2020 Quartzsite Gathering

[Ron in BC]

Glad to hear your Baja trip was a good one.

Got lots of questions for you after I come back from doing some Xmas shopping.

Actually I haven't started yet and I hear Xmas is getting closer. I must be getting older, I usually start on Dec. 24.

Ron

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by dkirk

We have just returned from a 2 month trip from Calgary to the Baja with friends in a Bigfoot 17.5. We got as far south as Cabo Pulmo. Hwy 5 has about 20 bridge bypasses to navigate, smooth might be an exaggeration.

Wow, all the way to Cabo Pulmo. We haven't been that far yet but I've heard that it's a great place to go.

Did you take any photos? Post some if you have them, you know the forum saying, "no photos, it didn't happen".

How did you find the military checkpoints? Some find them intimidating but we've never had any problems except wish that we spoke Spanish.

Did you stop in at El Coyote or any of the beaches in that area? If so, how crowded were they? My fear is that as Mex. 5 gets in better shape more and more folks will go down to that area.

Yes, the reports are that the work pace has suddenly picked up dramatically. I get km. by km. updates and little paving is left to do compared to earlier this year.

The bridge bypasses remain likely because the engineers that built all the shiny new bridges only to see flash floods from a hurricane wipe out the approaches likely are unsure of how to rebuild them so they don't get wiped out again.

No biggie as long as the red barricades remain in place.

In Feb., just before we went down, one of the bypasses turned into a YouTube video because two pickups helped pull a semi up. Actually the pickups spent most of the time bouncing in the air, don't think that they helped all that much but it gave them bragging rights.

So my big worry about that bypass was, being the only 4x2, that I'd have to ask someone like Jim for a tow. Fortunately it was a non-issue.

Some photos of the bypass situation. Real shame to not be able to cross on the brand new bridges.

Ron

[dkirk]

Yes we have lots of photos, I will have to dig up the best ones.
Military checkpoints are common but a non issue. They will ask you to accompany them for a quick inspection of the trailer.
Cabo Pulmo is a neat little town in the middle of a marine reserve. Not much for camping except at Los Frailles but an easy day trip from Los Barrilles.

Reccomended campground at Los Barrilles, Playa Norte. On the beach with hot showers and super clean bathrooms for $20 a night.

We checked out El Coyote and all the other beaches in the area. None were busy. We ended up staying a week at Los Cocos and appreciated the water, fresh fish, shrimp and baked goods delivered to our trailer.

Bahia de Los Angeles is a worthwhile detour where we went on a boat trip to snorkel with the whale sharks.

Los Barrilles and Loreto are also worth a week or more each.

If anyone needs more info on places to stay or whatever, give a shout

Dave and Kim

[dkirk]

Some pictures of our trip to Baja California. One final tip that worked well for us was to fill the trailer with purified water from the Agua Purificada stores in each town. We also had 3 Canadian Tire water jugs (12 gal). We never put unpurified water in the trailer, so did not have to remember not to drink it. 12 gallons in jugs plus 30 gallons in the trailer was around 5 dollars to fill. They will run a long hose out to the trailer from the purification machine. No stomach trouble for anyone. Local water was used for outdoor showers and dishes.

[dkirk]

Baja California

[Ron in BC]

Thanks for posting the really great photos as well as the comments about the other places.

Ron

[Vermilye]

29°F overnight at Quartzsite last night. Lots of furnace time overnight - I used 54 amp hours on the batteries after toast & coffee, and decided to tilt the solar panels since today is pretty cloudy & I wanted to fill the batteries.

With them flat I have been averaging 175 watts or so, a bit more on clear days. With the haze, after tilting, 291 watts peak. Hope it warms up in February!

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

29°F overnight at Quartzsite last night. Lots of furnace time overnight - I used 54 amp hours on the batteries after toast & coffee, and decided to tilt the solar panels since today is pretty cloudy & I wanted to fill the batteries.

With them flat I have been averaging 175 watts or so, a bit more on clear days. With the haze, after tilting, 291 watts peak. Hope it warms up in February!

Brrrrr ! Me too ! Pat

[hrewer]

Jon, we’re interested in seeing what you did to tilt your panels. Would you be willing to show us at Quartzsite?
Thanks

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by hrewer

Jon, we’re interested in seeing what you did to tilt your panels. Would you be willing to show us at Quartzsite?
Thanks

Sure. They will probably still be tilted when I get to Dome Rock. This trip they are tilted on the long side, since I parked with the rear of the trailer aimed south, making them low enough to tow at slow speeds with them tilted. Last year I parked the trailer perpendicular to the South, and had to lower them to drive to the dump station 3 miles away in La Posa South, or from La Posa West to Dome Rock. The only way they don't tilt is towards the front of the trailer. While possible, the AC would block the rear panel.

Some photos of the tilting system are on my Escape 21 Modifications page.

[dennisdelorey]

Looking forward to this event!

[Patandlinda]

Have a used once ( we have another )almost like new , Weber Q 1000 for sale . Also includes a rolling bag . Will bring to Quartzsite if interested in Feb . Asking 85.00. Less then 1/2 when bought new . Let me know . Pat

[Ron in BC]

Good deal for someone that's been looking for one at a good price.

If it doesn't get sold before Q'site it'll be a good item to put out in the swap meet event.

Ron

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Good deal for someone that's been looking for one at a good price.

If it doesn't get sold before Q'site it'll be a good item to put out in the swap meet event.

Ron

Yes it is . We already have another that stays home .I was just not hoping to bring along unless I have a taker . I do have other smaller items I will be bringing though . Pat

[StillCampin]

Originally Posted by Greg A

...
Reg table shifts are M-TH 9-11am, 11-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm.

I expect to move from the Roadrunner area on the 1st and should be able to help. Being a newbee at the gathering I couldn't answer certain questions concerning the rally itself but my only fixed plans are to head for the Palm Springs area for shopping one day (that would be starting my 4th week in the Q area so I must be running low on something by then that I get at Costco).

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by StillCampin

...fixed plans are to head for the Palm Springs area for shopping one day (that would be starting my 4th week in the Q area so I must be running low on something by then that I get at Costco).

Tom,
I'd head to Phoenix for the Costco stop. It's about the same distance as Palm Springs, but you have no mountain passes to negotiate, and gasoline is a buck cheaper. (Although sales taxes will be 1%± more).

[Greg A]

Here is the official 2020 Quartzsite Button - Pin for this years gathering.
This years photo is provided courtesy of Eileen Glick, and features the beautiful cloud formations that can be seen at the Q. Thanks Eileen!
Buttons are available as long as we can make them last. Apologies in advance if we run out.

[Greg A]

Where: Same location as always, Dome Rock area, Quartzsite Arizona. Approx. 5 miles west of Quartzsite on I-10, south side of highway next to the frontage road.

MAP OF QUARTZSITEGATHERING LOCATION

GPS: 33° 38' 37.0" N - 114° 18' 17.1" W

https://www.google.com/maps/place/33...4d-114.3048056

[jtischer]

Hi Greg
Thanks for all your hard work & leadership. Judy & I will be arriving on Tuesday with our Escape 21 & Taco. We would be happy to pull a couple of shifts at the registration table as necessary. We have a caravan trip planned for Baja in November and December so are quite interested in connecting with recent returnees.
Regards
Jim & Judy Tischer
Woodland CA

[Ron in BC]

Nice badge/pin/button. It might become a collector item if it's the last one.

It looks like we'll be arriving on Wed., maybe Tue. depending on weather and events along the way. So put us down for Thur. and Fri. am shifts and we'll help out on Sat. with late arrivals.

Ron