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It's time to start thinking about attending the Third Annual Rubber Tramp Rendezvous. Previous years turned out better than my wildest hopes. We had a total of 45 people show up the first year and 90 the second. I think it is fair to say we all had a terrific time!! There is nothing like spending time with like-minded people in the beautiful Arizona desert, so plan now to attend the Third gathering of a tribe of people who have broken free of the rat race and chosen to live life on our own terms, as free people moving about as we please. We are a people with the spirit of our ancestors before us. They were called:
The common thread among them, and us, is we couldn't stay in one place, hemmed in by four walls. We had to be out of the suffocating social norms, moving about freely, as we wished. One more thing we have in common with each other and our ancestors, is a need to gather together with like-minded people to share secrets, enjoyment, to trade, and encourage each other. Essentially, to briefly belong to a family and a tribe. So, in the spirit of our relatives, the Mountain Men, we are having another Rubber Tramp Rendezvous. If you are planning to attend,please email me at akrvbob@gmail. com ~~~~~~**~~~~~~ Date: January 8-22, 2013 Location: BLM desert land near Quartzsite, AZ. I expect us to be in a different location than last year, so check back frequently to this page before you head to the RTR, to find exact directions to the new spot. What will be provided? Absolutely nothing. There will not be water, sewer, electricity or garbage service. There will not be bathrooms, outhouses or showers. Bring everything you need with you and take every bit of it out when you leave. Where can I get supplies? About 4 miles away is the small town of Quartzsite, AZ. It has everything an RVer could need like water and dump-stations. It also has gas (a Loves and Pilot truck stop), fast food joints, restaurants, laundromats with showers and free WIFI, and several small grocery markets. Be aware all the prices in Quartzsite are much higher than other places. So come fully stocked on everything you will need while you here to avoid paying very high prices. Because Quartzsite is famous for its gems and minerals, there are several metal detector stores and numerous gems and jewelry vendors. The nearest WalMart is in Parker, AZ, about 40 miles away. We will be about 100 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which has practically everything you could possibly want. What will we do? We have several events planned:
What will the weather be like? The weather is generally pleasant and mild in the desert in January. Day time highs in the 70's and lows in the 40's is fairly typical. Be aware that winter storms can blow through and dump large amounts or rain and bring very strong winds. Also, the desert is often surprisingly cold in winter (in some of the pictures, you can see we are bundled up) so be sure to bring cold weather clothing. Frequently Asked Questions: Q. I don't live in a vehicle, but I am very interested in the gathering. Can I come? A. By all means, yes!! Everyone is welcome!!! Newcomers to the life are the primary reason I am putting this together. Vandwelling has brought me so much happiness, I want to share it. Newcomers are the VIP's of the Rendezvous. Q. I don't have a van, can I car or tent camp? A. Yes! I think car camping on public land (BLM desert land or National Forests) is a very valid lifestyle choice. Just bring everything you would normally take on a camping trip: tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag or blankets, flashlight, cook stove, cooler, food, water, clothes. The one problem is the very strong winds we get in the desert. Some tents can't stand up to them. Q. Will there be Internet and cell phone connection? A. Yes. Last year I had an excellent 5-bar signal on my Verizon Data Card. Q. Are my pets welcome? A. You bet! Last year we had a pack of wonderful dogs that everyone loved. In my opinion, if my dog isn't welcome, I'm not welcome. However, if your dog isn't well socialized, please keep him/her on a leash. If your dog isn't used to walks in the desert, pay close attention to their paws, they can get torn quite easily. Also, there is a lot of cactus in the area so watch for stickers. If your dog is a barker, please be considerate and camp further away from the main group. Q. Can I use my generator? A. Yes, but...! I go to the desert for the peace and quiet, and if someone sets up next to me and runs their generator, I will pack up and leave. Be considerate. Park far enough away from others so that your generator won't be a problem for them. The exception is the super-quiet generators like Honda or Yamaha. Their noise generally isn't a problem with a normal distance between rigs. Q. Anything special I should bring? A. Yes, plenty of water for you and your pets. Plan at least a gallon of water per day for both yourself and your pet. Water is easily available in town. Also, while it probably won't be too hot in January, the desert sun can still give you a bad sunburn. Bring sun block for your skin, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. We had a real cold snap last year, so we were all glad we brought warm clothing Finally, there is no legal firewood in the desert. If you want a camp fire, bring your own wood. Last year one of the members provided a large amount of firewood and we had fires every night. I don't think that will happen again, so either bring firewood, or money to buy it. Q. Will I need to get a permit from BLM for camping? Should I get it now? A. While the vast majority of BLM land does not require a permit, the area around Quartzsite is so popular you will need to get a permit. However, you must wait until you arrive here to get it. It's free, very easy, and just a formality. |

| These pictures are all from the RTR January, 2011 and 2012. There were a total of 45 of us in 2011 and 90 in 2012. Who knows how many will show up this year! The one thing we can be sure of is it will be terrific fun!! |






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| Cheaprvliving is now Blogging. Follow my travels and learn from a 10 year vandweller at: cheaprvlivingblog.com |