The flies drove us from Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground! I really like it there and would like to go back, perhaps when it’s cooler and the flies aren’t so busy buzzing!
I consider a few destinations and end up choosing strictly by the weather…not too hot, not too cold, and no rain in the 10 day forecast. Of course it could all change, but I do the best I can.
Q. Quartzsite. That’s where it all goes down for RVer’s in January and February. Nothing much going down here now, except my tire. More about that in a minute.
It’s relatively quiet in Q now. When I was an L&D nurse we never used the “Q” word while working. If someone came along and said, ‘gee, it’s quiet tonight’, it was a sure sign it was all going to hell in a hand basket any second. I assume that is still the case. It’s fun to say ‘quiet’ now. ‘Quiet. QUIET!’ Ha! All is Quiet in Quartzsite.
About the tire. It’s the curb side tire on WS that seems to have a slow leak, though not as slow as it used to be. There was nothing wrong with my old tires…except that they were old. Five years is as old as a trailer tire should ever get. Or so they say. So in July I got new tires…trying to be safe and all…and ever since, something hasn’t been right. I’m so glad I have my little “Slime” tire inflater, I have used it a number of times. Tomorrow morning WS is taking a little trip down the road to American Custom Tire And Wheel, here in Q, to see if they can figure out what’s wrong. Providing that gets repaired, we are going to boondock again.We’ve been in A Scenic Road RV Park for 4 nights, at $25 a night with Good Sam discount. During that time I’ve done laundry, washed the dogs at their dog wash, worked on my upcoming Thanksgiving dinner while I have electricity, went to Parker and got groceries (35 mile drive), and in the morning I’ll take on some water and dump before I leave. The other thing I’ve done is explore the area….meaning all the BLM camping areas around Q. There are 9…10 if you count Kofa.
North of town:
Hi Jolly
Plomosa
These two areas are regular BLM land where you can camp for 2 weeks, no charge.
South of town:
La Posa North
La Posa South
La Posa West
Tyson Wash
Road Runner
The first four are BLM Long Term Visitor Area’s…LTVA. These you pay to stay at, either $40 for two weeks or $180 for the whole season. Road Runner is free with a 2 week limit.
Farther north is the Kofa Wildlife Refuge with free camping. It’s maybe 12 miles out of town and then down a very bumpy dirt road for another 6 miles. There you come to the Crystal Hill Dispersed Camping area. It’s beautiful there, if you don’t mind the road, and then LOTS of Cholla cactus.
They are very pretty in the sunlight, but those little balls come off and the stickers are just terrible. They attach themselves to anything and everything, and it’s mostly dogs feet that I worry about. In this picture you can also see the rocky ground, which I’ll talk more about in a bit.
As you can see, the Cholla are all over the place. Like this blog tonight. Now back to east and west of town…
East is Scaddan Wash, where we’ve stayed before. Last January we stayed there with Shirley and Doug for about a week while it was a crazy, busy place, and then I came back alone in March for a few days and there were about 4 RV’s where there had been about 1000. or 500. I don’t know. Lots.
West of town is Dome Rock Campground. Both these are BLM, 2 week limit, free camping.
Kofa was interesting, except for the Cholla and the 6 miles of major bumpy road to get there. I only saw one person camped there, though I saw a line of ORV’s kicking up a huge plume of dust, and that was discouraging.
So where am I going tomorrow? Not sure. 🙂 I am leaning towards La Posa West, where there was a nice area along the wash that I liked.
One thing I checked at all the areas, and that was my AT&T cell signal. I had very decent signals at all the places except Kofa, where there were 1 or two bars. With my Joel Pole, that would be increased.
Change of subject. This post feels very discombobulated.
Arizona ground is covered with rocks. You can see what it’s like in the pictures above. Some areas are worse than others, and of course there are many sharp and picky stickers as well. I worry about Joy and Shiloh’s feet. So I bought these boots:
Nina of “Wheelingit” bought them for her dog and recommended them. I only bought one set because I didn’t know if either of these fur kids would wear them. As it turns out, the size Large that I bought only fits Joy. Shiloh will need an XL.
I managed to get them on Joy, and she looked at me like I had finally lost it. And poor thing, each step she takes, she lifts her feet way up high, and still she trips sometimes. It’s going to take lots of getting used to for this 12 year old girl who never wore boots before in her life.
