CLASSIC CAR SHOW IN QUARTZITE

2/03/08

Quartzite is an interesting town that is hard to describe. It only has about 1900 actual residents, but has many thousand temporary visitors in the winter months. The desert is scattered with "towns" of RVs, ranging from old beat up tag alongs to million dollar coaches.

There are tents in the middle of the town, filled with vendors selling everything from gems and jewlery, to RV supplies, to silly TV sales type gadgets.

We stopped at the famous bookstore in town and met "Paul", the owner. Paul is unique in how he dresses...or doesn't dress, as the case may be. He goes basically naked, wearing just a small colored bag sorta thingie in front. I guess it's a thong of sorts. George and Rachel brought me in just to get my reaction, and they weren't dissapointed. Oh yeah, he wears indian jewelry, too. hahaha.

The classic car show was really good, and had some unique vehicles. One was a Corvette concept car that was a wagon! (1954, I think)

There was a completely hand built dwarf Chevy...you can see its size because I am standing beside it.

There was also a gorgeous chameleon purple/green painted 69 Camaro and lots more interesting stuff. The Camaro was for sale for 55,000 but I couldn't convince Paul to buy it for me. I don't know why not.... :)

There are tiny dogs everywhere. These two little Chihuahuas were owned by one of the vendors, cuddled up in their tent.

PARKER 425

1/31/08

The Parker 425 mile desert off road race time trials were today.

george and Rachel know just where to watch them from the best vantage point. Only the top 2 divisions get their places in the race by time trials. The rest are drawn by numbers.

The race vehicles are varied and interesting. From VW bugs, Jeeps, trucks, and rails, to special desert race vehicles. Suspensions are incredible, as the terrain is extremely rough.

2/01/08

Today is the tech inspection. It is held at the very posh "Blue Water" resort and casino in Parker AZ. It takes most of the day for the vehicles to go through this rigorous inspection. The drivers have to wait for hours, so are glad to talk to interested spectators and fans. It's a carnival atmosphere, with vendors and race equipment booths everywhere.

2/02/08

The actual race took place today. Again, George and Rachel have the experience to find a great place to watch. It's really fast and exciting, with vehicles flying through every 15 sec. to a minute or so. Robbie Gordon of NASCAR fame is the favored driver. You can tell when a famous person is driving, because they are followed by helicopters. The dust is very thick and heavy. I have no idea how the drivers can see where they are going. I understand they rely on navigators and GPS systems a great deal.

THE ULTRALIGHT FLIGHT

1/29/08

There is a nice little airport here, (right across the street from the park) where the folks fly private ultralights, and even offer rides. We often see 6-8 parachute and fixed wing ultralights flying over the park at once. They are bright and pretty, with rainbow colored parachutes.

We decided to go watch, and of course Paul had to go up for a flight. The pilot was very nice and accomodating. Paul had a great time, flying like a bird over the beautiful desert. The sky was deep blue, with barely a cloud.

ARRIVAL IN BRENDA

1/29/08

We arrived in Brenda AZ today, met with open arms from our wonderful old friends George and Rachel Skolfield. We will be staying in "Black Rock RV Resort" until Feb. 19th. This is a very nice park, landscaped prettily with palm trees and cacti. The people are extraordinarily friendly, and nearly all have small doggies. (gotta love that) There is no grass here at all. Everything in the park is covered in crushed stone. They have a nice little cafe here with delicious food.

We are parked just 150' from the desert, with thousands of miles of trails to explore. I have enjoyed long walks here with the dogs off leash.

We had a great reunion dinner and drinks hosted by George and Rachel at their RV.

A RUMBLE FROM ABOVE....

Sometimes we have experiences in life that we will remember forever, and this is one of them. While out having a ball driving on the Marine Range, Paul was driving the RZR fast...when we heard a huge noise. I can't describe the noise, it was so loud and encompassed us from all sides, it scared me half to death. This noise was so loud, the RZR trembled and shook. Paul had just stepped down on the throttle and thought something had gone very wrong with the 4 wheeler. I wondered quickly if we had found one of the "unexploded ordnances" we had been warned about on this range. I looked in front of the RZR and saw a once in a lifetime sight: we had just been divebombed by an F 15 fighter jet!! He had dropped down onto us, then lifted rapidly, as he rolled to the right. We were looking right into his afterburner!!! My terror turned to amazement and wild laughter as I realized what had just happened. I wish there was a way I could tell that pilot how he made our day. We will never forget the sight of that glowing afterburner!