Imperial Sand Dunes California

 My journey to the Slabs got kicked into overdrive, after the security department at my previous local gave all the other Rvers, and I an ultimatum. Either we spend money at the Casino, and prove it by getting a players club card, or leave within the next 48hrs. If you did not abide there notice. You would be punished FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW! Seems there plan to make an extra buck through scare tactics turned out to be a failure as most patronizing Rvers left anyway.

Anyways on my Slabs I drove through the Imperial sand dunes in southeast California. These dunes are 40 miles long, and 5 miles wide, and a heaven for off-road enthusiasts. They believe to be created by the eastern shore of ancient Lake Cahuilla, which is thought to be over 100 miles long, 35 miles wide, and 300 ft deep, the lake was fed by the Colorado River. Eventually the Colorado changed its course, and by the 1600's this ancient lake had dried up. Now 400 years later, as I type this I am sitting 230 ft below sea level, where this ancient lake would have been. Crazy how things change? Here's a few pictures of the dunes.....

Despite making a great, Home, Office, and Vehicle. The Turtle  did not make a good dune machine he sunk rather quickly with a lil tire spinnage, but with the petal to the metal I managed to make it back to the asphalt. Finally made it to Slab City. Pretty cool area I'll be writing some post soon.
Thanks for visiting!

Trike Man!

Name changed to protect the innocent. When I met Stan three years ago sitting around a campfire he told us tales of his motorcycle travels, how he lived under a bridge, and his dreams of building a gas powered trike out of old bicycles to travel country. Silently I questioned such a dream mainly because it was being told after consuming several cold water sandwiches, the fish always seems to get bigger under such circumstances.

Imagine my surprise when two years later Stan pulled up on his Iron Steed! Well not exactly, but he was definitely proud. This model was still a work in progress, he plans to have his final version done by spring.

This prototype has a 49cc engine or at least that's whats on the label, which he tells me will need no licensing, no taxes, and untraceable by big brother, also has a deep cycle battery for charging all of his electric goodies.

 That blue plastic tub on the back will hold over 250 pounds I even got a demonstration as he climbed in and starting jumping up and down like a kid who was let outta school early for the day..... This is where he will hold all his material possessions, and of course a satellite dish with T.V. Just what every Trike Dweller needs for those rainy days. Right now he's getting over 125 mpg!

My hat goes off to Stan! While the masses are out running in the rat race working long hours to afford there previous  purchases. (Economic Slavery as Stan refers to it) He will be out enjoying the sites, or perhaps some of his favorite re-runs. Definitely a different kind of freedom, but at least hes found it.

"The opposite of courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow"
                                                                                                                     Jim Hightower

Sunrise

Still enjoying some time in Yuma. The Mud is almost dried up, although Candy still manages to come home with dirty paws. Will be here for a few more days taking care of some domestic duties. Here's a few pics of a Sunrise I caught a few days ago, and a few quotes.

"There are two ways to be rich: One is by Acquiring much , and the other is by desiring little."

                                                                                                                   Jackie French Koller 

"Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don't need to escape from."

                                                                                                                                                                     Seth Godin

"If a man walks into the woods for love of them half each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen."

                                                                                          Henry David Thoreau

"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define  yourself"

                                                                                                                    Dr. Wayne Dyer

                                                                

Thanks for stopping by. Good day!

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Paradise Casino Camping Yuma, AZ

Out of the dirt and into the mud! Leaving Quartzsite, after spending a few weeks out in the dirt was ready for  a Wally World, and some solid ground at the Paradise Casino in Yuma.Well unfortunately that did not turn out to be the case the gravel parking lot where Rver's are required to park turns into a quite a mess after
a downpour, even Candy was sinking in the muck. On the flip side a good thunderstorm is always welcomed in the desert, and only a few big rigs needed a tow. Cant begin to imagine the price of that? I chose to stay put for 3 days to avoid any tow truck fees. The casino itself is rather small only one sit down restaurant which serves, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a small bar which serves late night appetizers. The lot is patrolled by security (when its dry) Verizon is 3G, and length of stay seems to be indefinite.

