It is amazing how some experiences stay so crisp in my memory, that if I were to close my eyes, I could almost swear that I was there right at that moment. It's as if my body can almost taste the sweet air, feel the cold, wet breeze on my skin, and recall the scent of the pine trees towering above our heads. Hiking in Payson, Arizona, after a snow storm is one of the best places I have ever visited in order to collect one of these memories. Payson is a great place to take the family dog hiking, but also you will be able to appreciate the beautiful landscape Payson has to offer, with it being conveniently located just a brief drive from the sweltering heat of the Desert Valley.
Turning off of the main road I am always amazed by how many trails we are able to see without even leaving the comfort of my pickup truck. Enjoying the warmth of the dry air blasting onto our faces from the vents, I glanced over to my best friend Baloo, sitting in the chair next to me. The slobbery, toothy grin on his face, reminded me how much he loves being out of the city. As he wiggled in his chair with excitement, begging me to let him out so he could frolic through the newly fallen snow, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep him contained for much longer. I quickly put on my chocolate colored snow pants and slipped into my ancient snow boots that have clearly seen better days. I keep telling myself that I will buy new ones when my feet end up damp and cold after one of our hikes. Moving swiftly, I squeezed Baloo's feet into his canary yellow and black colored snow shoes and scoured the Velcro at the top to insure a snug fit. Opening the door led him to leap from his seat and instantly go into a barrel roll, scooting and contorting his body in ...
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...ght blue skies and open desert filled with mesquite trees and saguaro cactus lay ahead, leading us to the comfort of home.
With the snow behind us and Baloo curled up next to me, exhausted from a long day of frolicking through a winter wonderland. I take a minute to carefully file away all of the sights, sounds, and smells that we experienced during our latest snowy adventure in Payson, Arizona. All of the new trails that we took, the sounds of the water fall breaking over the icy rocks, the birds chirping, and the sweet smelling air, all get placed carefully into my own little collection that I can revisit at any moment. Payson will always be one of my favorite places to take a short drive with Baloo to enjoy the beautiful snowy landscape.
Bibliography:
Photo in Figure 1, "Baloo & I in Payson Arizona," by Amanda Weyers (2012)
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