Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on?
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158202 is a reply to message #158192] |
Fri, 27 January 2012 11:24   |
tmaki
Messages: 200
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 0
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On 1/27/2012 8:06 AM, gene Fisher wrote:
> is any one there?
> is there any thing for sale?
>
Hi Gene -
I was there yesterday. Got there about 6:45 AM. The whole
thing is under wraps until 9:00 AM. Spent the time gap
driving around seeing what was what and looking for a real,
sit-down place to have breakfast. There's no such thing as a
Denny's, etc. About four restaurants other than the fast
food joints associated with the Love's and Pilot, a
McDonalds, BK, Carl's.
While having breakfast, I asked the waitress if my
impression of the whole thing was correct. I asked her, "Is
this whole RV show thing just a big swapmeet?" She replied,
"Yup, the whole town. There's the RV show on one side of the
highway, and the Tyson's Wells markets on the other."
With that, I cruised around until things opened up. After
finding a parking place close to the main tent, I went
through those displays in about a half hour. Outside of the
big tent (which they claim to be about 60,000 sq.ft. - must
be including the tops of the tables in the booths added on
to the actual floor space) there are a few vendors. Lots of
stuff for sale. If you are into foot massagers, pain
relievers (some hawking "No matter what kind of pain you
have, this will fix it" - I didn't have to drive 500 miles
to find something that will fix all my pain. I've got that
in the cupboard right here at home...), travel packages,
food grinders/salsa makers/dips/chips/spices, floor
cleaners/window cleaners, fake diamonds, cheap jewelry, and
- wait, wait - yes! LEDs - then it's paradise. Every other
booth seemed to be a DirecTV or DISH satellite service seller.
I did run into a couple of old colleagues. The American RV
Company (which used to be American Sport Trailers) owned and
run by Steve Wishek formerly of Alfa had a great display of
the products they carry. He has good deals, he and his staff
are very knowledgeable and experienced in the RV industry.
In case anyone is interested, his Web site is:
http://www.americanrvcompany.com/
I could with good conscience recommend them to anyone
looking for general RV parts and accessories. Nothing
related specifically to the GMC, of course. But for things
outside of the GMC-specific, you could be confident that you
will be doing business with someone who actually knows the
industry and business. And they have that unique
relationship with OEM suppliers that allows them to be very
competitive with pricing.
After gliding through the RV section, I went on tour of the
other sections. The waitress was right - it's a big
swapmeet. Some of the stuff I saw appears to be set up
year-round. Lots of beads, rocks, gems, stones, pottery,
rocks, pottery, lapidary equipment, rocks, beads, things
variously labeled as "antiques" or "vintage". I didn't go
into a lot of weather-sheltered (that's the best way I can
describe some of the structures I saw) places. I can find
unending supplies of $.99 Store and Big Lots inventory
clearance sales, storage unit auction winner piles of
unrelated junk, etc. right here within two miles at the
drive-in swapmeet.
Don't get me wrong. There is a lot of stuff to see, if what
there is to see is what you are into. I went with different
expectations. I kind of expected to see a manufacturer
presence, both of finished RV products and components. I
guess I'm a little spoiled living and doing business here in
SoCal. Much of what I saw at Quartzsite I see every year at
the L.A. County Fair, or at the Pomona swap meet. And I'm
too close to and involved with the RV industry here to be
amazed, amused, or intrigued by the things I saw. Which is
not to say that folks who aren't exposed to the industry
innards won't discover things that will be new, useful or
interesting.
I did see a couple of GMCs. Of course, the one at the Mr.
Motorhome lot. Earlier descriptions are accurate. I think I
saw Carl Stouffer attempting to go south on 95 right around
the traffic jam at Kuehn Rd. Nice looking unit pulling a
silver SUV.
I left Quartzsite a little after 11:00 AM. The best part of
the whole thing (outside of seeing Steve at American) was
deciding to go around the Salton Sea. I hadn't been out
there in probably 30 years. And if anyone has seen the
documentaries about the Salton Sea, yes, it's pretty much
how it is. The North Shore Yacht Club has had a face lift
and is a visitor's center. Bombay Beach is as desperate as
shown. Beautiful and wonderful agricultural areas around the
south end, nice highway along the west side up to Coachella.
