Category Archives: Quartzsite AZ

The Scenic Road RV Park, Quartzsite Az

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JAN 15 to FEB15, 2024

GREAT VIEW OF SCENIC ROAD RV PARK WHICH I LOVE. ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS THIS SPACIOUS

As a full-time motorhome dweller, who is always on the move as a snowbird the first week of October prior to the arrival of winter in South Dakota, I usually head to and homestead at desert areas in Arizona. However, if temperatures in these areas get too chilly causing me to constantly refill potable propane tanks or my tow-vehicle need repairs, I tend to move inland to Quartzsite AZ to found available full-service hook-up at Quail Run RV Park, my emergency go-to hang-out place, until I can hit the road again.

After leaving Georgia on January 8th, I found myself dodging tornado warnings, dealing with rainstorms, sleet, dropping temperatures, frozen tanks, including frozen water in my toilet bowl during my return drive to Quartzsite. Because I had run out of propane and could not find a refill place on or near my travel route; I knew I had potential frozen tank problems. Upon arrival in Quartzsite on January 15, 2024. I drove straight to Quail Run my emergency go-to hang-out place and found it filled with travelers. Upon stopping at Quail Run Propane Station to refill my outside tank and three potable tanks I was greeted by Jim, who usually do propane refills.

Now where are you headed he asked? I just returned from Georgia; I have a frozen tank problem. So, I called your check-in office to see if there was a place I could hookup until I thaw out and can get repair service but was told the park was full. So, I will homestead at Hi Jolly until I can found a park with full-hookup, I replied. Hang on let me call the other Jim next door. After a brief conversation with Jim next door at The Scenic Road RV Park; my Jim at Quail Run said, “Go next door, Jim has a place for you, he said.”

Upon my arrival at The Scenic Road RV Park, I was greeted by Jim; a friendly, smiling, professional park manager, who knew how to solve problems. I told Jim about my travel experience, as well as my potential frozen tank problems. No worries, I’ve got a few places I can put you for a while. Also, we have our own RV Service Repairman here; his name is Jefferey. This is his card. Just call him, he will come, Jim said.

Once I was settled into a full-hook up space where I planned to stay for a month. The next morning while rearranging my sewage pipe, I noticed water leaking from my Always Hot Water System door. When I opened the door, I was hit by a flood of water. I rushed inside and called Jefferey, who immediately arrived at my motorhome and discovered my Always Hot Water System had split in half causing the flood of water. Like Jim, I found Jefferey to be friendly, professional, ready to tackle and repair any problem. Immediately after taking pictures of my system, Jefferey ordered the new replacement which was installed three days after his visit.

Desert Wash Behind Motorhome

The only thing that made me a little nervous during my stay at this park was the deep desert wash that ran from the east to the west behind my motorhome. Because my dog is a 75-pound rambunctious one-year old who recently discovered chasing rabbits is fun. I kept picturing him in the wash which was too deep for me to get him out since I can’t lift him above my waist; Therefore, I never attached him to his cable line or setout chairs for either of us to enjoy our patio space. Instead, we stayed inside only going outside when I walked him on his leash to potty.

If you are not familiar with the term Desert Wash like me, a former city dweller who still considers a desert wash to be a ditch. Anyway, Desert Washes are naturally formed at the tallest areas (called a watershed) in deserts by rain following a pathway of least resistance; eroding rocks and moving soil to create channels for water to easily flow to lower desert areas which are known as Desert Washes and provides drinking water for all animals, safe travel routes, hideouts from predators and homes for a variety of animals. Also, washes function as nature’s incubation chamber enabling the growth of new plants, and watering systems for other plants.

Amenities includes Full-hookups, Club House, Female/Male bathrooms and showers, laundry room, personal patio, and two large trash dumpsters that are regularly emptied. I found permanent residences at the park not to be as friendly as travelers. I find the monthly rate to be in line with other RV Parks.

I will stay at this RV Park again in the future.

Quail Run RV Park, Quartzsite AZ 09Oct to 07Nov 2023.

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NOVEMBER 27, 2023

Love The Open Space

Here recently I seem to spend a lot of time at Quail Run RV Park when it’s spacious like this and snow-bird season has not started. As a result, this park has become my go-to emergency place when I have had problems with my motorhome, Jeep, or when I got tired of refiling, hauling, and re-hooking my three propane tanks to prevent my motorhome tanks from freezing during unexpected cold spares while boondocking in nearby free desert campgrounds. Anyways, I arrived here on October 9th, after having a tire blowout on my jeep which caused unidentified damage under the hood. I dropped my jeep at a nearby service center and came to Quail Run RV Park to wait until my jeep was repaired and I could resume my journey down south.

More often than not, I live in deserts and forests; so dusting furniture, wiping down walls, doors, cleaning windows and floors are a way of life. Therefore, today was a sunny pleasant day. The temperature was 82 and there were no wind issues. Suddenly, my motorhome jerked forward like it had be hit from the rear. “What the hell,” I said as I dashed out the side door of my motorhome to the rear. Upon arrival I was shocked to discover what had happened.

