Just Another Phase in Paradise: Back in the Saddle

November 10 - 13, 2025

Although we temporarily avoided the freeze, we had to stay ahead of it like fugitives. So today we headed to Payson, a town halfway between Sedona and Pheonix. We intended to get there early and spend the day working… but then we saw signs for the Tonto Natural Bridge. And obviously we had to go. Work can always happen later.

The natural bridge instantly became a new favorite. You can hike down from each side, which of course meant we had to do both hikes. Naturally, by the time we dragged ourselves out, we were too tired to work later that day. We’re old and start powering down around 7 p.m.

So the next day we made ourselves be responsible adults and worked at the Payson Library until 3:30 in the afternoon. It took real willpower—not only was the weather perfect, but there was a pickleball court right next to the library taunting us to play one quick game. If it wasn't for my stubborn plantar fasciitis that I can't shake, I probably would have surrendered to the siren call of the paddle.

We ended our workday early because George found a new wheel for my bike in Phoenix. It was an hour and 45 minutes away, but the drive was gorgeous. The landscape shifted from ponderosa pines to scrub brush to the first of many saguaros. We also watched the temperature climb like a coal-activated furnace. By the time we reached Phoenix, it was 87 degrees. In mid-November!

We bought the new wheel and trued up my back wheel, but I decided to keep my bent handlebars as a reminder to be more cautious. It drives George absolutely crazy to look at them. Before the accident, he insisted I was the most cautious rider on earth. But now? I’m destined to be the most cautious biker in the universe!

The next day we forced ourselves to work all day again. All of our kids had already decorated their Christmas trees and sent pictures in the family group chat, and we were feeling left out. So our reward for being productive was a trip to Goodwill to find a tiny Christmas tree and some miniature ornaments for $5.00. Not a bad haul. We spent the evening decorating it and listening to Christmas music, fully embracing the holiday spirit.

Oh, and we also stopped at Harbor Freight to buy some ultra-long rubber gloves so I could reach into the toilet and fix a loose wire. A much less festive reward, but I’m the only one with hands small enough to do the job. Motherhood prepares you for many things.

We spent our final day in Payson back in the saddle, riding the Mogollon Rim—part off-road, part on-road. The on-road portion made me nervous (see: bent handlebars above), but it was still beautiful. Then we actually did more work at the library and rewarded ourselves again, this time with little battery-operated lights for our tree from Walmart.