Camp Life

March 27-28, 2012 - When we arrived at the campground just below Havasu Falls, we looked around. This was a first-come-first-serve campground, so we did not have a reserved site. We tried to identify the designated campsites, but there really did not seem to be any real ‘sites’….again, no signs ……marking site #  ‘whatever’….

Only picnic tables set here and there and a number of tents set all around, especially along Havasu Creek.

Havasu Creek seemed like a nice place to camp ….I do like the sound of rushing water…..soothing at night.

So, we picked out a vacant flat spot for our tent, moved a nearby picnic table into position, and set up camp.

We had water on one side of us and the canyon walls on the other…..   

We really could not have asked for a nicer campsite. It was beautiful….and this campground was well cared for and clean. The campground can hold a total of 300 and stretches 1/2 mile along the banks of Havasu Creek. It did not seem crowded, but, as you can see, it was pretty full.

There was, of course, no plumbing, but there were several restrooms with very clean composting toilets. Actually, much cleaner than the usual chemical toilets….you just added a scoop of wood shavings from the bucket on the wall after you finished. No smell at all!

Drinking water was available from a boxed in spring, or you could filter your own water right from the creek.

This campground had a very ‘International’ flavor…..We met people from all over….some from New York or Michigan, or Idaho….others walked by speaking German, or French. There was a group of guys we kept running into from Bolivia, Columbia and Argentina, all now living in San Francisco. And a group of Asians…. carrying nice cameras and setting up tripods, and taking amazing photos.

I was surprised at the range of ages and mix of peoples. This was mostly a young group, however, we did see people our age. There were several groups that consisted of of young women - and some not-so-young women. Backpacking and hiking is NOT a sport  just for the young and buff and male (though we did see a number of those). We also saw, surprisingly, a number of families with young children (some even infants in diapers). These families had arrived, with all their gear, by horseback.

When living out of a backpack, camp life becomes pretty simple. Breakfast consisted of one or two Power Bars and that all important cup of coffee. I am sooo glad that Starbucks has come out with their instant caramel coffee…..Yum!

Lunch was a bagel and peanut butter……snacks - trail mix, or another Power Bar.

For dinner, we had Chicken Teriyaki one night and Beef Stew (pictured here) the next…..compliments of Mountain House backpackers meals. Preparation could not be easier…just boil water, add to packet, stir and let sit 8 minutes. Then, serve and eat. After a day’s hike it was VERY good. As a bonus, I had packed a couple of brownies for dessert.     : )

At night, (actually, about 8pm), we crawled into our little tent and let our tired, sore bodies just relax. We slept surprisingly well.

It is always interesting to see how others are camping. This couple shared this double hammock for the night. It eliminates the need to carry a tent or sleeping pad. I could not do this……but a number of people do.

In the morning we were greeted by these horses….who seemed to be just wandering about the campground. So pretty….so serene…….A life set apart.