So - there you go. My impressions are based on my
expectations. I go to many trade shows a year. Some I attend
to see what is new in my specific field of interest (NAB,
NAMM, PLASA, etc.), others I attend to expand my knowledge
into other but tangentially related disciplines. Quartzsite
was pretty much a bust for me, but could be a boom for others.
Toby Maki
'73 Glacier 230
Riverside, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158235 is a reply to message #158202] |
Fri, 27 January 2012 20:39 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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There is a big sit down breakfast / lunch restaurant (I think it was Janet's Kitchen) on the north side of Main street (Business I-10) a block or two east of Central Ave (Highway 95). Not much on looks but very busy and lots of people. Just look for all of the parked cars.
I was eating a late breakfast there one day and some guy walked up and said hi. It was a snowbird GMCer (Norm from Alberta). On another day I ran into another non-GMCer there that I know from Indiana. He owns three steak houses here in Indiana.
There is another nice Dinner restaurant on Main Street just west of 95. Again just look for the cars. I had a hard time finding a parking place. I ate there one evening and also used their non-public WiFi from the parking lot on another evening. Sorry, I do not remember the name. I think it was the Quartzsite Yacht Club.
The over all best restaurant was Teri Gregg's located on highway 95 at mile 99. I felt guilty eating there for free day after day so I went into town several times during my visit there two years ago.
I did not make it there this year but Clyde and I intend to make the trip next year. Clyde is looking forward to eating steak at Teri's place.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158252 is a reply to message #158202] |
Fri, 27 January 2012 22:35 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I was there yesterday, just for the day. Yes, Toby, that was us you saw heading south on 95 right near the big tent at about 10:45, towing a silver Tracker. Toby's impression is spot on. The most interesting items there are the LEDs, the inverter generators, and the food. The place is a huge swap meet. There are also the gem and mineral shows, and some random RV supplies, but it is mostly swap meet and home show items. There were also a number of campground reps there as well as state tourism offices, some of whom had some interesting info available.
Other than that, there were lots and lots of people and RVs. I commented to Kathy that the people all looked alike. That is, they were mostly in the same age group and dressed the same (T-shirts and jeans). In other words, a lot like us.
We are currently at the GMCSJ Bluegrass Rally at the Pinal County Fairgrounds, where the Saguaro Jetset will be celebrating our 35th year as a GMC club. We have some brand new members here for their first rally, as well as some old timers that made it for the reunion. Anyone planning to stop by, we will all be gone from 11:15 AM until early afternoon, at a luncheon in Casa Grande tomorrow (Sat.).
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158254 is a reply to message #158235] |
Fri, 27 January 2012 22:46 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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Ken, you should never feel guilty eating at Teri's resturant, I don't. Next year don't waste your money in town for meals.
We all look for different things as we travel. I had no idea what to do when we arrived in Q. 3 winters ago. Help from others made me feel like a regular. One day is nowhere near long enough to enjoy the place. I must agree with Toby, lots of junk and I don't like rocks. However, I love spending a month out in the desert. We have made many friends from there. Parking at mm 99, on 95 south, has hooked us up with several lifetime friends who are radio operators, not GMCers. We find this place just a cool spot in the winter, mostly because of the people we meet. Last year we drove over to the Salton Sea. Went up the east side that time and stopped at the infamous free rv park. Lots of pictures on our Jan 11 blog from there. We did the west side back in 09.
Its a great place to just forget who you are and enjoy each day as it comes. We look forward to spending next January there and reuniting with friends like Ken, Doug and Irene, and many many others.
Quartzsite can make life good, killing any worries one might have.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158307 is a reply to message #158192] |
Sat, 28 January 2012 11:39 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Been trying to get ready for the Bluegrass Fest, but people around me are unreliable, inconsistent, and just plain f*kn in my way.
Also, is it too much to ask of a contractor to just show up when they are supposed to and do the job right as opposed to showing up when they want to and get in my way?
Argghhhh.....
A friend of mine recently told me, life is too short to spend it with people who haven't got their shit together.
