we didn't get to talk yesterday. It was hard to get around to meeting everyone with all the people that showed up. Glad you had a good time in Q!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth! We stopped by Q for two days a couple weeks ago and met so many great people we were wishing we could stay. Next year.......
ReplyDeleteWe got hooked on Quartzsite back in 2006 and find it a very special place, that we thoroughly enjoy.
ReplyDeleteExcellent posting, this full time lifestyle is really like no other, in my own favorite word "AWESOME"
Glad we meet you before and wished we could have been there this year especially.
So happy you came over to Boomerville and we met. Been following your blog and glad to put a face with the photos. Hope we meet again on the road.
ReplyDeleteLooKs like a fun time was had by all. Wish we could have made it, but we were delayed down in Yuma. Hope to be there next year!
ReplyDeleteNina
I so enjoyed meeting you both and chatting with you at the BloggerFest. What I've found in Quartzsite is that you can do exactly what you want - park among friends and be very social, park out a bit and be more "solo." I usually do both, move camp a couple of times while I'm here. There is a spot for every lifestyle here, and that's why I love it during the winter. Safe travels, and I hope to meet up with you again! :)
ReplyDeleteNice to finally meet you folks Saturday afternoon at Blogger-Fest. I had remembered you occasionally commenting on our blog over the years. Hey, who can forget a name like 'Hey Duke'. Maybe we'll meet again for a longer sit down chat next time.
ReplyDeleteYou two are so good at making friends, I can imagine you had a great time. Nice to read about it. I must say however, that I really enjoy the one on one (or whatever) that we enjoyed when we got to meet you. Big groups like that one always seem to make it hard to see everyone and meet everyone and really get a sense of what people are like. Reminds me of family holidays when all my kids are there and I really don't get time to talk with each one. So glad to read about all this, and hopefully I'll get to one eventually, but in the mean time, I have really enjoyed meeting bloggers individually. Nice photos and post!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great time at the Blogger Fest:) It was a few days too early for us:(
ReplyDeleteI second your final statement about retirement!!!
like you, due to all the frivolity, I am WAY behind on my blog posts. Maybe I can catch up tonight.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed our group. We were sure glad you could join us! See you down the road :)