Standing in the heavy rain with 70 mph winds while watching some 60 canopies go flying in all directions, toppling over all at once was something to behold as I had never seen anything close to this in all of my 17 years selling at festivals, fairs and other events.  My two canopies crumbled and collapsed to the ground right in front of my very eyes as I stood helplessly watching in complete awe. All my merchandise was scattered on the ground beneath the canopies. This would be a day that I would remember for the rest of my life.

Tyson Wells is a small desert community located approximately 15 miles east from the California-Arizona border along Highway 10.  For 5 months of each and every year, this area is packed with snow birds that have traveled from all over the Western, Northern and Mid-Western states. On the north side of Highway 10 is located the town of Quartzsite. On the opposite side, is Tyson Wells.  A lot of people come here to get away from the snow and the bad, wintry weather that exists in other parts of the country.  There are many of them selling their wares at the gem and mineral shows here along with the other events during these winter months, with activities beginning at Rice Ranch in November.   

Since the weather had been bad for much of the afternoon prior to this, Tony (a vendor across from me at the Sell-a-Rama) and I decided to secure things and drive across Interstate-10 for dinner at a local restaurant along Highway 95. I cannot recall the name of the place but I had a hot roast beef sandwich 'smothered with gravy,’ according to the description on their menu.  The food was okay but not great. The rains let up as we were heading over there but it began to rain once again while we were in the restaurant eating our food. The winds began to pick up in intensity.  

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