Just past the tiny resort community of Kohls Ranch, I looked back to see the Mogollon Rim dominating the skyline.

After a couple of peaceful, rural days of riding, the traffic of Payson seemed heavy. With more than 12,000 people, Payson was the biggest town I'd seen since Roswell, NM. Of course, it was nothing compared to my home of Chicago!

SR 87 north  of Payson twisted its way through a creek valley. It was pretty but treacherous several gravel trucks threatened to run me off the road.

I wanted to savor these views, but it had been a long day and I was anxious to get to a motel.

I stopped at a scenic overlook between Pine and Strawberry.

I wondered whether the same gravel haulers who had terrorized me up the road contributed to this wall at the scenic overlook.

I appreciated the blunt honesty of many Westerners, as exemplified by the last line of this sign!