My trip to the White Mountains of Arizona

We didn’t go on many vacations when I was growing up. Money was always tight, and so what trips we did take were usually local. One of those places that we would periodically go is the White Mountains area of east central Arizona, particularly Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside. It is about 4 hours from Phoenix. We often would stay at this place called Lake of the Woods, a cabin resort. We would go up to Lake of the Woods, rent a cabin, and fish in the private lake, or drive to some of the surrounding lakes and fish. The area is entirely in Ponderosa Pines and Junipers. And, of course, it is considerably cooler than Phoenix, which is the ultimate treat.

Every few years or so, my immediate family would get together with my extended family and rent a larger cabin to spend a week. Last year, my family went to the White Mountains and decided to ask me to come this year. I decided to come, and so here I am. I’m in a 4 bedroom, 3 ½ bath cabin at Lake of the Woods. It is sunny and very dry, with highs in the 70s. I’m here with my parents; sister, brother-in-law, and nephew; and my aunt and uncle and two cousins. There are 8 adults, a 12 year old, and a 3 year old… spending an entire week under one roof. Amazingly, we are all still getting along.

My biggest issue is that I don’t have Sprint cell phone coverage here, nor do I have internet access. It is now day four of being in absolute communication blackout. I’ve only gone through minor withdrawals. ☺

It has been fun, and totally stress free. We haven’t been doing much, and there isn’t much of a schedule of events. So far, we have played games such as Scattergories, I have learned (and now love) poker (five card draw and Texas Hold’em), we have fished (though I haven’t… I just sit on the dock with everyone else), we’ve watched TV. My cousin and uncle and I went to the movies, my dad and sister and brother-in-law have gone to the Apache reservation down the road to the casino, and we went horseback riding yesterday. It has been great.

That reminds me. Horseback riding yesterday caused me to be somewhat conflicted. How? Because is flooded my mind with a powerful (as well as laughable and obsolete) self-image that I have had for year growing up. For some reason, ever since I was a little kid coming up to the Arizona “high-country,” I have had this comforting self-image or me riding a horse through a field, with mountains all around. It is fall, and a very crisp morning. I’m wearing jeans, a denim jacket, and a cowboy hat. I can see both my breath, as well as my horse’s. And I’m just trotting through the morning mist, enjoying the peace and solitude. For those who know me, it is obvious why this is an obsolete (and laughable) tableau. I’m too sociable to be a lone cowboy; I’m also too much of a city-boy. Nevertheless, the tableau is deeply embedded in my psyche, and causes me consternation as this image is contrasted with the reality of my life.

I have rambled enough. One final thought for now. The human body is totally amazing! After 4 days, I’m getting close to adapting to the high-altitude, dry air. At 6300 feet above sea level, I’m a mile higher than I’m used to. I was totally tired and had headaches for the first 3 days. My lips are still dry, and I’m having nose bleeds… but I can tell I’m adapting. Humans are one of the only creatures that can so quickly adapt into almost any environment.