Payson and The Zane Grey Cabin

Zane Grey, the famous writer, had a cabin in this area, but was not aware it was in Payson.  We decided to venture to the town the other day needn't to find a hardware store and of course, visit one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, El Rancho, and to visit the Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey Cabin.  But first, the drive was spectacular driving up and along the Mogollon Rim. Stunning landscape and snow!  We had rain the night before but the elevation along the Rim took us to over  7500 feet.  When we left Camp Verde the temp was 67 but the drive along the Rim was a breezy 42 to 48.  Brr.  Traveled through cute communities such as Strawberry, Pine.  Very wealthy homes tucked in the forest along the mountain side, you can see where the Phoenix/Scottsdale folks come to escape the summer heat.  Has to be 25 to 30 degrees cooler there than where we are.

Ah - snow!

One huge pine forest!

Once in Payson, did shopping and then visited the museum.  Noticed lots of people in town and especially around the museum.  It was a cookout sponsored by the Game and Fish Wildlife government folks.  The two docents that took us through the museum were very knowledgeable, unfortunately the original Zane Grey cabin that Grey lived in from 1921 to 1929 burned down in the Dude Fire of 1990.  We could not take pictures inside the cabin but the museum is trying very hard to recreate an authentic cabin from photographs, diaries, and local knowledge.

Reenactment of Zane Grey's Cabin

Pretty fresh water lake in heart of Payson

Payson is a "Fire Wise" community, after 6 volunteer firemen were killed in the Dude Fire, the community is very diligent in providing knowledge and help with preventing forest fires.  Payson resides in the largest pine forest of North America. The city also boasts that they have a natural source of water that will last at least 100 years from now - something that no other community/city in Phoenix can brag about. Quite a haven for hunters, campers, hiking, and any other outdoor sports you can think of.  Too bad it is so far aware from Chandler (where the grand girls are) Payson/Strawberry/Pine would make a nice summer retreat if/when we stop traveling during the summer.