Arrival of Da Girls Rig in Mesa Az

Sunshine Acres in Mesa, AZ

Well we arrived back in Mesa the afternoon of Wed. Jan. 29th. It took us about an hour to get setup. This included meeting many of new our neighbors. We are staying at Sunshine Acres Children's Home off of Higley Rd in Mesa, AZ. We are volunteering here for next couple of months.

Link to Web Page

We have removed the kayaks and utility tray from the Jeep.  Planning on installing a new bicycle rack. This should make traveling with them more stable. We covered the distance from Quartzsite in a little over 4 1/2 hours, as we stopped for "Da Girls" at a rest stop and pulled into a truck wash to clean off the dust.  We located a truck wash off of I-10 in Tonopah.   For a $1.00 a ft the Da Girls Rv and Jeep got cleaned of all the sand and dirt.

 We're all setup and ready to entertain, got our worm a flyin in the sky

 We changed our service address to Scottsdale, which enables us to receive the local channels.

We made a run to the 2 local stores one for the  Da Girls and the other for  us

And of course Susan got together with one of her's BFF's for dinner and discussion

David cooked up his wonderful Hamburger's for dinner.

Hey, how about that Superbowl game. One big lopsided game, even the commercials were lame along with the halftime entertainment. We spent the time over at the Stram's family gathering. We have great time along with entertainment of the children. 

 One of the reason we still like Az. is because you can't beat the Sunsets.

Safe Travels from

Dale & Susan, Della & Tilly, Da Girls Rv03 SeYa#1084

Alfa Roadrunners Quartzsite Rally 2014

Well another Quartzsite rally has come and gone. When Susan and I arrived there were 26 rigs lined up. What a site to see. As we approached our landing area, we spotted many people already out and about. The wagon masters were busy setting up, organizing and greeting everyone as they arrived. As the day progressed groups of people milled about greeting old acquaintances and introducing themselves. By the time Happy Hour arrived everyone had become fast friends.

Susan and I met many new Alfa owners, some new or first time Roadrunners. Some of whom had traveled as far away as British Colombia.

Members in attendance

Doug & Wendy Ferguson (Wagon Masters), Sharon & Sven Novion (Co-Wagon Masters), MaryAnne (In Hawaii) & Ray Balzer (Co-Wagon Master).

Dan & Arlene Harris, John & Fran Kurz, Roger & Kathy Hewlett, Dale & Hedda Sather, Bob & Denise Gray, Woody & Sharon Woods, Dean & Nica Johnson, Charlie & Paula Gray, Dan & Barb Bridges, Mike & Lorraine Lynch, Joe & Betty Choate, Armand and Irene Mercier, George & Robin Minder, Ed & Ruth Newman, Mel & Lanny Elfring, Frank & Deanna Jones, Brent & Carroll Rouse, Marty & Patty Langsam, Terry & Karla Noble, Jim & Dorthey Collard, Bill & Anita Herrick, Bud & Jan Serpa, Jerry Logan and Susan and I.

Morning Adventure

The morning always began with coffee and donuts. Sharon and Sven did a wonderful job of getting the coffee ready and on the table by 7AM and the men of camp stepped up and took turns with the donut run.   Next came getting the morning fire going.

Dean was always quick to get the fire going in the morning. Starting the fire was exhausting and followed by resting by the fire, as seen here in this photo.

The weather was wonderful all week, even when we had a cloudy day, as seen here.

As witness here the views in the morning were spectacular.

Roadrunners Business Meeting

Susan informed everyone on the latest membership numbers and financials as provided by President Joe Hughes and Treasurer Val Nelson.  She also shared an update on Val’s recovery after her recent surgery.

Big Tent Draw

As always there is the Big Tent RV Event held in Quartzsite. This year was no exception, and many of us came home with something.

                                                                                                                

Solving problems

During this time we helped solved various problems on the rigs. One of our members woke up one morning with no heat, after the T-stat was changed, still no heat.  A few morning’s without heat and he requested some assistance.   We were able to get his propane heater up and running.  Another member was waking up to Very-Low DC voltage on their refrigerator and inverter batteries.  After conversing, we first determined that his 02 only has 4 batteries.  We proceeded to check batteries and found them to be bad. During the installation of new batteries we re-wired his 2 separate banks into 1 with the battery Neg going directly to the Black on the Xantrex. This solved most of his problems, except for the Low DC on his refrigerator. The Low DC volt only came on when the propane heater came on. We believe this may be caused by a bad connection on the terminal next to the appliance 20 amp fuse (#7). We hope to hear back soon.  This event allows us the opportunity to get under the hoods and check out and help each other. 

