RV Home Yet?

Workampers at Quarzsite

We've met up with Workampers from the forum earlier in the week - out at our gold claim, then ate dinner at the Palo Verde Cafe here in Quartzsite. The other day we wandering around Tyson Wells and the big tent, we came across Bob and Sharon who are selling sheets! Actually Bob works at the Dollar Store and was filling in at the 2nd booth on his day off. Sharon has been working in the tent selling 600 thread Egyptian sheets most of the time. We first met Bob and Sharon on the forums and then at the Workamper Job Fair in Tampa Florida.

Bob and Sharon did not have a job when they came to Quartzsite. Bob stopped off in the Dollar Store and asked the manager if she needed any help. She asked, "Can you start tomorrow?" He's been working there ever since. Sharon put up a note at Tyson Wells at the office offering to fill in where needed, wanting to work part time. She got a call the next day and then worked six days straight! She is still selling sheets.

Going to a place and then finding work, especially during the height of tourist season, is a good way to pick up a job.

Bob and Annie also worked at the Big Tent during the RV show. They had lined this up ahead of time through an ad on the Workamper Hotline. They picked up trash during the RV show.

In addition, I met another couple - Leon and Janet - where we are parked, readers of RV Lifestyles Ezine, who have a recurring assignment. Actually Leon does. He works for 2 1/2 months in Hollister, CA for the rodeo held at the fairgrounds. I was surprised that a rodeo lasts that long, but that is not the case. Most of the time is spent preparing for the rodeo, selling tickets and box seats, preparing the program, etc. He also works on their Web site while there and on the road. It's just enough work for Leon. This allows them to return to CA to see family, plus earn extra money.

Tom and Nancy have a job lined up camphosting at Corps of Engineers park in Idaho this summer and fall. One reason they got the job is that they are willing and available to work through hunting season. Most people don't want to stay that long. They were hired at the RV show where the employer was represented.

Linda and Jim's most recent assignment was selling Christmas trees and pumpkins in Phoenix. Karen and Jim worked at their Christmas lot, though did not sell pumpkins.

There are all sorts of opportunities. Workamper News is an excellent source but just one. If you are needing some extra money or want to reduce your campground and travel expenses, working on the road or volunteering can be the way to do that. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

The Oliver twins' trailer: small, economical, and top quality

Today at Quartzsite, we finally got to some of the shows. I spotted the cutest little trailer near Desert Gardens. We stopped for a look and were both impressed with the quality. This is a double-walled, insulated fiberglass trailer that is 17' or 22' in length. They are custom made so you can choose interior and exterior features.

Here is the story of the Oliver twins and their trailers, from their Web site:

"The Oliver Legacy started as an idea. It was an idea thought up by two brothers, identical twin brothers to be exact. These two men were Jim and John Oliver. Their idea was to design and manufacture a travel trailer that would last a lifetime and conceivably contain all of the amenities of a full sized motor home, but still be economical to compete with today's standards. They began by examining all of the current design options in the RV industry and decided that there was nothing available to the consumer at that time that could actually last someone for a true lifetime of enjoyment. They began to design the custom molded fiberglass travel trailer that has now become the Oliver Legacy. Its design and construction make for a lightweight, aerodynamic, fully insulated, low maintenance and self contained travel trailer."

Their newest model, the Elite II, is 22' and has an inside height of 6'6" - tall enough for George to stand up in. Inside had a retro look. Other models had wooden cabinets. I liked the metal and mirror look - very classy, clean and elegant looking. The Elite II on display had solar panels, 4 batteries, and a King Dome satellite. There are a number of options to choose from. The MSRP with a whole list of standard features, including double-pane windows, is $42,999. The Elite is built with an aluminum frame. The company also makes sports models with steel frame that start at $22,800. (See more photos here.)

One unique feature is its telescoping tongue. This allows adjustment so it can be towed by lighter model vehicles. Or the tongue can be extended so you can lower the tailgate on a truck when hitched up.

For part-time travel the Oliver could be an excellent solution. It is small, lightweight and yet is well built with lots of amenities. Being able to custom design your trailer is a nice feature too. Stop and check them out or take a factory tour if you are in Tennessee. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

At the Reader's Oasis

 Alice and I spent a good part of the day today at the Reader's Oasis. Four other authors were also there including RV Authors' Co-op member, Darlene Miller. Darlene is the author of RV Chuckles and Chuckholes and More Chuckles and Chuckholes.She has been there most days for several weeks now.

