Camping out is possible this time of year. Of course, it helps to be in southern Arizona or California. It does get down to freezing some nights, but with a camper or a tent and a good sleeping bag you can keep toasty in the rack.

And if you come here in an RV, you just might be called a snowbird -people who migrate to Arizona from the frosty burbs of the northland. We love snowbirds and we love to meake fun of them. First, snowbirds bring a tremendous boost to our communities, buying groceries, gas and renting spaces for the RV’s. Second, they add quite a burden to oour congestion. Even though there are over 2400 square miles of Maricopa County where Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Peoria and surprise, a town called Suprise! as well as Sun City retirement community.

To the West, near the California border is Quartzite, Arizona the gem pickers Shangri La. The community picks up over 100 thousand wintertime residents who typically stay until March or April. North of Quartzite is Laughlin, Nevada for a little legal gaming.