A bit of a geography lesson about Arizona. The top portion of the state is a high plateau that is actually a south west extension of the Colorado Plateau. But of course the Colorado River has cut a little 5,000' deep channel...the Grand Canyon. The bottom half of the state is much lower and generally flat...the Senora Dessert. Between the two is the Rim Country that you ascend when going north to get to the high plateau country. The rim is quite pronounced and spectacular in central Arizona. Towards the west of the state the higher country gently reduces in height to meet the Colorado River that flows down it there. In the east the rim is largely hidden in the White Mountains.
The rim country in central Arizona is wonderful. Fir and pine trees, mild summers, snow in winter, plenty of water, etc. Towns like Showlow and this one Payson attract a lot of snow birds (folks who come to Arizona to get away from the northern winters) and retirees. Showlow in particular is referred to as an above ground cemetery because of the number of retirees. (A saying I think is attributed to the comedian Spike Milligan and his referring to Woy Woy near Sydney.)
Some scenes from Payson which is about a third of the way up the rim.