One of our new members (bought their Alfa 1 year ago), spent time time upgrading his Inverter/Charger to Pure sine wave And install the 330 Amps AGM batteries. This goes along with hie 1600 Watts of Solar. Awesome system.

Desert Outing

Nothing is like taking a trip to the desert bar.  It is located about 8 miles from Parker, AZ., five of these miles are on a dirt road. 

Did I mention that the desert bar is in the desert?

Whoever lives here is one good welder. It seems he has a lot of spare time.

One of the many visitors that was not interested in the bar scene, I really don't blame him, as I can relate to the noise and the crowds.

As the last few years have gone by, they have added to the structures. You wonder where the zoning board is.  Definitely NOT ADA COMPLIANT.

A quick shot from above the bar.

We were also under the watchful eyes of the NSA.  (Just kidding…Small gyrocopter flying over the area)

Pancake breakfast

Of course what is a Quartzsite Rally without the special Pancake Breakfast?

Bud and Sven were at it serving up their wonderful pancakes. Bud, picture above was one of the original Roadrunners. These days he pulls an Avion, however his Alfa is still in good shape and is used as a guest residence. Way to go Bud.

Sausages being cooked up on the Griddle by many helpers

You can see the results of Sven and Bud’s creation “Pancakes on the griddle “.

Food ready to be served

And Dean is ready for his pancakes and sausage. 

Special Days

And if you were quick you would have seen our local hair stylist in her element.

  

Della took her human out for many morning walks.

Sweet Pie

Another little oddity is Sweet Pie AKA Paul Winer, the link poster below leads to a story by The Phoenix New Times.

Odd Life of the Nude Piano man Sweet Pie

This was his fourth concert in Quartzsite.  A few of us who were still in the area attended this event held on Tuesday after the RV show ended.  Last year’s concert was so successful, they moved it to the community center, seated about 800 per show and filled the room for 2 shows.

He and the other gentlemen do this to raise money for the local community.

The harmonica player on the right is a longtime friend from Paul’s early days.  It seems they played the bars in the Northeast and Canada.

Sheriff Dinner

The last dinner was the Sheriff Dinner – a potluck on Saturday evening.  During the rally one member is selected to act as the sheriff. The sheriff’s name is not revealed until the last day. The sheriff spots and compiles notes on people breaking the law.  In this case, it was Sheriff Anita Herrick’s laws that we were breaking.  Complete with Cowboy hat, boots, gun-belt (without gun) and badge, Sheriff Anita was a tough enforcer…..

We are proud to say we raised more than $140.00 for the Quartzsite Food-Bank.  In addition, we collected non-perishables which we delivered along with our “fines”.   Yea Roadrunners – THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.

And of course Wendy being Wendy, we decided to redo the group photo op

  

One Last Photo op of everyone

Exit Time

But as the week wore on, it was time to pack up and get rolling.

Slowly the rigs began to pull out.

One by one…down the road they go.

And they continue to leave 

 We started out with 29 rigs at the rally, but very quickly was down to

Four and then two.

And then the only thing left was;

  

Susan and I hope you enjoyed this little newsletter of ours. 

Safe Travels from 

​

Dale & Susan Prichard 

03 SeeYa  #1084

DaGirlsRv  "Della & Tilly"

Quartzsite 

Coordinates Location: N33.63870, W114.19362

Alfa Roadrunners Chapter

We have arrived in Quartzsite, AZ, along with many thousands of others RV'ers, who head to Quartzsite to dry camp during the winter  when temperatures are moderate. Large swaths of desert are free to use with very few restrictions. 

Long-Term Visitor Areas

The La Posa Long Term Visitor Area has four sections. As of 2012, campers pay a flat fee for 14-day stays or for up to a seven-month stay from September 15 through April 15. The fee includes a campsite, potable water, a dump station and trash collection. The camping areas parallel Route 95 south of Interstate 10. The La Posa North and West sections are within walking distance of the RV show venue if campers set up close to the road. The South and Tyson Wash sections are farther south on Highway 95.

