December 2001
Bill and Linda came from Long Beach on 1st December, sat on beach and watch boat parade and Xmas light switch on round London Bridge. Impressive, pleasant sitting on river side with 100s of people picnicking. Bill took us for day out on lake in his boat, to Topock for Sunday lunch. There was a car veterans club there, the cars were highly polished and cared for, though some had been re-built, one or two were originals. On land again, we saw the most amazing sunset, even locals stopped to watch.
On Monday 3rd December we relicensed van, using Peggy's address in Havasu, had to change insurance to Arizona, no problem.
On 5 December received Xmas parcel from Reading. Christmas cake, pudding and goodies from M&S. We put $100 into a bank in Havasu, just as a back up to relicense van etc. if needed.
It was like coming home going into Quartzsite again
We went into Quartzsite, spent first night on noisy corner $10, had meal in cafe behind post office. Met Marty, offered us a place on their lot with 4 other cans, water, elec. $190 for month. Reasonable, and the place needs time to see it.
Unbelievable! December was fairly quiet, but every day another "stall" set up. One gigantic "yard sale" (car boot to us). Anything can be bought or sold, though the emphasis is on rocks and gems. We walked the "street" nearly every day, some days hot others cool, but pleasant Christmas Day, we booked bus trip $5 each to Colorado Belle Laughlin, buffet included. So good we ate too much and went to cinema to "sit it off". Saw Lord of Rings movie.
The December in Quartzsite was eyeopener for us as far as snowbirds go. Some spent 6 months on BLM land (public land) for small price. Can park up in desert, water delivered, as in propane. No electrics, so need generator or solar panels. We could not stay that long in one place, though a type of community builds up. In Quartzsite live music and singer perform regularly. Bingo cards and such clubs have meets, so plenty to do, apart from walk the "stalls".
On 27th December, Bill and Linda called in, stayed near, two days. Also while in Quartzsite we bought Pocketmail. Had seen it back in July, but had not been able to find out about it since. A stall was selling in Quartzsite, with plenty of time to learn about it, and experiment. Have found it perfect for us, being able to pick up and send emails from any phone.