OK, we are trying to figure out where to spend X-mass.
So far disney land is out, SanDiego Zoo is out (toooo busy) we will do those on the way back mid January.
Specifically, Sheila wants to know why on earth I want to go to Quartzsite, the real reason is to hang out with other bus people but she is worried that (no offense) it may be full of old folks who would just be annoyed with 3 kids running around.
Is this place kid friendly? x-mas kid events?
It may be hard to disprove your wife's opinion as you will be driving in solo and the majority of people who hangout around Quartzite are past childbearing years and finding the others could prove challenging. Quartzite, as a spectacle it is worth a stop but there are no theaters, malls, or other child distractions.
1-2 hours beyond Quartzite on the way to SD is Glamis. It will have more families and a greater potential to be interesting. It is CA's sand rail, dune buggy, off road racing area and there are events happening all winter. Glamis is on the shortest way to SD out of Quartzite and off the route to LA.
Glamis is one store town much smaller than Quartzite which has a couple of truck stops in addition to the bazaars. I don't believe there are even any services in Glamis.
As your coming south on 17 out of Grand Canyon, you might look into Sedona for a side trip and you could include Cottonwood and Jerome. I think there is a busnut in Cottonwood who can give you the inside scoop. FYI Cottonwood is Arizona's burgeoning wine region.
You might think of going to SD Zoo's, Wild Animal Park. I find it more interesting than the zoo proper.
Mike