My Experience At RTR 2019
RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) is a week-long camping event that happens every year in the desert outside of Quartzsite, Arizona. RTR is a free event, hosted by Bob Wells of CheapRVliving.com. Bob Wells started the RTR in 2010 as a way for other like-minded nomads to gather in the desert and learn from each other.
While attending the event for the first time this year, I was reminded that I was fortunate enough to have chosen this RV lifestyle for the adventure. Some of the attendees are forced into this world out of necessity and instead of being on the streets, they started car or van camping. There were also several people who were on the verge of retirement and wanted to follow Bob’s advice on full-time traveling very inexpensively. I felt slightly out of place but everybody was very kind and welcoming!
I was only able to attend the event for the first 3 days but I had a good time there. There were seminars during the day with the speakers providing their tips and answering audience questions.
My most favorite part was the “Do-It-Yourself-Punk-Rock” spirit of the event! Many of these people were converting their vehicles into a home. They were learning and figuring out their new future on their own. The atmosphere was inspiring and motivating to do more but also help more along the way!
Bob Wells is a very fascinating person also and the impression that I have of him is: He really wants to help people but doesn’t particularly care for any limelight. His kindness has caused him to be looked up to by lots of people who look to him for advice as almost a cult-like figure. He has been thrust into this leadership position that I think he has had to learn how to navigate. I have heard that he can be very particular and that he has rubbed some people the wrong way but he seems very genuine to me. I also love that he recently started a non-profit organization to help those less fortunate.
On my last day of the RTR, I was able to meet Bob & tell him that I admired his mission to help people. I also said, “I don’t know how you will take this but you remind me of a modern day Mister Rogers”. I think my compliment caught him off guard for a moment but he smiled and said, “That would be a huge honor!”.