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!
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.
rvsue and her canine crew 