RV Home Yet?

CBS This Morning visits Quartzsite!

2012-02-04T07:53:57-08:00

CBS This Morning is doing a segment on women RVers that will air this Tuesday, February 7 between 8 and 9. The Texas Rambling Roads chapter of RVing Women is the group they filmed. I'm the RV lifestyle expert they interviewed for the piece.

It's quite exciting to get a call from a CBS producer while out running errands! Elizabeth Bohnel had come across the books I wrote with writing partner Alice Zyetz- RV Traveling Tales: Women's Journeys on the Open Road and The Woman's Guide to Solo RVing. When she found out George and I would be in Quartzsite, she was even more excited because they wanted to get shots of RVs there too.

Hunter Bloch, cameraman, got in Sunday afternoon. Elizabeth was delayed by a cancelled flight but arrived after dark, after Hunter and I had driven around Quartzsite looking for RVs driving around. By that time of day most RVs have landed for the night so we didn't have much luck. He did get two groups at campfires.

The next morning, after getting shots of RVs on the move, they came out to where we were parked on the far edge of the Scadden Wash 14-day area where we had parked with the Boomer group of the Escapees. Lee Cowan, CBS National News correspondent who would interview me, was along too. He had arrived late on Sunday. He couldn't get to Quartzsite until then- he was interviewing Brad Pitt!

It was quite a procedure to set up the "set." Two cameras, mikes, screens were what I could see. We loaned our Honda 200X for power. We had to put it in Elizabeth's rental car to muffle the noise. Hunter said normally you wouldn't hear it but the desert is so quiet. We also had two people from BLM to oversee the operation since it was on pubic land.

Lee was so gracious. I can see why he is so successful at what he does. I felt immediately at ease with him. Looking up his bio later, he has traveled all over the world and been in some dangerous places on his job yet he was totally engrossed in women and RVing. Elizabeth was fun to work with too She is so enthusiastic and very good at what she does. Hunter, the cameraman, had more things packed in that truck than we could have imagined - very professional.

I once worked with a very demanding Japanese film crew. I ended up running all over Prescott for them only to have all the footage they shot end up on the cutting room floor. The CBS crew couldn't have been more different- very friendly, encouraging and grateful.

I hope you tune in! It will be fun to see what parts of the filming I saw ended up in the piece. If I find a more exact time, I'll post it on the home page of RVLifestyleExperts.com. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Mobile summer camp - great business idea

2012-01-31T18:12:40-08:00

One couple has found an interesting and profitable way to use RVs to make money. They have a mobile summer camp! American Wanderer Summer Camp uses two RVs as rolling cabins and takes kids to several national and state parks each of four sessions to learn firsthand about nature and history. The two RVs serve as the bunk house and kitchen. The campers and instructor/counselors travel in SUVs to various sites during the day.

In 2012, they have four different camps, each with a theme, visiting parks and completing activities along a specific route.

I think it's a great idea - both for making money and for giving kids a wonderful experience. Hats off to Chris and Lyn Kimberly! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Prospecting in Quartzsite

2012-01-29T01:14:00-08:00

Back in the last 90s, we were boondocking on BLM land in Quartzsite around this time of year. My late husband, Bill, and a friend Bob started snooping around Quartzsite for gold claims. We found one and soon became the proud owners of a claim we named the Double Nugget, after a nugget of gold Bob found while drywashing in the stream bed on our claim.

Our claim has been heavily worked in the past. Our main goal was to clean it up plus have some fun searching for gold. It was a place we could boondock while working and restoring the claim as well. Bill, with his metal detector, found mostly pull tabs, bullet casings and nails. Bob found flakes of gold by drywashing, then panning out the remaining black sand for hidden gold. While we haven't found much gold, we have fun and do have a heavy crop of chollas and barrel cacti!

Each year when we are in Quartzsite, we park with the Boomer BOF of the Escapees RV Club and invite anyone interested out to the claim with the lure of "any gold you find is yours to keep!" This year we had 28 people caravan out to the claim with us. Most people headed to the wash- the most likely place to find gold. Others enjoyed the sunshine. One woman read and took a nap!

Five of us hiked up the mountain behind the claim. Here is a view of the claim and one looking out towards Quartzsite. The white in the distance is hundreds of RVs parked in the desert,

Over this hill and then down the other side, we found a cabin with a geocache located inside. The sign threatened us with being shot if found here, though people obviously respected the cabin. No sign of vandalism. Prospectors take their claims seriously!

