Escape to Quartzsite AZ_Feb-23-2023

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Edith Eveon Brown

**Quail Run RV Community Living, Quartzsite Arizona**

I am so over dealing with the crazy unusual winter weather in Why AZ where I had been homesteading from October 11, 2022 to January 9, 2023, at a spot without full-hookup service which I normally do in deserts, canyons and forest areas because my motorhome is fully self-contained with its own exterior generator that runs everything in the house (i.e. air conditional, refrigerator, interior and exterior lights, receptors, televisions, computer equipment, landline phone, convection microwave and grill).

Otherwise, if I cannot run the generator due to gas level. Portable propane tanks will run stovetop, furnace and refrigerator, while my rooftop solar panel provides light and activate one receptor. At these times, my girls-scout explorer training and backup equipment systems are employed until I need to pack up the motorhome and make a trip to nearby dump stations to dump my gray and black tanks; refill exterior water tank, refill truck gas, exterior and portable propane tanks, as well as depose of house trash bags.

I really love my no-mad lifestyle, as well as the ability to move from one place to another whenever I desire. Like now; upon determining due to cold weather in Why AZ I spent $1,695.00 for excessive propane and gas tank refills. I have lived this lifestyle for the last five-years and I have never spent this much money while homesteading anywhere. Not only do my wallet need a break; my body needs one as well from the unhooking, lifting, refilling, carrying and reconnecting portable propane tanks because it has been so cold in Why AZ.

Therefore, I called Quail Run in Quartzsite, AZ to determine if they had any full-hookup sites for rent at their RV Park (i.e., city water, electricity and sewage}. Carol answered the phone and said, I certainly do. Our full-service sites are $355.00 a month. What date do you want to arrive, she asked.

I will arrive on February 1^st, I replied.

Okay, I have scheduled your arrival for February 1^st. Safe travelers, she said.

Thanks Carol, I will see you soon, I replied.

On February 1^st, 2023, I packed up my motorhome, dumped my tanks and attached my jeep in tow mode behind my motorhome and made a 4-hour drive to Quail Run located in Quartzsite AZ, which is usually a 2-hour-51-minute drive from Why AZ. The trip was made longer because of high winds blowing across highways. You can’t do 65-miles an hour, driving a top-heavy motorhome in high winds which is a Lesson I learned while travelling from Iowa to New Mexico. I was doing 65-miles an hour heading south on a baren highway and was hit by an unexpected wind-tunnel crossing the highway which swung my motorhome completely around heading north in the opposite direction and lane.

Thank God I was the only vehicle on the highway at that time. I immediately recognized this could have been a disaster for me and other drivers on the highway. As a result, I am always attentive to the bowing of trees or tall grass on the sides of highways, as well as the slightest shift or sway of my vehicle and that of 18-wheelers. I have no problems traveling in the slow land and dropping my speed in a safe manner.

**Gravel Tow Vehicle Unhitch Area and RV Community**

I pulled into Quail Runs’ entrance behind other motorhomes. A man with a clipboard checked us in and directing us with tow vehicles to pull onto a dirt lot to unhook these vehicles and wait for an escort to lead us to our assigned site; help us park into these spaces then return us to the dirt lot to drive our unhitched vehicles to our sites. These guys were friendly, professional and made check-in fun.

Take your time. Once you finish setting up your site you can walk down to that building and finish your check-in process. Hope you enjoy your stay here, Ron my escort said.

The three ladies in the office first names began with a C. So, the joke of the day was, “We see see see you.” They were welcoming, laughed a lot, made you feel like family. They along with grounds workers makes me feel welcome and makes me laugh every day. I am not used to being around some many no-mads or living in crowded areas with lots of people from all walks of life, but it turns out to be fun with a caring environment.

