January 7, 2012
We spent the morning driving and walking around the desert in search of geocaches. We found 10 before turning around and heading back to Quartzsite. Just as we got back to a paved road we had to stop while a parade went by.
In 1856, there was a regiment of camels located here to transport freight and people across the desert. The idea didn’t work out so the camels were set free to fend for themselves. One of the Syrian camel caretakers named Hadji Ali (called Hi Jolly by the locals) stayed in the area until his death in 1902. He was popular with the people, who built him a pyramid tomb of petrified wood and quartz, in the town cemetery.
Well, the parade today was for Hi Jolly Daze, taking place this first Saturday in January. There were many old cars, motorcycles, and floats (kind of) in the parade. And, yes, there was a camel complete with a Syrian looking guy in a camel herding costume as the highlight of the parade! The fun just goes on and on!
After the spectacle went past us, with a Quartzsite Police Department Humvee bringing up the rear, we took a back road to Burger King. That was a great way to end our morning of excitement.
In case you are interested, there is a cache in the cemetery by the tomb. We found it several years ago. Also, this was our third Hi Jolly parade we’ve been to in Quartzsite.
After Bill took a nap, we went out in search of more adventures. We wandered up and down trails west of town, searching for a road that would take us to some caches. As we headed back toward town we came upon another cache by accident.
It has been a long time since I have been able to report any critter sightings. Today, in addition to the camel, we saw a rabbit and a lizard. Wow!
How many parades is that now?
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