Pinetop summer getaway

We snuck away to Pinetop for a week to relax and unwind before the school year begins.  We took off from 3 digit temps and headed to the pines.  Our first stop was the Ponderosa Pines campground outside Payson for our lunch picnic.  We had to purchase a day pass from the ranger.  I told him my license plate read "GU ZAGS".  He wrote out our pass that read DUDACS??!! So, this is known as the DUDACS trip.  

Next stop, the Mogollon Rim Visitors Center...beautiful look out, good info from the park rangers and tons of skulls, bones and fur for Caitlyn to touch.  I think she could have stayed there for hours. 

After a bike ride/run (for the parents) we made cookies while it rained.  

We have gone on bike rides and runs everyday and it has rained everyday.  So awesome. 

Day at Sunrise. We spent Sunday sliding down the slides and hiking before a huge storm. 

After a ride up the chair lift we ate our lunch at the top of the mountain and hiked down (as fast as we could as the clouds were approaching and rain was near).  We made it just in time, getting wet on the way to the car.  We took a wet drive into Greer for ice-cream and coffee afterward. 

Snowman pancakes 

The highlight of the trip was horseback riding at Torreon.  The girls had a great time.  I ended up with the spunky horse named Twister who was "barn sour".  I had never heard that term before and was glad I didn't know what it meant until after.  Horses can become barn sour and will sometimes do anything to stay in the barn (like buck you off).  After Twister tried to turn back three times, the guide roped him to the lead horse and he was fine.  Needless to say, I was glad he complied.   

Em on snickers

C on Jodi

Bryan on Bruiser

Such a fun family outing!