This is a new claim owner from when I last checked out this cabin. He/she must have a sense of humor. A few graves decorate the slope and a homemade toilet sits in full view of passerbys.
The claim is about four miles beyond the 14-day BLM parking. We have boondocked out here and enjoyed the mountains. I've seen desert big horn sheep sunning themselves on the tops of the mountains near the claim. Other than a few passing ATVs and occasional vehicles, it is very peaceful. If we get another rain, these hills will be covered with wild flowers in a few weeks. We may not have a lot of gold, but we've struck it rich in other ways! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Two Starbucks & mystery figures in the desert

2012-01-27T15:45:13-08:00

We're out in the desert at Quartzsite but today, looking for intaglios - mystery figures of the desert - we managed not just one but two Starbucks coffees today!

We headed to Blythe with the intention of visiting the Blythe intaglios then going to Albertson's for a few groceries. The intaglios were 15 miles north of Blythe off CA Hwy 95, with access one exit before Albertson's so we swung by for a decaf Americano for me and a soy latte for George before picking up the highway.

As we drove north on 5, we caught glimpses of the Colorado River and passed by a number of "resorts" with access to the river. A resort along that way is a mobile home park with residences within spitting distance of each other. However, they do provide a place to stay for those wanting to play in the river. To our left were the colorful Big Maria Mountains with a combination of dark and light soil and rock. Much more scenic than resorts.

The intaglios are giant figures, constructed through the removal of a surface layer of darkened rock, exposing a lighter soil underneath. They are best viewed from the air. The largest is 165 feet in length. The photos below are of the most visible figure, which is 105.6 feet from head to toe and 91`.8 feet across. I rotated the photo because the best view with the angle of the sun being what it was was from the head end. Compared to the figure on the sign, it is distorted a bit and looks more like E.T.!

The figures are now enclosed in chain link fences to protect from human foot and ATV traffic. Archaeologists believe that there were lines coming out of the head (hair?) and fingers on the hands of the human figure above that are no longer visible. They can be seen in older photographs.

The intaglios north of Blythe were first discovered in 1930 by pilot George Palmer, who reported seeing a giant horse’s tracks leading from the Colorado River to the mountains where the figures are located. Author Eric von Danagen, in his A Chariot of the Gods, theorized that the natives received measurements and directions for constructing the giant figures from extraterrestrial beings from outer space. Whatever the truth, it sold a lot of books!

After seeing the three intaglios here, we decided to shop in Parker instead of returning to Blythe. We had a Safeway salad for lunch then we got our second Starbucks- smaller Americanos- and then headed back on AZ Hwy 95 to Quartzsite. At Plamosa Road, at the north end of Quartzsite, we took Highway 72 towards Bouse. No sign tells you where the Bouse intaglio is, but drive 7.7 miles where you'll see a pull off marked scenic view. Hike up to the top of the hill on the dirt road and you'll see the enclosure. You can go through the gate- just be sure to close it again.

The fisherman intaglio is not as easy to see as the human figure at Blythe, but there is a drawing on the sign near the entrance so you can see what it looks like. Archaeologists think this may be a representation of the mythical god, Kumastamo thrusting a spear into the ground to make the mighty Colorado River. Below is the drawing of the figure. In our photo, you can see the spear point (white) and the upper part of the figure.

Both of these intaglio groupings are within easy driving of Quartzsite if you want something to do besides the RV show or fighting RV, truck and other traffic in town. You can take your RV to both sites, though at the Blythe site, you might want to park by the road and hike up if you have a longer RV. The pull off at Bouse will accommodate a large RV.

We didn't solve the mystery but enjoyed the drive. And, if you are hankering for a Starbucks and your gold card is loaded, both Blythe and Parker can fix you right up. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

RV Lifestyle Ezine- Should you rent an RV before buying?

2012-01-26T13:37:19-08:00

The latest RV Lifestyle Ezine was sent out this afternoon. Jaimie writes about Quartzsite. Tom and Nancy talk about whether it is time to get with the technology available- i.e. smart phones and MiFi cards. See more resources and RV news. If you aren't subscribed, sign up at RVLifestyleExperts.com. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Did renting an RV help you make a decision to buy?

2012-01-25T01:57:00-08:00

Did you rent an RV prior to making a decision to buy one? According to this article at RV Daily Report, only a small percentage do. Participate in our new poll at RVLifestyleExperts.com. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Fun way to see New Orleans

2012-01-23T01:35:00-08:00

For a different way to see New Orleans, consider a multimedia tour that takes passengers to locations where famous movie scenes were filmed and shows them a clip from the film on-site. It also takes you by the New Orleans homes of actors Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock and John Goodman.

