10 years ago, we were on our honeymoon, zooming around the desert on a KTM990. This year, we had booked a 4x4 camper to circle Iceland - our first international trip. After all, 10 years warrants something special. But like many others, our plans were halted, cancelled and reworked. We decided to celebrate the only other way we know how - by camping in our favorite National Forest.
Tonto National Forest - The Land of Many Uses
Between Globe and Young lies pines. Seems silly to bypass the pines for the junipers, but we were on a mission to find a camp spot from 8 years ago. Before leaving the pines, we stopped at Reynolds Creek - one of our favorite haunts.
We left Reynolds Creek and started towards Young, AZ. We spent our first evening alone among the junipers and scrub pines. We felt like we had the whole horizon to ourselves.
Stir crazy as we are, we left Young for the pines. Tonto really lives by its name - it begins in the desert, among the high saguaros, blooming palo verdes and desolate spaces. Tonto transitions into juniper and scrub pines before ending in the cool, towering pine forests. And we love every inch of this national forest.
The pines, as expected were much busier. But after ample exploring, we found a quiet secluded spot, set up camp and spent the evening listening to the wind in the needles.
Our two days were up and we packed up and headed back south. Someday we'll head to the ice cold northern island to explore, but at least we spent our anniversary with the girls, among the trees. Just us.
