Dear RV Shrink:
My wife wants to go to Quartzsite, Arizona, for the big gathering that takes place in January. It looks like way too many people for me. I hate crowds. We started RVing to get away from the maddening crowd. She is insisting we go. Am I being unreasonable? Should I keep dragging my feet or give in and deal with it?
I want our travels to include the things she wants to do, but this is really something that does not appeal to me. —Garboish in Glendale
Dear Garboish:
Even Greta had to deal with crowds on occasion. I know where you are coming from — I felt the same way before I finally gave in and joined the circus. I can tell you I was pleasantly surprised. Go over and find a group to camp with. Circle the wagons and enjoy some of the activities. If you park in the right place you won’t have to drive much and fight traffic. We parked a few miles out and I rode my bike to town everyday.
It did turn out to be an expensive decision. I went to several seminars on RV remodeling projects. I spent the summer redoing our motorhome flooring, pulling out our dinette bench, and relocating the television. So, my advice would be to stay away from seminars if you want the summer off.
The whole experience was successful for one common RV Lifestyle reason: We met a ton of wonderful people, good friends and new friends. Admittedly, there might have been some alcohol involved, but that is optional.
Put your Greta Garbo personality in the closet for a week and try it. I only agreed to a couple days and ended up staying nearly two weeks. Had a blast. —Keep Smilin’, Richard Mallery a.k.a. Dr. R.V. Shrink
[Editor: “I never said ‘I want to be alone.’ I only said, ‘I want to be left alone.’ There is all the difference.” —Greta Garbo]
Can’t get enough of the Shrink? Read his new e-book: Dr. R.V. Shrink: Everything you ever wanted to know about the RV Lifestyle but were afraid to ask or check out his other e-books.
I will go with her. I love Quartzsite during the RV event. My wife does not.
Greetings and Thank You for the advice! Can you also point us in the right direction for finding a seminar schedule?
I don’t think there are any seminars, Deb. I plan to be there for at least part of the show. Hope to see you and Greg. — Chuck
It can be overwhelming, lot’s to see and do, but the people there are terrific. For some real excitement don’t forget to check out the book store. Now that’s an experience you will never forget and a great story to tell.
We don’t like the crowds, either, so we stay down in Yuma then make the 60-or-so mile trip up to Quartzsite in our toad once or twice during our stay. That way we can take what we want from the event and leave when we’re ready. Staying there isn’t the only way to experience it — and making it a day trip might be one way to find out if you’d like to stay in Q another time.
We always wanted to go do the ‘Quartzsite’ show so in 2010-2011 we did. We spent January and February there staying at Patty’s. I am glad we did. the ‘energy’ in January was fun, February things quieted down. I would go and enjoy it. We got lots of exercise cause we walked from the park across to the show and flea market. If you don’t want to stay in a park, boondock it.
We’ve never hit the big circus in Quartzsite, but HAVE gone down after the festivities – and still had fun. I’m a bit apprehensive about wading into the fray but who knows. One of these years we’ll do it.
We had great time attending the Good Sam / Camping World RV Rally in Phoenix last time they had one, and there were zillions of folks there. The difference is, I think, I didn’t hear about anything being stolen at the Rally, but DO hear about stuff disappearing in the area surrounding Quartzsite.