Contrary to Bill Monroe’s Footprints in the Snow lyrics above, lots of northerners try to get away from all that snow, and go south for the winter months. They are known as “Snowbirds.”
Snowbird – Noun; A snowbird is someone from the U.S. Northeast, U.S. Midwest, Pacific Northwest, or Canada who spends a large portion of winter in warmer locales such as California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, or elsewhere along the Sun Belt of the southern and southwest United States, Mexico, and areas of the Caribbean.
Attending the Blythe Bluegrass Festival was a real treat this year. I’ve always had a good time at that event but the nights can be oh so chilly with temps getting down into the mid-30’s. Folks forget that the high desert can have big swings in the winter temperatures. But this year’s temps were mostly high 60s during the day and low 40s at night. There were lots of campfires and the festival folks provided the fire pit (a repurposed washing machine drum) and the firewood to boot! The after- hours music this year was abundant in the main campground and folks had the traditional canvas sheets clamped together to fashion jamming tents. Most of these even had space heaters going to keep things warm and toasty for those picking fingers.
With Blythe’s traditional two stages, there’s always the choice of which one to attend but that’s what keeps things lively during the day. Besides the music, there was also the annual quilt show on Saturday to attend (hope you’re feeling better Donna & Fred) and also the Saturday night cowboy dance which drew quite a few “steppers” this year.
Motorhomes were everywhere in the three camping areas. And you could see why Blythe really starts the winter festival circuit for so many who come here in the winter time. Other winter festivals in order of dates include Casa Grande, AZ at the end of January, Bullhead City, NV happening first part of February, and then Lake Havasu, AZ festival the first weekend in March. In between these festivals, RVers gather at various camps and locations, and keep the music and camping going. One main gathering happens after Lake Havasu fest at mile marker 116 just outside of Quartzsite and known as the All Association Gathering. As the end of March approaches, most snowbirds are on their way home or about to do so.
At our last night at Blythe festival, my friend & I did our nightly “jam crawl” – checking out the music going on in the campgrounds. (Every night saw quite a few crawlers checking the jamming scene.) At one jam and gathering around the ol’ fire drum, I met up with an old friend and we chatted about our lives as friends do. We talked of festivals, snowbirds, RV living, getting older (and wiser), and looked at the future a bit. My friend is planning on moving out of California this year, but will return each winter, becoming a real snowbird. She summed up her decision to do this by saying, ”I’m not a big Jane Fonda fan, but she said something once that has stayed with me. (to paraphrase) ‘Life has three acts. Act 1 is birth to 30 years old. This is your youth and filled with learning and getting started. Act 2 is your prime, ages 31 to 60 years old. It’s filled with making your mark, working and family. Act 3 is 60 years and older and that’s the time for fun.’“ With that, my friend got a great big grin on her face and said, ”And that’s my plan! I’m gonna have (more) fun!” By the looks of these full campgrounds and the snowbirds I saw, this is the plan for a multitude of others! Let the fun years ensue!
Staying warm in the Southland,
Yvonne
