Thursday October 10, Payson AZ

Late light on stream near Strawberry.

Opened the blind this morning and saw a dusting of snow on the hills surrounding us, it had rained overnight and we had quite a bit of wind, but reasonably sheltered, although quite cold.

Driving into Prescott this morning.

Soon after we arrived in the States we got word that our niece Nicole was getting married in Atlanta on November 9^th, have booked flights from Albuquerque so that we can join in with the celebrations and spend time with my family.  But I refused to let the “Old Boy” go in bare feet and shorts as he had planned!!! Whilst that was approved by Nicole, I decided he needed a scrub up, so this morning was the day to go shopping. I dragged Ian into a store in Prescott and now we have him kitted out with reasonably suitable attire!! He spotted a sports store nearby so felt he deserved to go shopping after his effort, and he assures me has found the ultimate trout catching lures….I don’t believe him!

Had read about the Phippen Museum, a fine art museum that features the American West and cowboys, and what a great find. It sits on a hill overlooking some fantastic rock formations (Arizona amazes us, somehow when you are least expecting it, you turn a corner and a new vista appears). Both of us thoroughly enjoyed our time here, a real find.

Today the clouds were great, especially over Lake Watson

Then it was time to hit the road and head south, a great drive through ranch country and then climbing to 7000 feet, the snow was still lying among the trees after last night.  Had a short stop for some photos as the late sun hit a stream just after the small town of Strawberry when I saw the yellow leaves just glowing, just glorious, before stopping in Payson at a great little campground about 4 miles south of town