Wabash Delts in Arizona

View from our campsite looking east.
Rob picked a great spot!

Brad Ballentine '79 joined Rob Matthews '76 and Allen Murphy '76 for a desert camping experience in western Arizona for a long weekend respite from his snowy existence in central Indiana.  Rob has retired to north central Arizona, while Murph is snowbirding in southern Arizona.  Murph has the smaller RV, easier to maneuver through airports, so he picked up Brad while Rob took his RV to Quartzsite and staked a claim for our campsite, just north of town.

Most of these photos, and certainly the better pics, were taken by Brad.

Brad captured some great AZ Pics!

Rob gave us his camp's position, just north of Quartzsite,
a mile or so east of AZ Rt 95. 

And there he was!  Rob was right where he said we'd find him.

Rob welcomed us with cold drinks!  Quite refreshing
in the Arizona heat.

Murph set his camper nearby.  Rob's trailer is out of view,
immediately east of, and behind, Murph's RV, "Kelly VI."

Sunset our first night was exquisite.

Rob brought out his mobile HAM Radio gear.

Using Murph's ladder for a high point,
Rob & Brad stretched the antenna
for a hundred feet, both east and west.

Brad capturing the scene for
posterity.

The ladder is just visible between the RVs, the
antenna wire is not visible in this view.
Unfortunately, while we could eavesdrop on a few
conversations, we were unable to reach anyone on the air.

In the town of Quartzsite, many businesses seem
much less than permanent.  This was our
first stop in the afternoon.

Murph and Brad solving world issues over a snack and brew.

Our next stop was this VFW Post, which also welcomed
American Legion members and guests.
We were glad they did as we were Legion members, not VFW.

As with many small town Posts,
the staff are underpaid or not paid at all and
work for their tips.  Given the low prices, it is easy to
tip generously and, thankfully, most folks do.

Back at camp, Brad adopted this creosote bush.
He began by securing its home with a
nice circle of protective and decorative rocks.

It may have been these cute flowers that
caught Brad's eye.

This Saguaro cactus and its bush
were also near our camp, to the north.

Rob and Brad collected dirt from a nearby wash
that might contain gold.  Here, Rob is showing
Murph how to sift thru the dirt for gold.

Brad and Rob enjoying the
propane fire pit that Rob
brought.  You can see the 
propane hose leading from
the fire to the tank.

The next morning we drove north to see the famous
London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Although the scene along our drive wasn't as
green as the Tucson area, the evidence of
significant rain this past fall and winter is clear.
Usually this time of year, the plants and desert are
shades of tan, brown and grey.

North of Parker, AZ we drove along the Colorado River.
That's California across the water.

London Bridge!

At the pub in Lake Havasu City.

Upon our return to Quartzsite, we decided to visit the
Quartzsite Yacht Club!  Notice the sailboat?  Yes,
a yacht club 166 nautical miles from the
nearest navigable waters, The Sea of Cortez!

As Murph is a sailor, he had joined the QYC during 
his first visit a month ago.

The Delts built a nice natural campfire with wood that
Rob brought from home.

Rob and his rig before departing for home.

As Brad and Murph passed through Quartzsite
on their way to the airport, they stopped
to discover why there were many camel sculptures
and images about town.