Rovin’ Pebbles in Quartzsite
Linda Bolon
It was a beautiful Arizona day with temperatures in the mid-60s when 11 total rigs finished setting up in a wheel formation at Rose RV Park in Quartzsite. The Sports, Vacation and RV Show was being held in the Big Tent in the center of town. The sleepy town of Quartzsite is home to approximately 1,200 people but swells to over a million – mostly RVers – when they converge on the town during the winter months.
The Bolons were wagon masters for the five days. A delicious potluck was held the first day eaten around a blazing campfire. Given the numerous activities in and around Quartzsite, the campers followed the YOYO (you’re on your own) schedule to explore the tent, swap meets, gem show, museum, visit The Naked Bookseller, hike trails, ride ATVs, drive to Blue River Casino in Parker or just relax.
Mornings started with coffee and pastries around a freshly built fire while we shared our plans for the day. The evenings brought Happy Hour followed by communal dinners; you fix your dinner and eat with everyone around the fire. Lots of laughing, talking and sharing filled the hours before heading into our RV’s for a good night’s sleep.
We had a few day visitors; members who drove from Goodyear to spend the day with friends and spend money in the shops and Big Tent. After sharing dinner or potluck, they returned home.
One evening we made pie irons and Wadingers. Pie irons are two hinged steel squares with long handles. Simple to use; just open the hinged squares, take two slices of bread (buttered or sprayed with Pam on the outside), fill with jam, cheese, meat, etc. Place inside the cooking cavity. Hold it over a campfire for a few minutes on each side until golden brown. Delicious meal or dessert.
A Wadinger Stick looks like a wooden corn dog on a stick. To make a Wadinger you sparingly spray the corn dog part of the stick with Pam, then take two triangles of uncooked crescent dough and press the raw dough down over the wooden corn dog. Hold the Wadinger over hot fire as if you were roasting a marshmallow until golden brown. Stuff the inside with pie fillings or taco meat, etc. The inside is up to your imagination and your taste buds! Yummy!
The sunsets, like all Arizona sunsets, were breathtaking. The beauty of camping is being in the outdoors with friends in the chilly air and watching the sky change into the most beautiful colors and designs imaginable.
We want to thank Kathryn Sarter, Ted Oehlerking and Terry Thorton for their assistance during the campout as well as all the ladies who helped with potluck setup and everyone else who helped in any way. We enjoyed camping with each and every one of you! Life is good!