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Join the Tribe at Thanksgiving!
Steve and my first Thanksgiving dinner in 2012. I think there were about 14 of us there that day. Steve prepared almost everything and it was delicious! He is doing it again this year, November 27, 2014. Plan on joining us! We need to know how many people will be there so PLEASE, don’t just show up! Let me know as soon as you can that you are coming.
New Years Day, 2014. I think there were about 15 of us there that day. Mark and Donna cooked an incredible ham in their cast iron Dutch Oven. Everyone brought a dish and it was as good a meal as I’ve ever eaten!
Thanksgiving Dinner 2013. This is the only time that I cooked the Turkey on my Bar-be-Que grill. It turned out quite well, even if I do say so myself. Everyone brought a dish and it was wonderful!
A perfect example of that is the Mountain Men of the early 1800’s. They hated the monotony and drudgery of civilized life and couldn’t resist the lure of the mountains and desert, so they left the old life behind and spent much of their time alone in the glory and beauty of wild nature; constantly on the move, seeing new places and new things. But even in the midst of their need for travel and solitude they had a craving for companionship. They solved that by gathering once each year for a giant party called a Fur Rendezvous. During it they played games, drank, caroused and sold their furs.
Christmas Dinner 2012 at Ehrenberg, AZ. Steve prepared that entire dinner also.
In many ways we modern day vandwellers are much like the Mountain Men of old: to varying degrees we need to be alone and on the move, but we equally need to occasionally gather together and make connections with like-minded people who understand us. At least I know that’s true for me! I have an unusual need for isolation and alone-time. If I don’t spend quite a bit of time alone every day I start to get antsy and unsettled feeling like the world is closing in on me. But I also love to have others around–just not too much and not too close!!
On New Years Day 2012 we didn’t have a dinner, but we had a bonfire and adult beverages at midnight!
Five years ago I set out to create a Vandwelling Tribe and because of the reach of my website I’ve been able to do that to a large degree. I’ve done that in two different ways:
- So many of us gather together in the Arizona desert every winter I’ve opened my camp up to all who are looking for a tribe. It’s opened to you! Every winter 10-20 of us camp together in the desert near Quartzsite, AZ before and after the RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous).
- Five years ago I began the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous which I modeled after the old Mountain Man Rendezvous. It’s grown every year and I expect this one to be the biggest and best of them all!
So in today’s post I’m going to tell you all about the Thanksgiving dinner we have planned for this November, you are all welcome to join us! We may do a Christmas and Thanksgiving Dinner also, but those plans aren’t firm yet so I can’t announce them.
Every winter RVers and Vandwellers flock to the Arizona and California desert to spend the winter in a warm and beautiful area. I make it a point to be in a large area of free BLM land so that as many people as want can join me there. Many people are new to the life and it’s easier to get started when you can hang around with experienced folks who love to help and answer questions. But there will be just as many old-timers who are there to make new friends and spend time with old friends. Don’t worry about being crowded, we camp in a huge area and you can be as close and out-going as you want or you can be remote and reclusive. Everyone can find a comfort level that works for them!
Very often we camp loosely camp together for several months after the RTR. In 2014 there was a group that camped and traveled together until April when we finally split up and scattered to the four winds.
In 2014 about a dozen of us stayed together until the desert got too hot then we moved up to Sedona, AZ for most of April. This is a pizza dinner we had together while we were there.
Come to the Vandwellers Thanksgiving Dinner
Because the Holidays are such a difficult time for so many people, back in 2012 my good friend Steve and I held a Thanksgiving Dinner that was open to all Vandwellers. Cooking is one of Steve’s hobbies so he cooked the entire meal and I brought all the store-bought things like rolls, pies and Cool Whip. That went so well we did it again on Christmas Day that year. If you are wondering how a vandweller cooks a turkey, we de-boned a turkey breast, wrapped it in foil and cooked it in our portable Weber bar-b-que grills. We both love them and you can get it here from Amazon: Weber Go-Anywhere Gas Grill
In 2013 I cooked the turkey for Thanksgiving and (to my complete surprise) it turned out very good! I don’t think we did a Christmas Dinner that year but we did have a New Years Day Dinner. My good friends Mark and Donna cooked an incredibly delicious ham in their cast iron Dutch Oven and it turned wonderfully well! I can’t recommend Dutch Oven cooking enough! Find an excellent Lodge model here at Amazon: Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven, 8-Quart
The ham in the Dutch Oven.
