Quartzite Revisited - Montana Owners Club

HamRad · 02-04-2005, 12:35 AM

Well we finally made it over to Quartzite. We made it just in time to see all the big shows. What a fun time. We met some friends who had been at Q the week before and they said that there were so many people at the shows that you could hardly move! They opted to go back when we arrived and marveled at how nice it was.... all the BIG crowds had moved on.

Traffic was heavy right on business 10 (Main Street) but other than that no real problem. And even on the busy street we never had a problem. Folks would always stop and let you in or out of wherever you were going. It wasn't like L.A. traffic where they are all full of "road rage". It was very laid back and very friendly. It just took a few minutes to get anywhere. Of course it didn't help that half of the street was under construction. By this time next year at least half of the main street will be a full 4 lanes wide. There should be very few traffic delays when they're finished with the road work.

Weather was cool but nice. A bit windy in the mid morning to early afternoon. But the sun would warm you up nicely.

Our friends did get some significant rain the week before we arrived but at our campsite there were no flooding or even mud problems. We camp north of town on Plomosa Rd and the entire area is covered with a thin layer of rock. Just enough to act almost like paving. And of course it's BLM land in the 14 day catagory.... so it is free.

The Montana was perfect for boondocking. We have a Honda 2000 and ran it as needed. Watched as much satellite TV as we wanted. Had as much hot water as we needed. All in all a very enjoyable experience. Our friends had a 30 gallon water barrel and replenished their supply as well as ours. And we had to get one tank of propane and a couple of gallons of gas for the Honda but all was easily obtained and rather reasonable price wise.

We saw many Montanas but I only got to talk to one fellow. Interestingly he had built a platform for carrying an ATV on the back of his 3295. But he had to abandon it because it was too heavy. He said the tires actually almost flattened out when he loaded it up. So he installed a receiver and built a small trailer to haul his ATV. That worked fine..... only problem he related was that with the ATV trailer behind the Montana you could only go forward! He said a couple of times he'd gotten into a place where he had to unload the ATV and unhook its trailer so they could get back on the road! Other than that he'd had no problems. He said they'd traded a motor home for the Montana. It just had so much more space. He was not aware of the website but is now.

If Roy from WY shows up say "HI".

We're moving on toward the south. Going around the Tucson area to visit the Kratchner Caves and maybe make it down to Tombstone. Then back west and if things work out we're going down to Puerto Penasco, MX. It's only about 60 miles south of the US. It is right at the top of the Gulf of California.

We'll see you on down the road.

HamRad

sreigle · 02-04-2005, 04:04 AM

HamRad, glad to hear you finally got out of Bakersfield. Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Please tell Mary Kay we said 'hello' and have fun!

Dave e Victoria · 02-04-2005, 01:14 PM

HamRad,
We lved in Puerto Penasco fo nine years. We just sold our home in November. From what I hear, Playa Bonito is the best RV stop in the area if they have space. This is a busy time in Rocky Point.
If you buy fish or shrimp on the Malecon, do it at Frederico's (second to the east end). Best fish tacos in town are at the Blue Marlin just off the Malecon near Lily's and at Mary's on the west end of he Malecon. Best breakfast with out a doubt is Marie about 2 blocks west of the big Super Market Ley on Constitution, then about 1/2 block north.
This part of mexico is one of the best kept secrets in the world. Just don't go there on spring break or US Memorial day.

Also, nearby, is ElGolfo sout of Yuma. We plan to check it out next week.

foggyb · 02-04-2005, 01:59 PM

Hi Hamrad We think we saw your friend because we saw a ham antenna but never saw his truck there. We were at 1.6 miles on the righthand side. Left and went to California beaches at Enchintas, then to Las Vegus, then to Grand Canyon. Tonight we are in Camp verde at Distant drums camp ground (super place to stop), tomorrow to Tombsstone. Don't know if you will be there tomorrow but we have two Montanas with us and will find a place to stay when we get there. After that its on to Del rio. Dan and Sandy

DHenry · 02-04-2005, 04:08 PM

Happy Trails to you.

vickir · 02-04-2005, 04:19 PM

Dan and Sandy ... where are you going from Del Rio? Big Bend National Park by chance?

HamRad · 02-04-2005, 06:37 PM

Dave and Victoria,
Thanks for the info re: Puerto Penasco. We plan to try making that trip. We'll take your advice and try the places listed. Thanks.

foggyb,
There were a lot of Montanas at Q. I was surprised I saw some many. Only got to talk to one of them and he was not a member of MOC. He said he try to get on soon.

We plan on being in Tombstone tomorrow. We're staying in Benson so will just drive down to the place for a day trip. We'll look for you folks. We're in a white 450 SD Ford with about 5 antennas on top. Also my license plate is my callsign.... KA6TZP. Maybe we can hookup at Tombstone. Wear something warm.... it looks like it may snow!

See you later. HamRad

foggyb · 02-05-2005, 02:16 AM

Hi Vicki and Hamrad We did Big Ben last year. Sandy has a sister that lives in DEl Rio. That explains the stop. Then we are off to Port Aransis or Rockpoet Texas to let our tires cool for a while. This trip will end up pushing 20,000 miles b4 we are done. Hamrad we stopped in Benson on the way west so are going to try Tombstone this time thru. See you there. We just spent 2 days in 6" of snow in Williams Az so are making a beeline south. Not!!!! planing on snow. Dan

Bill and Ann · 02-05-2005, 03:19 AM

foggyb: Dan and Sandy, we stayed at Tombstone RV park a few years ago. Not a bad place to stay.

HamRad · 02-05-2005, 12:07 PM

foggyb,
We left for Tombstone about 9:30 this morning and returned about 3pm. Saw two Montanas as we were coming back into the park. Drove by and saw Maine license plates. Guess that must be you folks. Did you do Tombstone also? Come on over and say hello if you get a chance. I think we'll be in the rest of the evening. Aren't you glad you got down into all this sun!? I can't believe how cold it is here! Hope it warms up soon.

HamRad

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