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It's the middle of winter and your up to your eyeballs in snow, Warmth, I need Warmth. Time to head south for the winter, but I don't have much money. Where can we stay that won't add up to thousands in a short amount of time. We're not fancy people, and there's no way we can afford those high dollar RV resorts that are located throughout the south. We don't want to stay on the move all winter either. Where's a good place we can set down roots for the winter, without emptying the savings account?

Quartsite Arizona, every year RV'ers from all over the country converge on this little desert hamlet for a few months of relief from the ice and snow up north. Around Quartsite there are many miles of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. For a very modest fee, about $20, you can stay for up to 2 weeks. For a slightly larger fee, just over $100 you can stay for the whole season. This is what's known as dry camping,as there is no hookups. Still everything you need is close by, and you can't beat the rent.

From January to March each year, there are tent cities with retailers selling everything from Solar Panels to Gyro's and Pancakes. There are car shows, RV displays it's an ever changing endless quantity of activities. There are Gem and Mineral shows, and don't forget the treasure hunters looking for gold. People tend to camp in small groups, but its a big desert, room for everyone.

Many people adapt to the Gypsy lifestyle, and follow the weather. When it gets hot they migrate back north, and come back every winter for the mild dry winters. Yes, many travel in expensive motor homes, but it can be done much cheaper, and still be comfortable. Some come in groups, circle the wagons so to speak. As is true everywhere, their's safety in numbers. Others hold an annual reunion of sorts, people they see year to year as they return for the winter months.

Years back I ran into a couple old guy's that were living in an old beat up class C motorhome, the kind that can be had for $2,000. They were staying in a K-mart parking lot in Prescott AZ, as it was cool in the summer. They switched to Target, then to Wal-Mart, to avoid being chased out, but by fall it was off to Quartsite for the winter.

Learn more about this author, Curtis Carper.
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