We had been taking up my brother's entire driveway since January, so now that we had all of our projects completes it was time for the real adventure. So packed up and headed to the great RV “mecca” - Quartzsite, Arizona.
Now the main reason we wanted to go to Quartzsite was to test our new solar system and see if it performed as expected and there’s no better place to do that than the barren wasteland that is Quartzsite, especially in March when most of the snowbirds had flown the coup. It turned out to be a great time to go because it was easy to explore the area and find our way around without fighting crowds.
We enjoyed our time there and got a chance to put our solar through it’s paces and make sure everything worked. Which it did. It wasn’t to warm yet so we didn’t need to turn on our AC but we hardly noticed that we weren’t on full hookups. After two months of project after project rushing around, trying to get things just the way we wanted in the rig, it was nice to just kind of kick back and relax and enjoy the rig for a few days.
The Desert Bar
Of course one of the reasons we wanted to go to the Q was to take a ride to the Nellie E Saloon better known as the Desert Bar. We had heard a lot about this place and we just couldn’t be this close and not go check it out. Besides we had a new-to-us Jeep and isn’t it pretty much a right of passage if you own a jeep?
So on Saturday, off we went in search of the drinking establishment stuck smack dab in the middle of the desert. We along with Einstein piled into the jeep and headed north out of Quartzsite and found the dirt road that lead to the promised land. Actually all we had to do was follow the crowds. The road in was interesting to say the least. We were bounced and jounced and wash boarded around for about a ½ hour before reaching our destination. Boy if something wasn’t rattling in that 22 year old jeep before we made this trek it sure was now! We don’t call it the Wobbly Jalopy for nothing.
As we made our way to the parking lot and got out of the jeep, the car that pulled in next to us was a couple about our age in a two door lexus convertible and she didn’t look any too happy to be there, lol! That had to be a heck of a ride in that little car.
The Desert Bar did not disappoint, it was well worth the kidney shaking it took to get there! We, of course had Einstein with us and he was well received by everyone! We made our way around the bar and took it all in. There were people from all walks of life and all age groups from families with young kids, to older couples even a bachelorette party!
Everyone was eating and drinking and enjoying themselves and the views were spectacular! The drinks and the food were nothing special but, if you go to the Desert Bar you go for the experience more so than the food.
We had a great time and we’re really glad we went. If you are ever in Quartzsite or the Lake Havasu area I highly recommend a trip out to the Desert Bar you won’t regret it.
Finishing our stay in Quartzsite
Besides going to the Desert Bar, we spend the rest of our time in Q just exploring the area. We checked out the different stores and some of the diehard vendors that were left over from the big RV show. We even stopped into the "Adult Daycare" for some cold, refreshing adult beverages and a chat with some locals.
All-in-all we enjoyed our stay in Quartzsite. Because we were there at the end of the season it was mostly quiet and not at all crowded. I can see where would be a great place to meet and hang out for a few days with a group of friends in their RV's. If you are new to RVing and/or boondocking and haven't yet "found your tribe" as they say, then you might be underwhelmed with Quartzsite. The Quartzsite experience is whatever you make it.
So will we go back to Quartzsite? We haven't decided. I think if we did go back it would be to meet up with a group of friends, other than that we probably won't go back anytime soon. Been there done that there are other areas of the desert to explore.
...we will however make another trip to the Desert Bar, we made some upgrades to the Jeep so what better way to test them out!
Until next time......
