Thursday January 25: I put the files for the Quartzfest photo contest on a flash drive, and Clifford and I drop them off at the Event Center on our way to Quartzsite for errands. Just the usual errands, except that we also go to La Mesa RV and look at trailers there. It is an info-gathering stop. They do not have much of a selection in the size that would work for us, but it was fun to look.
Looking at trailers at La Mesa RV
We are in a thinking mode about how we might make a better arrangement for Clifford’s research while we are on the road. He does a lot as it is, but a dedicated space would be an improvement.
Friday January 26:
This morning after tea with Rollie, we walk down to the Welcome Center to vote on the photos in the photo contest. I see that I have two photos in the Nature category and one in the Technical category that have made it to the finals and are posted on the bulletin board.
Rollie and Ninja
Today I work on agent letters and prepare another page of edits for Ang’s “Dragons of Va’Ha’Den” fantasy series. My son Fin sends a short video, via FB messenger, of himself, his wife Mandy, and baby Mollie. So great to see them! It would be wonderful if they could come to the States for a visit.
We have stir-fry and rice for dinner and while we eat, Rollie tells us stories about his time in Kentucky and in the army. So much of his life I am unfamiliar with. It is good that we are getting to know each other a bit more as we travel together here.
Saturday January 27: Thirty-four degrees and a chilly wind this morning when I walk down to the Welcome Center to get catalogs and look at the swap meet. Later we all go down for the Closing Ceremony. Lots of items are given away during the drawings. The most fun is the photo contest results: I take first place in Nature, first place in Technical, and the Grand Prize, overall. I am quite pleased!
First place – TechnicalFirst place – Nature and overall Grand Prize
Before the Closing is finished, we get word that Cousin Bill and his wife Sally are on their way to camp with us again and will be here shortly. Rollie volunteers to get his S10 and lead them in through the maze of RV’s where there was virtually nothing but open desert when they were here before.
This afternoon Amateur Radio Winter Field Day begins, which, although not part of Quartzfest, wraps of the week of concentrated ham radio for Clifford.
Friday January 19: Warm, sunny, and windy. Talked to my daughter Becka in Georgia. It is in the teens there and icy, so school has been canceled most of the week. Cold in Florida, also. As I talk to her, I walk about collecting rocks to make a fire ring.
Today is Clifford’s birthday and I give him an IOU for pizza at Dion’s when we make it to Santa Fe.
Rollie is at the bluegrass festival in Blythe. It is quite windy there, also, but he is enjoying the music.
Saturday January 20: Very windy in the night and we are up at 5:00 a.m. because one of the antenna lines has come loose and is slapping against the side of the camper. We fix it and then go back to bed. By time we get up, the little patio tarp that Clifford put up yesterday has blown down.
It is still windy with the slightest bit of rain – 42 drops, as Rollie would say – as I walk to the Event Center to sign us in for Quartzfest.
42 drops of rain as I walk to the Event Center
Later in the day, in spite of the wind, I do a walkabout for more rocks and take a few photos.
Sunset colors
Sunday January 21: Today’s temperature: 36/60, which is cooler than we’ve seen for awhile and so windy that I don’t even go for a morning walkabout. Plenty of inside things to do: Morse code, journal, cell pics text to kids, edit “Kings and Keepers” for Ang. Clifford and I talk about options for a mobile lab so Clifford can do more with his research while we are on the road. He has been working on the Carnicom Legacy Project, but today he is focused on his ham radio.
In the afternoon, we walk down to the Event Center for Quartzfest Opening Ceremony, a rather chilly walk.
Pretty day in spite of the chilly breeze
Dinner inside this evening, as there will be no eating at a campfire on these windy chilly days.
Monday January 22: Mostly sunny today, but a very chilly breeze. I go for a desert walk at sunrise for my quiet time, glad to get back to the warmth of the camper.
Vibrant sunrise colors
Mid-morning, I walk to the Event Center for the photography class, somewhat similar presentation as last year. Then back to the camper. Clifford is back and forth, also, going to radio/antenna focused presentations.
Text from Rollie. He is on his way to Roadrunner and will be here soon. I walk out to the host station to wait for him, as the huge number of RV’s here for Quartzfest has totally changed the landscape and he might not know where to find us. The hosts are not on duty due to the government shut-down. I sit and knit until Rollie arrives, then guide him through the maze of RV’s.
Maze of Quartzfest RV’s where it was just open desert before
While Rollie gets set up, Clifford and I make a run to Quartzsite for supplies and to pick up mail. Back at camp, Rollie and Ninja come over to have dinner with us.
Tuesday January 23: Blue sky and merely breezy today. A desert walk at sunrise starts my day.
Waiting for the sunriseAnd the sun makes his appearance – the daily miracle that we take for granted
After breakfast, Clifford, Rollie, and I go to the RV show to look at RV’s. There is a very limited number of trailers of a size and weight that will work for us. This show is definitely catering to the BIG RV crowd. We do like one called “Retro” with its well-designed space and lighter weight.
But this is a just-for-fun looking trip for us. Rollie is looking at motorhomes, definitely in the soon-to-purchase mode. We also walk through the Big Tent, which is designed to entice folks into buying something – anything – from jewelry to RV solar systems.
Back at camp, we have a quick lunch and then Rollie and I go to the pre-hootenany gathering. It is too cool in the shade for me and too hot in the sun for the guitar, but still kind of fun. Clifford is attending some presentation, also.
We have an early dinner before heading to Quartzsite for a bluegrass concert by Hardshell Harmony at Quartzsite Improvement Association venue. It is a good concert, but late by time we get home. Off to bed at midnight, feeling a bit run-down. I think the chilly dry wind is disturbing to my vata, was well as staying up too late.
