A New Adventure for the Claphams

Side Trip to Quartzsite, Palm Creek, and Diamond J RV Park

Friday, 1/21/11, we headed out bright and early toward Quartzsite, Arizona. I think most people who RV have heard of Quartzsite, but for those of you who haven't, here's a simple description of it (per Donna). Quartzsite is west of Phoenix about 140 miles and it's a small town during the summer. During the winter months, it swells to a very large RV spot. There are thousands of RV's parked willy nilly in all directions from Quartzsite. The big attraction is different at different times during the winter. Sometimes it's an RV show, a gem show, a rock show and other shows. It's one of those places that has to be seen to be believed. We were invited to stay south of Quartzsite about 20 miles with our Excel friends, Jim and Bona. They live on the KOFA wildlife refuge for the winter months and are park hosts there. It is about 665,000 acres of rocks, scrub brush, cactus, mountains, and animals. After a bumpy 3 1/2 mile ride off the main highway, we arrived at Jim and Bona's place. It's a "park anywhere you like" place - total dry camping and no one else around as far as the eye can see. We were welcomed with open arms and spent a great evening with our friends. Bona fixed us a delicious dinner and we used our time getting to know each other better.

The next day, Tom, Donna and Bona went into Quartzsite to see the big tent. We managed to get our truck stuck in a wash and were fortunate to have a very nice gentleman come along and pull us out to solid ground. Thank goodness for good Samaritans. We spent several hours pushing our way around the big tent watching and listening to the vendors hawking their wares. After we had enough, we returned to the refuge to find some more friends, Larry and Billie, waiting for us. Now there were three Exels out in the middle of nowhere on this huge refuge. We had a great time together for the rest of the weekend - lots of laughs, good food and talking non stop.

Monday morning we hitched up the rig and headed to Mesa, Arizona, where we spent two nights at a wonderful RV park called Valle Del Oro with our friends, Kathie and Paul. Unfortunately, Paul is having some pretty major back problems so we had some quiet visiting time with them. It was great to get caught up with our summer friends.

Wednesday morning found us out on the road again headed to Casa Grande and our old park, Palm Creek. We saw several of our friends there and were so happy to spend time with them. For some it had been four years since we'd seem them. They made us feel so welcome and sorry to leave them so soon.

Friday morning we came to Tucson, where we are now spending the weekend with yet more of our Excel friends, Ralph and Cheryl. We met them several years ago at the Excel factory. We have managed to spend time together several times over the last few years in different parts of the country and always have so much fun. This time is no exception. We have also seen another couple, Bruce and Jenna, that we have met a couple of years ago. There are two other Excel couples here so the ten of us have a great time together. The stories have been flying fast and furious.

All in all, it's been a fabulous trip so far and we are not in any hurry to head back to Hemet. We are going to be staying at Mountain Shadows RV park for the next two months at least. We are looking forward to learning about our new park and also meeting even more new friends. That's the important thing about this lifestyle we have - meeting new friends and spending time with old friends. The people are what make this life so fun and fulfilling. The best times we have are spending time with them and also with our family. We are so blessed.