5er Times: Quartzsite, Arizona

Quartzsite, AZ, located 17 miles from the CA border, began as a watering spot in the desert. The Hi Jolly Monument honors the Arab camel driver, Hadji, who took part in an unsuccessful 1850's US War Dept. attempt to use camels as beasts of burden in the desert. The idea was to use camels to build and travel on a wagon road through the Southwest. 33 camels were bought in the Middle East and loaded on a modified ship to accommodate their size and sailed to Texas. Another batch of 44 followed. Authorities sent to the Middle East for men who spoke camel, and that's where Hadji Ali comes into the story. He and another camel driver were hired to teach the soldiers how to deal with the animals. Soldiers couldn't pronounce Hadji Ali, so he became known as Hi Jolly.

The last camp of HI JOLLY. Born somewhere in Syria about 1828. Died at Quartzsite December 16, 1902.Came to this country February 10, 1856. Camel driver, packer scout over 30 years. A faithful aid to the US Government.
Arizona Highway Department 1935
Below is one of the primitive gravesites.

The camels were a big success for a while. They could carry 2-3 times as much as Army mules. They could go without water for longer periods of time than horses or mules. After the Civil War the project was abandoned. Some of the camels were sold while others escaped into the wild. The camels eventually died out.

Quartzsite is all about rocks, lapidary and gemstones. This has been a rock hounds and outdoorsmans paradise since the 1960's. Over 11,000 acres of dispersed BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land draws millions of campers yearly. For $180 a permit can be obtained to boondock/dry camp for 7 months from September 15 thru April 15. This is less than $1 per day. Here is what the BLM looks like...........................

Find your spot...park your rig...or pitch your tent. Some mark their area with rock borders.

There are 4 BLM divisions... North/South/East/West with a central dump/potable water/trash dump area. There also are five 14-day FREE camping areas within 28 days. They also have Volunteer jobs for those who want a couple days work for FREE stay PLUS $75 per month chump change. The BLM is noted for its RV and ATV atmosphere. ATV trails lead in all directions from town with beautiful desert scenery along the way. The RV streamer is a good way to locate your rig among hundreds.

January is the busiest month in Quartzsite as it is the month of shows, Flea Markets, and Vendors selling and swapping wares. Sales...sales...and people...people...people. Campgrounds are FULL and the BLM is dusty with folk gadding about in their vehicles and UTV's. We looked at this appealing UTV. Maybe another year.

To the south rise the Kofa Mountains. Here there are many points of interest and historical sites. Quartzsite is surrounded on all sides by a vast desert full of amazing things to see and do. One can find rock art sites, stone cabins and ghost towns. Folk treasure hunt, hike, and ride miles of ATV and 4-wheel drive roads. From slot canyons and blue-faced mountains to cool oases and tall peaks, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We checked out a UTV with me taking a ride on two different machines. This one was our favorite. RV (salesperson) was very informative.

We visited the Senior Center where we gained information on the area plus had a yummy turkey/lentil soup, salad, applesauce, apple/raisin bread pudding with tea for our beverage lunch.

Next was a visit to the Library where J got a library card with us getting a few books to read.

We met Albino Ruby and a regular colored desert tortoise named Pigpen at the Library.