Parker, Az 2-1-2012

This is the Parker Dam built in 1934. 155 miles downstream of
Hoover Dam. IT is the deepest dam in the world and it straddles the border between Co and AZ.

The government wanted this land so they bull dozed down
several hundred houses because the people who built them were considered squatters.

AZ didn't want the dam built because Co was going to get the majority of the water. When the govenor of AZ found out the construction people were building on the AZ side he sent in his National Guard and stopped the construction until Washington passed a bill to build it.





The water in the Co River was clear and blue it was really pretty. We saw a couple skiers on the water and a sail boat. It was a very pretty day.











I just loved this site. If you look real close you can see the American flag on top of this mountain. It was a windy day and it was flying.




We had been looking for these critters along the highway we kept seeing their piles of poop so our eyes were on alert. They come running up out of a draw next to the road and posed for us, I think. Cars were going by and they just stood there not scared at all. The darker one was looking back at his mom I think. (Yep there was a third one).

















Great looking sign.






There coat looked to be thick and soft. I thought they were so cute. I wanted to bring one home for Cambree.

















Hey Brennan doesn't that look like fun. Just look at all
of those tire tracks.

I can just see you and Asa well and the girls too out there.

Paul Winer concert 1-14-12 AZ

WARNING: may be inappropriate for young children


Went to Paul's concert tonight. We met him at his book store a couple days ago and he sat at his piano and played a song he wrote and then we bought tickets. He has been playing since he was in his 20's back east and in Canada. But he played in the nude. Exotic piano player the rest of the band was dressed.

This is Paul in his tux. He began the concert by taking off his gloves and this one was probably 4 ft long. The audience was really excited and maybe a little scared when he started removing his tux. haha







This was his jean outfit. He purchased all of his wardrobe at flea market sales in Quartzsite for $2.00 or less.







This red jacket he bought at the flea market and the only thing wrong with it was the the zipper didn't work. SO he just stepped into it.






Here is the harmonica man who played in his band, he flew in from Mass. to preform with him.They met in jr hi. The man on the guitar is 83 and is good.


This is a Quartzsite full timer and has been a good friend of Paul's for a long time. He is 76 and Paul is 68. He played a bass made with a wash tub.
He is in the Guinness Book of Records, not for his music ability, he is in there because he has been married 56 times (and we met #56).














This is Paul's wardrobe changes for the night


He actually looked pretty nice all dressed up. He was the only one out of 850 people in a tie. He said that wasn't usually
the case.

Paul was a very good entertainer, he played boogie woogie blues style piano, told stories, jokes and had several wardrobe changes
but never took all of his clothes off (the hall had
requested he didn't). But I guess he does goes downtown without clothes to some of the town peoples chagrin. He is called the mascot of Quartzsite.
He runs his used book store in the nude except on cold days he does put on a sweater I guess.
I was more amazed at his back-it looks like leather.
Phil said he is not nude. Enjoy the picture below, this is how he looked when I met him. Needless to say I will never forget his face.







This is a knit sock, he wears a hat and sandels.

We left Wichita, Ks after stopping at Goodyear Tire and having the tires checked etc. Got into Quartzsite, AZ a few days later someone tells us to look at one of our trailer wheels that there was a crack in one. Oh No. That could have been dangerous I guess. Called Hitchhiker they gave us the phone # of the company who made our wheels talked with John. I sent him a picture of the wheel and he called back within 10 minutes and said they would send out 5 new wheels. So we are getting them fixed. John was super nice. Don't know how this happened or why.



I love the mountains and how the tops are all shaped so different. If I wouldn't bore you I'd send lots of pictures of the mountains.
















This is Gila Bend, AZ one of the oldest towns in Az. not much there that is open. Well we did find a Dairy Queen open. And this hotel with a flying saucer for the sign was pretty cool.



This is one for a post card, it probably is
already, but I really liked it. It is somewhere
between Phoenix and Quartzsite.


Then there was the day that Phil went out prospecting with another guy. They used a metal detector. That is the way it is done mostly out here now. Phil came home with 2 precious rocks, a little metal screw and a piece of tin foil. The rocks weren't even pretty enough for Cambree's rock collection. But he had fun and decided he didn't need to do that again.


We have been to a pancake feed, taco time and music here in the RV park. They try and do something every week, they even handed out food commodities one day. W have even stood in line at the Post Office for 45 minutes waiting to pick up our General Delivery Mail.

Went and had pizza at Silly Al's great pizza! Phil is walking at least 2 1/2 miles every other day and riding his bicycle daily. I am walking around the RV park and riding my stationary bike daily.

Tents and etc 1

Michelle enjoy the pictures hope they tell you a little about where we are at be sure and read all the pages on these (3 or 4) I will send pictures of a friend we met that runs a used book store. BE SURE AND WATCH FOR THAT.It will be X rated.






This is a town that grows tent by tent. We are currently in what they call Pow Wow week. This is the BIG thing for Quartzsite. There is a big RV show, which means a block long tent, this week and this is what draws so many people. Also included in that area around the Big tent we now have little tents sent up to sell rocks, food, beads, garage sell items, rugs, tents of beans, dog and cat items, things made in Mexico (purses, jewerly etc). I can't even think of all that is being sold. But, I do know if there is one tent of something then there is 30 tents. Please read on I have posted more pictures of this unusual town tonight.
The shops open 9 ,10 maybe later and they close at4:30 and all by 5. Town has very little night life .

Tents and etc. 2

These are the "rocks" that I made so much fun of. Can't get the real picture of them from these pics. They place them on stands for center pieces etc. Wouldn't go in my house.














This was the most expensive rock I saw $1250.00.



















This one was $1050.00. The purple ones were $950.00.











This one was my favorite and I don't remember a price on it.

The Tents and etc. 3

These were pretty cool looking. Where they could be put I really don't know. They were made out of gears, bolts, car parts and what ever else they could find. Got to admit thou they did look neat.





They have lots of food vendors .






These rocks looked like bowling balls they were so perfectly round, but none had holes in them. Moved down the line a ways and I saw black ones.






When I saw this I thought it was really a smart idea and something I may want to think about in a few years.

And I think Bonnie's tag said it all
"I go where I am towed".

This is the way to see this circus!!!!!

Hi Jolly

Back in 1857 the army brought in several camels and handlers into the Southwest. The regulars liked them but the big wigs didn't.

They let all the camels go into the desert just before the Civil War. Some of the handlers returned home and a few stayed.

Hi Jolly was one who stayed here. He was Greek born in Syria. No one here could pronouce his name so they called him Hi Jolly. He became a legend around here. When he died they buried him and put up a monument for him.



This is the actual RV park we are staying in here in Quartzsite, AZ. It is OK the weather is great 70's during day but when the sun goes down i t does get pretty chilly, like in the 40's.




Even some of the retired folks have to work. I just put the coins in the slot to keep the water going.