Quartzsite report

 After an uneventful trip, son, Michael, and I  arrived at the designated Quartzsite camp site about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The Maneses  had arrived the day before and set up camp in a spot large enough for the expected group. Mike and I were soon off to go shopping.

    Next day folks started arriving and the final list included: Neal and Marian Johns, Dan Messersmith, Dick and Connie Taylor, Homer Meek, Don Sweinhart and Betty Wallin, Jim and Jeanne Jacobs, Sunny and Jean Hansen, Bill and Barbara Gossett, Carl and Nancy Noah, Charles Hughes, Bob and Shirley Bolin, Lou and Pat Carfield and one couple Dan and Rose with a white American Eskimo dog who disappeared when they went to get a carburetor repaired. There were several dogs along but the hit of the group had to be Don and Betty’s new pup , 9 week old  Molly, a Toy Boston Terrier.

    On Thursday folks took off in every direction – some 4 wheeling and some shopping, but all returned in time for Happy Hour and later a campfire.

    On Friday 7 vehicles decided to follow Dick Taylor, with Ed Manes in #2 spot as navigator and Dan Messerschmidt as Tail End Charlie (a group of leaders par excellence)  to the abandoned Harquahala Peak.Observatory which is on Harquahala Mountain, the highest peak in west central AZ, and was established in 1920 to measure solar activity.

  There is a very nice interpretive site at the bottom of the trail which informs one that Harquahala comes from an Indian word – aha qua hala – which means place where the water is high and that 4 wheel drive is necessary to take the “45 minute. very steep ’road’ to the abandoned site”. They forgot to mention ROUGH. There was some really lush desert flora to enjoy.

     About 3/4 of the way up on the 1/1/2 hour trip to the top  Ed discovered his car would not go into 4 wheel drive, and he and Maxine were forced to jump in with the Martins. As everyone was enjoying the spectacular view and interpretive signs the sky darkened and a few sprinkles were felt. They group quickly agreed it would be prudent to get down the hill.

    The same day other groups took off for shopping or touring. Maybe someone will write about their own tour. That evening another Happy Hour and campfire along with descriptions of the day’s activities were enjoyed.

    On Saturday Neal and Marian and  others took off for a 3 day tour to parts south. This is one trip where you only see the entire group in the evenings. The remaining group enjoyed another Happy Hour and campfire.

    The weather remained pleasant the entire time Mike and I were there. Unfortunately we endured heavy winds on our ways home, and I went through several heavy showers to discover a light snow at home. I really enjoyed getting out to visit with so many long-time friends.