Sunday, January 24, 2016

BLOGGERFEST 2016 & WE WERE THERE…..AGAIN:))

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I struggled with myself all week over the decision on whether to go to Bloggerfest in Quartzsite or not.  Part of me wanted to go & part of of me didn’t.  Some folks have a fear of spiders, some may fear high places but with me it’s a fear of people or especially groups of people & that was the side of me that didn’t want to go.  But fortunately my other side won out & now sitting here at my computer tonight I can honestly say I was glad we went simply because of how much better I am feeling tonight.  And that better feeling came from confronting some of my fears head on today or in other words meeting some mighty nice new people & seeing old familiar friends again.  Holy Smokes you don’t think I’m turning into a people person do you???DSC_0005

YEP LOOKS LIKE QUARTZSITE ARIZONA ALIGHT

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THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE WE SOLD OUR FIRST CLASS A’S TOTALLY UNCOMFORTABLE FURNITURE BACK IN 09 I THINK IT WAS

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THIS IS A VIEW OF THE KOFA MOUNTAINS FROM TODAY’S BLOGGERFEST 2016 SITE….THE KOFA’S ARE MY FAVS

We had started loading up the rig a couple days ago with thoughts of stopping in Quartzsite for Bloggerfest then heading on down to Yuma.  This post by the way is coming to you from somewhere south of Quartzsite Arizona tonight & we’ll head out for Yuma Sunday morning.

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NEW TO THE RV LIFESTYLE IS ‘LORNE GREEN’ ON THE LEFT, THE ROOMBA MAN HIMSELF IN THE CENTER ‘RETIRED ROD’ & THAT’S ‘CROFT FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA ON THE RIGHT (BE SURE TO READ ROD’S ‘ROOMBA’ POST, IT’S A CLASSIC:))

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I KNOW THAT’S JIM & SANDIE SITTING DOWN THERE IN THE CENTER

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PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO ARRIVE

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AND BY GOLLY THAT’S FELLOW BLOGGER SUE MALONE HER VERY SELF ON THE RIGHT

Rolled out of Congress this morning at 9 a.m. under cloudy skies.  Picked up some fuel & headed west on highway 71.  Hour & a half later we were at the Chevron in Quartzsite topping up our propane tank & twenty minutes after that we were at the Bloggerfest site talking to organizers George & Suzy from OUR AWESOME TRAVELS who I think did a fine job getting things together.

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AND HERE’S GEORGE NOW:))

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YEP, THAT’S ME ON THE RIGHT….PHOTO BY KELLY:))

At an an hour & a half early today we were the first ones there unlike Bloggerfest 2015 when we arrived late.  And just as a year ago we were about the last ones to leave again.  And here’s the kicker, despite bringing two chairs to sit in I never once sat in my chair & Kelly only sat in hers for a few minutes at the beginning.  And we did the same darn thing last year.  In fact I think most people who brought chairs never sat in them.  It’s just one of those gatherings where people are constantly on the move walking around talking to each other.  Today was the longest time I have been in a continous upright standing position for a very, very, long time.

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JEAN GETS TO MEET FELLOW BLOGGER CROFT FOR THE FIRST TIME

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AND ALL THE WAY FROM OURAY COLORADO I WAS GLAD TO SEE FELLOW BLOGGER MARK HERE TODAY

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By 1 o’clock folks were rolling in & both Kelly & I felt there was a bigger turnout this year which which shows Bloggerfest in only it’s 2nd year is already growing.  Now I do have about 50 Bloggerfest photos from today so to keep it simple for myself I am going to post them in batches over the next few days & I’ll basically post them in the order they were taken.  I will name a few of the people I do know & although many of the group photos are similar you just may be able to find yourself in a few of them.

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I will have more to say in the coming days about today’s Bloggerfest & some of the people I met today whether they be old or new friends.  Some of the conversations & things said to me I can already tell have impacted me in a positive way & to you people I thank you so much for your kind words:))

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HEY THAT’S IVAN HIS VERY SELF THERE ON THE EXTREME LEFT

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AND BY GOLLY I THINK THAT’S LITTLE FERGIE ALL THE WAY FROM BLOOMINGTON INDIANA THERE AT BOTTOM LEFT

One of the reasons why we are headed to Yuma besides seeking some warmer weather is to simply catch ourselves some movies at the Yuma Palms Mall.  We just want to go & sit in some comforable theater seats & be entertained by some movies on big screens with big sound.  Just want to sit back, relax, & be entertained.  We rarely go to movies so this will be a nice change of pace for us.

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SUNSET ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTH OF QUARTZSITE ARIZONA SATURDAY NIGHT

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DSC_0050GROANER’S CORNER:(( Two morons stand on a cliff with their arms outstretched. One has some budgies lined up on each arm, the other has parrots lined up on his arms. After a couple of minutes, they both leap off the cliff and fall to the ground.  Laying next to each other in intensive care at the hospital, one moron says to the other, "I don't think much of this budgie jumping."
The other moron replies, "Yeah, I'm not too keen on this parrogliding either."

