It's amazing how certain experiences stay so etched in my memory, that if I closed my eyes, I could almost swear I was there at that time. that moment. . It's like my body can almost taste the sweet air, feel the cold, damp breeze on my skin, and recall the scent of the pine trees that tower over our heads. Hiking in Payson, Arizona after a snowstorm is one of the best places I have ever visited in order to collect one of these memories. Payson is a great place to go hiking with your dog as a family, but you'll also be able to appreciate the beautiful scenery that Payson has to offer, as it's conveniently located just a short drive from the sweltering heat of the Desert Valley. main road I'm always amazed at how many trails we can hike without even leaving the comfort of my van. Enjoying the warmth of the dry air blasting into our faces from the vents, I glanced over at my best friend Baloo, sitting in the chair next to me. The sloppy, toothy smile on his face reminded me how much he loves being out of town. As he squirmed excitedly in his chair, begging me to let him outside so he could frolic in the freshly fallen snow, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep him confined any longer. I quickly pulled on my chocolate colored snow pants and pulled on my old snow boots that had clearly seen better days. I keep telling myself I'll buy new ones when my feet get wet and cold after one of our hikes. Moving quickly, I slipped Baloo's feet into his canary yellow and black snowshoes and scrubbed the Velcro at the top to ensure a snug fit. Opening the door caused him to jump out of his seat and instantly go into a barrel roll, moving and writhing amidst the paper......into a clear blue sky and an open desert filled with Mesquite trees and the saguaro cactus awaited us, leading us to the comforts of home. With the snow behind us and Baloo curled up next to me, exhausted from a long day of frolicking in a winter wonderland. I'm taking a minute to carefully categorize all the sights, sounds, and smells we experienced on our last snowy adventure in Payson, Arizona. All the new trails we took, the sounds of waterfalls crashing on icy rocks, the birdsong and the sweet-smelling air, all are carefully placed in my own little collection that I can revisit at any time. Payson will always be one of my favorite places to take a short drive with Baloo and enjoy the beautiful snowy scenery. Bibliography: Photo in Figure 1, “Baloo and I in Payson, Arizona,” by Amanda Weyers (2012)