The plan is to stay three nights at Burro Creek.
It’s a National Forest campground ten miles south of Wikieup, Arizona. The fee is $14 per night, or only $7 with the Senior Pass (no electric, no cell phone, no internet).
Immediately past the entrance, we approach the dump station and fresh water spigot. I’m confident the tanks won’t need attention until we leave on Monday, so I drive on past. I’m on a mission to find the perfect campsite. I’d love to snag one of those spots with a view of the river.
Actually all the campsites are good.
That’s because the loop goes along sites terraced into the hill. It looks like every site offers a view of the dramatic rock escarpment on the opposite side of the river. Oh boy, I like that site!
A little investigation and I conclude it’s the best site in the whole campground.
It’s a pull-through with a cabana over a picnic table. Palo verde, creosote in bloom, and cacti soften the edges. Immediately I pull out the crew’s wire pen and wrap it around the picnic table. In they go and settle in the shade of the table, noses twitching as they pick up the unfamiliar scents.
Putting the crew in the pen allows me to set up without having to watch them.
I decide exactly where I want the BLT to sit – next to the table with the door opening to the view. After about twenty tries I realize it’s not flat enough, at least with the limited levelers I have. I’ve got to get my act together so I can adjust for sloped sites!
Tamping down my inner perfectionist, I move the BLT forward and level it.
What do I have to fuss about . . . I still have the best site with the best view right out my door. We still could be driving around happy to find any site. I unhitch and set up. It’s hot and I’m starting to feel it. Remembering my near heat stroke attack last summer at Brantley Lake State Park in New Mexico, I sit in my camp chair under the cabana with the crew for about an hour, sipping water and Gatorade. Hummingbirds zip by my head to and from the yellow creosote blossoms.
I go inside and straighten things up from the ride over here.
Once everything’s back in place, the crew and I lie down for a few moments in the breeze of our fan. Then we walk down to the river’s edge. Both Bridget and Spike cool off in the water. I look up and see a heron returning to her nest tucked into the rocks. Raptors ride the thermals above the river.
Later that evening . . .
The crew and I have a dinner invitation! Diane, Beck, and Nita set out fixins’ for a chicken wrap while Bill and I talk about his days farming rice and soybeans in Arkansas. I load up my tortilla with chicken, rice, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, and shredded cheese. No need to be shy around these people. I’m hungry and I’m going to eat! I also drop a big dollop of spaghetti squash casserole on my plate. Two hands are required to lift my chicken wrap creation! This is so good!
Bridget and Spike are in their exercise pen which I brought over and set up away from where we are eating to prevent begging. Their gaze pierces the back of my head while I chow down. After dinner Diane gives them liver treats from her cats’ stash and they’re happy again.
Darkness creeps over the campground.
Bill builds a fire in the metal fire ring. I bring the crew over to sit with me. Spike lies down beside my chair and Bridget climbs up in my lap. Conversation and laughter in the glow of a campfire are the perfect finish for our first day at Burro Creek Campground![slideshow]
rvsue
Note: I drive up out of the canyon in search of an internet signal and voila! This is coming to you from the PTV parked alongside the road somewhere. Ha! Thanks for all your comments wishing us a great stay at Burro Creek. If the signal doesn’t drop, I may be able to reply.
Sounds like the perfect spot.
Great place, nice pictures. You must visit the PO Monday.
I will, Mick. If the package isn’t there on Mon., I’ll go back on Tues.
It arrived Saturday.
It’s Monday. I got it!
What a peaceful looking place. You guys will have a great time there exploring and chatting with the neighbors! I can’t wait to visit this park. Looks perfect….except for the $14 😉
When you turn 62 . . . $7!
So good to hear the details of your day and how grand it all is. Learning to just let go, relax and enjoy is the thing isn’t it??
Great spot, great meal!
Hi Sue!
Beautiful spot and to help you level, the ‘Tire Leveler’ by Bal that’s on your resources, works great on Casitas ! Like the way I changed subjects????
Chuck
What ??? No pictures of your giant chicken wrap sandwich ??? hahaha! This looks like a great campground… wonderful photographs, love the one of the lone saguaro on the edge of the cliff!
Maybe Chinle needs to bring her Burro to Burro Creek !!!! Where ya off to next ???
Just like Casitas have a rally at Lake Casita in CA!!!!
Chuck
wordpress made me start all over….. then refused my name, my password etc etc etc, much like Pauline! Geri
I wonder why . . . and I wonder if anyone else is having the same experience. When I have more reliable internet signal, I’ll see if there’s a discussion of this on the WordPress forum.
Looks wonderful! Enjoy! Love to see a picture from your rv of the river. you paid $7.00. what kind of a park membership do you have? Enjoy!!
Senior Pass gives me half-off!
Glad to hear from you. Sounds like a great spot. Are there any showers in the bathrooms?
No showers . ..
Excellent place to hang out for a while.
One trick I learned when trying to level a trailer on a unlevel site is you back your trailer in to where you want it to sit, mark the ground where the tire on the high side sits, move the trailer forward out of the way and dig the ground down so when you back up the high side tire will sit in it. When you get ready to leave, pull forward and fill the hole up with the loose dirt and tamp it down with your feet. This has worked great for us for years.
I knew there was a reason I packed a shovel! Good tip, Kevin. It’s so obvious a solution I didn’t think of it.
Wow, the obvious! I NEVER think of the obvious. 🙂 (Rarely anyway). Thanks Kevin! Shear Genius! lol..
And Sue, beautiful spot… *Sigh*
I should be picking up my new 19 foot Coachman tomorrow with the Solar work all done. I dropped it off for the work a few days ago. I got some levelers from the Solar Installer as well while we had his catalog open! Hmmm, let’s see what we have here…! 🙂 I’ll be heading out soon and I have everything I’ll need. (Save for the small shovel now!)
Thanks so much for the photos and the updates of your travels and adventures. I’ve been pretty busy getting everything ready to head out and haven’t been by here to visit. I vacated the house on the 22nd. I literally felt a huge weight come off my shoulders as well as my spirit. I’m sure you know the feeling.
Take care for now and happy trails! “Cheers.”
Corinne.
Hey, Corinne,
Sorry I didn’t reply to your comment sooner. It’s full of great news! I know the wonderful feeling of freedom when the house is sold and the wheels are ready to turn. And you’ve got solar and levelers and . .. wonderful adventures ahead. I’m happy for you!
I like Kevin’s trick – will have to try it out.
That’s an awesome camp spot, Sue. Wish I were closer, I’d come down there and camp, as I head out today in my Burro and everything around here’s taken by the Jeep Safari folks. 🙂
Havne’t found an internet plan yet, so will have to catch up with your travels later. Verizon says they no longer have your plan available, it’s now $60 for the same one. I may go with Millenicom, as they’re $60 for unlimited and no contract.
Woke up to heavy rain and a bit of snow for our first day out! Four dogs and two cats in a Burro – ha. Life’s good! Travel safe.
With your right attitude and lots of enthusiasm. you’ll have a fabulous time and make a great memory….
Yes, I have a fridge. It can be run on AC, DC, or propane power.
I run it on propane. Works great!
If I used the solar power stored in my batteries, I’d drain the batteries in a very short while, so it’s not practical.