Seniors Flock to Pinetop, Arizona

 Seniors enjoy rural life in a Ponderosa Pine forest at Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona, a town that was crowned the “Best Cabin Region in the U.S.”.

I discovered Pinetop when I went up north from Phoenix to pick up my wife who spent a couple of days with her sisters in an RV park next to the Hon-Dah casino. Hon-Dah means “be my guest” in the Apache language.

I traveled on Route 260 east of Payson to Pinetop. Beautiful scenery all the way and being up on what is called The Rim, there were tall, stately pine trees everywhere you looked. I was in the center of the Ponderose Pine Forest, my wife’s favorite tree.

Seniors Enjoy the White Mountains, Alpine Lakes and a National Forest

I learned that there were 50 alpine lakes in this region of the White Mountains. That helps keep the temperature cool at 6,800 feet altitude. This once sleepy town of 4,200 is now brisling with a multitude of events and festivals.

Pinetop-Lakeside is surrounded by the natural beauty of the White Mountains, the Apache/Sitgreaves National Forest and the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing are popular recreational activities. Senior visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It is a true Shangri-La.

Everywhere I looked along Route 260 were signs that read: land, acreage and cabins for sale. It is a true hotspot for folks who live in the Valley (Phoenix) for a getaway and for escaping the hot summers.

I saw riding stables for those of you who enjoy horseback riding, pickups were pulling campers of every size and nature, many pulling some type of an off-road vehicle for exploring the region. Miles of groomed trails and  first-rate facilities draw enthusiasts from around the world.

Senior visitors can celebrate the seasons all year long. Snow, yes for skiing. Summer for enjoying the mountain air in what the locals call “High Country.” Events include concerts, theaters and sports events. This is a great place for a second home and there are hundreds of them all around Pinetop.

Seniors Discover ‘MORE’ in Pinetop

The local Chamber of Commerce notes that “of all the areas to visit, senior travelers would be hard-pressed to find a region that offers more – more natural beauty, more  history and culture, more recreation, more adventure, more memories – than Arizona’s White Mountains. Here, sunny skies and four classic seasons enhance a variety of activities.”

Set your GPS for High Country on the Mogollon Rim and find yourself welcome in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona’s playground. You will discover as many seniors have already that the hospitality is as legendary as the landscape in the White Mountains. -jeb