To even see New Orleans, you need to park your RV - ideally out of the city - and then walk around. There are plenty of walking tours, including a free walking tour at the French Quarter Visitor Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. On the movie tour, you not only ride, but you get to see more of the city than the French Quarter. The tour takes you into lesser-known neighborhoods like Treme and the Faubourg Marigny.

The tour is about two hours long and includes popcorn and location stops and clips from about 30 films shot in New Orleans. If something is filming the day of your tour, they try to include it. In addition to tour schedules, their website includes a list of movie locations on the tour and what is currently filming in New Orleans.

If you're a movie fan, this tour is for you! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

It's not right.....

2012-01-21T01:46:00-08:00

The deal that Lipitor made with insurance companies could cost you more in your RV retirement. Up until November 30, Pfizer had exclusive rights to Lipitor. Now other companies can make and sell generic versions.

However, Pfizer cut deals with insurance companies so that insurance plans will charge consumers a lower deductible, but, in return, the companies cannot cover generic - read less expensive, competing - versions. Indirectly, it will hurt these consumers because of higher costs to the insurance companies, who will then raise rates.

Medicare patients needing this drug will be more directly affected. If you come under Medicare D,your plan will cover your drugs up to $2,930 and then you go into the donut hole for a period of time where drugs are not covered. Since Lipitor costs much more than a generic version would, you will reach the $2,930 limit much sooner if you use this drug.

Other popular drugs will also come off patent protection in 2012. According to the article in the AARP Bulletin that I read, they speculate that these companies will try also to negotiate similar deals.

This means that some RVers will have less money to spend on their RV lifestyle.

The Senate Finance Committee and Special Committee on Aging have asked the Pfizer for details about the deals they made with the benefit management companies that serve as middlemen between drugmakers and insurers. Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., says "such deals may be abusing Medicare to boost their profits and denying generic alternatives to patients." You think?

If you are politically active or could be affected by this, contact your senator or a committee member and let them know you think this is WRONG. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Playing the Social Security game

2012-01-19T20:52:41-08:00

... to maximize the money you collect. Rules for collecting social security can be utilized so one or both spouses can start collecting some money before full retirement age and later collect more.

Full retirement age right now is 66. If you take early retirement at 62, you will have a permanent reduction of 25 percent in your benefits. This is to take into account the fact that you will probably be collecting social security for a longer period of time. If you wait until age 70 to begin collecting, your annual benefit will be 32 percent higher than if you started collecting at age 66.

An article at Reuters.com explains how, by the spouse with the higher income electing social security, then suspending payments, the other spouse could then collect benefits based the those earnings- if that would be higher. The spouse with the higher income could continue working, ultimately increasing his/her own benefits. In another scenario, if one spouse was previously married for ten years to someone else, they could collect 100 percent of that benefit if the previous spouse died. Later, they might elect to take their own benefit or their current spouse's - again, depending on which payment is the higher one.

It's a little complicated, but it could pay to read the article so you can talk to a representative at Social Security and decide upon the way that will maximize your benefits in the long run for your RV retirement. If you find you can begin collecting some money earlier than you thought, that could help you get on the road that much sooner. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

No retirement- the new model of retirement?

2012-01-16T18:21:41-08:00

Lots is being written about the changing face of retirement. My Budget 360 states that many people will never retire. Others say the new 65 retirement age is 80.

According to MyBudget360:

We are left with over 75,000,000 baby boomers entering into retirement with very little saved. One out of three Americans has absolutely no money saved to their name. In 1983 over 60 percent of working Americans had some sort of defined-benefit pension plan. Today that number is below 20 percent. With the average worker making $25,000 a year the media designed idea of retirement is largely just another fantasy.

That's a lot of people that have no money saved. And, according to FrugalDad.com, most people are just throwing money at a number, with no idea of what it will take to live on in retirement. He references the ING commercial below.

Frugal Dad says a big problem is determining that number. And, then is it accurate? You may be able to live more simply than the retirement calculators suggest. (One retirement calculator is at ING. You can find others by googling "retirement calculator.")

At the ING calculator, one option is Domestic Traveler, with an estimate monthly spending of $5,600. That is assuming traveling part time in an RV and keeping a dwelling. Full-time RVing can be much less than that, many living on $2K/month or even less. When you add in working or volunteering on the RV road, that can lower your expenses even further.

Yes, articles paint a dreary picture about the future of retirement. I did come across another article in the New York Times money section that has some creative solutions for funds if you are laid off just before you retire and need some money to fill in. Again, RV retirement along with working or volunteering can be a good solution.

Many of us are where we are with not a lot of time to add to funds for the future. Save what you can and remember, we always have choices. There are tons of things to do- to enjoy life and be productive - that don't cost a cent. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak