Quartzfest at Quartzsite rocks these sisters
By Donna Gambol
LW contributor
It’s an annual gathering of amateur radio operators, promoted throughout the country and attracting both domestic and international participation. This year, Midge Bash, Mutual 14 resident, attended Quartzfest for the first time, joining over 600 ham radio enthusiasts. She had a great time meeting folks from throughout the US, personalities and internationally recognized authors, and innovators in the amateur radio field.
While Bash was learning about antennas, solar panel power structures, and other fascinating bits that amateur radio folks like, Donna Gambol, her sister in Mutual 1, spent the days at the Gem and Mineral Show and the RV Extravaganza, both recently featured in bits of the book and later movie “Nomadland.”
Quartzsite is a rather interesting place, home to our nation’s more nomadic folks as evidenced by the thousands of RV campers, mobile homes and residential trailers seen peppering the landscape for miles about. The town’s full-time residents only number about 4,000, but by mid-January the population swells to over 2 million.
The preferred hair style among the many more or less full time residents of Quartzsite men was dreadlocks, regardless of age or race. Some women sported this style too. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. It was a fascinating experience.
Several vendors provided free samples of their fare; all were eager to barter and negotiate prices, which was fun. And a few just offered unique items during conversation, like a small jar of nettle balm to comfort arthritic hands.
The gem and mineral show starts the season beginning during Christmas week and concluding in the first weeks of February. One can find collectible geodes, crystals and fossilized bones from around the globe, most rough rock but also many buffed and finished. There were lots of spheres, hearts and obelisks that were processed in Asia and the South Pacific, and strings of stones and beads.
When the RV show comes in, a good many of the gem and mineral folks are busy packing up for another show in Tucson. While the RV show is going on, a huge tent is erected that houses all manner of pitchmen and women, peddling a variety of products somewhat similar to what is seen at the Orange County Fair.
Across the road are hundreds of crafters, gem and mineral purveyors and the odd lot of hardware, automotive and clothing vendors. When the RV show fully pulls out in late February, the smaller vendors will rearrange themselves and welcome hundreds more crafters for what they say is a rather intense crafters handiwork and quilt show.
Quartzsite is about 15 miles from the California border on Interstate 10 and is not a bad drive. Not owning an RV, we opted to stay in a motel in a wee town called Ehrenberg, just a mile or so into Arizona. There’s something to be said for a flush toilet and full running shower.
Donna Gambol amid a rock display.
Midge Bash (l) and Gordon West, an American Radio Relay League official well known for his radio books and YouTube programs, at Quartzfest.
