Saturday. Noon. 102 degrees. Landscaping.
That's about the time my brain said "OK ENOUGH!" and I dropped the shovel and headed for the mountains. It's been my experience that nothing beats the summer heat better than a drive up to Prescott or Sedona for the day. Whether it's walking around downtown Sedona or hitting slide rock, almost anything is better than a mid-afternoon in the Valley of the Sun.
My newest favorite stomping grounds is Lynx Lake Recreation Area, just outside of Prescott Valley. Lynx is a 55 acre lake nestled in among towering ponderosa pine trees and for a two dollar parking fee the whole area is yours for the day. The forest around the lake is littered with several trails and there is even a boat launch if you feel like doing some paddling. On my saturday afternoon jaunt around the south side, I stumbled upon one of the springs that feeds the lake and though most of it had dried up from the recent heat, there was still a nice stream and the sound of flowing water that made me want to curl up on a nice piece of granite and read the day away.
So this weekend leave the jet-ski's and 4-wheelers at home, grab a tent and a propane grill and head for the mountains. Teach the kids what the word conservation means and why it's important to monitor water usage. Take the significant other for a cool walk in the woods and talk about the way the light comes through the trees. Just get out there and remember what the woods feel like. Oh and try not to get to attached, after all you've got a yard to landscape.
Getting there: From the 17-N take State Route 69 towards Prescott. Turn Left on Walker Rd and follow the signs 3 miles to Lynx Lake.
Lodging: The campgrounds are open from April 1st to November 1st and will run you $10 a night. For more upscale lodging drive further West on the 69 towards Prescott, there are several hotels in the area.
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