->>>"ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY" HOMEPAGE | SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends | Phil Corpus

THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED MAKE "Q" 2012 A HUGE SUCCESS!

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:06:41 -0800

Hi All,

I'd like to thank everyone who helped make the 2012 Southwest Bluebirds and friends "Annual Bluebird Quartzsite Rally" a rousing success. This year's rally saw 71+ units in attendance, again making the 'Q' Rally the largest Bluebird rally in the West.

First and foremost, a big individual "THANKS" to each and every attendee who took the time to attend the rally. Many of you traveled many miles to join this year's Birds' Nest and I thank you all. Without you, there would be no rally.

Kudos to the "Birds of a Feather" group, led by Curt Sprenger, Fred Hulse, and Rick Archie, for volunteering to work up the schedule of events. Continuing the successful format of past 'Q' rallies, everyone had plenty of activities to choose from and plenty of good food to eat.

Additional kudos to individuals who volunteered to provide food or to lead special interest activities:

Ray and Leslie Thomas hosted, and provided all the fixings, for a special prime rib dinner night. The menu included smoked prime rib of beef, BBQ beans, salad, and bread. This was Ray and Leslie's second SWBB 'Q' Rally and it looks like they got right into the spirit of it. They are invited to return for an encore.

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:34:00 -0700

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In the space below, type in your NAME; SPOUSE/PARTNER NAME; MAILING ADDRESS; CITY/STATE/ZIP; HOME/CELL PHONE NUMBERS; ALTERNATE EMAIL ADDRESS; YEAR/MODEL/LENGTH OF RV UNIT and WIFE'S EMAIL. If you know your ETA to Quartzsite, please note it, also. Click on 'REGISTER' to send your information. Thank you for joining; you will receive an email confirmation that your registration has been received

CLICK HERE TO SEE FUTURE 'Q' RALLY DATES.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:11:46 -0800

The SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends "ANNUAL BLUEBIRD QUARTZSITE RALLY"

is boondocking at its 'finest'.

Below are tips and other suggestions to help you plan your stay in the 'Q' Birds' Nest.

Please scroll down to read all the tips.

<<<<<>>>>>

*ARRIVE PREPARED TO BOONDOCK!

REMEMBER, YOU WILL BE BOONDOCKING!!!

There are no electrical hookups!

Arrive with FULL propane and fresh water tanks, and EMPTY gray and black tanks.

Be sure to have adequate diesel fuel for generator use. Generator hours are 6AM to 10PM, local (Mountain) time.

Please follow BLM rules regarding generator use.

<<<<<>>>>>

LaPosa South dump and fresh water resupply station

The LaPosa South dump station and fresh water resupply area is approximately one-half mile past the ranger kiosk.

The best time to dump, and/or refill your fresh water, is in the late afternoon -- the line is long in the morning.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*INSTALL A GENERATOR EXHAUST STACK

BECAUSE THE BIRDS' NEST AT QUARTZSITE IS 100% BOONDOCKING, YOU WILL BE USING YOUR GENERATOR.

UNLESS A COACH IS EQUIPPED WITH A SOLAR SYSTEM, GENERATORS WILL HAVE TO BE USED ON A DAILY BASIS TO RECHARGE BATTERIES AND/OR RUN APPLIANCES AND LIGHTS.

COACHES WILL BE SPACED ABOUT 25 FEET APART, WHICH MEANS GENERATOR EXHAUST FROM THE GROUND LEVEL EXHAUST PIPE OUTLET WILL BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE COACH NEXT DOOR.

<<<<<>>>>>

WHILE PARKED IN THE BIRDS' NEST, EVERYONE IS ASKED TO INSTALL A GENERATOR EXHAUST STACK THAT DIRECTS THE EXHAUST GASES UP AND OUT ABOVE THE TOP OF THE COACH.

<<<<<>>>>>

Such a stack is the "Gen-Turi Air Cooled Exhaust Stack" that can be purchased online and at Camping World.

An 18" extension is available as an add-on to the stack. Do a Google search for "Gen-Turi 18" extension" and check the online retailer prices. They vary as much as $10.00 to $15.00.

If you are a DIY type, this is a must-do project.

