Quartzsite

Sunday | 21 January 2007 | Indio, California: Our alarm clock was set to wake us at 6 am and we were showered and out the door by 7 o'clock, on our way to Quartzsite, Arizona, 125 miles east on Interstate 10. We were going to the Largest RV Show in The World.

We wanted to look at all the new models and then walk through the exhibitor tent - featuring over 250 RV-related products. It was a bust. The largest RV show in The World is the Largest RV Flea Market in The World. I was so disappointed - not to mention My Poor Driver who had to fight terrible winds on the road and get out of his warm bed at 6 am to drive me on the World's Biggest Waste of a Day. My parents, who had attended the show several years ago, had warned us it was a junk fest - but something we should experience once. It is estimated over 100,000 people visit the RV Show during the week-long event. Many people dry-camp in government desert land around Quartzsite and others drive to Quartzsite for the day. Traffic is a nightmare. (Parking is free and admission is free.)

Let's make a deal - today

First, we went to see what the RV manufacturers had to offer for 2007. When we asked a sales rep the location of the new models, he replied with "What do you have now?" (I will translate: What do you have to trade-in?) But, that was the response to our inquiry every time today. There was only a sampling of new RV's at the Quartzsite show. This was a RV show for people who wanted to trade their RV up to something bigger/better - not a showcase for the new models.

Lottsa stuff

So we walked through a huge outdoor vendor area - the world's largest collection of stuff for sale surrounding The World's Largest RV Show - and headed over to the Big Top and walked through the huge aisles to see what the official exhibitors had to offer. Yes, there were salsa makers, tortilla warmers, dog collars, made-to-order signs, folding chairs, back massagers, herbal remedies, pots & pans, clothing, nail files and free samples of Folgers Coffee and Reynolds Crockpot Liners. But there were also actual RV related booths: campgrounds and tourist bureaus from Canada and Mexico, tourist attractions, and many US states. Plus, government booths looking for camp hosts to hire for the camping season. There were many satellite TV dealers, satellite internet dealers, people who would love to sell you a new hitch, water hose, leveling system or awning. People were packed into the main tent and people were buying.

Under the Big Top

A cold wind began howling and the tent sides were billowing! After a tour through all the exhibits, we decided to head back to Indio. We were nearly blown-over getting back to our car. We headed back to Indio, stopping at a strange little diner that was set to be domished in Blythe for a truly ordinary breakfast. (NOTE: this coffee shop has now, mercifully, closed.) The Courtesy is a coffee shop/lounge and it was like taking a step back into the 1950's (which, incidentally is the last time they cleaned their bathrooms).

The Courtesy Coffee Shop & Lounge
in Blythe, California

 
"Food"

I ordered an Ortega Chile and Cheese omelet - topped with fluorescent triangles of something plastic. The hash browns were fine, however. DT ordered hash browns, topped with green peppers, onions and tomatoes, smothered with beef gravy and then topped with shredded cheddar. He ate the pancakes though.
 
Another experiment in gastronomy.

The rest of the drive back to Indio was awful - we had to drive through a terrible sand storm and it was all DT could do to keep the Honda on the road. Now that we are back to our motor home, the wind has even increased - gusting to 45 miles per hour!

Sandstorm on I-10

At least we made it back in time for My Poor Exhausted Driver to watch the end of the Bob Hope Classic, being played just minutes away from our RV resort. The poor golfers are barely able to stand upright in the wind and then, of course, it went into a play-off that was barely finished before darkness fell over the Coachella Valley.

After our long and very rough day, it was important that I serve a divine meal tonight. Roasted organic chicken breasts rubbed with a paste of fresh rosemary, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil and roasted to a crispy perfection. The chicken was served with a tossed salad of romaine, fresh mozzarella, sliced olives, tomatoes, green pepper and cucumber in a very, very light balsamic dressing.

RV Park: Motorcoach Country Club in Indio