2025 20th Quartzsite Circling of the Montana's - Registration

[Mark77]

Well.. we are on schedule to leave the great white north early next week and I am nervous as ****!

This will be the first really long trip we have made with the rig (I just retired) Something close to 2000 miles one way. We plan on driving at least 8 or 9 hours a day, though that could be stretched if I am not too tired.

Been doing a lot of preparation, including building a new trailer to haul our UTV behind the 5'er (double towing) and installing a new pull-rite auto slide hitch and related needed equipment in my Ram so I can quit worrying about poking my back window out every time I get into tight quarters. I do a lot of metal fabrication so no worries about my work, or what I can control with my equipment. Everything is checked over and over... tires, bearings, I have a lot of extra parts and as many tools as I dare carry (weight).

Our home is monitored every way but sideways so if anything goes awry there I will know about it instantly and can make the nessesary calls to get to looked after.

I drove truck for 43 years pulling everything over 3 million miles so I am not at all uncomfortable with the rig.

Trying to figure out what I should be concerned about. Maybe it's the unknown and being gone for over 2 weeks WITHOUT my shop and my tools! Hope I get over it as soon as we get a few hundred miles behind us!

Looking forward to meeting folks, and we hope to me there in time to go to the desert bar with the group on Saturday. That place looks way cool!

 

[scottz]

Just keep an eye on the weather a be prepared to alt-route if needed. We are spending a couple days in Kingman to de-winterize; heading to Q on Friday. See you soon.

 

[Carl n Susan]

Now that you are retired, you will find that 8-9 hours of driving a day is too much and only going for two weeks in to little. But I am sure we will have a chnace ot talk in Q.

 

[Rick.b-KEY]

Looks like you have all your ducks in a row. You got this just another day at the office right. I retired almost 2 years ago from 43 years in the trucking industry myself. Just rely on all your years of experience and everything will be fine. Look forward to seeing you at the Q.

 

[Kfinnert]

We can relate! Two years ago, we made the journey to the National MOC Rally from the west coast, 2400+ miles. What a trip we had; we used RV Life to create our route, and then we made modifications along the way.

I agree with Carl n Susan, 8 - 9 hours may be a bit even if you are accustomed to driving that many hours in one day; I use to drive that many hours a day too, although I was rarely hauling anything at the time. When I retired, I wanted to slow everything down while on the road...

Our rule of thumb is 300 miles a day, and it could be less if we find something interesting to look at! Enjoy the journey and we look forward to seeing you at the Rally

 

[Mark77]

Thank you all for the replies and encouraging words! It's getting a little easier the closer we get to leaving and preparations are all falling into place. Just received spare wheel bearings and a hub for my UTV trailer, even thought the trailer is brand new... Is that crazy?

I will likely be pushing pretty hard until we get into more moderate temperatures. We could sleep in the RV, but it would not be convenient to warm up the bedroom. I don't want to burn up LP for sleeping on the way.

Will need to figure out where to get water in the rig after we are out of freezing weather, but we should be able to figure that out.

I've owned 5 different 5th wheels and been pulling them around for 25 years, including double towing. Just never this far for this long.

One more question... Wife would like a suggestion as to what to bring for
hors d'doeuvres for the happy hours(s)? and the Sunday pot luck? Will there be someone organizing the pot luck who can recommend something?

 

[Mark77]

...we used RV Life to create our route, and then we made modifications along the way.

Doing the same here. I really like the planning tools once I figured them all out. Do you use the map on the app, or something else like Apple or Google maps to follow? I would like to use the RV Life app for primary guidance if it plays well with CarPlay.

 

[Kfinnert]

The RV Life app is great for planning, but we use it and our Google Maps when on the road. I have trust issues, so redundancy of systems ensures less headaches down the road.

 

[Kfinnert]

Sue, my lovely bride, located BoonDockers RV in Parker, AZ., which is just north of Quartzsite https://boondocksrvstation.com/. We have not been to the location yet, but plan to visit it this weekend to assess the services and accessibility. Maybe another MOC attendee has been there previously, and they can provide more information.

Their current special is propane at $3.05 a gallon.

Cheers

 

[RhondaM]

Scott and Alta so sorry but I am going to have to cancel. Due to bedroom slide issue and 14.3 inches of snow in Mena Arkansas which all happened on the 9th as I was trying to get out of town. Still thawing and would not be able to leave here until the 16th and would arrive there the 20th. Will try again next year. Tell everyone hi for me!

 

[scottz]

Scott and Alta so sorry but I am going to have to cancel. Due to bedroom slide issue and 14.3 inches of snow in Mena Arkansas which all happened on the 9th as I was trying to get out of town. Still thawing and would not be able to leave here until the 16th and would arrive there the 20th. Will try again next year. Tell everyone hi for me!

Thanks Ronda, stay safe.

Scott

 

[scottz]

Mark, if you don't fined anything else, you can get water, propane, or dump in Quartzsite (6 miles south of us). Last year I think water was $5, dump was $5, propane is $3.09/gal. I recommend "RV Relief" or "The Pit Stop"; both on Hwy 95 just north of town.

Happy hour is whatever you want to bring; simple stuff, usually finger food. We can discuss the pot luck before Sunday, but we usually do not make assignments; whatever dish you want to make.

 

[Carl n Susan]

Scott and Alta so sorry but I am going to have to cancel. Due to bedroom slide issue and 14.3 inches of snow in Mena Arkansas which all happened on the 9th as I was trying to get out of town. Still thawing and would not be able to leave here until the 16th and would arrive there the 20th. Will try again next year. Tell everyone hi for me!

Bummer!! We were both looking forward to seeing you again.

 

[MelsJoy]

Ok, last minute changes.... guess we got FOMO.. anyway we will be able to make to Q.
Name: Mel & Joy Thompson
Arrival Date: Jan. 17
Departure Date: Jan 20
First Quartzsite Rally: No
Do our loud generator we will be outside the circle

 

[Cbrandt79]

First day welcome

Excited to be here for our first time!

 

[foldbak]

Excited to be here for our first time!

Very nice. Enjoy everyone. Wish I was there.

 

[Carl n Susan]

Once again, the early arrivals are the last to depart the Circle @ Q. We can't wait for next year!

 

[Cbrandt79]

Audrey and my first Montana rally. We enjoyed meeting and making new friends and look forward to many more. Thanks again!!

 

[Djgrimaldi]

Nice Fire Ring

 

[Mark77]

I plan on a longer post when I get back home and get settled in, in a couple of weeks but I do want to say our first trip to any Montana rally was an outstanding experience! We met so many nice people and could not have felt more welcome. If anyone reading this has never been to a Montana Owners Club rally try to take one in. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you all for your hospitality, advice and conversation!

More on our first cross country trip later...

Mark and Katy