A muffler shop can make a stack, but the exposed hot pipe can cause burns, and are not recommended unless well shielded.

Continue reading *INSTALL A GENERATOR EXHAUST STACK

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*CLOTHING

Camping in the desert means come prepared for ANY kind of weather.

During January, the weather conditions can range from very sunny and warm; to cool and windy; or cloudy with rain or thunderstorms. Nights can be very cool.

Dressing in layers may be necessary.

Sun block or moisturizing lotions are a good idea.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*LTVA FEES

LaPosa South LTVA fees are $40.00 for a 14-day permit.

Pay your fees, and obtain your window stickers at the BLM kiosk located at the entrance of La Posa South.

Fees are payable in EXACT CASH, or by personal check drawn on a US bank, only. NO CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED.

HAVE EXACT CASH AMOUNT -- NO CHANGE IS AVAILABLE!

Your fee includes one RV and one towed vehicle.

<<<<<>>>>>

If you arrive after hours and the ranger station is closed, park in the Birds' Nest and pay your fee, and obtain your stickers FIRST THING the next morning (BLM rangers cruise through early checking for stickers).

<<<<<>>>>>

PLEASE NOTE: The La Posa South permit fee will allow you to park your towed vehicle in LaPosa West or LaPosa North, within close walking distance to the RV Show and Big Tent/marketplace areas.

Those with all wheel drive can drive up the washes to the vendor area.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*HELP OFFSET GROUP EXPENSES -- DONATE

When you join SWBB, you pay no dues.

When you attend one of our rallies, you pay no fees except campground or RV Park site fees.

There are, however, expenses that are routinely paid 'out of pocket' by group coordinators. To help offset some of these 'out of pocket' expenses, here's how rally attendees can voluntarily make donations to help offset these expenses.

<<<<< "I WANT TO HELP" DONATION CONTAINERS >>>>>

At each rally, a "I WANT TO HELP" donation container will be located at the 'Welcome Center'.

Attendees can donate any amount they wish to help offset the cost of web site registration and monthly hosting fees, the SmugMug photo sharing site, and other miscellaneous group and rally related expenses.

**********

REMEMBER -- Donations are entirely voluntary. No one is excluded from any activity for not making a donation.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*ORDER YOUR OWN PERSONALIZED WINDOW PLAQUE and NAME BADGES

To help us reduce or eliminate the need and cost of printing window cards and name badges for each rally, we're asking that you order your own personal window plaque and name badges, and use them when you attend a rally.

<<<<<>>>>>

Order your own set from the "Toocrazyladies" dedicated order page for our group.* Click on this link to access the page:

http://www.toocrazyladies.com/bluebirds/

Full product description, prices, and options are listed. Simply provide your name, coach or RV information, and home city/state or province.

To assure you receive your order in time for use at the 'Q' Rally, you can choose "Pick-up at Store" when you complete your online order.

Then, pick up your plaque and name badges after you arrive in Quartzsite.

<<<<<>>>>>

Bluebird owners should provide coach information in the "year/model/length" format --

i.e., (81FC35), (85PT40), (90PT40WB), (96BMC40), etc.

SOB owners should use "Manufacturer/year/model/length" format.

Your continued support is appreciated.

Continue reading *ORDER YOUR OWN PERSONALIZED WINDOW PLAQUE and NAME BADGES

Monday, March 17, 2008

*RECYCLE YOUR ALUMINUM CANS and RECYCLABLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS

DON'T THROW AWAY THOSE ALUMINUM BEVERAGE CONTAINERS AND PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES!!

Containers for recyclable aluminum cans and plastic bottles will be set up in the campfire area. Other containers will be set up at the 'Welcome Center.'

Please deposit your aluminum beverage cans, CLEAR plastic water bottles, and non-clear plastic bottles in the appropriate container.

While not necessary, crushing the aluminum cans will save space.

The cans and bottles will be recycled for cash to help offset rally expenses.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

*VOLUNTEER!!!

BELOW IS A LIST OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THAT NEED VOLUNTEER HOSTS.

IF YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO PLAN AND HOST AN EVENT, PLEASE EMAIL US: swbb_coordinators@southwest-bluebirds.org

More events may be added to this list. Please check back occasionally.

