Payson, AZ

Hwy. 87 heading towards Payson

Yesterday, I took a day trip northeast of Phoenix to Payson, AZ, which is in Arizona Rim Country. It was nice to go up in elevation and get treated to temperatures that were 15º cooler than Phoenix. From Payson, I detoured through the Roosevelt Lake area on my way back to Phoenix. (see post below)


Arizona Rim Country - The rim referred to is the Mogollon Rim, which is a geologic escarpment that forms the southwest boundary of the Colorado Plateau. Elevation on top of the rim averages about 7000 ft. and the communities below, at about 5000 ft., constitute Rim Country.

The Mogollon Rim off in the distance

Another view of the Mogollon Rim

Green Valley Park - This park is the location of the Rim Country Museum and the Zane Grey cabin. Payson is a regional fire fighting center and a lot of the museum area is dedicated to that.

The lake with fishing dock

Firefighting stuff

There's an old fire engine inside

Herron Hotel

Zane Grey cabin - quite robust for a cabin

Haught cabin - now THIS is a cabin

Disrepair in Payson - The Sidles Mud House was built around 1881 and is the oldest standing structure in Payson. It was later bought by the Pieper family and was their home until they built their "mansion" next door.

Sidles Mud House

Another view

Nestled next to the "mansion"

Rental cabins next door to the Mud House

The "mansion"

El Rancho - I had lunch at the El Rancho Restaurant. I ordered a shredded beef burrito smothered in green chile sauce. It was pretty good, but still not as good as the burritos at La Pasadita in Denver.

Exterior

Interior

Lunch