Payson

 Since U's work schedule did not allow for a big family trip this summer, Me took each kid on a short trip. (Note that whoever was home with U enjoyed movies, games and dinner out.) Megan and Me headed up to Payson for a few days of hiking, scenic drives and observing animals.

We went to Tonto Bridge State Park. We saw a javelina during lunch and saw lots of swallows and swifts soaring around the bridge, hunting for food. We headed down the Gowan Trail, through the bridge and then up the Pine Creek Trail.

Megan at the bottom of the trail.

Megan and Me

Megan under the bridge. It felt nice under there with a bit of mist and a breeze.

We ate at Meltdown, which makes grilled cheese sandwiches. Megan loved it! Then we got shake stacks from Danzeisen Dairy. Megan loved looking at all the different types of milk.

Me's Blueberry Lemon shake stack.

Megan with her salted caramel shake stack.

After dinner, we watched Atlantis.

The next morning, we headed out to Forest Road 300. It was a beautiful drive, with nice views off the Mogollon Rim.

There were some fast moving logging trucks on the first part of our drive.

A peak of the view.

So many logs! Megan said, "Deforestation."

So pretty! We saw a hawk fly fast and low in front of our car before diving over the edge of the rim.

See that speck in the distance? It's a raven. We enjoyed watching the soaring birds.

We sat here for awhile watching the birds.

Megan at Knoll Lake where we ate lunch. 

Megan and Me

Some views over the Mogollon Rim. 

Megan and Me hiked the Rim Vista Trail.

Some views from the Trail.

We decided to drive Forest Road 64 which is at the bottom of the Mogollon Rim. There were a lot of cows especially at the beginning. We also saw a couple of gray squirrels and some deer. The views were lovely as well.

Me and a cow

A sampling of the views along FR 64.

Deer

Wednesday morning, we went to the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery which we would recommend skipping. When we went a few years ago, it was possible to walk around the fish but that is now closed. We did enjoy the surroundings.

Megan and Me by the creek.

Megan wanted to drive Forest Road 64 again. We did not see as many animals as the previous evening but the views were still great!

We ate lunch at the Green Valley Park and then got some ice cream from the dairy.

We stopped by the Science Center to renew our membership and practiced our Morse code skills.

Megan shows off her rainbow collection of admission bracelets.