Arrived in Quartzsite

First off...

Welcome to Bruce H from the MOC

(Montana Owners Club)

Our Newest Follower.

Glad to have you along for the ride.

Yesterday (Monday) was a bit of a frantic day.

I had an overnight package being delivered from work 

and depending on when it would arrive 

would determine if we left Phoenix yesterday - or today.

The package arrived at 10am so we made busy with our final preparations 

for who knows how long out in the desert.

Food Shopping, 

Fill Water, Propane, & Diesel tanks.

Empty waste tanks.

By 1430 we were on the road for the 2.5 hr drive to Quartzsite.

As soon as you crest the final hill coming into the valley you can see an

expansive panorama of little white dots (RV's)

spread out and stretching from horizon to horizon.

Taking the exit into this tiny little desert town you are immediately

aware that this is RV Country.

There are wall to wall - all things RV

for sale... services... you name it.

We snaked our way thru town and took US 95 about 7 miles north

where, as the sun set low on the western horizon,

 we turned onto a smaller road and headed about 3 miles east

to the planned coordinates were we saw the sign for the 

Montana Owners Club marking the spot to turn off the pavement.

By this time we had already seen the gathering collection of Montanas

and knew we had found our home for the next ? days/weeks.

Our arrival to the circle was greeted by the "Wagonmaster" - the volunteer

who has taken the responsibility to organize the event.

We were directed to our place in the growing circle - which was assigned

based upon our having solar panels allowing us  the best utilization

of the sunlight.

A view from the top of the coach looking at the circle.

A yellow rope was laid down from the center of the circle to our spot.

All that was necessary was to drive into the center of the circle and straddle

the Yellow Brick Rope until we were told to stop in precisely the correct

spot to keep the geometrics of the circle intact.

Easy Peasy Japaneesy.

Exiting the truck we were greeted by several of the attendees along with a brisk,

and quite cold north wind.

I set about setting up camp while Kate took the Doods for a short

walk to stretch their little legs.

I erected my yellow Island Packet Flag so that we could find our way home.

In a short while they made several new friends.

Soon it was dark, and under a clear star-filled sky we retreated to the warm confines 

of our desert home for the long cold night ahead.

  In the middle of the night I heard what I thought was some

footsteps in the rocks outside.. I peered out the window into the blackness to

see if someone was messing (stealing) my satellite dish and then heard running

footsteps.  So I leaped out of bed and dressed only in my shorts was out the

door into the ice cold night in pursuit of a thieving phantom who I

expected was running away with my Satellite dish in tow.

The long and short of it is that the wind had died down and what I was hearing

was the slow (and sometimes faster) flapping of my flag that sounded to

my sleep clogged brain as footsteps in the rocks.

Needless to say - getting back to sleep was a challenge now that the

adrenaline had been ratcheted up to combat mode.

There is a large pile of wood in the center of the circle

and since today (Tuesday) is the official start of the Rally, tonight will mark

the start of the nightly campfires, happy hours, and all things social.

This afternoon was the official start of the Rally and at 430p our
wagonmasters welcomed us and gave us the lay of the land.

There will be lots of activities during the next 7 days and ample

opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

After the welcome meeting we headed back to the coach for a quick dinner

before the campfire.

I took the opportunity to try and grab a few sunset shots.

The sun is now down - the campfire is roaring...

Its time to get off of the computer and enjoy the evening.

Till tomorrow.