Northern AZ Getaway -- the Stewarts' Cabin

Our temps have ranged 106 - 111 since I don't know when.  At least, those are the numbers the weatherman's been telling us.  Our outdoor thermometer, which resides in the shade, has looked exactly like this every day, so who really knows?

Chris and Kelly Stewart have a cabin in northern AZ (just north of Payson) that they have invited us to many times, but it has never worked out for us to join them in the past.  They SUPER kindly extended it to us for this past weekend, as it was blazing hot in Phoenix and Chris was on call...  We were more than happy to make the 2 hr drive -- and help them keep that poor cabin from going to waste.  ;)

Temps there are 20+ degrees cooler during the day, and the nights are almost crisp.  Oh man.  I'm ruined!  Chris and Kelly have put a ton of work into their cabin, and it is positively lovely.  

Another thing we loved about it?  No wifi and no cell service.  Seriously.  When was the last time you went 48 hours without that?  No dinging, no emails... Just time with the people in front of you.  Pretty great.  

^ There's our 2013 Sequoia that we bought last month.  It's a beast, but we love it!

Such a beautiful area.  Amazing that this change in scenery is so close to home.  And risky of the Stewarts' to give us access.....  We might not leave!

 Scarlett can roam freely because she's curious but has a great recall. Not surprisingly, Khaki has to stay on leash at all times due to major wanderlust that trumps even her selective listening.  She would be gone in 60 seconds. (not that I didn't consider it........ joking.)

***

 We drove up Friday night after Mikel got off of work, hit the sack, and were up the next morning to go hiking.  Woods Canyon Lake is only about 10 mins from their cabin, so we loaded up to head there for a couple of hours.

 Woods Canyon Lake boasted lots of kayaks and fishermen.  It was a great hiking spot!

 What a mess, this one.

  My mom randomly sent Nolan these binoculars, which arrived the morning before we left to head north.  Talk about perfect timing!  He wore them every waking moment, declaring himself "a 'splorer!"

Belly shot: Aug 8 (24w, 5d)

 Even big 'splorers need smooches from their mamas, sometimes. :)

N found these sticks, then plopped down on the rock and started rubbing them together, saying, "I'm making fire!"  ha!  Future Eagle Scout?

 Baby bald eagle (as assured by one of the rangers on site).  I realized then that I had glimpsed one of the adults soaring over the lake earlier... I noticed its white head, but figured it couldn't possibly be a bald eagle.  Sure enough!

 Khaki thinks she's a lab.

 After nap, we took another hike - this time on the property surrounding the Stewarts' cabin.  Chris told us there was a creek to be found a short trapse away.  Was great to see - but tall weeds made it not quite as suited to those 3 feet tall.

Dear old dad.  Mikel about got every hair on his head pulled out by the end of this.  ha!

 Crab apples?

 Kelly, your farm sink makes a great bathtub, and Mom doesn't have to lean over!

 Nolan was MAXED on enthusiasm and was unraveling quickly by evening.  We had planned to introduce him to a campfire + marshmallow roasting, but then wisened up, put him to bed, and enjoyed our own fireside time.  Much more relaxing, and no one had to share their s'mores.

 ***
Sunday morning.  Not a bad way to start the day. (Note the jammies + binoculars.)

 Making a line of "strawberry sailboats".  Love that imaginative play is starting to bloom.

 More walking (sorry -- it's what we did!  Was so great being outside!)

 Blowing dandelions

 Scarlett loves this life!

 Khaki's jealous...

 Today was a little warmer, so we lingered in the shady spots.

Sooo pretty!

 "I'm see some birds!"

 "I'm yooking for Scarlett..." (see her in the shade at 2:00?)

Finally the time came to pack up and head back to the firey pit...  Sigh.  Glad to be in Phoenix, SUPER glad for Mikel's group, love our house --- but the heat is a lot.  Chris and Kelly, you saved our psyche this weekend!  Thank you sooo much.  No idea how we'll repay THIS, but we owe you!!

{SMB} : The Next Vacation You Need

My August contribution to Scottsdale Moms Blog was about our wonderful 5 days in Durango.  Wish we were headed back this week!!

http://www.scottsdalemomsblog.com/2015/08/13/next-vacation-need/

I do have to take just a second to mention how super SAD it is that only 3 days before this post went live, we learned of the accidental spill by the Environmental Protection Agency of 3 million gallons of super toxic sludge (think: lead and arsenic, just to name two contaminents...) into Colorado's Animas River --- the river in my photos, which runs from Silverton, through Durango, and on to Utah.  Such gorgeous country -- so now nasty.  The environmental and financial implications are yet to be seen, but it's just so sad!  Sooo.... maybe it's not the NEXT vacation people want.... but I'm praying it's somehow contained and cleaned up quickly, so others can go and enjoy this beautiful creation. 

(One of many articles about the spill found here:)
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/10/colorado-spill-animas-river-durango-toxic-orange

*****

The Next Vacation You Need

It’s no secret. You guys know how I feel about summertime around here. And you can sugar coat it all you want with your talk of “dry heat” and “but remember winter”… You get as cranky as I do – you’re just not writing it down.

This month, though, our family’s mood, sanity and need for the Great Outdoors was saved! Northern Arizona is truly outstanding, but sometimes — just sometimes — you need real, live mountains. Big mountains. Colorado mountains.

Enter beautiful, accessible, affordable: DURANGO.

Did you know it’s a measly 7 hour drive from Phoenix to Durango? With kid friendly, playground-ridden stops along the way?! (Here’s lookin’ at you, Chick fil A and Mickey D’s!)  7 hours — that’s like 3 DVD’s, 10 new library books, 1 car seat nap and a wake up. Glory in the highest!

Thanks to Airbnb.com, our family found an affordable but swanky condo right across from the Purgatory ski resort, and woke up to this sub-70-degree sight every day.  **Ahhhhhhh**

Those are called “trees”.
Incidentally, the plethora of pines had our 2.5-year-old convinced he landed in a perpetual Christmas.

Even in the summer, we super recommend being so close to a ski resort if you vacation in CO! The family suited activities are endless…

The base of the mountain hosted tons of toddleresque hot spots.  A bounce house, a big sand pit, our own miniature “river” and watering trough – both perfect for splashing. And plenty of seating for parents on vacay.

For bigger kids?? A zip line, bungee-trampolines, gondola rides, mountain biking, and — our favorite — the Alpine Slide!

I’m telling you, this thing is so fun – you won’t even care that you gulped a bug 15 feet into it.

Hiking lends views like no other… And if you can travel with your super babysitter in-laws, you and the hub can savor the sights together! (Thanks, Gram and Aunt Liz!)

**Writer’s Tip: If you’re 5+ months preggo, plan to pause for some breathers. Love that crisp, thin air!

But of everything in Durango, there is one absolute, hands-down, over-the-top-gorgeous must-do: the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

A real deal, functional steam locomotive that lends the most scenic and interesting view of this beautiful country.

Ride with open windows along the raging river, above the breathtaking gorge, past the remote farms, and into Silverton just in time for lunch.

…..Scenery, for example:

Plus, if you have a toddler boy, he’ll REALLY think it’s Christmas! #bestdayever

**********

So this month, if the heat makes you feel loony, just start laying plans for the next chance you have to venture to this gorgeous, relatively nearby area. Just once.

As for you, Arizona: we’re cool. I can tough you out for 3 more months.
But you really have your pal Colorado to thank for my good graces… this time.