by K T

On researching Quartzsite on YouTube, from the YouTubers who are instructional, there's one part that's always missing and that is when would be the best part of the day to arrive, detailed instructions and maps of recommended first stay, a overview map with zones of where you can camp long-term or 14-day stays and more.

It's truly like taking the step over a ledge like in Indiana Jones the Last Crusade when he takes that first step over a canyon. It's based truly on your faith in knowing how to talk to strangers and feel yourself around the desert terrain. A terrain that was until recently, completely foreign to see it up close and in the weeds, so to speak.

What's funny is that a place that's known for its RV mecca reputation, the local establishments such as gas stations, the employees can't tell you much about where the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) designated areas are in their city.

I was driving around within the city limits through what appears to me to be camping areas, mainly because the areas were rocky or dirt.
But I knew it wasn't the LTVA (Long Term Visiting Area) because in my research they clearly have workers in stations at the interest. These stations take your $180 payment and let you wonder free in its designated areas.

So, when the locals can't tell you where to go, then panic starts to ensue.

But I timed my arrival to be close to noon, despite the road slow-downs right outside Quartzsite. Apparently, there were new pavement being laid and took the lanes to one from the whopping two.

While meandering a bit frustrated at the lack of arrows and signs, I just started talking to people walking on the sidewalks.

One guy told me I was in an area that's part of the city but he's not sure if my camper could navigate the rough terrain within city limits. He also was no help.

But I was lucky enough to see and stop a what looked to be a city park employee who finally gave me some helpful advice to newcomers. He said to get back on 95, head north towards Parker and I can't miss the campers to my right.

So that's what I did and I found my first wild-camping experience at Hi Jolly 14-day camping area.

This is where I got my feet on some kind of ground and even started venturing out from my camp.

by K T

Most people in Quartzsite are what I consider Boomer and some Generation Xers like me.

The Boomer generation, right after the "Greatest Generation" are what makes up the bulk of the Quartzsite visitors.

To me they appear to be the straightlaced part of that generation, meaning they didn't take part too much in the weed smoking Hippie side of things.
They appear to be the ones who did the nine-to-fives and held down the fort of society.

In doing this they've taken their Social Security and Pensions and bought a RV to do their annual snow-birding visit down south to Florida or to the desert in Quartzsite.

I, on the other hand, am not so lucky. I'm in my twilight of work, but not quite there to retire and live on my Social Security and 401Ks which replaced the pension.

I still have to seek work. And my favorite work, since the pandemic, is remote work.
I mean, remote work till I die.
The job listings of "onsite" or "Hybrid" are like torture chambers to me.
Cubicle torture chambers that is.

To work remote is freedom for my introverted personality.
It's even awkard walking past a person in the hallway onsite.
The whole feeling obligated to nod and smile took energy.
The potential ups and downs, within a minute's trek to just use the restroom was draining.

Therefore, being in a stable environment with Power for my remote work laptop and strong internet service for a potential employee is a necessity.
I had to abandon the cheap living of Quartzsite and move to the nearest "civilization" of Parker AZ.
I moved to an RV park that took me in. It was like an Oasis, so to speak, in the desert.
But not quite the Oasis I was hoping for.

This "Oasis" called Blue Water RV Park, welcomed me in with open arms.
As the saying goes, if it looks too good, it's probably not.

They gave me full-hookups with one big catch, sketchy cell service if any at all.
The spot was in a part of the RV park called "Canyon" which was dug into some surrounding mounds of dirt and hills. Hence the name "Canyon".
I was so desperate that when I needed cell service in the office to sign the papers, I had to look up some information. I couldn't get any signal, whence one of the workers said it's because the office building is made up of metal.

To add to the ruse, she also added that there's a Race Tournament happening this weekend and this may affect some cell services. This was the same issue I'm having with friggin Quartzsite, but maybe it's not that bad.

Needless to say, it wasn't just the freaking building, nor the friggin on rush of racers, it's simply a bad spot for cell service these seemingly polite and helpful people stuck me in.

I took my "L", and on the 2nd day there, I forfeited my $425 non-refundable month's rent and lied and said I have an "onsite" interview that I need to take close to Pheonix, AZ.
I didn't let them know of the internet service or go back and forth.

Before the "L", as I resolved that couldn't be there for a month as a remote worker, I even had to leave the RV Park for better cell service.
It was so back, like dial up internet, I found a gas station parking lot nearby to research where I can go for a temporary stay.

I needed a place where I felt comfortable with, like civilization such as higher population, better cell services and resources.
I zeroed in on Extended Stay locations near Pheonix AZ. I found a city called Chandler where I booked a month's worth, which I hope to find a remote work.
Also,I found a RV storage unit $125 for my RV for the month.

I'll continue a search for the nearest RV park that can take me in for lower prices than an Extended Stay hotel of course. But desperate times calls for desperate measures when you're being called for interviews, but hesitant to accept because of shaky internet connections.
It's bad all round when you're facing that.

I have an interview scheduled next week and I'll have time and a fully functioning cell service to apply for more positions.

Things are looking up today but always waiting on the next shoe to drop.

"Hope for the Best, prepare for the worst" - Jack Reacher