The Rumors Are True

We'd always heard that within a relatively short drive from Phoenix we could be in the mountains. On Sunday, after going to church here:

we took off across the desert. In 1 1/2 hours we went from this view at 1200 ft.:

to this one at 5000 ft.:

Welcome to Payson, Arizona! It famous for a few things. #1, it's pretty close to being in the exact center of the state of Arizona.

#2, it sits at the edge of the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world. And #3, the author, Zane Grey hung out here, writing Western novels for a time.

They've made a museum dedicated to Zane Grey and replicated his mountain cabin. I took this picture for my BIL and nephews who are big Zane Gray fans.

So, the rumors are true, from hot and dry Phoenix you can escape to the cool pines.