Free Camping

The Bureau of Land Management operates five free camping areas outside of Quartzsite where stays are limited to 14 days in a 28-day period. After 14 days, campers pack up and move to another area. A few spots that are posted as “No Camping” are off limits. The Plomosa Road area is about 5 1/2 miles south of town. Hi Jolly is about 3 miles north of Quartzsite. Dome Rock Mountain, 6 miles west, is accessed by the Dome Rock exit of I-10. Scaddan Wash, 3 miles east of town, is south of the frontage road, and Road Runner is 5 miles south on Highway 95.

Alfa – Roadrunner Chapter

Doug and Wendy Ferguson are the Wagon Masters, along with Ray Balzer, Sharon, and Sven Novion  as Co Wagon Masters. As you see, the morning sunrise has the WOW factor. 

As we pulled into the area, we spotted over 20 Alfa rigs along with some other brand (SOB), returning friends, along with new Alfa owners. As you can see from the photos many rigs have arrived.

The mornings are started out with Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, AND the Quartzsite famous donuts. The donut shop has been in "Q" for many years. They are known for their famous treats. You can always find many locales arriving for their fixes of coffee and donut in the morning.

Susan's input:  While here during the Big RV show we will have a grueling schedule of morning donuts, shopping, happy hours, campsite dinners, lots of visiting with old friends and making new ones, more shopping, etc....The boys will be spending many hours with their head under the hoods, we will have visitors - Joe, the glass guy, Mac- the fire guy, awning repairs and more.  Today we will make an outing to the Desert Bar - understand that is a site not to be missed.  More to follow in the days ahead....

Nothing is like taking a trip to the desert bar. The desert bar is located about 8 miles from Parker, AZ. 5 of these miles are on a dirt road. 

Did I mention that the desert bar is in the desert?

Whoever lives here is one good welder. It seems he has alot of spare time.

One of the many visitors that was not interested in the bar scene. I really don't blame him, as I can relate 

to the noise and many people in the area.

As the last few years have gone by, they have added to the structures. You wonder where the zoning board is. Definitely NOT ADA COMPLIANT.

One of the many scenes of the people crowding the area on multiple levels.

We were also under the watchful eyes of the NSA. 

(Small gyrocopter flying over the area)

Here we are again, back on the road. We landed south of New Orleans on the 8th of Jan in a Louisiana State Park. Who would have guess that an area like this is located just south of New Orleans (surrounded by city and suburbs).

In case you need to check the location is are the coordinates:

N29.8898,  W90.1627

Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, LA

The park has 30 and 50 amp of service, water at site along with a common dump.

Sites are large and most are level, each site backs to wooded areas so you aren't on top of neighbors.

Bathrooms are clean.

Laundry machines are provided for free.

So what do you do when in NO (New Orleans), why you take the ferry across the great Mississippi river. The ferry is free, but check operating hours as they change during the year. This is an easy way into and out of NO, quick trip, only about 10 minutes.

Between the ferry and the RTA, there really is no need to drive into French Quarter and downtown area. As you can see we bundled up in the morning as it began cold. But as the day rolled on it became warmer. 

 

What's the first thing you do when coming to New Orleans? Well that is to go to the Cafe Du Monde for Beignats. Beignats are a power sugar coated donut. They have been a main attraction for many years. I would post a photo, however,  we ate them all. Sorry Marnie, we ate them all.

And, of course,  a walk through the French Quarter streets always reveals the street bands on the various corners. Whether it is jazz or blues you can find the music you enjoy.

Here's another of the street bands we located: This is a short video, most of the bands are on Charles Street. It seems that they allow only walking traffic here.

Along with the stores, cafes and buildings, New Orleans is a place where everyone will find something they enjoy. Whether it is an outside cafe or just enjoying a stroll around the town, it is a pleasant way to spend the day.

While we were driving out of  Algiers we happened to see the"" Tartis.   That would be an English phone booth that Doctor Who uses as his time machine.  Just in case you aren't familiar with that TV series on BBC.  What was doing here? Susan and I can only image. However,  he did allow me to place a phone call.  ET, did you get my Voice Mail?

 

Finally, do you ever hear a voice inside asking you do something?   We all have hear it, some choose to ignore it, other choose to act upon it.  There is no consequence for choosing to ignore the request. You understand that what is being asked of you is good and honest. Nothing illegal about the request.

So I leave this with you, when that voice asks something of you, do you choose to ignore it or act upon it? By the way, if you act upon it, what can it hurt?

DaGirls RV
Susan, Della, Tilly and me
Safe Travels along the way.