******************

1. DESERT FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE EXCURSION: Lead a caravan of four-wheeler into the desert. Quarzsite has miles of off-road trails to explore.

2. WHITE ELEPHANT SALE: We all receive gifts that we can't use. Donate those unwanted items for a White Elephant Sale with proceeds of the sale going to help offset rally coordinators' out of pocket expenses.

3. GEO-CACHE HUNT: Lead a "treasure hunt" using GPS devices.

4. MORNING BIKE RIDE: Lead a morning bicycle ride along the BLM roads and trails.

5. MORNING WALK: Instead of riding bikes to get the blood flowing, lead a walk in the early morning.

6. MORNING/EVENING DOG WALK: Our four legged furry friends need their exercise, also. Lead a group of two and four legged friends on a walk.

Continue reading *VOLUNTEER!!!

Friday, November 27, 2009

*BRING SOME FIREWOOD

BRING SOME FIREWOOD FOR THE NIGHTLY CAMPFIRES

Hardwood is preferable.

All attendees are asked to bring the equivalent of two bundles of firewood, like those purchased at supermarkets, etc.

There will be a campfire every night, so we need plenty of wood.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*HIKING or RIDING IN THE DESERT

If you plan to do any hiking or riding in the desert, come prepared with hiking shoes and a backpack to carry adequate water and food, a first aid kit that includes a snake bite kit, a flashlight, and some warm clothing in case there is a weather change.

Advise someone where you are hiking or riding (at least the general direction) and provide an ETA for your return.

Cell phone coverage can be spotty, but take it anyway for emergency use.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*ACCESSING THE RV MARKETPLACES and 'BIG TENT' VENDORS

Traffic can be lined up on the Highway 95 leading into town, and in the RV Show and Big Tent/marketplace areas.

Your LaPosa South camping permit allows you to park your towed vehicle in either LaPosa West or LaPosa North, both within walking distance of the RV Show and vendor areas.

Those with all wheel drive can drive up the washes to the vendor area.

The best times to drive into town to avoid the heaviest traffic is generally before 9:00 AM and after 2:00 PM.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*DUMP and FRESH WATER RESUPPLY

Fresh water is available next to the dump area.

Use of both are included with your BLM camping fee, and is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

TIP: - - plan on dumping and resupply fresh water in the late afternoon to avoid the morning lineup.

We'll attempt to arrange for on-site "honey-wagon" service, and/or mobile fresh water supply, to come directly to the Birds' Nest. These services will be individual fee-for-service that will be somewhat expensive compared to simply driving to the BLM dump site. If on-site service can be arranged, information will be posted on the Welcome Center Bulletin Board during the rally.

If arrangements for a pumping service or fresh water supply can't be made, be prepared to visit the BLM dump station at least once during your stay. There is plenty of room for maneuvering your coach within the Birds' Nest, so moving in and out won't be a problem.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*SHOPPING FOR ESSENTIALS

There are some small grocery markets and general merchandise stores in Quartzsite. Most are located on the north side of the I-10 freeway.

For larger supermarkets and department stores, you'll have to drive to Blythe, approximately 20 miles west.

If you need repair or replacement parts for your coach, there are many suppliers in Quartzsite. Truck parts and repair suppliers are located in Blythe.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*WILDLIFE VIEWING and STARGAZING

BRING YOUR BINOCULARS FOR WATCHING WILDLIFE,

AND TELESCOPES FOR STAR GAZING.

There is plenty of wilderness area to watch wildlife. The clear, night time desert sky above the Birds' Nest allows great star-gazing, with little interference from the lights of Quartzsite.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

*HOW TO LOCATE OUR NESTING AREA

WHEN YOU ARRIVE...

A SANDWICH BOARD WITH DIRECTION SIGNS WILL BE STANDING AT ENTRANCE TO THE BIRD'S NEST. STOP WHERE DIRECTED TO SIGN-IN AND RECEIVE PARKING INSTRUCTIONS.

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

PLEASE NOTE: There are two offramps in Quartzsite -- one west of US-95 (Quartzsite Blvd/Ave.24E), and one east of US-95 (Riggles Ave./E Main St.-Bus10).

There is NO offramp at US-95. Follow the directions detailed below.

