Arizona, January 22nd through 30th: Boondocking, Quartzsite RV show, Tucson!

 One important element of being a nomad in this country is the ability to "boondock".  This basically means free camping, sometimes on BLM lands, sometimes (egads! not for me!) in a Walmart parking lot! Basically, there are tons of places and creative ways of camping that don't require paying a camping fee... important if you are a nomad as a way of life, especially for an extended period of time. True, there are plenty of wealthy people "glamping" (glamour + "camping") in monstrous RV's, but that is obviously not my style. Nor is it the style for thousands of nomads who have chosen this out of necessity, or simply because they are minimalists, as I am. The way to find out where to boondock in any state of this country is to ask other nomads, OR to use an amazing website:  "free campsites.net". This is how I found my BLM boondocking spot in Arizona, just shy of Quartzsite. 

Below: fellow boondockers at sunset. There were probably about 2 dozen vehicles boondocked at the same location, from humble, creaky vans to this small converted school bus, to some rather elaborate-looking RV's. I met one male neighbor in a van, but everyone else basically kept to themselves. I felt pretty safe here... of course I did sleep in my car. 

I slept reasonably well, and left early the next morning for the town of Quartzsite, home to the annual "convention" of nomads in the Arizona desert. The most famous of all such nomads is the "Rubber Tramp Rendezvous" gang, a colorful group who apparently follow the YouTuber and nomad guru, Bob Wells. (If curious, check out his videos about being a US nomad and van dweller! They are fascinating!) I was VERY sorry to have missed this convention by just a few days. It happens the first two weeks of January... so I was too late. I was NOT too late for the famed RV show, however, also an annual event. It is held in a monstrous white tent, with vendors sporting all kinds of crazy paraphernalia related to RV living. Most had no relevance for me whatsover, but it was still fun to visit. I was also appalled by the fact that camper vans have gained SO much popularity in recent times, and become SO fancy, that the average new "B class" van costs around 100 grand!!! Obviously WAY out of my league! Still...it was fun to inspect them, and dream...maybe when I win the lottery one day!! 

Not my photo---these desert nomads had already departed from the large gathering on BLM lands on the outskirts of Quartzsite.  You can see it is a nice setting here in the desert, though, surrounded by the picturesque mountains. With any luck, I will make it to the event next January!

Can you believe this thing sells for $100,000 new or slightly used?! That is $25,000 more than I paid for the only HOUSE I ever owned...purchased in 1988! What a world... 

After the brief entertainment of the RV show in Quartzsite, I continued onward to Tucson, arriving at my Airbnb late in the afternoon. It was essentially a glorified closet for about $62 per night, after all the taxes and fees were factored in. Seriously overpriced! The only thing good about it was the location: close to the University of Arizona, and not far from downtown. (Apart from some lovely historic homes, though, there was nothing truly interesting to see downtown. I DID join a very nice YMCA there, with a weeklong guest pass, and was ecstatic to be able to swim in their Olympic-sized pool!) 

The week in Tucson passed pretty quickly. I spent my days teaching my lessons online, visiting the charming U.A. campus, having lunch with the lovely Ananda group in the town, and being shown around by Evey, one of their group. I also was treated to a tasty Chinese dinner by one of my long-time students, Sunny, who is a pharmacist in Tucson. We have had many great conversations; it was a special treat for me to finally get to meet her in person. 

I also got in some great hiking in the nearby hills, which was, for me, the best part of this town, apart from meeting the Ananda folks and Sunny. 

It is a very dry and arid place, not surprisingly. Also... I was surprised and dismayed that it wasn't so affordable as I had presumed. Cheaper than California towns and cities, to be sure, but at $950 for a DECENT studio apartment...well...still out of my ballpark. 

Still, apart from my very cramped Airbnb "guesthouse" (what a misnomer, indeed! And bad wifi, to boot!), I spent a pleasant time spent there in Tucson. 

Gotta love these southwest gas prices!! Hard to read the sign, but it was $2.59-- been two decades since seeing these sort of prices in CA, right!?-- per gallon. Also fab: 2 avocadoes for only a buck! It was like going back in time... 

Below: A couple of the lovely, historic homes in the downtown area of Tucson. 

The next series is of a wonderful hike I did on the Sunday I was there:  In the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area. I did an 8 mile, RT hike to the "Seven Falls",  the most popular destination for this area. Sadly, because they are experiencing a drought here in Tucson, the only water seen was collecting in small pools at the base of the "falls". The waterfalls themselves were completely dry. Even so, it was a scenic hike; the climb, a good work out; and the whole canyon was still really beautiful. 

Amazing to me, how cacti and other vegetation can grow right out of the rocks!

I have always loved cacti, especially these iconic Saguaro cacti. Like snowflakes, no two are ever exactly alike! 

At the Seven Falls. The rock formations and colors were very pretty.. it must be quite spectacular when there is actually water in the falls!

Amazing patterns on the rocks where the pools of water had dried up. 

A second--and final-- fabulous hike above Tucson was to Gates Pass. The weather was stormy, but I just managed to beat the rain... and of course the ever-changing sky made for some magficient photos! (According to a Google search, the scenic overlook is named after Thomas Gates, a rancher, gambler, miner and saloon keeper from the 1800's. What an active guy he was! Nowadays, the pass is known as one of the best places to watch the sunset over the city and desert expanse.) 

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Leaving early on the morning of the 30th, I encountered more great skies on my way into New Mexico. More about that-- and my midway stop en route to Albuquerque-- in my next blog post!