27 comments:

  1. Hi Al, I was just waiting for your blog to pop up tonight so I could see more pictures. Earlier today one of the first pictures I saw was Pheebs.... I said to Joe "Look Al and Kelly are there" That made me smile. And we are looking forward to all your pictures over the next few days. As I told George, all the pictures made us feel like we were right there with you all. So thank you so much. Enjoy the movies.

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  2. Thanks for sharing the blogfest with those of us who were unable to attend.. Looks like it was a good turn out .. Kudos to George and Suzie for doing such a great job .. Nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd...enjoy your time in Yuma!!!

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  3. Glad you, Kelly and Pheebs made it today. It was great talking with you both. Just wish we had more time. But that's the problem with such large groups.

    Loved your photos. Have a relaxing time in Yuma.

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  4. I was glad to see you already there when I pulled up.. I thought to myself, it's official now Al and Kelly are here..

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  5. One of these days I will be going there too. I heard today that the end of feb. there will be a Lettuce festival hmmm maybe I will make that.

    Glad you made the trip and enjoying it.

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  6. Great to see that you made it out to Bloggerfest, certainly looks and reads that you had a great time. We plan on being at next years so hope to see you there also. Have fun in Yuma and take care.

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  7. Wow it was wonderful to see you, Kelly and Pheebs again, and everyone else of course too. I just knew you would be here and have a good time with the rest of us. Thanks for all the pics too, Enjoy the sunshine, warmth and movies in Yuma.

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  8. Lots of high points about Bloggerfest but meeting the three of you finally in person was one of the best. We are about six miles south as well, Al, and yes, that was a great sunset. Like someone else mentioned, the big group thing is nice but hard to have the kind of conversations I woul really enjoy. Sure hope our paths cross again! I'll be writing my blog when we get to Tucson, sure glad you took lots of photos. I got all carried away visiting and forgot to take enough of everyone, but I do have some great ones of you and Kelly. I'll get them up soon and looking forward to me of yours.

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  9. So glad you went and posted pictures. What a great crowd this year!

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  10. I knew it was going to be a great event when I met George and Suzie. Family obligations prevented us from staying in Quartzite long enough for the Bloggerfest. Last year I had the broken heel and was on the scooter so I never got a chance to talk with you. Hopefully, next year.

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  11. Such a good time and I'm so glad you guys made it. I have to agree with Sue. It's hard for me to visit with so many people. I know I missed several folks I wanted to talk to. So glad we had such a good turn out and hopefully next year is just as ever more.

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  12. Thanks for the pics...sorry that we missed it this year.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

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  13. The reason you are comfortable with the people at the Blogger Fest is because they are all like minded individuals with the same interests. Glad you enjoyed yourself and just maybe a few more of those type of get-togethers a year might just help keep your dulldrums away.
    Like Bill Richards and Pat, Kathy and I are looking towards being there next year.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  14. It was so good to see you yesterday and get a chance to chat. Glad I was able to attend this year.

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  15. I doubt we will ever do that fest. You say you are not a social person, but I think I have you beat. I prefer to just write and never have to meet people face to face..I have always preferred writing at my go to means of communication..even in school. But thanks for showing us faces to go with some of the names. I can sit right here and meet them..no commitments.

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  16. Sounds like Fergie and I live about 25 miles from each other. I am in Bloomington (great town) a lot.

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  17. Great pics, so glad you went and took us with you :-) Looks like a wonderful turnout, still bummed we had to move on so soon.

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  18. Al, you are a people person....just on your terms. That's okay. I think you are a big ole teddy bear needing some lovin. Glad your friends could help you out.

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  19. I was delighted to have George point out your rig when we showed up. I was afraid you guys wouldn't show up this year. I so wanted to meet Pheebs. Uh, you and Kelly as well... :) I had a total blast and am also enjoying everyone's blogs about the event. I knew you would have lots of pictures.

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  20. Good to see you once again! Enjoy those movies and write reviews!

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  21. I was so happy to see you and Kelly and Pheebes. Don't know who's the cutest of the three of you, LOL, but I was glad you were all there yesterday. It was quite a crowd - I felt I talked to a lot of people, but also missed a bunch, too. Last year and this year I met new people - I guess if we keep coming we'll have new friends every year and enjoy seeing old friends, too. Have fun at the movies! :)

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  22. The gathering looks like fun, maybe we will make it one of these times:) Great sunset pictures!

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  23. Great photos and a great time. It was nice to finally meet you and Kelly.

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  24. Looks like a fabulous time, Al. We will definitely make our way there one of these years. It's always a little scary to meet new people, but it always seems to end up being a good experience. Kudos on facing your fears. :)

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  25. I saw Merikay and Craig in one of your shots.. she is wearing the same sweatshirt I have and also that Kelly has... from the Animal Rescue Site. The one with bright rusty orangeish middle and the stripes on the arms of various colors, kinda like southwestern or Aztec-ish. Love that sweatshirt! Although we weren't there in person, I sure hope to hear lots of good stuff in all your blogs!

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  26. Was great to see you again yesterday. Enjoyed visiting with everyone,and meeting new friends.

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  27. Good to see you there along with others even if briefly.

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