Desert Messenger

October 19, 2016 www.DesertMessenger.com 15 Traveling with Gypsy Jane "Another adventure," I thought as I started out on the five-mile, grav- el road that led to The Desert Bar. I had a hand-drawn map of sorts, and people had warned me about the road which was "the worst" they'd ever traveled. After only one mile, I agreed. "This better be worth it," I thought as I bumped along, up hill and down, around curves, and through narrow byways. I wondered how anyone could have a business in the middle of nowhere and why anyone in their right mind would drive way out here. I kept an eye on the mileage, which seemed stuck a lot of the time. I'd heard about The Desert Bar in Quartzsite and again here in Parker, Arizona. It is advertised as a solar saloon because it operates solely on solar power. (YES!) It is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to sundown. I realized why when I drove the road out there; no one could pos- sibly traverse that road at night and live to tell about it!. The bar is open from Labor Day until Memorial Day (closed during the summer). It was hard to believe there would be ANY people there, but there was a huge crowd. There was a terrific band for dancing, but as usual, no one was dancing. I kept looking around for someone tapping his feet, but there were mostly couples there. It was all I could do to stop myself from dancing by myself, but it was a large crowd, the dance floor was right in front, and I just couldn't get up the nerve. When they started playing "That Old Time Rock 'n Roll" I couldn't stand it any longer. I looked across at a fellow who was jumping in his chair and obviously felt exactly the way I did. We looked at each other, pointed to the dance floor, and took off. We were the only couple that danced, but it didn't matter. We were soooooo good to- gether! It's like I had been dancin' with that man all my life. After that he asked me to dance several times. One time they played another song I really liked, but no one was danc- ing. I thought, "If someone dances, I'll get up and dance by myself," but no one did. I saw a couple at the next table who had been dancing earlier, and it was obvious that the woman really liked this particular song. I went over to the table and said, "Let's all get up and dance to this one." They hesitated just a moment before they were on their feet, and the three of us were dancing togeth- er. The fellow I had been dancing with earlier joined us. Then I went over to another guy I'd met, took his hand, and led him to the floor. Next I went over to the woman who had been boppin' in her chair but had not danced. I said, "C'mon let's go." That was enough for her to grab her husband and get on the dance floor. Another couple joined us on the floor of their own accord. I kept looking around for people tapping their feet, and I spied an- other man in a party of four. I of- fered my hand, and even though he pretended to be a bit reluctant, he came out on the dance floor. I danced with him a bit, then moved around the floor dancing a while with many different people -- men and women. What fun! And I felt so great! The dance floor which had been empty all afternoon was full of people. I jokingly told the first couple that they'd have to sit out the next dance because it was too crowded on the dance floor. What a wonderful, wonderful afternoon! Maybe you're wondering how this bar thing got started. They give out a one-page handout "The History of the Nellie E Saloon." Ken acquired by Jane Finley writer * artist * teacher (stretching, exercise, relaxation, meditation) The Desert Bar Parker, Arizona the land in 1975. It is situated in the Buckskin Mountains and used to be an old mining camp. As I under- stand it, Ken opened for business in 1983 in a small, wood, tempo- rary, three-sided structure selling ice-cold beer to the ATVers. Five years later the current saloon was finished. I kind of expected a small, one-room, wood shack with a bar, but this structure was nothing like that. It is an awesome site when you come across it in the desert. There are a series of structures linked to- gether: an inside bar that uses glass doors from old refrigerators as win- dows and has a lot of memorabilia; a small, covered cooking area out- side; and a covered deck area with a stage for the band and a good-sized dance floor. It's a large, spread-out structure with high slanted roofs so when you first see it, it's a kind of a WOW, surreal experience -- like a giant sailing ship in the middle of the desert -- with a wonderful open-air feel. Needless to say the view from the various decks at different levels is glorious. It's the perfect place to spend an afternoon dancing, eating, and visiting with new-found friends. (For more information and photos visit www.thedesertbar.com). There is live music through March at The Desert Bar from 1:00 until 5:00. I stayed until 5:00 when the solar failed, and the band quit. I wasn't looking forward to that five miles of bumpy road back to the highway. My camper doesn't have any leaks, but it may now! As much as I loved the afternoon I spent at the bar, I don't know how often I'd want to drive that primitive road...... but then I can always hitchhike! P.S. I'll say one thing for Ken. If he can sell this bar to the public, he can sell ANYTHING! ------- "Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what's next or how. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark." ~Agnes de Mille, dancer and choreographer ------- Jane's book is WANDERINGS: Living the Ordinary Extraordinarily (Sto- ries from the Road). For an update on Jane's travels and writing, visit her website (janefinley.com) and/or read "Traveling with Gypsy Jane" and "Poems from the Road" in The Desert Messenger (desertmessenger. com) beginning March 5, 2014 (con- tact: janefinley@yahoo.com). Manicures, Pediures, Gels, Acrylic Call/Text 480-241-9972 Nails by Rita Nail Artist At Tews Beauty Salon 1360 N. Moon Mountain Ave. Quartzsite, AZ Opening November 1 st

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