Talk about being busy. Upon final check-in I was provided a February Calendar which showed daily activities for the month which included but not limited to (i.e., Yahtzee, Cribbage, Quirkie, Hand & Foot, Decks of Cards, Taboo, Five Crowns, Mexican Train, Poker, Crafts & Hobbies, Morning Exercise, Block Parties, Bingo, Concealed Carry Class, Painting Class, Pancake Breakfast, etc.).

Further, if you desire you can checkout DVDs, Books, and Puzzles from Clubhouse to enjoy in your own environment. Trash pickup from curb at 10am & 4pm. Morning coffee daily at 6am in Clubhouse. Come wake up and chat with other early risers and walking club. Nope, never done this… Just too early. However, if you are looking for a friendly place to call home; away from your cold winter residence with lots of activities and/or new things to do, as well as make need friends I recommend Quail Run. This property contains 168 full-hook-up sites, an area for primitive camping, also restrooms, showers, laundry room, recycling, trash pickup, dog run, clubhouse, and office. This is a spacious RV Park.

Coyote Howls RV Parks_May-2, 2022

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Edith Eveon Brown

**My Hide-out @ Coyote Howls Campground**

Once my 14-days were exhausted at Holly Jolly I decided to leave Quartzsite AZ for Why AZ because the thrill of traveling to this area every year has deemed for me due to recent experiences of theft of personal properties, as well as crowded public and camping spaces caused by foot and vehicle traffic.

It used to be refreshing to arrive in Quartzsite ahead of rock and gem show collectors or people looking to sell rocks, gems, and jewelry he/she created to visiting buyers and store owners.

**Tyson Wash BLM Campground** Quartzsite

During this time, I enjoyed walking in the forest seeing wildlife and smelling fresh air. Sitting in a chair near my RV surveying mountains at a distance, listening to the birds, watching night stars, sunset, sunrise, and the moon. I worked on new novels, wrote an array of reviews, performed workout routines in the gym and visited with returning friends. At this point I doubt I will return to Quartzsite anytime soon.

In January 2018, while visiting Saddle Mountain, a landmark peak in Tonopah AZ. One morning, I was sitting in my motorhome, drinking a cup of coffee, and looking out my window. I saw a woman walking up the dirt road towards my motorhome. She would take a few steps; bend down to retrieve something from the ground and drop it in a pouch hanging from her shoulder. The fact, she kept bending and picking up something piqued my interest and the fact she wasn’t making too much progress as a walker. I walked outside and said, “Good morning my name is Edith Eveon Brown, what are you doing?”

She stood up, laughed, and said, “Good morning, Edith my name is Rose. I collect rocks and cactus to create unique jewelry designs which I sell to jewelry owners and customers at trade stores and flea markets.”

Wow Rose, it’s nice to meet you and I am impressed. Rose showed me her rock collection, and told me how she clean, cut, polish/spray her rocks or cactus to create jewelry.

Rose also told me about Coyote Howls Rv Park in Why AZ which is where she lived. The area was in the middle of nowhere and was home to many friendly artist (i.e., sculptor, novelist, jeweler, poet etc.). In fact, when I decided to come to Quartzsite to collect rocks; I had been in Why for two days and was concerned about leaving my small bus which I am renovating and can’t be secured to prevent theft. Upon mentioning my design, a guy working on an easel nearby said, “My name is Leroy. I’ll watch your place until you return”. I turned around and said, “Leroy my name is Rose, I’ll be gone for five days here are the keys to my place. Thank you. I packed a few things and drove here, she said.

Now, you know why I showed up at Why AZ in August 2019, and again this year after leaving Holly Jolly Campground on January 21, 2022, stopping other places prior to arriving at Coyote Howls Rv Park East on January 28, 2022, where I remained until March 29 when I left to return to South Dakota.

**Coyote Howls Office, Mail Room, Library, Game and Computer Room**

Coyote Howls, Why AZ Aug. 21 – 28, 2019

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Edith Eveon Brown

One afternoon in February 2019 while spending 14-days at an BLM (Bureau of Land Management) property known as Saddle Mountain Forest located in Tonopah AZ. I was stretched out on my couch admiring the clouds and mountains which I am sure you have discovered by now; these views including wilderness animals and meeting like-minded strangest, who enjoys the same no-mad lifestyle as I are my favorite things to do.

