Toward the end of last year, I shared some of my favorite places in Colorado and Texas since I have lived in both. I want to take on Arizona, but it will require more than one blog since we have lived here 8 ½ years. Wow! I was still a pup when we moved here, and now I am 15 ½. Oh, the places we have been! In this blog, I will tell you about Anthem Veteran’s Memorial Park and Show Low, Arizona, my top two most awesome adventures.
Anthem Veteran’s Memorial Park is located at 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway in Anthem, AZ (take exit 229 off I-17 and follow the brown signs). In 2011, they dedicated the monument to honor the sacrifice and service of our country’s armed forces. Every Veteran’s Day, this monument makes national news because at precisely at 11:11 am on November 11, the sun shines through the openings of each pillar, and a special medallion appears regarding fallen soldiers. Each erected piece represents a branch of the military, and Anthem recently updated and expanded the area with more than 3,000 brick pavers in honor of those lost.
If you haven’t see it, you should. It is pretty impressive. I’m fortunuate: I get to walk this park every 
Friday with my Mom. She takes me to visit the luscious grass and stroll the beautiful grounds, including a waterfall.
Fishing is allowed in the lake with your AZ license, of course. In this 63-acre park is something for everyone! Paved paths are great for walking, running, biking, or strollers. It has a skate park and large playground for kids. We always see someone playing basketball, and clear on the other side are volleyball courts, and soccer and baseball fields.
Throughout the park are covered picnic tables. These ramadas are free to use, but on weekends, you may want to reserve it to ensure usage. We love watching the train go by. Mom ways at all the little kids, and they call out “Doggy!” I smile.
In addition, the Anthem Community Center and Aquatics 
Park is next to the park. These are at a cost. For more information, go to www.onlineanthem.com Several events are held here each year as well.
For me, I just love all the shade from the trees. I get to say hi to bunches of other doggos and sniff to my heart’s content. I look forward to “park day” every week. Thanks Mom!
My second favorite adventure is going to Show Low, Arizona, approximately 3 ½ hours from Phoenix. This cool little town is located in Navajo County and sits on the Mogollon Rim at 6,345 feet, thus why I enjoy visiting…it is cooler! We often go in the fall to celebrate me and Mom’s birthdays since they are so close together. They often get snow, and that makes me one happy pup!
We recommend the Day’s Inn. The rooms are clean, the people friendly, and you get a REAL breakfast at the Show Low Café for FREE! This means I get bacon. Awoof! Should you make reservations, tell them Kuma sent you.
Show Low is the largest city in the White Mountains and has much to offer for its size. We drive the southern route and pass the Bush Highway. Right now, I am sure the wildflowers are incredible.
While we are in town, we walk the Bluff Trail numerous 
times. It is a paved path that follows Show Low Creek. With plenty of parking and human restrooms, this is a popular local path. It is located near the edge of town. If you were to walk the entire way out, you would be near the movie theatre. We like how we can walk the paved path down by the creek or go into the trees on a dirt trail when the temperatures are warmer. Both are pretty and enjoyable for all levels.
Another place we visit every time is Pintail Lake on the east side of AZ77/Penrod Road, about 3.5 miles north of Deuce of Clubs (a main thoroughfare). This is a 33-acre wetland with nature trail and observation areas. Again, the path is paved, flat, and easy to walk. This is a place you can sit and watch wildlife for quite some time. This parking lot is dirt and does not have human restrooms. I never have to worry about that, but Mom and Dad do. Always plan accordingly.
Lastly, we like hiking Fool Hollow Lake. When we go to Show Low, we usually spend two nights and 
three days in order to fit it all in. If you had more time, you would want to explore Pinetop. Anyway, you must pay an entrance fee into the lake: $7.00 per vehicle Monday through Thursday and $10 per car Friday to Sunday (weekends).
We hear it can get busy, but we haven’t seen it. We have always enjoyed a quiet hike around the 150-acre lake. The recreation area is 654 acres and has a campground. Go to: www.azstateparks.com and look up Foo Hollow Lake Campground. No matter the season, Show Low is a wonderful place to go to get away from the city.
More to come as I’ve had plenty more adventures living here in Arizona. Our weather is spectacular right now, so get outside and enjoy it!
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!
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