2017 Desert Rat XVI

ACA tent and Alpines (ours and Jeep on right)

This was our second Desert Rat Rally in Quartzsite. Fifty eight coaches signed up, all but a handful Alpines. 
Alpine coaches have not been manufactured since 2008 but Alpine members who replace their Alpines with newer motorhomes remain part of the Alpine family, even though they are known as SOB’s (Some Other Brand).
Friendships are a binding force among us and it’s always good to re-connect and catch up with Alpiners we have not seen in a while. There were 10 new attendee couples this year, several from the Northwest, and several with new-to-them Alpine coaches. It is most heartening to know that older model coaches are still sought after and recognized for the fine coaches they are, even though we are all "orphans" now. 

Our rally hosts, the Sandmires and the Maurmanns, worked hard to create a memorable rally despite the challenging weather this year. The rainy weather that broke the long drought in California reached Quartzsite and we experienced windy, cooler, and occasional rainy spells during our week there. That did not deter us from having a good time. As the song claims, “who cares about the weather so long as we’re together.”

our music entertainment for the evening
by Art Machaud

We gathered in the tent for breakfasts, lively happy hours and dinners, and in between times for socializing. One evening we had live music and pretty soon the whole crowd got going on the desert sandy and rocky dance floor. This year I wore my hiking boots, definitely a first for a dance, but also much safer to prevent a twisted ankle while boogieing over rocks and stones. 

getting ready for another yummy dinner

meeting new folks and socializing at happy hour

judging the crazy t-shirt contestants

just a bunch of retirees having fun in their Alpines

There were two 4-wheel trips to Dripping Springs and Desert Bar, but we had done the washboard Desert Bar experience last year and once was enough! The golfers went off to play a round. All of us met for our annual ACA Membership Meeting. There was also a swapmeet and craft sale.
A couple of times, those of us working on quilting projects got together in the tent when it wasn’t too windy and chilly and set up our machines. I got to play with my new Featherweight sewing machine which is perfect to tote around and set up. Soon other "crafty ladies" appeared and we discovered more of us who enjoy quilting, sewing, embroidering, and knitting or crocheting. 
Another time a few of us gathered in Willy Egg’s coach and chatted away as we worked on quilting projects. Quilting is most definitely a part of RV life for many of us.

Michael working on something...

The guys all focus on coach issues and upgrades. And sharing stories about adventures and challenges with things that go wrong. They also had their fair share of seminars and gearhead sessions. Our mobile homes are as much a maintenance hobby as they are our recreation and there is always some tinkering involved. Several coaches had work done while all the “seasoned experts” were gathered here.

gridlock as thousands of RV-ers pace the Big Tent vendors looking for deals
and new products

The other draw to this rally is the RV industry show held in the Big Tent in downtown Quartzsite. Dozens of booths spring up promoting and selling every possible convenience, gizmo, and necessary accessory or part for the RV. Let’s just say that Michael’s Xmas wish list 
was postponed until Quartzsite, and that Santa fulfilled most on that list. 
One of the booths was sponsored by Progressive Insurance. Leda is a great Flo fan so we followed along and went to the booth, drew a prize each (a Flo bobble head and water bottle) and had an Progressive Adventure movie made.

After the rally ended and we said our goodbyes, several of us stayed another couple of nights. We made a few more trips back to the Big Tent for final purchases and just generally relaxed and spent time together. 
The Quartzsite desert is always active at this time of year. Many snowbirds perch here for weeks at a time, staying on BLM land, savoring the solitude and wilderness. Perhaps one year we too will stay longer than a week but tomorrow we head to Yuma, to check out what the attraction is there. 

ACA tent and Alpine row

the after-rally stragglers

Arizona sunsets