I know, I know….Arizona is too dry, too hot and too dusty. We do have ghost towns, a unique landscape, and hidden caves. That’s pretty cool. But summers? Not so much. Summers are clearly more desirable elsewhere. Or are they?
Do you know Arizona is also the land of contradictions?
Surprise!
Welcome to the town of Greer.
Greer is the highest town in Arizona, at 9000 feet, and the fifth highest in the country. Be advised, if you are on a road trip, you won’t drive through it. This time, you will have to drive to it, as it sits at the end of 5-mile long AZ373. At its dead end sits a trail that meanders along the west fork of the Little Colorado River.
I promise the drive will be worth it. 
Greer is situated in a lush valley of the White Mountains. And while it seems unusual, Arizona is home to 3900 mountain peaks and summits, more then any of the other Mountain States.
The brisk air and clear water is a mecca for fishermen in the summer. 
It is ironic to think Arizona has the largest contiguous stand of ponderosa pines in the world, with eleven million acres of national forest. For those of us from the Valley, we simply enjoy being outside. In the summer, the old-growth birch forests near Greer, are great places to hike and bike. In the winter, most of the trails are used for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
The scenery is a nice change from the hillsides of saguaro, and it tempts us to plan a trip in the autumn. 
We woke to a beautiful fifty degrees in Greer, while friends back in Phoenix woke to ninety. That is precisely why we love heading north in the summer months. It is hard to believe that Arizona’s disparate climate can yield both the highest temperature and the lowest temperature across the nation in the same day.
Interesting to learn about this historic town that is also home to Molly Butler’s, the state’s oldest lodge and restaurant. And if you think you might venture inside to connect to technology, you won’t. Instead, you will find great conversation, and a place to connect…with each other.
And today that is where I plan to leave my thoughts.
Grateful for this beautiful place I also call home. 
Wind Kisses, Donna
Wind Kisses 
I had a great time Donna. Thanks for taking me along 🙂
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Always a pleasure to have you along. Well….unless your RDP is a problem. 😉 Lol. I don’t have anything for that daily prompt. I guess I should visit to see what folks come up with.
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Do so. It would be lovely to see what you come up with Donna 🙂
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Lovely! My hubby and I love AZ. He talks about the white mountains all the time. Now I believe what he says 😂
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I am originally from New England and lived for a lot of years in the PNW. This really was a pleasant surprise. We spent the whole weekend outside. Thanks. Colorado is pretty nice right about now….
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The White Mountains have been on my “ToDo List” for sometime now. You’ve just given me another reason to make it happen! Thanks for the tip on Greer.
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Yes, Greer is a must. I understand Hawley lake is pristine, but it is native land and closed for now. We will definitely have to go back. I have so many photos. The little town has lots of history and decor is eclectic. I like to limit my photos to about 5 in a post, so I am hoping another prompt will give me a chance to share more on the town.
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Beautiful, Donna! Arizona is full of surprises including it’s own city named as such! So many Californians are moving away, us included, to Washington and to Arizona. My brother is looking to move to Fountain Hills area, while my step daughter is moving eventually to Phoenix area. I want to visit the GC in spring or fall, it was rather cold when we visited last January 😁 Enjoy your cool temps. It’s in the mid 90s for our upcoming weekend in NorCal.
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Hi Terri, yes we are seeing lots of influx from California. Fountain Hills is a beautiful area and has great access to go north, which is what we all do in the summer.
We lived in WA for a lot of years, like Northern California, pristine forests. We loved raising our kids there, even with the rain. I hope I can keep up on my blogging, so I can see what you are up to. Spring and fall are great at The Canyon. One recommendation is to hike to Ooo Ahh point . You would love it. Thanks for your note Terri. Donna
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My brother’s offer on a home there was just accepted. Lots of good reasons for continuing winter road trips to AZ! Ooo Aah Point…must be just that. And I would love to visit the cooler north rim.
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Yes! It’s a completely different look at the canyon, and no crowds. It reminded us of Ireland. My husband won’t go to the south any more after visiting there.
So excited for your brother!!!! And your chance to visit.
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Beautiful, beautiful, Donna! And the temperatures are mine. In fact all your images look like Sweden – so familiar. Thank you for posting!
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Thanks Ann Christine. Your prompt was perfect timing as we really were up there last weekend. I feel so good to be outside in the north. Thanks for the great idea!
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Fascinating! Beautiful place, beautiful photos.
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Thank you, John
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Hi Donna! You have been nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award! By me 😊! Check it out here: https://peaceoflife.today/2020/07/27/sunshine-blogger-award/ ☀☀☀
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Hey
I’m doing Mental Health Awareness Re-blogs, can you suggest me a post by you that you would want me to share??
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Oh gosh…. been gone for a bit again.
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IT’s ok. How have you been?