Paul Winer, owner, has been in Quartzsite selling books for about 20 years. He is the "naked" bookseller and is known worldwide. (He does wear a sort of g-string.) He used to be located down near the post office in a tent but has been at this location along Main Street on the east end down near Sweet Darlene's Restaurant for a two or three years. He has a tremendous collection of used and collectible/rare books plus a few new. They are well organized. It turns out he is also a talented cartoonist and musician. This time of year is hectic for him. He works hours after the bookstore closes each night to restock and reorganize the shelves. This time of year is exhausting. If he seem abrupt, he is probably grouchy from lack of sleep!

Frank and Cookie, RV Lifestyle Ezine readers, stopped by and introduced themselves. Patty Lonsbary, a reader with whom we've been corresponding with also, stopped a little later. Patty has submitted several pieces for our book-in-progress, Choosing the RV Lifestyle.

Prices are reasonable at the Reader's Oasis and there are a couple of bins with free books and some real bargains. People were interested in those and in getting a photo of the owner.

The top photo has one of the owner with his jacket still on. I never got a photo after it warmed up. It was an interesting day! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photos:
1. Reader's Oasis
2. Author's booth with Alice Zyetz
3. Alice, Darlene Miller, Frank, Cookie & Jaimie
4. Jaimie, Patty and Alice

There's gold in them thar hills!

We invited members of the Workamper forums in the Quartzsite area plus interested Boomers (Escapees RV Club subgroup) where we are camped to come out to our gold claim to prospect and look around yesterday. Several took us up on the offer. We caravanned out - about 4 1/2 miles from where we are camped. We had three dry washers going plus metal detecting.

The dry washer is a tilted contraption that shakes and sifts the sand/gravel you put on it, sorting out the heavy from the light material. (See pictures.) The smaller dry washers are powered by a leaf blower. Using a gold pan and water, you later pan out the sand where smaller flakes and nuggets would be found. Dry washers work well in the wash with lots of loose material.

Metal detectors take less space in an RV. There are detectors for hunting for coins and ones for gold. They are better for searching for gold out of the washes.

 Today, I met Frank, the owner of the neighboring claim, and he showed me several vials of gold flakes and nuggets he'd found on his claims. He has a big operation and even stamps the gold. So there is gold in "them thar" hills!

Five Workamper couples including George and me, later met at the Palo Verde Cafe in Quartzsite. Callie, our waitress, was excellent. We fortunately got their early and beat the crowds. Before we were even served, waiting customers lined the benches in the lobby.

It was a fun day. We so enjoyed hearing everyone's stories  - about where they are from, where they have Workamped and how couples met.

Tomorrow Alice and I will be at the Reader's Oasis.Stop and say hello if you are in the area. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photos: 1. a view of the front of the claim, 2. and 3. dry washers 4. prospecting with a metal detector

Visitors in the desert

Last night we crossed paths with Chuck Woodbury (RVTravel.com) and Kathy, his travel partner. They camped overnight in their Winnebago View out east of town where we are camped with the Boomer group of the Escapees. We had a nice visit. For Chuck, Arizona weather is much preferred to the damp, chilly weather the Seattle area is experiencing this winter! We enjoyed hearing about their trip to Scotland last summer and how they put that together.

In spite of Boomer efforts to interest them in the myriad activities going on here, they left in the morning for a look at the Reader's Oasis bookstore and some of the shows before venturing east towards Tucson.

We'll share photos of our expedition to the claim tomorrow. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Camp free at KOA in May and help kids

KOA has a yearly promotion to help kids. Pay for a night of camping on May 9 and stay free on the 10th at KOA participating campgrounds.

Campgrounds will also be collecting donations and holding fund-raising events to benefit KOA Care Camps for children with cancer, the official charity of the KOA Owners Association. This network of 35 specialized summer camps gives children with cancer, and their siblings, a chance to experience the joys of camping while continuing their treatments. Last year, KOA campers helped raise more than $230,000 during this weekend for this charity.

You can check the list of participating campgrounds at their Web site. It should be a fun weekend for families. See if one you like to go to is on the list and make your reservation early! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Day trips out of Tucson article

My article on five day trips out of Tucson is now featured at RoadTripAmerica.com. You can explore in all directions from Tucson with quite a variety of features- geologically, culturally and historically. Enjoy! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photos from three of the stops mentioned in the article:

Jaimie & George hiking Sabino Canyon; hoodoos on the General Hitchcock/Catalina Hwy; touring Bioshere2. Photos by George Bruzenak

New product: Automatic portable satellite antenna

RV Industry News included a press release from Winegard announcing that an automatic portable satellite antenna will be available in April. This antenna finds the satellite signal on its own; it does not require aiming by the user. It will work with most DISH and DIRECT TV systems.

