So – our next hike was every young boys dream;-)  We had to crawl over rocks, wade through streams, climb across ledges – and hold our breath that we could make it!

“Where was this” you ask?!?  It was the hike to the Tonto Natural Bridge in the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park just north of Payson.  Tucked away in Pine Canyon this bridge has been in the making for thousands of years and is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.  (Notice that the Chamber of Commerce has word smithed this one to be “the largest natural travertine bridge” as it is NOT the largest natural bridge.)  It stands 183 feet high over a 400 foot long tunnel and was discovered by a prospector in 1877.

The Gowan Trail took us down into the canyon and to the mouth of the tunnel – –

Drip, drip, drip.

This is really big!!

Then we went through the tunnel – wading thru Pine Creek and over the rocks ledges blocking the entrance/exit on the opposite side.

OK, where’s the trail marker?

Yikes! Did we take a wrong turn? Where the hell is the next foothold.

The Pine Creek Trail greeted us on the other side of the tunnel and managed to get us out of the canyon through  the creek bed and more rock climbing.  We did live to tell/write about it – and looking back had a really fun time!

Our reward was an evening concert at the campground.  These guys were really pretty good-they just looked like they were older than dirt.  Oh yeah – they looked our age;-(

Even More Whimsey!

Another day – another hike.  Today took us about 20 miles east of Payson just below the Mogollon Rim to the Christopher Creek area.  We entered See Canyon and took the See Spring Trail – again wading (Christopher) Creek to the Spring – –

Hiking to the See Spring.

Are you sure the trail marker pointed this way?

After this short 2.5 mile hike, we were off to investigate Woods Canyon Lake high atop the Mogollon Rim.  Here at a little over 7,000 feet (and 70 degrees), the views were fabulous on this beautiful, clear day.

Phoenix – are  you out there?

And so – we had another perfect day!

What more could we ask for – perhaps the end to the violence that marked the day as we awoke (the shootings in Orlando).

Thankful, but sad – E & G