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We have ventured to Greer and will do so again.
I tell everyone about our beloved Arizona… it has soooooo much to offer.
Beautiful pictures… now I’m starting to get lonesome for AZ… but it won’t be long.
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Yes… be patient. It’s been pretty warm. The pool is 89 degrees. Lol. I love it. That he in my we, not so much. We did get some rain out of the last two monsoons.
Heading to New Hampshire for two weeks to get some cooler air and beach time.
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Ooooo that will be nice… looking forward to posts from your New England Vacation.
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Thank you. It is “home”. I get their quite often. This time photos will be pretty important. My parents are heading into a senior living facility. We plan, first to head to their childhood town in Mass. (they won’t be with us). I am going to hit all the places of our summer memories. Then up to NH for about 10 days to help them. Its all good. It was moms decision. My dad had a stroke a few yeas ago and she can’t care for him by herself, and she doesn’t want him to go alone. She will be able to live independently, and she deserves the help. I am excited to go. I love the ocean air and the food. And it is always refreshing to be “home”. I have a large family.
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Oh… it’s hard to see parents age. I wish there was a magic wand to make it all better for them.
As you know… I now own my childhood home. My parents are both gone. So we purchased the home from my siblings. It’s a win win. We get the house and my siblings get to come “home” whenever they wish. It’s wonderful.
Sending well wishes for a wonderful visit… “home!”
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And we look forward to some more time up in Greer too.
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Donna, another great post. We are new to AZ, so this is a perfect blog for me! So I learn you are from the Valley. Our mutual friend Terri from Sunday Stills is coming out to see family (and me) next month. We will be going on at least one picture-taking trip. 🙂
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Oh gosh! I would love to meet Terri in person. I have loved her blogging journey and when I returned here learned she has moved to WA. Ok! Yes. I would like to invite myself. lol Do you have any ideas about where you might go? I will be in New Hampshire for two weeks. I will return on August 7th. Are you also connected to John of Journeys by Johnbo? He mentioned a Prescott blogger. could be you. Thank you so much. so glad to know you here. We spend A LOT of time journeying this beautiful state. Stay in touch. Donna
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Hi Donna,
Yes, I am at least one of the bloggers Johnbo mentioned. It would be great if we could get together. We will probably stay close to Prescott, where I live because there is so much to do here and the weather is good. I am headed up to the Constellation Trail on 89 today with a new friend to take some pictures of Public Art up there as well as some trees. 🙂
I interviewed both John and Terri, which is how we both got better acquainted. Here’s my interview of John that I think you will enjoy. https://alwayswrite.blog/2021/05/08/john-steiner-travel-blogger-challenge-player/
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Hope your hike went well. With the recent rain up there, it must be lush and pretty. Any wild flowers? I will send you my info. If we can make it work while Terri is here, great. Otherwise, I look forward to a wander with you another time. I usually go to Sedona once a month, and would also love to learn what you know about the Prescott Region. Donna
Hmmm. I think the strawberry festival is next month at Mortimers.
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That is one place we have talked about going every time we go past it. I love Sedona. That would be a fun place to meet, too. There are so many nice trails. I ordered myself some walking sticks. A friend loaned me one of hers today, and since I had my new camera with me, I didn’t refuse. It made me feel a lot safer. She skidded and fell in spite of having one stick and fortunately didn’t hurt herself badly.
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I enjoy using sticks too. Better for the knees, and kinda gives you an arm workout as well.
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Oh well. I just fell yesterday and busted my face, so sticks it is. 🙂
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Dang it. Falling is not sexy. lol. Yes. sticks! I actually did a blog post about my giving in. They were a gift from my husband and I was horrified that he would think I would need them lol. Now they stay in my backpack. (foldable ones )
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LOL. No black eyes and being klutzy is anything but sexy. It helps a person get over themselves, though.
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Ug, black eyes? That was quite a dive. Hope you are feeling better. No concussion?
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No, I was very fortunate. I wouldn’t have let my friends call the paramedics if it hadn’t been for the fact that heads bleed so much. I have two cuts that did not even need stitches. Falling is scary because it can be dangerous. I’m pretty careful, but it happens. Keeps me humble and grateful for every moment.
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Yes, Very scary. Just glad you are ok. (I imagine feeling better, as a few weeks have passed).
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I’m better. My face is still a mess, but it never hurt, just look like my husband beat me. 🙂
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This interview with John was fantastic. I have followed him for years and it is nice to see him close up and personal. You did a nice job on the interview. donna
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Thanks, Donna. One thing I’ve noticed about the internet – blogging anyway – is that people are making more connections that we all did at first. I meet by weekly zoom with about 2-6 bloggers from around North America. It make blogging so much more personal. 🙂
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I am sure. It is amazing the connections we have all made.
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It is so much fun.
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