Because there is heavy traffic in the area of the Main Event/RV Show, it is suggested you avoid using the Quartzsite Blvd./East 24th St. (west) exit.

To avoid traffic problems in town, follow these directions to access US-95 South and "Bluebird City" in LaPosa South:

EASTBOUND I-10 FROM CALIFORNIA: Travel through Quartzsite to the Riggles Ave./E Main St. (Exit 19) offramp. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto Riggles Ave. Proceed to Kuehn St. Turn right onto Kuehn St. and proceed to the intersection of Kuehn and US-95/S. Central Blvd. Turn left onto US-95 and proceed south about 4 miles to the LaPosa South entrance. Turn left into the LaPosa South LTVA. Stop at the ranger kiosk to pay your fees.

WESTBOUND I-10 FROM PHOENIX and POINTS EAST : Exit at Riggles Ave./E Main St./Bus-10 (Exit 19) offramp. Turn left at the end of the ramp, proceed over the freeway to Kuehn St. Turn right onto Kuehn St. and proceed to US-95/S. Central Blvd. Turn left onto US-95 and proceed to LaPosa South.

Continue reading *HOW TO LOCATE OUR NESTING AREA

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

If you have any questions that are not answered here, or elsewhere on the Quartzsite Rally Home Page, please ask by sending an email to:

swbb_coordinators@southwest-bluebirds.org

Additional tips can be added at any time -- check back occasionally.

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:26:47 -0800

FOR THOSE TRAVELING ON THE I-20 THROUGH DALLAS/FT. WORTH AREA, TWO MEMBERS HAVE OFFERED A PLACE TO NEST FOR THE NIGHT.

FOR INFORMATION, GO TO:

http://www.southwest bluebirds.org/member_to_member/a_roosting_spot_in_texas/

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 14:52:16 -0800

On the map to the right, click on the magnifying glass below the map to enlarge the image.

The circle with the 'X' is the approximate location of our 2009 'birds nest. Early birds should gather at the location.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE...

A SANDWICH BOARD WITH DIRECTION SIGNS WILL BE STANDING AT ENTRANCE TO THE BIRD'S NEST. STOP WHERE DIRECTED TO SIGN-IN AND RECEIVE PARKING INSTRUCTIONS.

*********************

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

There are two offramps in Quartzsite -- one west of US-95 (Quartzsite Blvd/Ave.24E), and one east of US-95 (Riggles Ave./E Main St.-Bus10).PLEASE NOTE:

There is NO offramp at US-95. Follow the directions detailed below.

Because there is heavy traffic in the area of the Main Event/RV Show, do not use the Quartzsite Blvd./East 24th St. (west) exit, unless you need fuel.

To avoid traffic problems in town, follow these directions to access US-95 South and "Blue Bird City" in LaPosa South:

EASTBOUND I-10 FROM CALIFORNIA: Travel through Quartzsite to the Riggles Ave./E Main St. (Exit 19) offramp. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto Riggles Ave. Proceed to Kuehn St. Turn right onto Kuehn St. and proceed to the intersection of Kuehn and US-95/S. Central Blvd. Turn left onto US-95 and proceed south to the LaPosa South entrance (between mile markers 101 and 102). Turn left into the LaPosa South LTVA. Stop at the ranger kiosk to pay your fees.

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 08:44:45 -0700

Future " SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends" 'Annual Bluebird Quartzsite' rallies will be held during the entire nine day run of each year's "Quartzsite RV Show and Big Tent Event" dates listed at the website link below.

Make your plans to attend one of our rallies, now.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE THE FUTURE SHOW SCHEDULE: http://www.quartzsitervshow.com/local-quartzsite-information/future-dates/

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 13:13:51 -0700

WHEN:

January 19-27, 2013. Lots of things to do and see throughout the week.

LOCATION OF THE RALLY BIRDS' NEST:

LaPosa South LTVA, the same BLM camping area we've used in the past.

For complete driving directions from all points, click here:

http://www.southwest-bluebirds.org/annual_quartzsite_rally/how_to_locate_our_nesting_a.html

For information about camping on BLM land:

http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/recreation/camping/LTVA/laposa.html

FEES: (Subject to change -- check back for updates)