The ham cooking with charcoal briquettes on the lid and underneath. It was remarkably easy and turned out as good or better than any ham I’ve ever eaten!
Every time we’ve held a Holiday Dinner I’ve announced it ahead of time and I always ask people to let me know as far before as you possibly can that you are coming because we need to know how many to cook for! You can understand that can’t you? If we cook for 20 but 50 people show up, everyone is going to leave hungry! Please, let me know if you are going to come. I very well know that our lifestyle doesn’t lend itself to planning ahead so even if you let me know a day or two ahead that’s a big help. Obviously, let me know as soon as you can!
We’ll make plenty of food so if a few extra people show up unannounced (which they do every year!) that won’t be a problem. Don’t misunderstand, we want as many people as possible!!! We’ll be glad if a hundred of you show up! We just need to know in advance.
The dinner will be near Quartzsite, Arizona on November 27. 2014. To get a map to the exact location Email me at akrvbob@gmail.com.
We hope to see you there!
Something like this will be waiting for you! We’ll save you a seat!
Count me in! I was there for Thanksgiving last year — what fun!
Great news LaVonne! It’ll be good to see you again!
Bob
I travel full-time in a 5th wheel with my husband, 7 yo twin girls and 3 dogs. LaVonne invited us to come along and we’d love to! We’ll be heading toward AZ for a few months after celebrating Halloween on the Oregon Coast. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone. LaVonne has spoken so highly of this crowd. <3
Larah, we will be very glad you have you join us! Se you soon!
Bob
Here are some of the riff-raff (including myself) from last year’s Thanksgiving Bob-Fest.
http://rollingsteeltent.blogspot.com/2013/11/thanks.html
Can I count on you again Al!
Bob
Hello bob you said you make it. a point to be on free blm i was planing doing the long term pass plan but if you can tell me where the free area is that would be great i have not made it down for a very long time so i need some updates for camping spots thank you very much
Joe, the enforcement of 14 day land has gotten pretty strict around Quartzsite so we moved over to a little town called Ehrenberg. It’s right on the CA and AZ border. There is a huge amount of land there and there is zero enforcement. There are people there who have been living there for years and never moved. Blythe is a little town a few miles away with good shopping and free water and easy to gt rid of trash.
Some of my friends are spending the whole winter there.
Bob
Thank you for the info i had planed on doing the long term thing but if i,m able save money then this is what i will plan on for now. I may look for some temp work any way thanks a bunch i,m in moab area now getting ready to head. Down. Soon
If you want to work in Quartzsite get here as soon as possible. Lots of jobs right now, but they go fast. Also, there is a new Facebook page for jobs in Quartzsite – https://www.facebook.com/groups/613184802094828/ . Called Quartzsite Help Wanted / Work Needed.
yes i would like to work any where in the area i,m new to the area so i need all the info i can get, the face book idea is a great way to get noticed thank you for that as well i just need to get my butt in gear a get down asap
I am in Flagstaff which is probably right along you’re way. Stop by if you’d like!
Here is a map to my camp. Call before coming because I could be in town or I may be moving soon.
Bob
Bob:
Will I be able to make in there with a 2-wheel drive truck and a 5’er?
It’s easy!! no problems at all with 2 wd and a fifth wheel
Bob
I will be there and probably also Vincent Moseman who will be camping near me on LTVA. I can bake stuff ahead of time in the solar oven if you let me know. I am assuming this will be at Ehrenberg again. Others will need a map or directions.
Charlene, It’ll be great to see you again! Yes, we will be at the same place at Ehrenberg.
Bob
Looks like an amazing gathering and so much fun! Can’t wait for the time when I can join in. I have an unrelated question Bob so will send it via email. Thank you for the invite.
Shawna, hopefully, one of these days you can make it!
Bob
Mr. Pico and I would love to come for Dinner…I would like to bake a desert with apples, figs, and apricots in my new oven. This all sounds wonderful!
It’ll be great to have you there Sameer!
Bob
Russ and I will be there. We miss you all. I can add a salad to the dinner
Great Lori, I’ll let you know if you can bring anything!
Bob
Barring great good fortune, I will only be there in daydreams this time.
One of these days Calvin ….
Bob
Will be there. Headed west first part of November if not sooner. Any idea of what you would like me to bring?
D.M., it’ll be nice to have you here!
I’ll let you know if you can bring anythging.
Bob
Bob, looks like I will still have the 5-th wheel with me after all. If there is room for me I will be there. Either way I’m looking forward to seeing both you and Judy again!
