1200 mile trip...Crazy? Maybe, but I wanted to do something with the kids, now that we live closer to my family. My parents own a cabin near Payson, AZ and we've only been a few times. So I decided to "Just Do It!" Rian flew out to Georgia to visit friends (Christmas Present) for the week and Trent had to work, so we had two extra seats...that I again, decided to be crazy and fill with...bikes. Yep, I stashed 4 bikes (5 originally, but Ammon's was broken) and minimal stuff for the week.
Here are the maps I made for each of the kids (front/back). Each star indicated when they would get their next round of snack (one healthy, then one junk food). On the way down, we left at 4am and made it to Kanab, by 8am for breakfast. Easy drive...because they slept.
After Kanab, we crossed over into Arizona, and had to drive through Fredonia since the 89 Hwy was closed south of Page. It was definitely longer... But we made it to Flagstaff by lunch. Since we gained an hour, I thought it would be fun to hike a little trail after lunch. It was a cool trail, but the kids were anxious to get the drive over. Thank goodness for RedBox...pick up in one city and drop off in the next. For the record, the 260 is a pain to drive but pretty going through Pine and Strawberry.
Finally, we arrived in Payson around 4pm and did our grocery shopping...then headed the last 30 miles to the cabin. My brother Dan came up that evening to hang out with us as well. It was nice to be in the pines and have fun things planned.
Next morning, we just hung out and relaxed. Dan took the kids on a hike around the area and found moose tracks and other animal tracks. Perfect time for me to get a shower in.
We started a puzzle. I love spending the week to finish puzzles. I thought I would start off with a decent but not too hard one, 750 pieces. Next time it will be hard ;o)
My sisters were able to make it up by lunch and hang out until the evening. Kicking myself that I didn't get a picture of us altogether. But oh it was sooo nice to hang out with them. I miss them and really needed that time. Shanda brought Rusty and Traci brought her daughters Jordin and McKenzie. Ammon and the kids loved taking Rusty for walks and Ammon and Jordin also loved seeing each other again.
Next day, by mid day we drove up to the Mogollon Rim (highlight of the trip I think) and biked the pathway that lines the rim. It was amazing! The view doesn't manifest very well in my phone pictures, but it was awesome! They liked looking over the edge at the sheer drop...The Rim road was closed to traffic so that was nice with biking, but that also meant the Lake was closed too. I really wanted to go hike it and paddle boat...next time.
Dan and the kids.
Yep, my brother Tim was gracious enough to allow Ammon to use Ashton's Barbie bike...luckily ahead of time I cleared the pink bike options with Ammon, and it wasn't an issue. Thanks Tim and Dan for bringing it up. Seriously, this was the best day (aside that Ammon was the complainer, but still made the 4+ mile round trip). The smell of pine warming in sun is one of my favorite smells growing up....heavenly.
When we stopped for our snack, there were still patches of snow, so Dan started a snowball fight.
By the end of the biking adventure the kids were spent, but I can tell they really liked it and would love to do that again.
Yes we all had our share in chores...I was impressed how well everyone took charge and took care of things.
Thursday morning, Dan had to leave early to make it back to the valley for work. Luckily he only had a 1 1/2 hour drive. Too bad the cabin wasn't that close to us... But our last full day we spent finishing the puzzle, and wanted to check out the local fish hatchery there in Tonto National Forest. Sadly, not a whole lot of activity, but we did see our share of fish in the big tanks.
After the hatchery, we started hiking Horton Trail. Raegan wasn't too thrilled, so we didn't make it too far, but one day, we will finish it. It ends at some springs, by the Rim so we will put that on our list.
Yes, we finished the puzzle! It was a lot of work but we did it. Tarin and I painted the glue on it and let it dry while we cleaned the cabin to leave the next morning.
Finished puzzle hung up...looking small and lonely up there, but maybe more will join it soon.
Next morning, we got up super early, so I could winterize the cabin and we could take off while the kids slept through some of the drive. But oh, these views are why I absolutely love to drive. Again, my phone pics don't do justice to the beauty and majestic textures and colors.
And yes, back up toward Fredonia it took us back over the Colorado River over the Navajo Bridge. Thought we stop and stretch and check it out.
Seriously, this was breath taking...yes, very deserty, but gorgeous!
Jarom can proudly say he made his mark on the Colorado River...Ammon too.
Oh and then back across the state line to Utah. We made it home by around 4:30pm and were glad to see dad, Rian and the cat. Home Sweet Home. Proud of my kids for bearing with me and my crazy adventures. I hope they learn to love traveling as much as I do.
