January 14, 2012

January 14, 2012

After logging three caches this morning we went to La Mesa RV for a bowl of soup.  While eating we talked to a couple who have been coming here in the winter for many years.  Some of their tales sounded like they were out of the Old West.  Like when the former mayor had the new mayor shot.  And many more stories like that, including the town council putting the entire police force under house arrest.

Just since we have been here the city council has fired the mayor and the person who writes the paychecks was accused of making checks to fictitious workers.  

Keep in mind that Quartzsite is a town approximately 2200 year-round residences.  This really is the Wild West, eh?

Parked near us here on the desert is a gold miner from Montana.  He goes into the hills and gets a box of dirt from one of the washes.  He brings it back and pans it here.  There isn’t any moisture anywhere on the desert this year to make panning at the site possible.  He found some specks of gold, but not much.  He said he does much better in Montana.  I think he is the first miner we have ever met.

For dinner we went to Sweet Darlene’s.  She has had a restaurant here for many years.  In case you think Darlene is a little grandma-looking lady, let me clear up the misconception...I’m sure she could whip a bear with a switch...a BIG bear!  When we first came here years ago, her business was in a large tent with a canvas floor.  She now has a permanent building with a “real floor” and nice decorations on the walls.  She’s come a long way.  And the food is still great!

Tonight, we watched the Bronco game against New England.  It was sad, very sad.