Visiting Monica's

What I love about traveling is the serendipitous experiences, the chance happenings. 
At the rodeo grounds, I noticed an '01 Alpine, same color as ours, parked by itself in the lower section of the grounds. Each morning as we set off on our hike, we passed the Alpine coach with Oregon plates and I wondered who the owners could be.
Today on our way back, I knocked on the door. That is how we met the Dinsmores, a couple who have been full-timing in their Alpine for 12 years. As typically happens, the guys veer into guy chats about all the "boy parts" (mechanical parts and engines). We gals end up chatting about "girl parts" (everything relating to the living quarters, storage space, etc). This is typically when the subject of my hobby comes up, for I need to have enough storage space to bring my machines and fabrics with me. 
Bingo! Judy also happens to be a quilter who sews in her Alpine. 
She invited me to accompany her to Monica's Quilts that very morning. And it had to be today because Monica's is only open on Thursdays (and Saturdays), but offers free cookies on Thursdays.
Way at the other end of town, heading north on route 95, in the middle of nowhere, there is a small community called Havasu Heights. Monica lives in one of the houses, runs a quilting store and offers quilting classes from her home. 

the husband tent  - for as every good quilter knows,
the way to a man's heart is ..
through his stomach

It turned out to be a great adventure. The guys came along for the ride  - the lure was an assortment of cookies and other treats, with uninterrupted guy chatting time while we ladies fondled fabrics. As it happens, Monica encourages husbands to accompany their quilting-mad wives. She created a quiet spot outside for them to make themselves comfortable and enjoy the treats. This gives us ample time to look for just the right fabrics, always a challenging endeavor as any quilter knows. ;)

a cake fashioned into a sewing machine!

As you enter, this wonderful sign greets you:

who would not want to be friends with Monica!

I snapped a photo from the doorway. Shelves filled with bolts of bright colors greeted me  - absolute heaven! As a first-time shopper, I was given a free fat-quarter and also got to choose a free yard of fabric out of the special bin. 

Michael viewing Monica's collection of sewing machines

the machines on wooden bases remind me of my mother's Pfaff that she had when I
was a small girl 

ladies are encouraged to bring show and tell

Considering the inventory I have at home, I certainly do not need any more fabric. However, Monica stocked unusual batiks, and quilters are well aware that because batiks blend in extremely well, they are the perfect fabric to have in one's stash. 
Thankfully there is still some storage space in our Alpine for just a couple more folds of fabric. ;)
I'm always happy to meet other RV-ers who bring their sewing passion along on their travels. How fortunate for me to have met a fellow quilter, dry-camping in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, and accompanying her to an unusual quilt shop open just that very day of the week. Timing is everything.
Love our Alpine adventures!