Hiking...

We have been spending more time up north these past few months.  Our destination currently is Payson where we are getting some long needed quality time with my son Jimmy.  It has been many years since we have hung out around Payson so we are also getting re-aquainted with the town and surrounding area.

This past trip, we enjoyed visiting Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Tonto Creek, as well as the Tonto Fish Hatchery.

This first group of pictures is from Tonto Natural Bridge.

The following pictures are Little Green Valley.  This is a tiny valley a few miles outside of Payson on Highway 260, on the way toward the Fish Hatchery.  Jimmy always sees Elk here in the early mornings.

The following pictures are of Tonto Creek.  I had a lot of fun capturing water in it's journey downstream.  Click to enlarge some of the close ups.  The camera I used is a Nikon D-3100.  It did a good job freezing the air bubbles in the water as it cascaded over the fall.

The creek through Jimmy's ears.  Of course I had to do it.

This is a good looking guy.  What are you thinking about son?

Maybe it was about the serenity of this creek.

The slopes in the distance still show the scars of the Dude Fire.  It was good to see that the forest floor is rejuvenating after the 21 years since the fire, but still very sobering.  

Looking up to the Fish Hatchery.

We had a splendid time.  Until next time...