QUARTZSITE 2002 Before the Show
Saturday On hindsight, this is all humorous. I DID actually even laugh at times, when cursing may have been more appropriate. At one point, I even thought, OK give up. Then I remembered that it takes more than a little hardship to keep me from going forth. I slept until 8 this morning, even though I wanted to get on the road at 7. Sleep seemed more important, the emotions and effort of preparing for this trip had taken it's toll, along with the late nights and early mornings. Upon rising, I remembered I still had to synchronize the laptop to the desktop. One of the hassles of using two computers for work. I was at the RV Storage yard at 9:30. It's not like I am experienced at trailer hitching, so when I did this last, I really paid close attention. I didn't expect to run into so many snags. ~~~ The wheel I put on the jack never left the ground when I hitched the trailer to my Jimmy. After scratching my head (wet because this whole time, it is raining) for a while, trying to figure this out, I decided to search a little deeper in the storage area where my uncle kept the sway bars and stuff. I found the levelers, or whatever they are. I thought they were jack stands, but logically, with 4 of them, they must be levelers. I am a novice, remember. I had to raise it a little higher, put the levelers under the hitch, then pull the jack up to get the wheel off, then raise it higher with wood blocks to get the levelers out, then down on my hitch. You wouldn't think it is that difficult to figure out, but it took me some brain energy...and time. The brain energy wasn't on high boil yet. ~~~ Now, with the trailer hitched to my Jimmy, it was obviously bowed down in the middle like an old sway backed used up work horse. The sway bars would be near touching the ground. Knowing this would never do, I again scratched my now much wetter head. Ok...too much weight in the back of my Jimmy. I literally had to unpack and remove the heavier totes from the car and put them in the rear of the trailer. I also moved some of the heavier things to the bathroom, which is in the rear. With heavier totes of beads now evenly stacked in the trailer, over and behind the axle, and the lightest totes in the back of the Jimmy with the heaviest directly behind my seat, it seemed to balance out. Yay! Hitch it up, sway bars on, plugged in, security chain attached, safety brake clipped to the car, it all now looks good. Now, throw the fender mirror on the car and go. Dump it out of the box, and pieces tumble. Sigh. Of course, it has to be assembled. In the heavier downpour (mind you, it's not really pouring, just lightly sprinkling, but my hair is dripping, my shoes soaked to my feet, so it feels like it is pouring, and it makes a better pity story, heh) I begin to read instructions and assemble the mirror. Attach it to the car and adjust. I had one, and another was on hold at a parts store along the way. I figured this one should be on the passenger side, helped along by the fact that I bolted the mirror that way. Have you ever had to hand adjust a mirror by yourself? Get in the driver's seat, ok, down and left, get out, move mirror, walk back around car...up and more left, get out, adjust mirror, walk around, sit and...up and right, on and on, over and over. At this point, after 10 minutes of this I am actually laughing at myself, because I finally got it perfect and realized I had better make sure the bolts were truly tight, knowing the wind will move it if not. In the process of tightening, of course it moves out of adjustment. ONCE MORE I have to go through that process. In the rain still. :) Phew, can I really leave now? It's only 1:00, geez. ~~~ On the road I miss the exit to get the second mirror. Tough, I will find one after I get done with the DMV. I still have to register this damn thing and they have to see it to confirm the VIN number. I didn't want to hitch it up earlier in the week to do it, so I made the decision to get it done on the way out of town. There is one DMV in Sacramento open on Saturdays. No appointment of course, and as I pull up, I see the line of people flowing out the door and along the outside of the building. I am hoping and praying the line was for some OTHER than registration. Right. Of course, it is ONLY for registration. I did a head count, just for laughs, which came up to near 70. 2 hours later, I am at window 14. This nice young fellow is asking me if it is raining outside. Looking out the window, I tell him it is sprinkling. He tells me to fill out the paperwork AFTER I drive it to the confirmation area. He seems anxious a little, I ask what the problem is. He says to get it over there before it actually starts raining rather than spitting. He then proceeds to tell me they will not confirm numbers if it is raining. I look him in the eyes, and smiling, say "joking...you are joking, right?" No, of course not. They will not go outside if it is raining. Unbelievable. OK I pull it around, they tell me to park it across the street along the curb. OK. As I am doing this, a guy runs out to tell me no, he changed his mind, park it inside THAT lot along the fence. At this point in the day, I am beyond questioning anything, I feel like a rag doll, just doing whatever anyone tells me to do, go through the motions and laugh. Walk back across the street, ring the dingy dingy bell only to wait 10 minutes for them to come out and answer my dingy dingy bell. Yes, I am punchy by this time, thank you. The lady comes out, looks up at the sky, frowns, and her friend who is sitting on the bench having a smoke, says "I think it is coming down sideways". (Its just DRIZZLING) I shush them. As one of the ladies who are sitting there raises her eyebrows at