Scott, It’ll be great to see you again! I’m glad you’re getting to Quartzsite although Florida would have been great for you too.
No worries about the Fifth wheel! It’s a huge area and could probably hold 500 of them. It’s free and there are no Rangers! There is a Flying J just 2 miles away where you can get water and dump.
See you soon!
Bob
The ranger situation is different this year, at least in the closer-in Quartzsite area… Clyde, the one who gave so many of us grief in the past, is not returning. There is a new younger Ranger (without a gun) named Richard. He is quoting rules not written down, like told me I could not sleep in the van and then also sleep in my tent part of the time. I would have to have a second permit to use the tent. It’s not in the handout they give you. Like I said, he is younger and I don’t know if that will make life better or worse. I’m only referring to the LTVA here, but he will also be patrolling the 2-week free areas along with Jim, who was here before. It’s only the two of them… for all this land, LTVA and Free 2-wk areas. They are also responsible for the BLM Day Use areas as well.
Charlene, they seemed to have gotten pretty strict so I avoid it for the most part. No Rangers at Ehrenberg, free water and easy to get rid of trash. Best of all, much better shopping.
Bob
Thanks for the invitation – I will attend in spirit. I smiled to see Homer in so many photos. Haven’t heard anything about Cody. Is all ok with him?
Sorry to hear that Pam, one of these days!! Yeah, I always feel a twinge of pain and joy when I look at the old photos because Homer is almost always in them. We were inseparable, if I went somewhere he was right there with me.
Cody is a great joy to me. In nearly every way he is the perfect dog. There isn’t a day goes by I don’t think how much he is like Homer. In a few ways he’s very different though. Homer would eat anything with great gusto!!! Cody is a picky and dainty eater! I have to keep after him to eat and he is already very skinny.
The vet said we are so used to seeing fat dogs that when a dog is the perfect weight we worry he is starving to death! I have to admit I do worry sometimes. But he is the epitome of dog health and fitness!
He is the Universe’s gift to me! One I greatly treasure!
Bob
I’ll be there, Bob! I’d like to bring something to add to the food (or plates, etc.) so please let me know what would be the best thing to bring. Looking forward to it!
Lois, let me get back to you on that. My friends are doing all the cooking and they are kind of touchy about people bringing things. I’ll talk to them soon.
Bob
Alrighty! Maybe there’ll be a can we can deposit some $$ into? (I’m happy to say that this is the first time in many years that I can say I can actually do that! Yay!) In any case, please let me know if there’s anything I can participate in/with. Thanks, Bob!
Lois, let me get back to you on that. I’m not sure what we are going to do about that yet.
But I very much appreciate the offer!
Bob
We are having fun baking on the big bbq grill. This Thanksgiving will be the best ever. Can’t wait to meet new folks. Make new friends. I am moving my camp to Ehrenberg on Friday, 24 October. Winter in the desert sunshine is so nice. See you all Thanksgiving Day. Bring an appetite. Steve knows how to cook.
Thanks Bryce!!! Bryce and Steve are the real hosts of the dinner! They will be doing the cooking and mainly using Bryces camp for the dinner!
I’m changing my plans as well, I’ll be going down to Ehrenberg pretty soon myself. I’m surprised by how much it has cooled off so early.
Bob
I will be there for sure! Just moved back into the van today, after 4 months of house sitting… I am so happy. Will leave here in about 10 days to head towards Quartzsite so should be there in early November. Happy to hear we are staying at the same place in Ehrenberg… wonder if Layla will recognize it?
Great news Silvianne! I’m looking forward to seeing you again!
I’m afraid she is out of the frying pan and into the fire; Homer is gone but Cody has just as powerful a chase instinct. But he’s half the size so I bet Layala can put the fear of god into him!
See you soon!
Bob
Thanks Bob:
De Jazz Lady will be there.
I look forward to meeting everyone.
Great! See you soon!
Bob
I so want this life! Working the plan! Thank you for having this website!
Melinda, one step at a time and your dreams will come true!
Bob
And today’s sermon was “sell it all” or “give it to the poor” … Yep get this kid graduated from college and mama is doing just that.. How do I add a picture to my profile? Thanks Bob
As radical as I am in my opinions, at their core nearly all the great religions agree that our main main purpose is to live as simply as possible and serve others. My message is to serve others by not destroying our eco-system.
To be honest with you I don’t know how you add an avator. I never see the users end of the blog because I am automatically logged in as an administrator.
