48 Days: A Last Trip Up North
We are now at 48 days until the move.
Circling back on a previous blog about Guilt Trips Escalating, a few months ago my mom and her boyfriend asked us to do a trip "Up North" with them before we move. In the summer, they will take a three-day weekend once a month to go to Pinetop-Lakeside Arizona, about 3.5 hours northeast of us in Phoenix.
If you haven't been to Arizona, you probably presume the entire state is desert and saguaros (the cacti with "the arms" that you see in Roadrunner cartoons) when in fact, we have a few different climates. Phoenix sits at 1,082 feet above sea level and is your classic desert; Pinetop-Lakeside is at 7,000 and as the name implies, it is filled with stately pine trees. It is typically +/- 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix, as well. Phoenix hit 110f this weekend, so now was a great time to go!
We booked a gorgeous cabin in the pines, The Gathering Place. It was so serene to laze on the back patio and gaze out into the forests! I am from Michigan originally, but it's been probably 10 years since I saw an evergreen forest. The home was so comfortable, we almost didn't want to go anywhere! One of our favorite short-term rentals, for sure. The owners selected fabulous furniture pieces that were high-quality, and every detail was considered, down to having "koozies" to keep beverages cold.
Nathan was born in Show Low (an adjoining town) so he has spent more time up there than the rest of us, and played "tour guide". We roamed in meadows, saw breathtaking rock formations, and basked in the warm sunshine and cool breezes. We also peeped a GIANT bird nest - condor..? Eagle...? Even with the camera zoomed in, we couldn't tell for sure. It looks like at least one baby was peering out of the nest!
We had drinks and dinner at The Den, which recently expanded by adding an outdoor stage and "back yard" area - great for families! They had some yard games and grass for kids to play on. Highly recommended if you are in the area - inside is kind of cave-like, but the back yard, you have plenty of room to move around and not feel crowded.
Friday we were able to order an Uber - we had the same driver both there and back. Saturday, we couldn't get one at all, so we walked 1.7 miles to The Den, and asked the bartender, "what do folks do for designated drivers...?" She kindly shared Safe Ride with us - it is $10 to go anywhere in Pinetop-Lakeside, and works like a dispatch. They haven't posted to their Facebook account in 8 years, which is the link I provided, but the phone number is accurate. We called on Saturday around 6:30 and had a driver within MINUTES. Please do save their number if you enjoy going out for cocktails!
It's a bit surreal to consider that we likely won't experience temperatures in the 50s again; neither of us care for cold weather, so if we can help it, our few trips back to the U.S. will most likely occur in Spring or Fall. Good riddance, cold weather!
Since Sunday was Father's Day (we didn't realize this when we booked for this weekend), we all left early Sunday morning; my mom and her boyfriend were staying an extra night up North, but it was great to spend some quality time with them. We wanted to head back to the Valley so Nathan could see his dad, as well as his boys.
He drove us home through Globe, AZ, which is about 10 minutes longer of a route, but had inspiring scenery! Lots of switchbacks and you are pretty much driving straight downhill for quite a stretch. Our MPG on the way "up the mountain" was 22MPG. On our way home, we eclipsed 50MPG, to put it into perspective - foot hovered over the brake most of the way!
Back at his parents' home, the boys joined up with us for a relaxing day by and in the pool, with misters on, too. Definitely felt the 20+ degree difference!
I have the feeling this week is going to be a busy one - lots of balls in the air - so we'll see what lands....