me, I smile my nicest smile and say to her "You can't try to convince her to not confirm me...I have to drive to LA tonight still" That strikes up a conversation about why, which moves to the fact that I sell beads, which they think is way cool. The beautiful, nice, helpful DMV chick says "Let me go in and get an umbrella" Yay. As we walk across the street, she offers shelter under her umbrella (from the DRIZZLE) my hair is still wet from the earlier (pouring rain, heh) but I tell her it is ok, and thank her anyway. We get done, I go back in, get a new license plate and stickers. I ask if they will stick if the plate is wet. He says they wont (which was silly anyway, I know they wont) so I think and say "Well, I'll put them on inside here first". He looks at me and says "Wow, you're smart. I didn't think of that" I smile & walk away, musing to myself on how, if I am so smart, I get myself into these messes. If was really smart, I would be working a regular job and not putting myself through so much hell. BUT I'm a gypsy...and I'm tough...and adventurous...and oh, that's right, I'm now smart. (I'll just keep telling myself that!) ~~~ On the road at 4:00. I am worried about so much weight in the trailer. Also, the window on the trailer keeps flapping open, I have to keep crawling back there to close it. When I crank it in, it seems to hold, but somehow works itself loose. I can see it flapping, then I pull over and fix it. My funky fender mirror lost it's adjustment. Big time. I really don't think it is possible to adjust it this time. Somewhere near Fresno it flew off. I watched it in the mirror tumbling to the side of the freeway. See? I did say it was all rather humorous. ~~~ I want to make it to LA, but I won't be making it into LA until late - the couch in the trailer is looking like my bed tonight. Climb over some cases of beads, tuck the wolf blanket up under my chin and I'm set. I will get into Quartzsite tired and grimy, but earlier than anticipated. It will be good, I will have a chance to set up before sleeping tomorrow night. Since there are totes and boxes of beads all over the floor, I can relax and have a well deserved, well needed few glasses of wine. I drove until I neared the grapevine tonight. It was foggy on and off, at one point I could only see two of the white divider lines, the rest lost in the fog. The rest area appeared none too soon. Crawling over beads, I threw my pillow bed on top of the couch, grabbed my blanket, took off my shoes and that was all she said. Gone from the world.
~~o~~
Sunday It was not exactly a restful sleep. My body was cramping up, mostly my hips. With the beads on the floor, I couldn't pull the bed out, but slept on the couch as it was. Between the long drive, and all the stress of getting on the road, I woke several times through the night. I had no clue what time it was, it was freezing cold but I was snugly warm under the covers. I just decided I would not get up until it was light outside. Driving through Tejon Pass was s-l-o-w. Thank God they have the slow truck/trailer lanes. I snuggled up behind a trucker dude and drove my 35 mph just fine, thank you. Daylight feels more vulnerable to officers, but several CHP's passed me up. No proper mirrors and outdated plates. The new one was sitting on the seat next to me. I wasn't able to remove the rusted bolts holding the old one on. My friend Jim suggested I tape it to the back window, which was a great idea, but the bathroom door is blocked with beads. Of course. Not impossible to conquer, but those little molehills were feeling rather like mountains by that time. LA Freeways suck. You don't realize how torn up and bumpy they are until you drive them with a heavy trailer. It sometimes feels like that clankety ride on an old roller coaster. With my CD's clicking beside me, I even had sound effects. I am getting about 10 miles per gallon with the trailer. This morning I paid .98 per gallon, last night it was 1.80. Amazing what the stations will charge you when you are out in the middle of nowhere. At one time in my life it drove me nuts to NOT be the fastest car on the freeway, or at least in with the fastest pack. It's a good thing I have gotten over that, because now I'm the slowest. Maximum
speed 70mph In LA, for about 30 miles, I found myself with those temporary cement lane dividers on my right side, placed right where the lane ends. With big ol' semi's passing me on my left side, my knuckles were rather white from gripping the wheel. I was sitting up all nice and straight, I found my place by lining up the cowlick down the center of the hood to a place on the lane, and held my place tight. I felt like I only had a foot on each side of my trailer. Of course I am sure I had more, but it sure didn't seem like it. This has been a chick music road trip. I put one in and let it run 3 or 4 times through, then another. Mostly all soothing music, which is what I needed. I have been rather up tight lately. Any surprise? Loreena McKennnit, Cowboy Junkies, Natalie Merchant, Sarah McLaughlin, Joan Osborne, and a few others. I brought alot of stuff with me, but mostly beads. One of the few things I did splurge on as far as extras is my stereo. Forget the boombox, I brought my receiver, 6 disk cd changer and 2 speakers. Also, I got some nice incense and red wine. Does it sound like I am desiring relaxation? You bet your boots I am. There's my feather bed and wonderful down pillows. Not much food, and what I do have is healthy. Veggies, chicken, tuna, fruit, and not much else. 7 weeks away, I am hoping to shed some serious pounds. Yeah! Just me, no cooking for kids or men. Ok, if I have men visitors, I WILL break down and buy some extras. I wouldn't want to scare anyone away! It's