Can somebody tell us how?
Bob
HI I BEEN THINKING OF GOING FULL TIME RV’ER AND I RAN ACROSS YOUR SITE, AND I SEE HOW MUCH FUN IT LOOKS, AND YES THE FEAR IS GOING AWAY AND RUN OUT OF MONEY AND BE STRANDED WITH NOTHING. I ALREADY HAVE MY TRAILER AND TRUCK, I WAS THINKING OF BEING A TRAVEL RV TECH. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF TRAVELLING, DUE TO MY RECENT HEALTH ISSUE I’M MORE SCARED TO JUMP OUT THERE, I’M BACK TO 100 PERCENT, JUST NERVOUS OF THE WHAT IF’S, SO MY QUESTION IS: WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF DOING THIS, AND IS IT BE A GOOD THING? NOT MARRIED AND KIDS ARE ARE GONE, LIVING THERE LIFE’S, YOUR OPINION WILL HELP MY DECISION, I BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH OF THE UP AND DOWNS. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME STEVE
Hi Steve, I’m glad you found the site and found it helpful. I think hitting the road is a very good idea for you. Being an RV tech you should be able to keep busy and support yourself very well. Since you’ve had a health scare the very best thing to do is to get back to nature and find the peace and calm that only it can bring you. It will provide healing for your soul and the healing to your soul will be very, very good for your body!! Stress kills and you can kiss stress goodbye out here!
If your health scare comes back, you will be very, very glad you lived your life to it’s fullest NOW. That is always my advice to everyone no matter their health.
Go for it!
Bob
THANKS BOB MY PLAN IS TO DO THIS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I GOT A FEW THINGS I WANT TO HAVE DONE THAN HERE I COME, LOL AND THANKS AGAIN BOB SEE YOU SOON.
Steve… Bob was the first person I met when I hit the road. In fact, he assisted me when I installed my roof vent (my #1 requirement of van living). I agree with Bob 100%. Do it! You could have been describing my life in your comments to Bob. I’d be happy to communicate with you one on one. Maybe you can join us all in January. I’m on Facebook as Charlene Swankie Wheels.
THANKS BOB MY PLAN IS TO DO THIS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, I GOT A FEW THINGS I WANT TO HAVE DONE THAN HERE I COME, LOL AND THANKS AGAIN BOB SEE YOU SOON.
I wish you the best, Steve, as you make your preparations!
Bob
disregard question under the august post, found this thanksgiving info… hmmm very tempting, will have to see how stuff goes. i will definitely let you know ahead of time if i will be there though.
Hope to see you then Anni!
Bob
looking forward to joining everyone next month and beyond.
to make sure i inderstand, you are inviting people to go to Ehrenburg instead of Quartzsite? Is it Obvious, I’m a newbie? I plan to arrive sometime in beginning of November. And another question I have been researching..how and where to find places that pump propane into the RV…Since you mention Flying J is close by, I am curious if they offer propane service. Thanks for whatever you can tell me!
Hey all. Would love to join you good folks for Thanksgiving dinner. Will be my first “social event” since hitting the road full-time the end of March (this year). I pull a 16-foot Scamp with a 16-foot Nissan Pathfinder. Will also be my first boondock. I may want to arrive a week or two early to find my comfort zone with this new experience.
Bob, I likely need directions once I hit Ehrenberg. I’ll be coming from Kingman, 40 then down 95.
Peace out all (said this old hippie) — Sharon
Sharon, I’m not there yet so let me get there and then I’ll send directions to everybody through a blog post
Bob
Sounds good. I’m at least 2 weeks away.
Sharon, will you be arriving this week?
I too am a first-timer and have been at Buckskin Mt. State Park for the last few days, leaving tomorrow. Perhaps we can hook up in Quartzsite or Ehrenberg.
Jo
Jo. No, I can’t arrive this week as I have some errands I must attend to in Kingman. We can’t hook up on the road, but I look forward to meeting you when I get to
Ehrenberg. Stay safe!
Sharon
Hi Bob…
I expect to arrive tomorrow or Thu.
Am I too early to join others in Ehrenberg?
first timer.
Thanks!
Jo
Jo, I’m here and I emailed you my phone number. Give me a call tomorrow and I’ll guide you in.
Bob
Tony and I will be there for the thanksgiving dinner. Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. HUGS Cheri and Tony
That’s wonderful Cheri. I’ll be very glad to see you again!
Bob