More Eagles on the Sonora?

In an off-again, on-again move, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has once again relisted the Bald Eagle as an endangered species on Arizona's Sonora Desert.

Back in 1978, the bird species was listed as endangered throughout 43 states, including Arizona. With protection and management, in 2007 agency determined the protection order could be lifted. But a group filed a petition with the Fish and Wildlife folks that indicated their concern that the population on Arizona's Sonora Desert was a distinct and isolated population of birds, hence in need of special protection.

After reviewing the petition, the government agency said it couldn't agree with the findings, and overruled the request. What followed was a court battle, and to make the bird's story short, earlier this month the U.S. District Court for Arizona ordered that wildlife agency review the matter, and for now, central Arizona bald eagles are back on the list.

Does that mean you'll soon see these majestic raptors hanging out around Quartzsite? Since Arizona has only about 50 nesting pairs of these birds, don't imagine one will pop up in a Saguaro next to your fifth wheel--but then, you can always hope.

Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Service

Mexico Travel? Passport Card Cheaper Than Passport

The US government announces they've finally made less expensive "Passport Cards" available to the American public. Check out the full story on our sister blog, RVing Mexico.

How Do You Move the Wheels of Government? Embarrassment!

Quartzsite town government is a lot like government elsewhere (well, depends on who you ask), it's a s-l-o-w process. Glacier watchers, this may be just the place to set a spell.

A local business owner operates on the corner of Plymouth and Main Street ("The B-10"), and not far from his place are the homes of the local magistrate court and the county district court. Invariably, his business days are broken up--not with sales--but with folks looking to pay a call on one of the courts.

Asking town fathers to put up a sign pointing the way to the courts just seemed to fall on ears in need of Belltones. Finally, inspiration hit: If you can't get them to do it nicely, must embarrass the daylights out of them. A cardboard sign soon appeared on the businessman's property:




One of your intrepid reporters stopped in the other week, asking to purchase a map to the courthouse. He was met with an incredulous look, a bit of a 'hem and a haw,' and finally informed that if he simply continued north on Plymouth Street three blocks he could save himself a buck. 'After all,' he was told, 'we were simply trying to make a point with the town.'

Making a point finally worked. The other day the advert for courthouse maps came down, just after local government put up a new sign on the B-10, pointing lost souls in the proper direction.

Mexi Bound? Bring Papers!

It's inevitable: If you come to Quartzsite, sooner or later you've got to go to Mexico. Whether it's the lure of the low-cost prescription drugs, the twang of a sore tooth, or the growling of a stomach thinking of fish tacos off the cart, there's a certain draw of Los Algadones.

Traveler beware: The US Border Patrol folks will be happy to see you when you return. But at the end of December, they'll want documentation: No, you don't need a passport or a passcard--not until summer--but you will need documentation of your US citizenship. What passes? A birth certificate or certificate of naturalization. And you'll need valid, government-issued, photo identification. For most of us a driver license will meet that requirement.

Vat vill happen if you turn up vithout zee pay-pairs? Expect that it will take you a while longer to get back across into the U.S. while you'll be flooded with questions and thoroughly run the computer. And oh yes, they will probably ask you about your prescriptions and your liquor. It may not be such a bad idea to carry a U.S. doctor's prescription for what you bring home. They don't often ask to see one, but if they do and you don't have those papers, your drugs go back to Mexico.

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Death, Taxes, and LTVAs

RVers can add one more thing to the list of the only things certain in life: Death, taxes, and increases in user fees by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Uncle Sam's desert land management agency has again issued a last minute update to warm the hearts of all those who camp on the area LTVAs (Long Term Visitor Areas). Sho' 'nuf, LTVA users are faced with a price hike.

Last season, an LTVA permit for the "winter season" (September 15 to April 15) ran $140 for the season, and a 14-day permit was $30. Permit fees have upped to $40 for the 14-day user, and to $180 for the full season permit. The "good news" is that water and sewer dumps are still available at the LaPosa South LTVA; and garbage disposal will be available at all four of the Quartzsite area LTVAs.

Each year, thousands of RVers stay at the Quartzsite area LTVAs. Fee increases are typically seen about every three years; old timers will remember with fondness when the fee hike to $50 for a season permit was met with astonishment. The current hikes apply not only the the LaPosa LTVAs, but all LTVAs in LaPaz County, Arizona, and Imperial County, California. Golden Age and Golden Access card holders will not find a fee reduction available on LTVA permits.