I can remember two trips as a kid up Four Peaks Northeast of Mesa
. One was in the 1980 Buick Century station wagon and the other in the 1970 VW bug. The memorable part of BOTH was HOW we made the trip - once on the dirt road we "flew" like superman by holding onto the luggage rack of the station wagon or we stood on the running boards of the VW while holding onto the car through the sunroof. I offered to TJ that he could stand on the nerf bars of the truck and hold onto the truck through the window, but he didn't want to (he also kept his seat belt securely fastened, his eyes on the road ahead, and let me know that he was focusing on his breathing). So, I decided to treat more like the Baja 1000 and drove the trail faster than either the station wagon or bug would've been able to go without bottoming out or skidding off the road. We also didn't bring a .22 like I got to do with my dad and brothers (and sister? I don't remember) - but I think it would be a good idea for next time we go! One of my first intentions when buying the 4x4 truck was to go up the 4 peaks road - but this was the first time, more than 6 1/2 years later, that I've gone up the trail. It was a blast and we even kept up with the Rangers, Arctic Cats, quads, and dirt bikes going up the mountain. One of them commented once we got to the top, in the snow, that it looked like we were alot warmer than they were on the trip up. I think the main reason for going all out with quads and stuff is so that more people can drive - because when driving you don't get motion sickness, but I remember (and TJ and Toby reminded me with their green faces) as a passenger feeling pretty woozy after the trip. Just let me know if anyone wants to go with next time!
. One was in the 1980 Buick Century station wagon and the other in the 1970 VW bug. The memorable part of BOTH was HOW we made the trip - once on the dirt road we "flew" like superman by holding onto the luggage rack of the station wagon or we stood on the running boards of the VW while holding onto the car through the sunroof. I offered to TJ that he could stand on the nerf bars of the truck and hold onto the truck through the window, but he didn't want to (he also kept his seat belt securely fastened, his eyes on the road ahead, and let me know that he was focusing on his breathing). So, I decided to treat more like the Baja 1000 and drove the trail faster than either the station wagon or bug would've been able to go without bottoming out or skidding off the road. We also didn't bring a .22 like I got to do with my dad and brothers (and sister? I don't remember) - but I think it would be a good idea for next time we go! One of my first intentions when buying the 4x4 truck was to go up the 4 peaks road - but this was the first time, more than 6 1/2 years later, that I've gone up the trail. It was a blast and we even kept up with the Rangers, Arctic Cats, quads, and dirt bikes going up the mountain. One of them commented once we got to the top, in the snow, that it looked like we were alot warmer than they were on the trip up. I think the main reason for going all out with quads and stuff is so that more people can drive - because when driving you don't get motion sickness, but I remember (and TJ and Toby reminded me with their green faces) as a passenger feeling pretty woozy after the trip. Just let me know if anyone wants to go with next time!
We only skidded once - TJ thought it was cool, I was scared but didn't show it. There were some cactus in the snow and TJ and I only TALKED about making yellow snow.
This is a view of 4 Peaks on the way home - we (TJ, Toby and I) drove all the way to the trailhead at the edge of the left peak. It took about 2 hours to get there and an hour and 15 min to get back. TJ says it was worth it to see and play in the snow. I thought it was worth it just to 'tear it up' in the truck on the way up and down the mountain. Toby just quietly sat in the backseat and commented on the many bumps that we took. TJ and Toby had agreed to make this a tradition each year while Susan and Heather go to Nutcracker (their tradition), but they changed their minds as their stomachs got queazy on the way down. I told them the ride was just toughening them up and they'll do better next time (Toby lost it twice, but TJ not at all - of course I didn't feed them ANYTHING).
Heather knows all the words to Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, so . . . to give us a break while we were all in the spa (except for mommy, on the phone with her sis in Guam again) from her singing it over and over again, I offered her a dollar to swim across the pool. She did a great job and even got back in for me when I told her I missed taking a picture! The spa was MUCH warmer than the pool and made LOTS of steam. It's pretty magical in the backyard with all of the Christmas lights and the tree lighting it up and the spa is the perfect way to sit comfortably and enjoy it (unless Toby is kicking and splashing water in your face).
Although the tree in the background of this pic is an evergreen . . . DEAD.
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