Yuma has 350 days of sunshine yearly?

The rules (I only broke four)

Hot air balloon Take off

Whoops!

Candy bewildered by the balloon.

Several jets, and army helicopters fly overhead. Had a great video of the jets, but erased the wrong one. Still experimenting with my video skillz.

 Sunset

View of the casino at night. After things dried up a bit it was a decent stay, and as usual the price is right....Free. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before arrival. I've also put a search box in the upper right for those of you who inquired about previous casino post. Thanks for the visit! Good Day:)

Yuma proving ground

One of the largest military installations in the world covering around 837,000 acres just north of Yuma in the Sonoran desert. The site is used to test military equipment in the course of a year over 4,000 planes leave for combat missions, 36,000 parachutes are dropped, and 500,000 mortar and missiles are fired on the grounds. (Thank you wikipedia) Which explains
 the large booms that can be heard when camping around the area. Just be sure if you are camping in the area you know the proving ground's boundaries missiles and shrapnel are not you friend!

 Candy hiding from the booms.

 Entrance to the grounds

Maybe another source of  booms. Poor unsuspecting critters.

 Anti Aircraft gun trailer.

 Sherman

 Missiles

 Heli

Beyond the proving grounds into California.

Imperial Dam from a distance

One of many canals leaving the dam. This one is the All American Canal, its been called the most dangerous body of water in the U.S. With waters rushing up to 30 miles per it has killed over 550 people from 1997 to 2010, most of them illegal immigrants. The Canal irrigates 640,000 acres of land that used to be one of the driest spots on earth, the canal eventually drains into the salton sea. Thanks for stopping by. Good Day!

Quartzsite, Az

The worlds biggest parking lot. Every winter this tiny desert town, which usually has a population of around 3600 residents. Gets invaded by an estimated 1.5 million Rvers, which is possibly one of the largest rv gatherings in the world. There are 3 major shows the first and biggest is the Rv show bringing in 750,000 to 1 million people alone, the second is the rock

and gem show. Finally a classic car show, and there is always a large flea market surrounding the events.

What happens when a couple million people descend on a small town, most roads only had stop signs. 

A few shops

Flea market

Hi Jolly Monument one of the only Historic spots I could find in Quartzsite. (Hi Jolly pics are from public domain)

Close up of the plaque

The Hi Jolly story..... I was a bit disappointed when I realized Hi Jolly was a person not a camel :)

This is 8 miles out into the desert, There were 3 rows of these land yachts the value of one alone would last me a lifetime. 1000's of peeps even out this far.

Still 8 miles out

My camp where I met up with some old friends from years past.

These guys were flying over camp nightly. Maybe a fun way to explore?

Candy getting excited for her walkaleelee

Another Arizona sunset. Off to find a quiet desert spot for a few days. Thanks for stopping by...

Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR)

The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is a rally of like minded folk who have chosen to dwell in there vehicles either by choice, or circumstance. A group who realize the many benefits of living a mobile lifestyle, that getting rid of there traditional stick and brick homes is way more affordable. Take away your rent, or mortgage payments, property taxes, car payments, and all of your utility
bills......Just take a moment to imagine the savings. One can live very comfortably on very little, also allowing them to get out to travel.

You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.

                                                                                                             Vernon Howard

Here's a few pics of the event.

 On the way to the RTR Strange blimp in the sky attached to a cable was told its used to detect illegals coming thru from Mexico.

Van Dwellers

 Cargo Trailer Dwelling. Complete with solar, and satellite. Also home to Bob our host, and a 10 year van dweller. Bob also wrote a book on van dwelling it can be found by clicking here... Thanks for organizing the event!

 Ford Escape Dwelling. Brian the owner of this vehicle is working his way to Alaska.

 Bed is on the right every little space is accounted for.

 Mike a tent dweller drove here from New York to attend the event. Planing on being a future Van Dweller.

 Honda fit dweller:) Owned by Scott a former teacher traveling the country looking for a new place to call home!

 Very cozy space, and the owner is 6'5

Old Chinook

 Couple of morning visitors

 A couple general pics of the area

Pleasure to finally meet some of you and, thanks for visiting!