amazing, driving through LA. It's green and lush, but the moment you leave civilization, wha-lah it's desert. Los Angeles was all desert initially, but water, money, and people willing to make it into something that nature did not intend actually did make it into what it is today. I love the desert for what it is. All nature is beautiful in it's own right. It saddens me when I find people looking at nature with visions of change. Seeing the desert as potential, plunking these unnatural trees here, those bushes there, and tons of water to keep it happening. One of the things I best love about Tucson is how so many business owners, home owners and developers work with the natural habitat. It is a beautiful city. You don't find that in many desert towns. I am looking forward to touring around Texas and New Mexico for that reason. I can't help thinking about my boy Jimmie Dale when I mention Texas. He was the only guy addition to my "almost" entirely chick music road trip. One of my favorite songs of his is this one: Story of You I
don't think I and
then the song moves into a beautiful violin I so often let that song play over and over. He is such a wonderful lyricist, and has that beautiful whiny voice. I absolutely love him. ~~~ Entering into Quartzsite, it is so beautiful here. Craggly mountains, tall serene saguaros, mesquite, ocotillo, cactus, it is all awesome. I cannot help but look around and want to go hiking to some secluded spot amidst the rocks and these beautiful plants. ~~~ I got my spot, set up the tents, unloaded the trailer, stacked the totes of beads inside the tents, put up the sides, locked it all up and away and opened that bottle of wine. I had electricity now, so I hooked up my stereo, my computer, the coffee maker and I'm stylin. The more wine I drank, the more I wanted to fix the trailer up, to make it my gypsy wagon. I had some scarves with me and I decided the ceiling needed something, so I billowed the scarves from the ceiling, now it is all pretty. I also put some up over the curtains. Lit the incense and I was ready to relax. I had little to eat today, so before I drank the wine I opened a can of soup and ate it cold, out of the can. I am such a guy that way sometimes. I was tired and ready for sleep at 8:30! Whooped.
~~o~~
Monday I was in a sundress at 9 in the morning. Sitting out in the sun, already the day was toasty, having a cup of coffee. This little hippie guy walked up and introduced himself. We chatted for a bit, his name was Juan. I don't think he is over 20. He walked behind me and began massaging my shoulders, which didn't take me by surprise. I really don't have a problem with strangers touching me, I am not that private of a person, somehow. I know alot of people have a tough time with it. But, we chatted for a bit, I thanked him for the massage (which was excellent by the way) and we hugged and he walked away. Later, he came back by with a golf cart. Saying he just rented it for an hour, wanting to take me for a ride. What the heck, it was a kick back day for me, so I went. We went tooling through the desert, he was nuts, I asked if when he rented it they gave permission for 4-wheeling. Silly kid. He got us lost, and near stuck, singing at the top of his lungs at times, he made me laugh. Even later, after bringing me home, while I was sitting in here typing, up he walks to my window, serenading me with his guitar. He is a little cutie, I invited him in for a cup of coffee. He refused the coffee, but took the invitation for a visit. He offers nice massages. I told him he should open a booth giving massages, except he will be having these 90 year old women with no teeth walking up wanting to be massaged by a cute little hippie dude. He could make a killing though. ~~~ I decided it was time to get myself in gear, and drive to Blythe to get a bank and some propane. I also wanted to get this nail fixed that I broke in half. I should just get them taken off for my trip here in Quartzsite, it is no place for foo foo girlie nails. But, there was no place either open, or willing to take a late appointment. It was 3:30. I guess that was too late. I then went to Subway and picked up my email. Man, I love laptops. I am going to have to get up rather early to finish setting up. I have the tables in place, and my jewelry up. I have to lay out all the beads, which is a chore in itself. Maybe when I get it all up, I will take some photos of my booth to show everyone just how many beads I do have. It is overwhelming. Even I get overwhelmed at times! ~~~ I am still in awe of the beauty of this desert. The mountains around here have power, it is significant. I had forgotten, but I remember now feeling the same thing last year. I must get to sleep if I am going to wake up early. I also need to dig out my alarm clock. Damn. After tomorrow morning though, no alarms, just wake up whenever I feel like it. Quartzsite is like that, you just open when you feel like it, close when you decide to also. No hours, just whatever. ~~~ I am listening to David Broza. He is relatively unknown, but has a great sound. He throws in kind of flamenco guitar sounds, sort of folk guitar/vocal and has a very cool voice. I like how passionate he sounds when he sings. He really loves it, you can hear it. I love passion in whatever form it comes in. Even this little Juan, he is a passionate little guy, just roaming the land, going to this town and that, looking for work wherever he finds it, probably grabbing whatever opportunity he can, and seeming to really love life. I envy him in some ways, no responsibility, all his life in a backpack, him and his guitar. Roaming...playing...living.
• BEAD HOME • QUARTZSITE 2001 •
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