This was my 14th Christmas and Mowgli’s second with us. He was definitely more into it this year. He was on the naughty list put pulled through with some last-minute cuteness and cuddling. Yes, Santa Paws came! I hope your holiday was bright and merry.
My favorite gift was our trip to Show Low the weekend before. I shared our first day there, but the second was quite the adventure! We got three hikes in…awoof!
Mom and Dad started off with a hearty breakfast at the Show Low Café, complements of the Day’s Inn. It’s a great deal as they give you a ticket, and you get to pick from a selection of breakfast meals, all included except the tip. I got the bacon – yum!
The temperature was down to 3 degrees our first night. Even for a Shiba, that is darn right cold! Thankfully, the sun was out and the wind stayed at bay. First up was Pintail Lake off the 77 toward Snowflake. It’s only about six miles from Show Low up on the right. You take a flat, dirt road for 3/8 of a mile then come to the parking lot, 
which is free. Humans take note: there is no human restroom.
No fee to enter the lake either, and in 3/8 of a mile, you’ll come to a huge duck viewing shelter. Part of the lake is frozen right now, but I can only imagine how many ducks are here in the spring and summer. Lots of marsh for them.
The entire trail is paved. It isn’t long but very wild. Snow remained from a recent storm due to the frigid temperatures. I stayed nice and warm because I have a lovely fur coat! Mom was bundled up like a tick ready to pop. What she does for me!
Since we got an early start, we decided to do another trail and headed over to Woodland Lake Park. This one had restrooms, which made Mom and Dad happy…something to do about morning coffee. I tell you, being a dog is so much easier. We can pee wherever we want! Anyway, this was free as well.
Woodland Lake Park is just that – a park! It has a frisbee golf course, tennis courts, and lots of places to hang out. The paved trail around Woodland Lake is 1.1 miles. We saw more people: 1) It was later in the morning 2) It’s a city park. We enjoy being in the wilderness more than city parks, but I must say, this was well done.
A few open spots of water were packed with ducks. I guess we know where all the Pintail Lake ducks went! This reminded me of a smaller Lynx Lake, which is one of my all-time favorites, as you know. We enjoyed the beauty of it and meeting friendly people. This was before Christmas, so everyone was on their best behavior, including me! I never risk it so close to Christmas.
My foot was doing great, but we thought we would take a break before our third hike. Besides, it was lunch 
time. Mom found Darbi’s off of the 260 in Lakeside. Show Low/Pinetop/Lakeside/Snowflake are all pretty close – within 20 minutes of each other. I was okay staying in the car so I could recharge my batteries and rest my leg.
The service was extremely slow due to a large group ahead of us, but everyone was friendly. The restaurant was decked out for the holidays. Mom got a turkey dinner complete with mashed potatoes and cranberries. I can personally attest that the turkey was GO-OOOD.
We were close to our third stop: The Mogollon Rim Interpretive Trail off the 260 back toward Show Low. This is not a park, and it isn’t a dedicated preserve. As you drive in, you realize you are entering someone’s private property. The land owners are kind enough to open up a section and create a paved path to view “The Rim.” Once again, no human restrooms.
Be respectful and stay on the path. In about ½ mile, you will have incredible views. It is then you realize how high up you are in the Show Low area! I vaguely remember climbing up in altitude, but here you see it.
Walking through the pine and juniper trees is beautiful, but the views will take your breath away. So many people have no clue to the diversity of the state of Arizona. I am lucky to have a family who goes out and adventures. Usually when we stand on the rim, the wind is howling, but today, it was calm. We took it all in and then realized the sun was getting lower in the sky.
Time to head back to the hotel, but we spent a majority of the day outside! How awesome is that? I was a happy camper, except we didn’t camp. I have to admit I like hoteling it. I curled up in my bed and slept great. All this before Christmas. Wow, I live an amazing life! Here we come to yet another year, and I can’t wait to discover what adventures lie ahead for me.
Whether they are big or small, they will include my family, and for that, I am grateful. Here’s wishing you a healthy and happy new year…the kind that makes you go AWOOF!
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/
and be sure to follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kumathedog/ and Instagram: kumaitothedog
Get outside! You never know what you’ll discover, and our paths just might cross. Happy tails!
Ginger Stahl says
Beautiful end to 2022!! I remember driving through Show Low a few times – but we were always headed somewhere and had no idea of the beauty right there!!
Thanks for details about what waits for us as we venture out!!