Water Hole in the Desert: Nellie E. Saloon

Petula Clark said the place to go was, "Downtown." With due regard to Ms. C, there ain’t much of a "Downtown," in Quartzsite. If you’re looking for potent potable with an atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else, there’s no place like the Desert Bar, a.k.a., the Nellie E. Saloon.

Open only on weekends from Labor Day weekend through Memorial Day weekend, from noon to sunset. The hours alone should tell you this isn’t your ordinary watering hole. But the current runs deeper: To get to the Nellie E. you’ve got to drive through five miles of ‘god-forsaken desert wilderness,’ far from the power lines of modern civilization. Why all this desert running? Well, in another life, the Nellie E. wasn’t a saloon, but an old mining claim. In it’s current "incarnation," Nellie E. is a funky, more-out-of-doors-than-in emporium with live music October through March.

The saloon is a model of "off the grid" technology: The roof is covered with solar panels which provide all the power for the establishment. Low-tech cooling towers shoot a draft of cool air through, keeping customers comfortable, while Nell, the saloon cat, occupies the top of the piano. While this is not the kind of place you come to for the food, if you hunger an outdoor eatery provides hamboogies and hotdogs. The bar has a limited selection of hard liquor and wine, but there’s plenty of beer, and for those of us who limited our consumption of alcohol, plenty of soft drinks. By the way, kids are welcome with parents.

A few miles north of Parker, then five miles across the desert, it’s a nice run when you want to take a little drive away from Quartzsite and just relax. From Highway 95, turn east at Cienega Springs Road. Set your "trip meter" to measure miles from the highway: At 1.3 miles, take the left fork of the road. At 2.4 miles stay to the right, and similarly at the 3.1 miles keep to the right and follow the road up to the Nellie E. Saloon. Don’t be confused, you’ll see the church before you get there, but you’re still on the right track. Visit www.thedesertbar.com for more information

Bring Your Appetite to the QIA--But Hurry!

Psst: One of Quartzsite’s better kept secrets has to do with food: You can still buy a pretty decent meal and keep a lot of your dollar bills in your pocket. Every Wednesday night during the season you can breeze into the Quartzsite Improvement Association for the fabulous QIA pancake dinner.

Where else can you get a stack o’ cakes for a couple of bucks? Eggs or sausage for another buck? There’s plenty of coffee and milk. If you’re not into cakes, then there’s always bisquits and gravy, or country fried spuds under that wonderful artery clogging meat drippings specialty. And most every week, aside from the usual fare, there’s a special dinner. Last time we checked in it was ham, accompanied by mashed taters, a veggie, and various trim-outs. The two of us "et and wuz satisfied" for less than $7.00. Be sure to get there early--supper runs from 5 to 6 pm.

If you can stand yourself after all that ‘root hog or die,’ then stick around for the big Wednesday night dance. While signs proclaiming "Dance at your own risk," festoon the walls of the big auditorium, it’s a rare day when the Medics have to be called. Check out the festivities at the QIA, 235 E Ironwood Street. Better hustle: This Wednesday coming up is it for the season!

Tuff Golf Course Challenges Quartzsite's Best

Who says, "There’s nothin’ to do at Quartzsite after the shows"? Apparently you haven’t "taken up desert golf." These ’18 holes from Hell" are definitely a challenge if you’re used to putting in green grass. Avoid the mesquite bushes, and watch your birdies if they ricochet off a cactus, it’s all part of the fun. But as you pant your way through the 90 degree day somewhere up around the 15th hole, think about the relaxing time that awaits you at the clubhouse.

For some years golfers have enjoyed the Quartzsite Masters Tournament. Spearheaded by a local plumbing contractor, the $25 entry fee and the challenge of desert golf has attracted many. Sad to say, the plumbing contractor has gotten so busy that he may not be able to organize the 2007 tourney. If that’s the case, it may be it’ll go down the drain. Sponsors, anyone?

The Tuff Golf Course is north of Quartzsite. Take Tyson Street to Desert Vista Street. Follow Desert Vista past the pavement, and continue north on the desert road to the course, clearly marked with the sign that indicates "Golf Course." Open year-around, be sure to bring your own caddy, unless you count on sidewinders lugging your bag.

Next Show Season Schedule Already In Place

It seems the big Quartzsite show season is almost over--and it truly is. But hey! Here’s the 2007 - 2008 show schedule already! By no means complete, it does give you a jumping off point as to when the "really big shoes" will be.

Don’t forget: There’s a lot more to Quartzsite than the shows. Plenty of wildlife and nature viewing is at hand, and some of the best "shows" like the spring saguaro bloom don’t even take off for several more weeks. So when you plan next season’s visit, be sure to allow plenty of time to take in the stuff that’s here all year!

2007 - 2008 Quartzsite Show Schedule

11/1 - 2/28 Rice Ranch Roundup
11/1 - 2/28 Hi Jolly Swap Lot
11/1 - 2/15 Prospector’s Panorama
12/1 - 2/28 Greasewood Greens
12/2 Fourth annual Christmas Light Parade
1/1 - 2/28 Desert Gardens 6th Annual International Gem, Mineral, & Jewelry Show
1/11 - 2/3 The Main Event
1/11 - 2/3 Main Street Traders
1/18 - 1/21 Horseshoe Tournament
1/18 - 1/27 Tyson Wells Sell-a-Rama
1/19 - 1/27 Sports, Vacation, & RV Show Big Tent Event
1/23 - 1/27 41st QIA Pow Wow Rocks, Gems, & Minerals
1/30 - 2/3 Hobby, Gem, & Craft Show Big Tent Event
1/4 - 1/13 Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
1/5 Hi Jolly Days Parade
2/1 - 2/10 Tyson Wells Arts & Craft Show
2/2 - 2/3 Rock & Roll Classic Car Show Big Tent Event
2/9 ATV World Record Attempt Parade
2/22 - 2/24 Tyson Wells Bluegrass Festival
2/23 Chili Cookoff & State Salsa Championship at Tyson Wells

Photo montage copyright by R&T DeMaris, all rights reserved.

The Last Spring Fling Coming to Los Algadones

Ah, Mexico. The blankets. The cerveza! The cheap phar-

maceuticals. The $1.00 shrimp tacos!

For Quartzsiters, Los Algadones is the little Mexican border town where all these things are a reality. It’s a day’s journey by the time you hustle down Highway 95 and through Yuma, over the California line, and then south through the crossing at Andrade--but it might as well be a world away. Where in the US would you hear the persistent drum beating and slightly off-key flute playing of the dancer on the street corner? Your nostrils bristle at that keen scent of spray paint as the "rattle can artists" transform the ordinary satellite dish into a fantasy picture.

Well, Amigos, the good folks of Los Algadones appreciate your patronage, and they’re throwing a big party in your honor March 17. A block of city streets will be closed, the tables will roll out, the music will play, and yes, the cerveza will flow. It’s Spring Party time at Los Algadones, on that fine Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Arizona time. It's all free, and the Americanos are all welcome. Bring your camera and your appetite for fun.

Consider this the last big fling until next fall. For more information, call the Los Algadones tourism folks toll free at (888) COTUCO 2.