It was at this time, I observed a lady, who kept stopping every second or so to dig at the ground. Then she’ll pick something up and put it in her knapsack. Because she kept performing this same ritual over-and-over again, I was curious to find out what she was doing and why. As an enquiring mind person. I went outside; introduced myself and ask what was she doing.

Hello, my name is Edith. I ‘ve been watching you for the last several minutes. What are you doing?

The lady laughed. “My name is Rose, and I am collecting rocks, gems and minerals to make jewelry which I sell to the general public and jewelry store owners at annual events (i.e. rock and gem shows, gem and mineral shows and arts and craft fairs),” she replied.

Wow. Rose, that sounds like an amazing hobby and profession. “Yes, for me it is, because as an artist I decide on the design and/or creation of my jewelry based on the selling value of the rock; the rock’s color, its original shape as well as my rock cutting skills. As a result, I decide if one rock or a variety of rocks would serve a female or male customer better as a bracelet, brooch, necklace, ring or a pair of earrings. I use the same process when designing my specialty line of cactus necklaces.

Mmm…Cactus necklaces? Rose Laughed. “They aren’t prickly once I am done with them. Further, it makes beautiful necklaces. In fact, customers really like these unique designs which is one of my best-selling ornaments. I love your mobile home. Are you a full-time Rv’er or a part-timer, she asked?

I am a full-timer, I replied. What about you? I am a full-timer as well. But currently my mobile home is old and falling apart which I intend to replace soon. However, my mobile home being old isn’t a big issue right now for me because I live in Why AZ which is a great and inexpensive location to live in comparison to many rv parks (i.e. many rv parks only allow mobile homes that are 1 to 10 years old to park at their campgrounds). However, my Coyote Howl Campground’s manager/owner’s only requirement is that your residential vehicle (i.e. mobile home, bus, van, car or whatever you call home) can crank up and move to another spot if needed. In addition, my neighbors consist of painters, music writers, rock collectors, sculptors’ and many others, she said.

It sounds like a cool place to live Rose. I assure you; I will visit Coyote Howl one day, because I love exploring forests and cool inexpensive places to live, I replied.

Now, that you know how and why I visited Why, AZ. I would like to share my findings:

I discovered there were two Coyote Howls (East and West). Coyote Howls East is a primitive campground whereas, Coyote Howls RV Park West is a full-service hookup community neighborhood with assigned addresses; consisting of long-term and weekend residents. As well as, travelers passing through like myself. Because I don’t like community or development living, I spent one-day at Coyote Howls RV Park West. Therefore, other than stated above I know nothing about Coyote Howls West.

Upon moving up the road to Coyote Howls East, a Primitive Campground. I found this area though primitive to be very calming with wide open spaces. Here, residents can park and live wherever he/she wish. As well as, move to another area if it fits their fancy. Amenities includes a laundromat, library, bath houses, dump sewage systems, water spickets and a business office that enable residents to send/ receive mail and packages.

Rates at Coyote Howls East are as follows: Daily rate – $10.00; Weekly rate – $42.00 and Monthly rate – $125.00.

A flyer for Coyote Howls RV Park West indicates: Daily rate – $22.00; Weekly rate – $145 and Monthly rate – $230.00 plus electricity. If it hadn’t been for the heat: 90 something to 107 degrees during the day and 92 to 97 degrees at night, I would have stayed for a month or more. However, during my short stay, I met some interesting/friendly folks and enjoyed views of sky, clouds and mountainous terrain. Many residents said, “its normally not this hot. We might have one or two really hot days here and there. Just come back and visit with us in October.”

Anyway, I hope you can see and enjoy the few images I captured in pictures. It was just too hot to take pictures during the day.