Wandering Spirit 
a girl who doesn’t like new shoes – well, I never! 🙂
Laura
Well would YOU like those particular shoes?😀
I thought of you today when I heard about this on the radio! https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2015/05/21/all-new-pro-trailer-backup-assist-for-2016-ford-f-150-makes-back.html
I’m enjoying the read, no matter if its disjointed, it’s always fun. I had to laugh at Joy’s expression, that says it all.
Happy Thanksgiving 🏜
Hi Maureen. Oh my gosh. My first thought is, can they put it on a 2012. 😊But my second thought is, would even THAT help me? 😂. Seems you have to turn some knob…
I figure, 2-3 more years, I’ll have it down!
The red & black shoes may not be Joy’s style. Did they come in mauve?
I didn’t find your post discombobulated. (I just love that word.)
Hi Marian, no they didn’t come in Mauve. Can’t remember if they came in any other color…maybe plain black. I would probably get those for Shiloh so I could tell the sizes apart at a glance.
Yes, I like that discombobulated word too. 😀
thanks for the info on q, mickey, i’m headed there mid january with a solo female casita owner, another retired RN,from south texas. will try to stay for the casita rally in feb, haven’t ever boondocked for that long and in the desert, too, so this will be interesting.
i have a black pair of boots that i put on merlin when it’s raining out, to keep most of the mud out of the trailer. he looks/acts just like joy for awhile, walks really exaggerated steps,. til we start socializing along the way, then he seems to forget them. good to know about the rocks at q, i’ll plan to put them on his feet before his walks. claire and merlin, excellent schnoodle
Thanks for giving me hope for the boots Clair. I’m glad you have boots for Merlin, for when you are here.
Keep in mind that in the free boondocking areas you can stay 2 weeks, then you have to move at least 25 miles away. I think that problem can be solved by then going to a BLM area that has a fee. I think you have to stay away 28 days, then you can come back to the free ones. Dome Rock is free, so plan accordingly. IF I have the courage to come back here with the crowds, I may show up at the Casita rally too.
Thanks Micky for the info on Q.
John has sold his tax business (except for you and a bunch of Kennedy’s!) and is already easing into the next stage of life! We will be around for tax season next year but only as needed.
Love the classy ‘shoes’!
Oh Patty, tell John thank you for keeping me. I will definetly be asking for his help again this/next year. But, I’m so glad he decided to sell and soon you guys will be free! Yay!
I don’t think Joy has much joy in having those boots. I wonder what style the coyotes in that area wear?
Hi Ed! Coyotes have lived on these rocks since birth. Their foot pads are probably as tough as rocks themselves. Joy and Shiloh, on the other hand, have walked on carpet and slept in soft beds all their lives. Their feet are pretty tough and they have not bled, but I can see that they are tender sometimes.
Love discombobulated!!!
Have fun in Q. VERY jealous of your weather right now. I shoveled snow for the first time this weekend and scraped my windshield before leaving to battle the dragons of commerce this morning. I’m so ready to be done with this.
We bought a set of boots like that for our dog Dexter. She fought the whole time we put them on, took two steps……………….than flopped on her back with her legs straight up towards the sky and stayed like that without moving for over 5 minutes.
We took pictures……………..than we took them back.
Hi Rick,
You painted a hilarious picture! I can just see it and I’m surprised Joy has been as cooperative as she is. 🙂
Oh dear, well,I’m NOT jealous of your weather. Been there (well, Michigan at least), done that.
Hang in there Rick. One day at a time and this winter will soon be over. I guess that’s a liiiittle bit too optimistic at this point….if my memory serves me. But it just means you will enjoy your upcoming freedom all the more!
We were also in Quartzsite a couple years ago in February or March. We enjoyed it. The dogs here always wear booties once it gets cold. Here, they have to wear them if they go outside or they’d get frostbitten paws in just a few minutes. They all walk funny at first. I so enjoy reading your blog, dear friend! Did you get in touch with our classmate? Just curious.
Hi Carmen, I do remember visiting you in November and the high usually being in the minus mid 30’s. The last day I was there it warmed up to minus 15. Yes, I’m glad dogs wear boots there in North Pole!
I was thinking Joe would friend me on FB but he hasn’t so no, I haven’t been in touch.