In the winter of 1990, I spent six weeks traveling in the canyons of Utah and the redwoods of California with a dog, car and oh yeah, a boyfriend. The following year, we bought a small pop up trailer that we towed with a VW Golf and traveled to Ashville NC, Charleston, Okeefanokee Swamp, Edisto Island in Georgia and landed at Mardi Gras in New Orleans just by luck. I was hooked. For the past 25 years I've been wanting to do this again, but one thing or the other made it just not feel like the "right time." So now it is. Me, dog, car. No boyfriend.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

New friends and alternative lifestyles


It has been estimated (conservatively) that over 500 people are here attending called the "Rubber Tramp Rendezvous" which attracts folks who spend a significant time on the road in their vehicles, whatever that might be. What differs this group from a more conventional "RV" crowd is their willingness to be open to ANY vehicle, not just self contained RV's (so me in a car isn't "weird".) It ranges from that to top of the line Airstream trailers. One of the alternatives is to buy an old school bus and fix it up. Mostly the younger crowd is doing this. These folks are next door to our camp.

Incredible conversions, sweet and cozy.






These two darling girls are from New Zealand, living in a bus with mom and dad.






My new friend Deb has been on the road for only about two weeks having decided to make a go of full timing.  She has the BEST chick van EVER!!! It's really a beautiful space inside, very light and doesn't feel masculine.



She did a great job, much of the work she did herself. Fabulous LED lights in the ceiling and other touches make the small space so nice to be in. She plays ukulele and we jam in the van.


Someone arriving in a covered wagon with a tee-pee.



The other thing about RTR is the DOGS! It's a dog and van show everywhere. And mostly mutts. It probably reflects that most of us feel a bit mutt-like ourselves.












Michael is a surfer photographer and his little dog Shadow goes with him everywhere. He said once that he was kayaking and 40 whales swam by, one right up to his kayak and surfaced to take a look at him. The whales eye was right next to his boat and it was enormous. He picked up little Shadow for the whale to have a look and let Shadow tough the whale with her paws. Both whale and dog seemed to enjoy the moment.






Choochi has to bark at all of them.


The morning meeting where we have workshops on various topics.


Evening campfire.


Overnight road trip to Lake Havasu. This was one of the most incredible rides. I have never seen landscape change so dramatically in such a short distance. There must have been five or six different bio-zones and geological areas (if that's what you call them.) The variety of rock, plants, terrain was amazing.

Map from Quartzsite, Arizona to Lake Havasu City, Arizona


















Scenic overlook with new pals Deb and CB.




Lake Havasu is where the London Bridge is in Arizona. 

London Bridge is a bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was built in the 1830s and formerly spanned the River Thames in London, England. It was dismantled in 1967 and relocated to Arizona. The Arizona bridge is a reinforced concrete structure clad in the original masonry of the 1830s bridge, which was purchased by Robert P. McCulloch from the City of London. McCulloch had exterior granite blocks from the original bridge numbered and transported to America to construct the present bridge in Lake Havasu City, a planned community he established in 1964 on the shore of Lake Havasu. The bridge was completed in 1971 (along with a canal), and links an island in the Colorado River with the main part of Lake Havasu City. 

We appropriately cross the London Bridge in the desert in the pouring rain.







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7 comments:

  1. What an adventure...! It's so wonderful to see all these new faces and friends (and doggies :-)and different life styles and rigs and set ups, a great community Laura! Loved the bus. So glad you're having this experience and sharing it (and glad you found a uke player to make some music with!). I'm in studio recording new music and singing around making the best of another cold new england winter (snowed last night, you ain't missin' nuthin'...). We're all good here and appreciate viewing your trip from afar! Sending love, xx Sue

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  2. It all looks so amazing and fun... we're glad you found a jamming partner!

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  3. .... and they thought they were buying Tower Bridge (or so the story goes!). Great pictures and so much fun!!! Cheers, Ray

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  4. Hey Laura, This is Pamela. Found I can comment as unknown and it will go through. The pictures are great and love your friend Deb's van. So compact, a perfect place to jam! Look forward to talking with you sometime soon. Happy travels and hugs to your pooch too.

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  5. London Bridge in Arizona--to even think it! I guess it proves if you want something bad enough you can often do it!
    That must been neat to see all those buses and campers. Did you check out the insides of a lot of them? That bus looked so tidy and inviting--I guess if they can do that in a bus then I should be able to handle my house!
    So good to hear Choochi let her voice (bark) be heard amongst the mongrel crowds. Goes to show size does not an indicator of your courage!
    Great to hear that you are finding places to sing and play. I am sure your audiences appreciate it!

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