25 Jan, 2019;
Quartzite AZ
January into mid-Feb is the Rally time of year for me
Mostly, I don't go to a lot of rallies or get-togethers. When I lived in the PNW, I would go to the Northern Oregon Gatherings (or 'not-organized gathering") that kicked-off and finished up each year's camping season. But, the rest of the time, I traveled alone or camped with my Portland friends.
But, since I started coming to Southern Arizona for the winters, I have enjoyed several rallies - I can only camp in the desert by myself for so long before I want some company.
Women's RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous)
This January I started with the WRTR. I had not attended their rally before - but after walking thru the RTR last year, I knew it would be interesting. RTR typically has a lot of smaller rigs and van conversions. The crowd is more diverse, age-wise, race-wise, and lots of other ways, and I find that very refreshing!
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| So no one gets lost! |
Also, the WRTR was held in some
BLM Land outside Bouse, AZ -not someplace that I had camped before. I was very impressed at how much space there was! Also, the roads weren't bad and the sites were pretty flat. The only downside was the poor-to-non-existent internet. It wasn't great to begin with, but as the estimated 800-1,000 women moved in, the internet ground to a halt!
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| Some great bumper stickers |
The rally was very well organized, with 'street' signs, different neighborhoods (based on affinity groups like health, nature, lgbtq, art, fragrance free, etc) which really kept the campsites spread out and comfortable. There was a special area for tenters and disabled folks (closer to resources and the porta-potties). Flags along 'main street' marked the various areas for workshops and mentoring sessions.
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| Even with a ton of women, it didn't feel crowded |
I was so appalled that no one was doing anything on solar power that I pulled together some notes on my solar installs and did a mentoring session called 'Simple Solar for Everyday People'. It was very well attended and lots of folks asked for my notes (I later emailed the pdf and posted in on the WRTR facebook page.
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| Some gal playing gongs of various descriptions |
I camped with a group of gals with molded fiberglass trailers - we enjoyed a lot of campfires - I had a great time with them!
Then, a few days with the Escapee RV 'Boomers'
A few miles closer to Quartzite on
Plomosa Rd BLM, the Escapee's RV Club had many groups camped out - I could have chosen from my Oregon chapter, the Solo's, or (and this is what I picked) the 'Boomers'. The biggest affinity group within the Escapee's, the Boomers are, I think, among the most active - so there is always a lot to do when camping with them.
The first few days were pretty rainy!.
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| Some folks get stuck; then un-stuck |
But, despite the conditions, everyone gets outside between showers and enjoys the happy hours and various activities.
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| Alice and her Brazilian Parrot |
I loved my campsite here.
Soon, it was time to head over to the RV'ing Women Rally
The Arizona chapter of RV'ing Women has been holding a 4-day rally at the opening of the Big Tent RV show in Quartzite for something like 27 years at the same place:
Roadrunner 14-day BLM !!! It's a great gathering and drew about 150 women this year. We were extra crowded this year, as a big group dedicated to converted Schoolbus' decided to hold a rally in space RV'ing women traditionally use. It was crowded but we made it work. Sort of . . . .the two groups could not have been more different or less compatible. Sometimes, even the desert isn't big enough.
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| The big campfire! |
It was still muddy from the rains. A big motorhome got buried up to the frame here! But, she got pulled out and all was well.
The lunar eclipse came and went
I didn't see the actual eclipse because we were clouded over. So, I had to settle for a great shot of the moon the next night.
Next up will be the Molded Fiberglass Trailer Rally in eary February over on Dome Rock Road - another great 14-day BLM area here in Quartzite.
