…a “funky” little town in Arizona…
We’ve been here for about a month now. There is a surge of folks that come to this town in the month of January. There are a few events that draw the crowd, including a gem/rock swap meet/”Big Tent” (which is a huge circus tent lined with venders selling all different kinds of things)/vendors line the streets selling their wares. I thought I might “show” you around town…
First, I should give you a brief history of “What’s Up With All The Camels?!”
“In 1856, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis (later President of the Confederacy) had a novel idea: transporting freight and people across the desert Southwest on camels. He eventually imported over 70 of the beasts. Along with the first batch came a Syrian caretaker, Hadji Ali. His American masters called him Hi Jolly.
A plaque on Hi Jolly’s tomb says of the camel experiment: “A fair trial might have resulted in complete success.” But the Civil War intervened, Jefferson Davis changed jobs, and without his support the project was abandoned. The camels were set free to fend for themselves in the desert near Quartzsite.
Hi Jolly remained, living into his seventies. The locals were so fond of him that, after he died, they spent several weeks building Hi Jolly a special pyramid tomb, made of multicolored petrified wood and quartz. It was dedicated on Jan. 4, 1903. Thirty-three years later the Arizona Highway Department came along and cemented a bronze plaque to the tomb, telling Hi Jolly’s story, and topped the pyramid with a metal camel silhouette.” ( Credit: RoadsideAmerica.com )
For those of you who know me, know that I am not a morning person. However, my new gig of server at a Diner has me getting up before sunrise. For the first few days, I was just running on adrenaline. I was able to get up and going without a struggle. Then I started to fall victim to my circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms can be modulated by external cues such as sunlight and temperature. As part of this personal journey, I’m working on shifting my perception. Looking forward to a new day with a fresh outlook. Our new morning ritual includes stopping, on our morning walk, for a minute, to appreciate the beauty of the sunrise. I wasn’t able to capture the colors and true beauty in a photo. Just close your eyes and imagine rose pinks, purples, blues, reds, yellows, oranges, different shades, illuminating the sky and reflecting on the desert mountains to the West. Almost as if there is 2 sunrises and your standing right in the middle of them. It takes my breath away and looking forward to getting up to see a new, fresh sunrise tomorrow.
The demographic is so diverse. A few Faces and Places of Quartzsite…
Karl and Faye, our next door neighbors…
Jerry and Michelle, the owners of the Diner/Laundromat/RV park where I live and work. They live in Montana, work for the Winter here, then in April return to Montana.
There is a surprising number of Trump supporters here…
Some of the nice folks I’ve met here….
There’s a desert golf course…
One of the RV parks has “Yard Art” made from horseshoes and some made from wood. They light up at night…
Some random pics just walking around our end of town…
There is a legend, that has passed on, but his bookstore lives on. I would be remiss if I didn’t include him…here is a short video…
One of the long term BLM land spots, I tried to show how crowded they are but I don’t think the photos do that. Just imagine “rigs” everywhere…
I have been asked about our camping spot. We have a corner spot. I took a pic from our door of the camper. We are in 1 of 2 spots that have a fire ring/pit. The rest of the RV park is a gravel parking lot. It’s all fenced in and SAFE. During the high volume, surge of travelers, safety first! And the girls keep an eye out…
The fire company has a Special Ops trailer (Search And Rescue), ladder truck, and 2 heliocopters…
The “Hidden Gem” for me is… this funky little town has helped remind me that I AM resourseful. I AM an enjoyable person to be around. I HAVE a lot to offer. I had become far more jaded than I originally thought. That, created a self sabotage that I was struggling to overcome. I’ve discovered how to get out of my own way. THAT is a “gem” I will continue to “wear”.
The girls and I will leave this funky little town mid February, head to Tucson to visit a dear friend. Then we’re headed to Santa Fe to visit a loved family member. Then off to Pa. Our ETA for Pa is March 1st. I’m going to teach a WFR course with one of my favorite people, in Philly. Just a brief timeline of our upcoming travels. We are grateful for all of our supporters/followers.
…Blessings to everyone that you are reminded of how valuable YOU are…