A Cactus Tree, taller than my motorhome seemed to have exploded from the inside striking the driver side corner of my motorhome as it fell to the ground, damaging the water faucet and my water purification system. As well as spraying water everywhere. I returned to my motorhome to report this incident to the office manager, who immediately dispatched two groundskeepers to my area.

What a stinky mess. There is no wind, why did this cactus tree fall? I asked the ground keepers.

No wind. But it’s been in the 90s and up to the 100’s here in Arizona. So, the heat has been boiling the insides of these cactus. We have lost plenty cactus trees here and in the deserts. “I am sad to see them dissolve and die like this,” Fred replied.

Well, we’ll pay to power-wash your motorhome and replace your water purification system. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you, Gerald said. As a result, prior to the power wash and because I was in an assigned space at Quail Run R.V. Park which was not scheduled to terminate until November 7th, in hopes my jeep would be repaired and returned by or before the above termination date. My jeep had been at the repair shop since October 9th and still not repaired. Therefore, I was forced to deal with an awful dead cactus tree smell; birds pecking on the roof of my motorhome, and fungus gnats (like fruit flies) inside my motorhome.

I admit, I don’t know much about cactus trees other then they are slow growing plants; it takes 50 to 75 years before it grows its first arm, and that these trees seem to have a defiant ability to survive fierce winds, heavy rainstorms, and they have long protective Cactus Spines that really hurts if humans or animals brush up against these trees. Further, because I am a full-time motorhome driver, I see Cactus Trees as I journey through Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, and Utah on a regular basis.

Hi Jolly Campground

On November 7th, I moved to Hi Jolly, a 14-day free-stay campground, to continue to wait for my jeep to be repaired. Finally, on November 17th, my jeep was repaired. It was re-hooked for tow on the back of my motorhome. As a result, I left Quartzsite AZ at 11:30am with hopes of not seeing this city for a while.

It took six-days of driving through heavy-rain storms, high winds, and skirting tornados before I reached my Brunswick, Georgia destination on November 22nd, the day before Thanksgiving. This was an awful trip, and I hope to never have another trip like this anytime soon.

Escape to Quartzsite AZ_Feb-23-2023

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Quail Run RV Community Living, Quartzsite Arizona

I am so over dealing with the crazy unusual winter weather in Why AZ where I had been homesteading from October 11, 2022 to  January 9, 2023, at a spot without full-hookup service which I normally do in deserts, canyons and forest areas because my motorhome is fully self-contained with its own exterior generator that runs everything in the house (i.e. air conditional, refrigerator, interior and exterior lights, receptors, televisions, computer equipment, landline phone, convection microwave and grill).

Otherwise, if I cannot run the generator due to gas level. Portable propane tanks will run stovetop, furnace and refrigerator, while my rooftop solar panel provides light and activate one receptor. At these times, my girls-scout explorer training and backup equipment systems are employed until I need to pack up the motorhome and make a trip to nearby dump stations to dump my gray and black tanks; refill exterior water tank, refill truck gas, exterior and portable propane tanks, as well as depose of house trash bags.

I really love my no-mad lifestyle, as well as the ability to move from one place to another whenever I desire. Like now; upon determining due to cold weather in Why AZ I spent $1,695.00 for excessive propane and gas tank refills. I have lived this lifestyle for the last five-years and I have never spent this much money while homesteading anywhere. Not only do my wallet need a break; my body needs one as well from the unhooking, lifting, refilling, carrying and reconnecting portable propane tanks because it has been so cold in Why AZ.

Therefore, I called Quail Run in Quartzsite, AZ to determine if they had any full-hookup sites for rent at their RV Park (i.e., city water, electricity and sewage}. Carol answered the phone and said, I certainly do. Our full-service sites are $355.00 a month. What date do you want to arrive, she asked.

I will arrive on February 1st, I replied.

Okay, I have scheduled your arrival for February 1st. Safe travelers, she said.

Thanks Carol, I will see you soon, I replied.

On February 1st, 2023, I packed up my motorhome, dumped my tanks and attached my jeep in tow mode behind my motorhome and made a 4-hour drive to Quail Run located in Quartzsite AZ, which is usually a 2-hour-51-minute drive from Why AZ. The trip was made longer because of high winds blowing across highways. You can’t do 65-miles an hour, driving a top-heavy motorhome in high winds which is a Lesson I learned while travelling from Iowa to New Mexico. I was doing 65-miles an hour heading south on a baren highway and was hit by an unexpected wind-tunnel crossing the highway which swung my motorhome completely around heading north in the opposite direction and lane.

Thank God I was the only vehicle on the highway at that time. I immediately recognized this could have been a disaster for me and other drivers on the highway. As a result, I am always attentive to the bowing of trees or tall grass on the sides of highways, as well as the slightest shift or sway of my vehicle and that of 18-wheelers. I have no problems traveling in the slow land and dropping my speed in a safe manner.

