Illustrated cover — White Mountains Weekend, July 16-19, 2026, a rainy night over the pines with a full moon

Mud, Movies & Monsoons – A White Mountains Weekend

Two weeks ago we came down the Rim sunburned and smelling like campfire, and apparently that wasn’t enough, because we turned right back around. This time it was just me and Charlotte, and the forecast never budged off “rain.” So the mud run, the movie in the park, the ice cream social — the whole stacked Saturday from the planning board — quietly gave way to something better: a slow, soggy, screen-lit father-daughter weekend where the only real plan was the cabin itself. ...

July 16, 2026 · 4 min · TJ Swanson
Illustrated cover — Heber Cabin, 4th of July 2026, fireworks and a flag over the pines

4th of July at the Cabin – Heber 2026

A company holiday landed on Friday, so we strung it into a full long weekend up north — trading 100°+ valley heat for cool pine air and the kind of small-town 4th of July you can’t get in the city. Five of us in one truck: me and Charlotte, GiGi, and cousins Sam and Nate. (Steven, Rachael, and Ryha couldn’t make the drive this year — missed them.) 🚗 Day One — The Drive Up Loaded and rolling from GiGi’s right on schedule — five of us in the truck, walkie-talkie on the console, spirits high. ...

July 3, 2026 · 4 min · TJ Swanson
Illustrated cover — 4th of July at the Cabin, Heber-Overgaard & Show Low, Arizona, 2025, moon and fireworks over the pines

4th of July at the Cabin – Heber & Show Low

We headed up north to the pines for the 4th of July weekend — a chance to cool down, unplug, and let the days shape themselves. With a rough idea of events and a few favorite stops in mind, we left room for discovery, because the best memories don’t always come from a schedule. 🌤️ Weather Outlook (July 3–6) Trading desert heat for mountain air: Thursday (Phoenix → Heber): ~104°F in the Valley, but just ~77°F up in Heber. Friday (Heber & Show Low): Sunny, ~85°F, light breeze Saturday (Heber): Warm mid-80s, some late-day clouds Sunday (Heber → Phoenix): Mostly sunny, high ~86°F on return 🍔 Day One – The Drive Up & a Crown Stop Thursday, July 3rd – the start of our long weekend up north. ...

July 3, 2025 · 2 min · TJ Swanson