AN INFORMAL GROUP OF BLUEBIRD WANDERLODGE, BMC, LXi and M380 MOTORHOME COACH OWNERS AND THEIR FRIENDS.
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.
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 15-20 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 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.
It is recommended that you also purchase the 30" extension pipe, available from the manufacturer here: http://www.buygenturi.com/genturi/parts.cfm
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.
LaPosa South LTVA fees for 2010 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.
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.
**********
<<<<< DEDICATED BBQ DONATION CONTAINER >>>>>
For 'Q' 2010, the "Vintage Birds" chapter of the FMCA has made a $150.00 donation to help pay for the meat that Shane will buy and smoke for the BBQ.
There are, though, expenses for other supplies needed for the BBQ.
A separate, dedicated container will be set up at Shane's coach, and on the BBQ serving table, to collect donations to help offset the cost of other BBQ supplies and expenses.
A $2.00 PER PERSON DONATION FOR THE BBQ FUND IS SUGGESTED.
REMEMBER -- Donations are entirely voluntary. No one is excluded from any activity for not making a donation.
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.
*********************
"Toocrazyladies" is located the 'Prospector Panorama' vendor area in Quartzsite, on the southwest corner of Highway 95 and Kuehn.
Remember, you can choose "Pick-up at Store" when you complete your online order, and pick up your plaque and name badges after you arrive in Quartzsite.
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.
BELOW IS A LIST OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED IN THE PAST. TO SCHEDULE ANY OF THEM, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO PLAN AND HOST THE EVENTS.
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.
7. GAMES AND OTHER PASS-THE-TIME ACTIVITIES: Bring and organize games like horseshoes, or other small group activities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, or as an alternate Southern Orange County route: Take I-8 East to Yuma, AZ. Take the Fortuna Rd. (Exit 12) offramp. Turn left at end of ramp and proceed to US-95 North. Turn right and proceed to Quartzsite. Watch for the signs directing you into LaPosa South and turn right into the entrance.
ALTERNATE ROUTE IF YOU ARE TRAVELING WEST ON I-10 from points east: After passing through Tucson, transition to the I-8 West (Exit 199) towards Yuma, and proceed west on I-8 to SR-85 (Exit 115, Gila Bend).
LOOK FOR AND PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE SIGNS DIRECTING YOU TO SR-85 North to I-10 and Buckeye!!
Proceed north on SR-85 to I-10 West, then follow the above directions for "Westbound I-10 from Phoenix".
*******************
THE ENTRANCE TO LAPOSA SOUTH IS BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 101 AND 102.
*****************************
AFTER YOU'VE ENTERED LAPOSA SOUTH AND PAID YOUR FEES, PROCEED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE BLACKTOP ROAD. THE BLACKTOP ROAD WILL END AND YOU'LL BE DRIVING ON DIRT. PROCEED AHEAD AND BE LOOKING FOR OUR GROUP PARKED ON THE LEFT. LOOK FOR OUR GROUP FLAGS WAVING IN THE BREEZE.
I'll be providing my cell phone number to those who are attending. Please call me if you have any problems finding the Birds' Nest.
At the nesting spot, many of us will have our SWBB group flag, and/or a Bluebird logo flag flying. The Bluebird flag is white with the blue Bluebird logo. Your copilot should be able to spot it with binoculars.