Desert Messenger

26 www.DesertMessenger.com March 5, 2014 TRIGOS FROM PAGE 20 small waterfall that fed this beauti- ful desert oasis. Mother Nature had created this haven for the many birds and mammals that inhabited the Trigos. We camped on a high place that overlooked the stream below. From our vantage point, it was a vast beautiful desert. Across the horizon, there wasn't a sign of motion, not even a distant vehicle making dirt clouds on the desert fl oor. It was quiet and tranquil as we ate our din- ner and unrolled our bedrolls. We thought this tranquility was ours for the night. Then, from a distance, we heard the howl of coyotes. As the night wore on, their howling sounded much closer to our camp- site. A family of raccoons found us and attempted to check out the food we had stored in the chuck box on the back of the truck. Then the burros began to bray their messages across the desert followed by far- away answers, as if in conversation. The crickets sang their songs and the toads croaked out mating messages of their own. What began as a quiet night sleeping out on the desert turned into a symphony of natural sounds, that when blended together, gave way to beautiful night music. We were up at dawn and out to explore more trails. Travel was slow as we often stopped to roll large rocks out of the road. Going slow like this had its advantages, we didn't miss much. We came upon an- other watering hole at the bottom of a high ridge where we found the tracks of many deer and big horn sheep. As we drove up, a large covey of Gambel's quail sailed off in a fl urry of wings. White-winged doves, sparrows, a woodpecker, and many other birds were fl ying around proclaiming their presence. Near the water was an Anna's hummingbird fl ashing its red and green feathers as it fl itted about visiting a large cluster of desert beard-tongues (penstemons) covered with long red blossoms. Chirping and buzzing erupted when another hum- mingbird dared to taste the nectar. I wished we could have stayed lon- ger, but it was time to go. Bill Keiser had told us that if we kept driving east, the trails we would eventually bring us back to the Quartzsite- Yuma Road. And, he was right. What a beautiful and memorable adventure! PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to adver- tise "any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial sta- tus, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination." DEADLINE IS WED MAR 12 for March 19 th edition Desert Messenger Email: editor@DesertMessenger.com Phone: 928-916-4235 www.DesertMessenger.com Map by Norton Allen - Circa 1951 fame in 2013, shortly after receiv- ing the Twentieth Annual Ernest Tubb Memorial Award, from the Western Film Preservation Society. At 7pm the famous Desert Music Jams happen at the QIA. Friday events include Town-Wide Yard Sales, GRAND Breakfast at Quartzsite Senior Center, Opening Ceremony takes place at the AVTT Traveling Wall with presentation of Colors, National Anthem, and Speakers at Desert Gardens Show Grounds. Back at the QIA will be Crafts, Vendors, Games and Food. The GRAND Marathon Bingo also takes place at the QIA. A Free Invi- tational GRAND JAMboree takes place Friday at the QIA Outdoor Stage 12 noon - 3:30pm. Saturday events include a Pancake Breakfast, Town Wide Yard Sales, AVTT Traveling Wall, Colors, National Anthem, Speakers @ Desert Gardens Show Grounds, Volkssport 5k/10k Walk at the QIA, SENIOR FAIR/CRAFT SHOW, Antique Car Show, Games for young & old – (Rock Stacking, Rock Painting, Hula Hoop Contest, etc.), Live Entertainment through- out the day at the QIA Outdoor Stage. There's also a Cancer/MS Fundraiser Walk at Paradise RV Park. State Assemblyman Sonny Borrelli will be speaking at the AVTT Traveling Wall at Desert Gardens. The 5th Annual Proud Neighbors of Quartzsite (PNQ) "Rock Auction" will be held at the QIA Outdoor Stage, followed by Paul Winer will present a FREE concert on Saturday afternoon at the QIA. "Yes," It is the "Naked Bookstore Guy," Paul Winer, fully- clothed, playing Boogie Woogie Blues! Paul is a colorful character who is defi nitely one of the main tourist attractions in Quartzsite. Saturday Outdoor Stage Lineup: 11am- noon The Little Sisters Band. 12 pm Bingo Presentation. 1pm -2:30pm Raging River Band. 2:30pm Live Rock Aution. 3pm - 3:30pm On the Road Again 3:30pm-5:30pm Paul Winer FREE Concert. On the Road Again will provide 50's Dance Party Saturday night at the QIA, $4/person. Sunday events include a Com- munity Service at the QIA, followed by a delicious Brunch. Closing Ceremony at the AVTT Traveling Wall happens at 1pm with Colors, National Anthem, Speakers, and Taps. At 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Quartzsite will attempt to break the Guinness Record for the World's Largest Hu- man Letter "Q" at the QIA. The goal is have at least 550 people stand (or sit) together and form the letter "Q". Don't worry, there will be plenty of chairs available if folks can't stand. This event is open to all ages. Registration is only $5 which includes the Offi cial The GRAND Gathering collector's lapel pin. Multiple Registration Packages are available. Pick up your Offi cial Program Guide at many locations around town or at QIA. See Page 34 of this edition for the full Schedule of Events. Or visit www.TheGrandGathering.com. GRANDS FROM PAGE 1 • Birth • Obituary • Anniversary Place it FREE in the : Desert Messenger! 928-916-4235 Got something to share?

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