We awoke on Saturday to a rare dripping rain in the desert outside Quartzite. Like many folks we were moving on and this seemed to be a good day to start. Rain in the desert falls on dust, which turns to mud. It took us about an hour to breakdown and stow our stuff. We bid our friends safe travels, we will meet up with many of them next weeks as we start our Chapter #8 trip to San Felipe, MX. 
Driving West into Kalifornia, all traffic must stop for inspection by the state authorities who inquire if you have guns of fireworks on board. The cost of this must be in the realm of a Bazzilion dollars per year. Are you wondering how many admit to having illegal contraband during this suspection? Could tis be Kalifornia’s method of using Darwinism to keep really stupid folks out? How did the Legislators get in?
We next drove California RT78 south for about 80 miles of winding hilly road through the desert. It was a pleasant drive, would have been great fun in a sports car as compared to out 18,000lb beasty. 80 miles is a long way on a secondary road with NO facilities, Food, Fuel or C.V.S stores.
Roadside signs circa 1945 were no to inviting either!
Imperial California is at the states southern extremity. As such it’s primary industry is agriculture and dust production. There are huge farms growing various legal crops that are 100% dependent on irrigation from the Colorado River. You can spend the rest of the week studying this political nightmare it here.
Imperial received about 1/2” of rain just prior to our arrival. This is a very rare event, comparable to Boston getting 24” of snow in October. Why? They have no drainage system in place! The Fairground camping area which was dead flat had standing water on about 25% of it. I almost lost Anne-Marie when she stepped out to guide me in.
I had to play nasty with the 4 wheel drive on the Blue Beast to spot our unit on high ground. It was all worth it, after 2 days in the desert with minimal water and electricity we are very welcome here.
This evening there is a boxing match between the Police and Fire departments, I’ll donate the $15 ticket price and stay in.
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