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| Sister Connie with her mister leads the caravan to Quartzsite |
My new sisters, Kris and Connie began to paint a picture in my mind as I tried to imagine just what was ahead of me. They spoke of friendships, vintage trailers, crazy sisters, the flea markets of Quartzsite and upcoming adventures.
The small caravan went as far as Needles, CA the first day. We pulled into the Needles KOA for the first night. This was a welcome beginning since the next few days we would be boondocking on BLM land. I made sure to take a shower and enjoy being clean.
Quartzsite bound at 8:30 after I grabbed my shower and a wonderful breakfast prepared by the staff at the KOA. (BTW, the Needles KOA is very nice, The staff is helpful and there is a large population of retired snowbird types around the campgrounds.
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| Kitty, Melissa and Tilly |
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| Deserts of Arizona |
What Happens in Quartzite or Quartzsite?:
If you pass through Quartzite in summer, the answer to this question is, “Absolutely nothing.” You will see flat desert, some roadside businesses, tumbleweeds and that’s about it.
But come winter, the answer is quite different. Each winter the flat desert bustles with activity. RVs by the thousands camp in fairly primitive desert conditions. So what’s the attraction? Well, it's warm in Quartzite during winter, for one. And, second, it's pretty inexpensive camping.
But come winter, the answer is quite different. Each winter the flat desert bustles with activity. RVs by the thousands camp in fairly primitive desert conditions. So what’s the attraction? Well, it's warm in Quartzite during winter, for one. And, second, it's pretty inexpensive camping.
Slowly the other sisters began to arrive. I walked around and introduced myself as a "new sister, #2339". The sisterhood was fun, campfires amazing, deep belly laughing spectacular and I think I am "hooked"
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| Begging in Oatmas |
My original caravan went in all different directions at different times, so in the words of the sisters...I had to put my big girl panties on and make my own way home. I traveled home alone back to Modesto. I had to change my original plans of going over to Scottsdale to visit a friend because I found out she had strep throat. Sedona and Northern Arizona was out because snow was in the forecast. Plan B was in action. I drove to the Needles KOA, dropped my trailer and headed to the historic western town of Oatman, Arizona. I arrived to late to see the gunfights but I did see the begging ass and the quaint but charming town located on the original Route 66.
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| Route 66 |
I am touring with my big girl panties on! Alone and heading home with Beast and Polly.
Visiting Oatman, Arizona
Oatman started life over 100 years ago as a mining tent camp, and quickly became a flourishing gold-mining center. In 1915, two miners struck a $10 million gold find, and within a year, the town's population grew to more than 3,500.
Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman, who as a young girl, was kidnapped by an Apache tribe, sold to Mojave Indians and later rescued in a trade in 1857 near the current site of the town. Oatman was served by a narrow gauge rail line between 1903 and 1905 that ran 17 miles to the Colorado River near Needles, California.
But both the population and mining booms were short-lived. In 1921, a fire burned down many of the smaller shacks in town, and three years later, the main mining company, United Eastern Mines, shut down operations for good. Oatman survived by catering to travelers on old U.S. Route 66. But in the 1960s, when the route became what is now Interstate 40, Oatman almost died.Oatman is a fun place to visit -- an authentic old western town with burros roaming the streets and gunfights staged on weekends. The burros are tame and can be hand fed. When I visited in January of this year, I was surprised to see five old Model T Fords out for a Sunday drive down the main street of Oatman. The cars fit right in with the romantic image of this old town, taking us back to 1915 era old west.
Clark Gable and Carol Lombard honeymooned at the Oatman Hotel March 18, 1939. Their honeymoon suite is still one of the major attractions at the Oatman Hotel. Gable returned there often to play poker with the local miners and enjoy the solitude of the desert.
Here are some of my sister's vintage trailers that were at Quartzsite Enjoy them as much as I do.
Sisters on the Fly
WHO ARE "SISTERS ON THE FLY''
We are a group of women who challenge ourselves in all that we set our minds to do. We have no age or color. We represent no religion or political group. We welcome all women who want to share the adventures of "sisterhood".
In the summer of 1999, sisters Becky and Maurrie sat on a drift boat in Montana fly-fishing. We were happily drinking a glass of wine in celebration of catching an 8 lb. Brown Trout. Our Fly- Fishing Outfitter and Guide (www.seaandstreamflyfishing.com), Austin, (also my son) congratulated our good job. Of course, we won't tell you which one of us caught it… It's a fish-tale you know!
From that moment on we invited friends to share in our adventures. Our “Sisterhood” has grown into almost 1,400 women. (*actually more...Melissa is #2339) It is all about the participating in outdoor adventures with women of the same mindset.
COWGIRL CARAVAN
While driving around the country, it became more comfortable and easier to drag or own bedroom with us. Hence came the COWGIRL CARAVAN. We have vintage trailers that we take on Caravan trips around the country. They are from the 1950's to now and they are about 12 ft. to 24 ft. in length. The trailer makes vary: Holiday, Shasta, Aljoa, Scotsman, Aloha, Fireball and even an Airstream thrown in for good measure to name a few.
There is no “good” one, just “great” ones. Each trailer reflects its owner’s personality with its theme and sister number proudly posted on the rear of the trailer. They are decorated inside and out in usually a western kitschy theme. “There is a little Cowgirl in all of us”. After a hard day of driving and having fun it is pure bliss to fall into your own feather bed at the close of the day. Awake to the smell of coffee and bacon right outside your door.
Well now, suppose you don't have a trailer! We have added tents, backs of trucks, motels, horse trailers and just about anything you want to put your brand on. It is not a must to have a trailer.
· Mission Statement ·
"Offering empowerment and sisterhood through exceptional outdoor adventures"
We are a group of women who challenge ourselves in all that we set our minds to do. We have no age or color. We represent no religion or political group. We welcome all women who want to share the adventures of "sisterhood". Our "Sisterhood" has grown into almost 2,000 women. It is all about the participating in outdoor adventures with women of the same mindset. "WE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYONE"
You are encouraged to join us on one of our trips and let yourselves be spoiled rotten PLUS learn to fish, learn to be a real Western Cowgirl, run rivers, go on adventures that are just pure highway traveling fun. The best part is gathering new sisters you didn't know you had. We range in age from 21 to 92 with most in between."See you there!"
We are a group of women who challenge ourselves in all that we set our minds to do. We have no age or color. We represent no religion or political group. We welcome all women who want to share the adventures of "sisterhood". Our "Sisterhood" has grown into almost 2,000 women. It is all about the participating in outdoor adventures with women of the same mindset.
"WE HAVE MORE FUN THAN ANYONE"
You are encouraged to join us on one of our trips and let yourselves be spoiled rotten PLUS learn to fish, learn to be a real Western Cowgirl, run rivers, go on adventures that are just pure highway traveling fun. The best part is gathering new sisters you didn't know you had. We range in age from 21 to 92 with most in between."See you there!"
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| Good bye Quartzsite, Arizona from Polly Pod |
