Pioneer ranches in the American Southwest have provided grazing solutions for generations, but require frequent repairs and compresses of moisture to keep working properly. The need for fresh water and elevation make them ideal locations for survival for many rugged outdoor people.
Antelope Canyon in the state of Arizona, is a great place to base a remote camp as well as a place to observe animals and live to cherish the choices of outdoor recreation.
The cost of bacon here is very affordable and the fresh water is very plentiful, especially in the spring when the water temps regularly rise and fall. Temperature ranges from 50 degrees to -40 degrees. After work in the mid day it is common to be able to walk in five or six hours.
The soaring cottonwood and willow trees in Antelope Canyon provide excellent shade. If you are working with Masons, you will need a place to store the extra asphalt that will become needed. The conservation area is just 10 miles from the main camp.
In the morning you will be surprised at the number of birds you can see including hawks, blue jays and hummingbirds, sometimes in the tiniest details. The climate and elevation make this such a wonderful place for photography that you can never forget.
We spend a lot of time here because we can’t get enough of Antelope Canyon. Tourists come here for its famous wild bison, black sidewinder rattlesnakes and when you aren’t watching the birds you are watching the wildlife.
During the summer months the wildlife is even more entertaining including buck wild turkey, wild hog, various reptiles and amphibians, and of course the occasional leopard.
The Antelope Canyon campground is one of the only campgrounds in the state that offers both primitive and comfort campsites and that have pull through sites. There are also many different ways to stay connected to nature such as by camping in a log cabin, eco camps, hiking, biking or canoeing.
We personally have stayed at three different campsites at Antelope Canyon over the years. My first campground was setup by a couple who also operated a spa next to the creek. They provided running water and bathroom facilities and charged $7 per person for an RV site. It has been years since I have encountered such a wonderful couple. They were pretty awoken before dawn and came directly to my door to ask if they could turn on the water. It was the middle of the night and I was thirsty so they pulled my water bucket out of the camper and brought it to me. I forgot something in the bathroom at their place and went to the camper to ask if they would mind if I took a few minutes to fill it. They didn’t sound very excited so I decided to fill it myself.After I had filled it, I looked for a different spot to pitch my tent and discovered that there was a perfect place about 25 yards to the right of the cottonwood trees. I don’t remember exactly where I had pitched my tent but it was right near the creek. The cottonwood trees were getting larger and I was able to sit up high in a clear spot under the cottonwood trees. It was getting late in the year and a large storm was rolling in so I was thankful that I had my tent protected under the cottonwoods.
In the morning I was cleaning up the scrapes with equally scraped hands. I kept thinking that I should have brought a screeching match to blow on the dripping wet leaves and make sure that the rain stopped before it reached the tent. I took along a small whisk broom and held it under the tent to stop the water. I got out of the camper and looked into the storage area.
All I saw were wet, gurgling noises. Not wanting to open the door to look for the source of the sound I decided to look around the corner instead.
I saw a mass of what looked like tongue shiny white worms hanging out of the top of the water in the pool.
I called them out into the pool and saw that they were not worms at all but black mussels.
I publicly declaimed them and asked anyone who would listen what they could do to help. mussels can be a nuisance because they attach themselves to underwater surfaces and can grow to be several pounds. Some of the mussels were larger than that.
The End
The End results are obvious. Do not camp on the beach. Be careful of the weather and all tides. Enjoy the outdoors but keep away from the swimming part. The water is crystal clear. There is no need to put on sunscreen because it will wash off. Water from the ocean and lakes are antibiotic and hygienic. Wash before you eat or drink because the bacteria that can cause diarrhea will be present. If you camping with children, have a special way of washing your hands.
