Free Quartzsite Wifi Service

It may be one of the area's 'best kept secrets:' You can connect to a pretty good speed internet connection for free at the Quartzsite Public Library. Yep, it is free, but you will need to go inside with your laptop (and battery) and request the logon code.

The library is open Monday through Saturday. To get there, take the B-10 (Main Street) to Plymouth. Take Plymouth north to Quail Trail--town hall (and the library) on your right (the east side of the street).

Other internet services are available in town: rvlogon.com provides fair coverage over much of the town; the Love's Truck Stop at Exit 17 also has fee-for-service wifi available. Other little operations have been known to "pop up" during the season. We'll try and keep you posted on them as they come and go.

It's a far cry from when we "rented" space on a telephone pole from a property owner in town, had the phone company drop a wire to us, and hook up on that snail paced stuff the phone company offers. I can still recall rolling down the truck window, sticking the phone plug out the window, and settling in for a long session with the steering wheel propping up my old IBM "ThinkPad." Ah, the good old days....

The First Big Migration Is Nigh!

In Quartzsite, the arrival of the mysterious snowbird is a predictable thing. As soon as the chill begins to even warn of its arrival in the northern climes, the trickle begins. You can count that as early as mid-September, a few rigs will dribble into town. By October, the feeding stations are put out--the 'seasonal' restaurants begin to open.

By November, things are springing up all over. Most of the vendors are popping up canopies or dragging in merchandise trailers. And late November? Ah, "Día del Pavo" arrives, which means when translated, Day of the Turkey. Yes, Thanksgiving Day marks the first major milestone for the Quartzsite Season--you can be assured on the weekend following Thanksgiving the Snowbirds will come in droves, just as sure as shoppers have already flocked to Black Friday events in stores.

Planning to strut your own stuff in Quartzsite, but never done it before? Fear not, if you cannot be here with the first major migration, there'll still be room for you. Although there will be a steady stream between the Thanksgiving Migration and the next major "fly in" (right after Christmas) there's still plenty of room here for folks to roost. We may not be able to predict fuel prices, but down here, everything else is pretty predictable.

Learn the details of where to camp in and around Quartzsite for free or pennies a day. Order from RVbookstore.com and be reading the eBook in two or three minutes (delivered to your email inbox). Only $4.95!

Photo copyright R & T DeMaris, all rights reserved.

Where Ya Gonna Eat: Parker

Not far north up Highway 95 from Quartzsite lies the county seat: Parker. A wee bit bigger than Quartzsite --depending on how you look at it, Parker does boast two big grocery stores (Bashas and Safeway) and a casino. Parker also has one of the few affordable chiropractors in the area--those down in Blythe are priced for rich Californians. Some folks trundle there way up there from QZ to take advantage of these outfits, but where to eat?

First, let us strongly recommend avoiding the food at the casino. Yes, we know there'll be a few boos and hisses at our "non-endorsement." We've tried eating at the Blue Water several times, and sad to say, it ain't getting any better. In one humble opinion, the quality of the food is rated as "good" only by those who have lost their sense of taste. Into Chinese? OK, lots of folks swear by Parker's one Chinese joint, and while it did beat the Chinese food served in Quartzsite, it's still way less than stellar. Call it, "No amount of MSG will make the flavor reveal itself."

Having kicked up as much dirt as we can, the flesh-eater of the family can make one endorsement for a Parker purveyor of palatable provisions: Ruperto's Mexican Restaurant on Highway 95.

Ruperto's isn't long on ambiance, but simply food: The food's durn good. The combo plates offered here run the usual Mexican fare that could be found in any mexi-joint. But when you notice the huge packs of construction crew trucks and RVs piled up outside Ruperto's the question is: What are they eating? The specialty must be the special burritos and tortas.

This carnivore highly recommends the Arizona Burrito: A big old humongous giant sized tortilla, rolled up and stuffed with carne asada, spuds, and cheese. Or try the Texano: Pollo (translates "chicken" to the uninitiated), sour cream, cheese, and potatoes. How about the "Veggie" (Am I really talking about this?) Rice, beans, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, salsa....oh my! It's almost enough to make even me think twice about my meat-eatin' ways.

And the prices? Hey, the exchange rate is good! Combos start at less than $5, the special burritos run from $2.75 to $3.15. Wash it all down with your favorite Norte Americano soda pop, or go native and buy a true Mexican fountain drink. Ruperto's is even worth making a special trip just for lunch.

Ruperto's is on Riverside Drive and Hopi Street.

Coyotes Chill Cat's Nocturnal Ambulations

If you've spent any time at all in Quartzsite, you know that it's a confluence for unusual people--and pets. After all, we have Paul, "The Naked Bookseller," and there's plenty of local "color" on the town council.

Now you can meet Bonehead, the traveling cat. She and her people are in the Quartzsite area taking in the beauty of the desert fall. But Bonehead has a problem: She enjoys quiet evening walks with her folks--that is until the coyotes began hanging around. According to her folks' blog, Bonehead's Traveling People, she now has to content herself with hanging out at the screendoor and watching the world outside. But if picture's tell the story, it appears she's also got her own bartender helping her drown her sorrows.