[VAC] 02/21/01 Wednesday - EEWCRC

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Exploring East & West of the Colorado River Caravan" 

This morning's breakfast (biscuits and gravy with coffee) was provided by the Caravan Leaders and
included bananas, apples and leftover cinnamon cake. Today's event is shopping and having lunch at a
restaurant in Algodones, Mexico (7 miles). Yes, we drink soda with Mexican ice cubes in it, although
the more cautious caravaners don't. 

The drive to Algodones included a short run on the Interstate from Arizona into California, past BLM
land with numerous RVers parked in the nearby desert hills. At the Exit, bumper to bumper traffic
began with Snowbirds heading for the border. Along the road onto the Quechan Indian Reservation, we
saw where Snowbirds had parked their RVs along the river - after buying a fishing permit for a month
($30). Across the street (still in the barren desert) was the solar guy selling and installing
panels on a group of 20-30 RVs.

Day parking is on Quechan Indian Reservation land. The tribal council has leveled and laid macadam
over a massive area of land adjacent to the fence at the border. Their $3 parking fee provides a
secure spot to leave vehicles while owners walk across the border into the small village of
Algodones. The parking receipt is worth a $2 roll of nickels at the Quechan Casino back at the
Colorado River. 

This time, Sandie and I went into town looking for different bargains than during previous trips. Of
the two of us, Sandie is the better bargainer. She has a casual way of inspecting what she's
interested in buying while getting an idea of the price, without actually coming out and asking the
price. By the time she's ready to talk price, they know what she'll spend. I usually busy myself at
another vendor's booth a few feet away and listen. I'm proud of her. Today, she bought a fine straw
hat with yellow trim. It looks handsome on her. As for me, I finally found the exact belt buckle
(solid silver) I've been looking for (to match my solid silver money clip). The price was $18, but
my limit was $10 and he actually sold it to me for that. Surprise !!

After making our way to the restaurant tucked in between a beauty shop and dentist office, we found
other caravaners already in the great room (courtyard). Soon, a parade of young men and women
selling different wares from we'd seen on the street made their way from table to table. They were
polite and gracious. Many purchases were made by people at other tables. The Mariachi Band began
playing for us (and everyone else). Their costumes were regal in detail. Lunch was a leisurely
experience, the food was prepared to order, our bottled drinks were chilled and served with finesse.
All of us had a good time. The cost wasn't much more than our average stop at McDonalds.

On our way back to the fairground, we stopped at the Quechan Casino and turned in our parking slip
for the $2 roll of nickels. Sometimes we play the slot machines. Today, we didn't. It was time to
refill our fuel tanks in readiness for tomorrow's 170 mile run to Lake Havasu City, AZ. 

The Happy Hour was in progress when we returned. This time, we skipped it and picked up our email at
the fairground office. Every time we have asked strangers about collecting our email on their phone,
using a local number, they've said, "Yes." A friendly attitude opens many doors.

Using our Sam's Club phone card (350 minutes for $20), I tracked down our insurance agent again in
hopes he'd look at a side panel we damaged back in September. I hadn't called in the claim until I
had an estimate from an Airstream Dealer in my hand. From past experience, I've learned it's helpful
to have this before starting the cycle of reporting, getting estimates and settling an insurance
claim. I also have a list of all the restoration work done for the last five years, in the event the
adjuster mistakenly wants to use a standard estimate of value based solely on the year of
manufacturer and length of the Airstream.

Tonight's driver's meeting was short. Ice Cream on a stick was a treat. The run to Lake Havasu City
is straight up route 95. Many of our group will be stopping in Quartzite (60 miles north) for a
taste of what it's like to shop in the world's largest flea market of RVers - and to buy cheap gas
(relatively speaking) before going into the zone where high priced gas is the norm.

Tomorrow, we and two other couples will be caboose. That means we check everyones' rig for things
like TV antenna not put down, or step still out and we leave last out of the fairground after
checking the site for cleanliness and forgotton items. With our 15 gallon grey and black water
tanks, I'll used the dumping station. As an aside, we didn't have to use the converter to recharge
our batteries. The skylights in the cabana roof provided enough sunlight on our solar panels to keep
the batteries charged.

More tomorrow,

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net