Hell or High water, I'm gonna make it there tonight.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158308 is a reply to message #158307] |
Sat, 28 January 2012 11:55 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Chris, I recently had a reverse experience with contractors. I went to the
Home show and ran into a propane dealer. They must have been hungry or
something. I talked to them on Saturday. Monday, they showed up, estimated
the job. (I had purchased a hanging modine gas heater from one of my car
club buddies that never used it.) Wednesday, they called late in the day
and said they were not going to get there before dark, but would be there
the next morning. Next morning, 2 trucks with 1 tech in each showed up on
time. They set a propane tank, plumbed the heater in, cut the stack
opening, provided and installed the stack, tested and adjusted the burners,
cleaned up and called the delivery truck for the propane, which came about
an hour after the first 2 left. About 11:00 AM. Billed me for time and
materials used, plus labor for one guy only. Total bill about $400.00. And
now I have heat in my 28 degree shop. Hooray. Great service in my book.
When work is slow, the flakes kinda spend their days in watering holes
consuming adult beverages and commiserating each other. The good ones stay
busy by chasing work any way they can. I am a happy camper, working in a
warm shop when it is freezing outside. Sorry about your experience, nothing
worse.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMc Royale 403
On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Chris Choffat <cchoffataz@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Been trying to get ready for the Bluegrass Fest, but people around me are
> unreliable, inconsistent, and just plain f*kn in my way.
>
> Also, is it too much to ask of a contractor to just show up when they are
> supposed to and do the job right as opposed to showing up when they want to
> and get in my way?
>
> Argghhhh.....
>
> A friend of mine recently told me, life is too short to spend it with
> people who haven't got their shit together.
>
> Hell or High water, I'm gonna make it there tonight.
> --
> -Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
> Scottsdale, AZ
> "The Escape Pod" A 77 Ex-Kingsley Featuring: Olds 455, Manny Power Drive,
> 3:21, Rockwell, Jim B QJET, Quadra bag. Still needs paint!
>
> Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158458 is a reply to message #158235] |
Sun, 29 January 2012 17:28 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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You missed the main attraction T. The Gamblers RV supply. No matter what
you need, it is there. New or used, cheep or pricy, it's all there. I buy
all my 00, and 01 cable lugs there for .50 cents each. I usually buy them
50 at a time. More sh*t there than you can look through in a day.
Something for everyone and something everyone needs!
Having said all that, you're correct about the big tent. Buncha junk and
snake oil IMHO. Still,fun to see what is new. Found a 200 lb anvil at the
swap meet last year, never been struck. Just couldn't carry it back to the
motorhome. Tons of neat stuff over there.
On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 7:39 PM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> There is a big sit down breakfast / lunch restaurant (I think it was
> Janet's Kitchen) on the north side of Main street (Business I-10) a block
> or two east of Central Ave (Highway 95). Not much on looks but very busy
> and lots of people. Just look for all of the parked cars.
>
> I was eating a late breakfast there one day and some guy walked up and
> said hi. It was a snowbird GMCer (Norm from Alberta). On another day I
> ran into another non-GMCer there that I know from Indiana. He owns three
> steak houses here in Indiana.
>
> There is another nice Dinner restaurant on Main Street just west of 95.
> Again just look for the cars. I had a hard time finding a parking place.
> I ate there one evening and also used their non-public WiFi from the
> parking lot on another evening. Sorry, I do not remember the name. I
> think it was the Quartzsite Yacht Club.
>
> The over all best restaurant was Teri Gregg's located on highway 95 at
> mile 99. I felt guilty eating there for free day after day so I went into
> town several times during my visit there two years ago.
>
> I did not make it there this year but Clyde and I intend to make the trip
> next year. Clyde is looking forward to eating steak at Teri's place.
>
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Fathom the hypocrisy of a nation where every citizen must prove they have
health insurance......but not everyone has to prove they're a citizen.
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on? [message #158535 is a reply to message #158387] |
Mon, 30 January 2012 06:03 |
kincaid76royale
Messages: 71
Registered: February 2005
Karma: 0
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Member |
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Hi All:
Is any one posting pictures from Quartzsite? We can't go this year but we
really are missing it.
Jack & Mary from Castro Valley, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Ruff" <j_r_ruff@yahoo.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 4:13 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Is there really quartzite going on?
>
>
> We had 19 Rv spots filled at Rice Ranch in Quartzsite with the Pacific
> Cruisers GMC club.
>
> The show is pretty much the same from year to year.
>
> But the real attraction is all the GMC owners sitting around in one huge
> circle of friendship!
>
> Good food - good friends - seems pretty good to me :)
>
> John Ruff
> --
> John Ruff
> Noxen, PA
> 1975 Eleganza
> WA3RIG
>
>
> If I use ZDDP in a new car - will the tappets go flat?
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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