Saturday, March 28, 2026

Winding Down

Where Are Today


Here we are, at the end of another winter in Quartzsite, Arizona. Down to our last 4 days, of fun in the sun. It is that time to start to putting things away, chairs, BBQ, and outdoor mat to name a few. Also pump some grease into the wheel bearings and check the tire pressure on the trailer and truck tires. It’s not going to happen today, with a high of 101F and 20 mph winds this morning, I am going to wait until tomorrow, there is still time. For me, knowing that we are leaving on a certain day, makes me want to get things done, but knowing it only takes a couple of days to pack up, I must put the brakes on my brain.

A couple of posts back, I mentioned a new airplane that I had got. Sadly after 50 plus flights, I crashed it. I had been  flying inverted, when rolling out to right side up, I flew into the sun losing sight of it momentarily. When I saw it again, it was too close to the ground to recover. The fuselage took the brunt of the damage and the wing joiner tube bent. Being this is an AFR, you can order replacement parts, but when the total cost is $10 short of the price of a new kit, it is an easy decision. The new one arrived in a few days, and assembled in two days. I am happy to say that it has had 5 flights before I packed it away for the trip home.

Somethin Xtra Replacement

With the heat and winds picking up, we have closed the Quartzsite Desert RC Flyers field for another season. That means, putting away the flight stands and chairs and locking up the storage area. We leave a few tables and chairs out for the guys that live here year-round to use if the temperature allows.

All closed up for the summer

It has been a great year for the club, new carpet, expansion of the storage area, another successful FUN Fly, 16 new members and new club hats. We are already planning for projects in the fall. As at home, when I leave the guys in the fall to come here, it is sad to leave the guys down here.

Trucker style and Baseball Cap style

New Hats


Last fall I picked up at an auction, a new kitchen faucet for us, the old one was showing its age and starting to come apart. The new one is a household faucet, not an RV one, they don't mate without changing fittings or getting adaptors to make the connections. The original faucet has a hole in the countertop for the tap and a hole for the spout, the new one only needs one hole and it must be bigger than the one presently there.

Old Faucet, notice the tap and separate spout. 

Okay, I found the adaptors, now the next hurdle was, how to enlarge the hole in a Corian countertop. Thankfully, “You Tube” showed me what jig saw blade to use and voila, the hole is now the size to accommodate the new faucet. The most important part of all of this is, Pat loves it, so job well done.

New faucet, we can cover the not needed hole.

This has been a great winter here in Quartzsite Arizona, hotter than normal, as we have used our air conditioning more than any other year. The first two weeks of November and this past month have been above average temperatures. Many records for March have been broken daily, as temperatures passed the 100F degree mark.

This was the 19th of March

We are pulling out of the park on March 31st, a day early, heading to Yuma for 3 nights before starting our trip home, April 3rd. We want to make one more visit to Los Algodones Mexico before we head home.

Over the next three days I will get packed up, with the temps dropping a little, it should be better than trying to do it today. I will be posting as we travel home with the route and stops along the way. Thanks for having a read and following along. Don’t forget to follow are daily fun on Pat’s blog here Until the next time, take care.


 

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Palm Trees and Fun Fly

Where Are Today

Park Place RV Park

Quartzsite Arizona

So here we are, just past the middle of February, and in six weeks we will be starting our way home, it is hard to believe that our winter here in Arizona is soon coming to an end.

I continue to enjoy my hobby, flying RC airplanes most mornings and the Thursday, night flying.

Along with the days we help here in the park. Recently, I thought I would try skinning one of the palm trees after the dead palms had been cut off. Watching a couple of You Tube videos, gave me the basics of what to do, so an attempt was made. I have done two, and the managers are very pleased with the outcome. There are a few more that are old enough that I want to do.

Second Tree Before


After

First Tree Before



After



Flags and Banner all set up.


The second weekend in February, the Quartzsite Desert RC Flyers has a Friday night, Night Fly, and a Fun Fly on the Saturday. The Friday night saw the largest crowd of spectators that I have ever seen in the past five years that I have been attending the event. Area clubs are invited to attend the Saturday Fun Fly, brings some amazing aircraft and pilots along with our own members. This event is advertised on the locale radio and by flyers we put up. The parking lot and roadside were packed with cars bringing close to 200 spectators. With a locale food truck there to provide delicious food and a fifty/fifty draw netting the winner $469.00 and the best weather and wind conditions you could ask for, it was a perfect day.

From B.C.

15 year old turbine jet


Albatross

looking down the flight line



Food Truck and Pat's and mine lunch


Yours truly, doing the MC duties


PT 17- Sterman


Roadside and Parking Lot

Pictures were taken by Pat and friend Ken

The club has received many compliments and flyers have asked if we would consider making it a two-day event, something we will have to consider.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you have enjoyed the read. Until the next time, take care.