Gravel Tow Vehicle Unhitch Area and RV Community

I pulled into Quail Runs’ entrance behind other motorhomes. A man with a clipboard checked us in and directing us with tow vehicles to pull onto a dirt lot to unhook these vehicles and wait for an escort to lead us to our assigned site; help us park into these spaces then return us to the dirt lot to drive our unhitched vehicles to our sites. These guys were friendly, professional and made check-in fun.

Take your time. Once you finish setting up your site you can walk down to that building and finish your check-in process. Hope you enjoy your stay here, Ron my escort said.

The three ladies in the office first names began with a C. So, the joke of the day was, “We see see see you.” They were welcoming, laughed a lot, made you feel like family. They along with grounds workers makes me feel welcome and makes me laugh every day. I am not used to being around some many no-mads or living in crowded areas with lots of people from all walks of life, but it turns out to be fun with a caring environment.

Talk about being busy. Upon final check-in I was provided a February Calendar which showed daily activities for the month which included but not limited to (i.e., Yahtzee, Cribbage, Quirkie, Hand & Foot, Decks of Cards, Taboo, Five Crowns, Mexican Train, Poker, Crafts & Hobbies, Morning Exercise, Block Parties, Bingo, Concealed Carry Class, Painting Class, Pancake Breakfast, etc.).

Further, if you desire you can checkout DVDs, Books, and Puzzles from Clubhouse to enjoy in your own environment. Trash pickup from curb at 10am & 4pm. Morning coffee daily at 6am in Clubhouse. Come wake up and chat with other early risers and walking club. Nope, never done this… Just too early. However, if you are looking for a friendly place to call home; away from your cold winter residence with lots of activities and/or new things to do, as well as make need friends I recommend Quail Run.  This property contains 168 full-hook-up sites, an area for primitive camping, also restrooms, showers, laundry room, recycling, trash pickup, dog run, clubhouse, and office. This is a spacious RV Park.

Wide Roads
RV Park’s Propane Refill Station

Jolly Holly Campground_Feb-25-2022

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Holly Jolly Sunset

Upon leaving B-10 Campground I stumbled upon Holly Jolly a 14-day free stay BLM designated primitive campground for tent, rv, trailer, fifth wheel and camping van owners which is also located in Quartzsite. Though no utilities (i.e., water, electric or sewage dump stations) are offered to beforementioned users living at the campground.

The Pit Stop, a facility less then 5-minutes away offers freshwater stations for campers to refill his/her water jugs or freshwater tanks. As well as inground stations to personally dump your own waste tanks and have portable or mounted propane tanks refilled by a service provider.

The host was extremely friendly. We talked for the longest time and was joined by a current resident, who was also friendly and confirmed my impression of the host.

There is a lot of land here. You are free to homestead wherever is comfy for you. If you don’t like your chosen spot, you are free to move around until you found a spot that works for you. Also, once your 14-days end. You must pack up and leave this property.

You are allowed to stay 14-days free at another BLM campground located 25 or more miles from this location. Then return to this property for another 14-days after you have stayed at another place for an additional 14-days, the host said.

He gave me a 14-day pass to display in my window which showed my arrival and my scheduled date to exit the campground. I thanked him and drove to a wide-open uninhabited space. A few days later I was joined by a few Canadians who were gracious neighbors and became fast friends.

Dakota Guarding our Home

The Appearance of the Pink Super Moon

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The Pink Moon

For the last two weeks I have heard about the upcoming April 7th appearance of the Pink Moon scheduled to occur at 10pm. But I doubted I would see it since I am usually asleep by 9 or 10pm. I do not know why my sleep schedule changed from 11 or 12midnight to the above times; once I moved from my Maryland community of stick and mortar-built home into a rv and became a full-time traveler. However, I have determined my sleepiness does not come because I am tired from driving 8-hundred miles or more during the day, or because I am bored with my lifestyle. Neither of these appear to be the issue since I love my lifestyle.

Although, I have wondered if my sleep schedule changed because I live in forests and deserts which are tranquil areas during the day and at night, except for sounds from wildlife such as Owls, Mockingbirds, the Spruce, etc. Also, the woods have its own type of darkness. Meaning everything is cloaked by darkness. Even with a flashlight or head lamp your vision is limited.

Meanwhile, the constant chatter about the pink moon piqued my interest. As a result, I was curious to determine if this moon was pink in color. My research of this matter indicates the color of the moon is caused by the scattering of light in the sky that is triggered when there is a lot of dust, smoke, or pollution in the atmosphere.

This might explain the appearance of something white captured by my camera on the left of the moon. I took picture three times with the same results. Also when not looking through my camera lens the moon was white. Both, the pink and white moon was smaller than I expected which was disappointing since I thought this moon would be much larger.