The family who travels part-time or participates in other activities like boating, riding dune buggies or ATVs or tailgating at sporting events can take the antenna along and easily pick up the signal. It uses 12V power source from a vehicle's standard cigarette outlet or Winegard's optional 110V power inverter. It only weighs 13.5 lbs so is easily carried from one location to another. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $899. In addition to the power inverter, the other optional accessory is a ladder mount option for quick disconnect. Read more.

If this suits your lifestyle, it could be a good choice so you can get TV reception anywhere. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Quartzsite - day one update

Today we drove into town to get propane. We bought propane for $2.29/gal at the RV Pit Stop. We were told another place might be selling propane for a few cents cheaper down the road but the RV Pit Stop, with water, dump, propane and filtered water, is very well organized. We were in and out as quickly as possible. They have everyone lined up in the proper place, with room to get in and out. The attendants are there to help you with every step. Good place.

We were stunned to see how many RV lots/dealers there were. Quite a few of the swap meets have been converted to RV lots (more taxes and fees for the town of Quartzsite?) and more permanent buildings. Beaudry, La Mesa and Guarantee plus a number of other dealers whose names I don't recognize lined Frontage Road on the north side of I-10.

The Main Event is still quite large, though one corner is now a permanent structure with a business in it. Tyson Wells also looks pretty much the same from the highway. We'll get in and wander around one of these days. I wouldn't mind going to the big RV show and be on RV Dream Radio with Bob Hamilton. Do we want to fight traffic and hunt for a parking place? Haven't decided!

We also drove over to Blythe today. We had mail waiting for us sent in care of General Delivery at the main post office. My sister put the wrong zip code on one but it was still sent to the main post office. At least I didn't have to run all over town. We also picked up some veggies and other groceries at Albertson's. A new grocery store is opening any day down in the KMart shopping center. The locals are excited about the new store. We'll check it out next trip to Blythe on Saturday.

We also stopped at Motel6 where I've rented a room to do the first session of Workamper 101. They have high speed DSL so that will work better than our Aircard for doing the Webinar. And I'll have a landline.

We have a happy hour get-together each day for announcements and chatting with friends. The Boomers end up having tons of activities. Tomorrow we'll have a writing session. They've had 4-wheelin', geocaching, women's groups, various crafts, information exchange and more. You could keep busy all day, every day. Then there are the shows.

Tomorrow, after writing, we'll go out to our gold claim and see what signs we need. We'll have a work/prospecting party out there on Monday.

If any readers are at Q, please contact me or see us at the Oasis Bookstore on Wednesday, the 28th. Alice and I would love to meet you! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Photos:
RV Pit Stop
Permanent structures at the Main Event
Tyson Wells
Sunset out at Boomerville where we are parked

Jaimie and Alice at Reader's Oasis in Quartzsite on January 28

Jaimie and I will be signing books at Reader's Oasis Books on January 28 from 10am - 2 pm. If you have bought books online from us and will be in Quartzsite, come to the book signing so we can autograph them for you. Or, of course, you can buy our books there.

Reader's Oasis Books, located at 690 E. Main Street (west of Hwy 95), has great secondhand books and is also notable for its "naked" proprietor. Clad only in hat, thong, socks, sandals, and full beard, Paul Winer is the classic Quartzsite business person--perhaps a bit more informal than the rest. He welcomes readers and authors. Two of our good friends are already at the store signing their books: Darlene Miller, author of RV Chuckles and Chuckholes and More RV Chuckles and Chuckholes and Lynne Benjamin, author of Jacob's Tails.

I haven't left Jojoba yet. First excuse was sloth trying to get ready, and now I have an opportunity to sell my truck so I'm waiting. Fortunately, I was able to watch the inauguration in HD with two very dear friends. What a treat. I felt like I was there. My son, Southern Californian born, who was on the Mall with his wife and her family, said to truly experience the moment, we should have turned off the heat and opened the freezer door.

I had tears in my eyes yesterday as so many others did remembering the long journey our country has taken to arrive at this moment. When I was in college in 1957, my fiance was in ROTC and stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia. I visited him there and still remember the shock of seeing the two drinking fountains at the train station, "Whites Only" and "Colored Only." How far we have come.

I wish the best for our president and our country.