My first Snowbird season in Quartzsite AZ was amazing. The slow pace desert environment, fresh non-polluted air, country roads, small city streets and highways with little to minimum traffic made trips around town and to nearby towns such as Avondale, Buckeye, Cottonwood, Glendale, Mesa, Parker, Peoria, Surprise, Wickenburg and Yuma tranquil drives due to spectacular mountain terrains.
The thought of me leaving the above-mentioned areas to tackle traffic congestions on my east coast journey back to Maryland to honor previously planned appointments suddenly became an insane commitment. As a result, I drove for 7-days (April 17 to April 23rd) to honor my appointments.
I must mention, this trip was worst then I predicted. For instance, I no longer recognized any highways or streets I travelled while residing in Maryland. There were traffic jams (like parking lots) everywhere. Many roads (highway and city streets) and exits were under construction and/or closed routing traffic via detours. Cars were cutting in front of me; driving a 30-foot mobile home. The same occurred with 18-wheel drivers. Once there, these drivers were stuck like everyone else. At this point, I conclude I didn’t miss Maryland or the east coast at all!
The greatest things about living in the desert are quietness, thousands of acres of uncultivated lands, no rush hour traffic, no streetlights – just total darkness. Neighbors living near you or on the same acreage of land are there because it’s their preferred method to disconnect from financial woes caused by high mortgage notes and rent; utility expenses, credit card debt, high taxes and on-going repairs to homes he/she no longer want or needs. As well as, pay-off debts, save money and live a stress and crime-free lifestyle. Further, if you don’t like your neighbors it’s a lot easier to move to the other side of the desert or to an entirely different state.