#12-1 Indio WMHA rally in Indio

This is an view of the fairgrounds from the air, where all the Motor homes are parked for the rally.  There were 1300 of them.  If you can find the arena on the picture we are parked right across from it on the right.  We have full hook-ups and end up staying about 10 days. That is part of our perks for volunteering.

Here we are working on the signs.  The guys are out hanging them or setting them up where they can be seen.  We have volunteered in the sign shop for about four years.  It is a nice job and enjoy working with the people who run the shop.  Dick and Sue Engle have been the Captains for about 8 years.  I think this is their last year as they have decided to sell their Motor home.
We stayed the extra 3 days after the rally and stocked up on groceries.  We left Indio on Jan 18 and headed to Quartzsite, AZ and dry camped for four days enjoying the shopping and visiting with other Escapee’s at their annual Quartzsite Happy hour.

 

There was entertainment, and dancing and we all lined up our chairs to enjoy the fun.

All the rigs are parked in a big circle and you would swear it looked like a bunch of covered wagons circling to keep out the Indians.  But it just keeps the wind from blowing too bad inside the circle.  Each evening there is a big campfire in the middle. 
This weekend is the “RV Show” in the “big tent” where vendors set up to peddle their wares.  Many Canadian tourist information centers have booths urging us to visit Canada, there are also booths for “work camping” opportunities as well as booths selling items just for RVer’s.  On the first day the big tent is open, which is Saturday, it is so crowded the cars are parked all over the desert.  We were lucky and found a nice parking spot in the “handicapped” parking area, so was level walking for Frank.

Above is a postcard picture aerial view of the “tent” city that sets up during the season.  Only two of the structures in this picture are permanent buildings.  The vendors usually park their rigs behind the tents and sell for a couple of months.  It is amazing what you can find to buy.  Frank bought six sticks to make walking sticks out of.  We also bought little stuff for the Motor home.  Always find something we just can’t live without.  The weather was cooperative and we only had slight wind, cold nights and warm days.  It is very dusty and if the wind kicks up it can be miserable.
We left on Sunday and drove the 70 miles to Sundance RV Resort where we had reservations for the “winter.”