July 7, 2008

Independence Day!!!

So, you guys, Chili Cheese Dogs are sooooooooooooooooo good. David and I went to Pinetop this weekend for the 4th of July. I love cabin towns like Pinetop. Skippy's Hot Dogs is on the side of the road from my parent's cabin. We saw the ketchup and mustard colored stand and just had try one of their dogs. I had never had a Chili Cheese Dog so I tried it - and I was pleased. For me, it was mostly the really fresh bun. It was super soft and not even a little bit soggy. I HATE soggy buns. (WARNING: This post mentions food a lot so be prepared)

We spent almost a full day at the St. John's events for a BBQ (no charge for the whole town), watermelon snow cones and races on the lawn (winner receives a silver dollar and the losers win a box of Cracker Jack's). The weather was nice and my family claimed the same spot for our patriotic blankets that we've had for 20 years. I love traditions. On the way back to the cabin, David and I decided to take the long way home - Greer. Greer might be heaven on earth . . . or at least, heaven in Arizona.

When we finally made it into this little town, it had recently rained. The sky was still a touch of gray and the smell in the air was the perfect mix of earthy mountain rain and pine trees. We thoroughly enjoyed looking at the beautiful lodges, the creek where a father was teaching his son to fish, kids in swim trunks holding melting popsicles, the families riding their quads around town, the elderly couple walking their dogs and the charming little local cafe where guests ate blackberry cobbler on the outdoor patio overlooking the mountains.

One of the best parts about Greer (other than the Red Setter Inn and the Rendezvous Cafe) is that the road through town ends. There's no highway traffic or truckers - just guests. It's a lovely place and if you're ever in the White Mountains of Arizona, I suggest you stop there.

On Saturday, my whole family met up with my cousins in Snowflake. Snowflake is one of those towns were you just love driving down Main Street in July because every lamp post has a flag and every house has a porch with plenty of shade for parade watching. I have so many wonderful memories of this town for Independence Day.

We came back home on Sunday afternoon and stopped in Pinedale for a visit with David's cousins. They have a awesome cabin and it was fun to talk to them over marinated flank steak, fresh corn on the cob, juicy watermelon and warm chocolate chip cookies. They have the world's best Golden Retriever and want him for my own so badly! Does anyone know where I can buy a dog?

I love the 4th of July and I LOVE America! I am so proud to be a citizen of this divine country!

5 comments:

  1. As I've said before, you seriously look so pretty in all of your pictures! It's like you have never had an un-polished moment in your entire life! Happy 4th and I'm seriously going to have to take a small town Arizona road trip someday!

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  2. that's funny...my husband grew up in Pinetop --(and then moved to California right before high school like me). I always give him a hard time--we tease each other. i call him "Pinetop Boy" and he calls me "Valley Girl"

    Looks like you guys had fun! I love the outdoors...so jealous your fam has a cabin! :)

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  3. Looks like you guys had a fun trip! You look beautiful, as usual

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  4. Liz, your blog is so much fun! You need to teach me how to make mine cool! I just made one and it is so lame!!! Anyway, you look so gorgeous in all of your photo's! You are very photogenic! :) Are you going to Joe's b-day dinner? You better, cuz we're going to be there! Talk to you soon. Love,
    Your favorite 2nd Cousin

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  5. Greer is an awesome place! We go every year at least once to see my grandparents and go fishing (they have a trailer they stay at during the summer...my grandparents, not the fish). It's always perfect weather and the perfect amount of cloudy. Sounds like you had a blast. I'll have to check out the hot dog stand next time we go up. Thanks for the tip.

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