GILA COUNTY, AZ (Arizona Highways TV) — If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure through some of Arizona’s most scenic and charming locations, this episode is your perfect guide.
Arizona Highways TV takes you on a journey along Highway 87, also known as the Beeline Highway, which cuts through the heart of the Tonto National Forest.
This road trip between Phoenix and the White Mountains offers a blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and unique local flavors that you won’t want to miss.
Our journey begins in the vast expanse of the Tonto National Forest, the largest urban forest in the United States.
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Covering nearly 3 million acres, this forest offers a diverse range of landscapes from flatlands to highlands, with elevations ranging from 1,300 to nearly 8,000 feet.
As you drive north, you’ll witness the transition from desert saguaros to towering evergreens, culminating in the world’s largest stand of ponderosa pines.
First stop: Strawberry, Arizona.
This quaint town is a perfect getaway, just two hours from Phoenix and 20 degrees cooler.
One of the highlights here is the Pie Bar, a specialty restaurant run by Kimberly Brennan. Known for its delicious empanadas, Pie Bar offers a variety of flavors, from green chili to chicken pot pie.
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Kimberly’s inspiration comes from her time in Puerto Vallarta, and her empanadas are a must-try for any visitor.
Just west of Strawberry, you can hike along the beautiful Fossil Creek.
This area is one of Arizona’s most diverse riparian zones, home to over 30 species of trees and shrubs and more than 100 species of birds.
Managed by the Tonto and Coconino National Forests, Fossil Creek flows for 14 miles and offers stunning natural beauty.
Next, we head to Pine, Arizona, just a few miles south of Strawberry. Here, you’ll find the Rusty Pine Cone, a specialty gift shop owned by Jean and Lee Pendergraft.
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From custom wood signs to homemade jellies, this shop has something for everyone. Pine is also home to electric bike tours, offering a unique way to explore the town and its surroundings.
No trip along Highway 87 is complete without a visit to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park(Arizona Highways TV / azfamily)
No trip along Highway 87 is complete without a visit to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
This park features the world’s largest natural travertine bridge, a stunning formation millions of years in the making. The park offers plenty of spots for picnics and even hosts weddings and family reunions.
As we continue our journey, we stop at Coles Ranch Lodge, a historic lodge along Tonto Creek that has been welcoming guests since 1917.
Whether you choose to stay in a creekside cabin or enjoy a meal at the Zane Grey Steakhouse, this lodge offers a perfect retreat.
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Finally, we reach By the Bucket, a unique eatery in Payson that serves spaghetti in buckets.
Founded by Brett Acosta, this restaurant has become a local favorite, offering delicious spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread.
We also explore the Zane Grey Cabin, a historic replica dedicated to the famous author who wrote extensively about Arizona. The cabin houses original artifacts and offers a glimpse into the life of this prolific writer.
Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a history buff, or simply looking to relax and enjoy some local flavors, this episode has something for everyone.
Sedona, Arizona is home to some of the most striking red rock formations in the American Southwest, but Snoopy Rock might be our favorite. Sitting on a bluff above the city, the formation seems to depict Snoopy from the Peanuts comics lying on his doghouse with Woodstock sitting on his nose.
The formation is best viewed from Uptown Sedona, where the shops, restaurants, and galleries along the main strip all offer solid sightlines. The parking lot behind the Sedona Arts Center and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on State Route 89A are two of the best spots to take it all in.
For those who want to get closer, the hike via Margs Draw Trail can be worth the effort. The trailhead is located on Sombart Lane, accessed by heading south on Highway 179 from the junction of Routes 89A and 179, then turning left. The out-and-back route covers 2.1 miles and is considered challenging, with an unmarked social trail leading to the base of the formation.
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A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required if you’re planning to start at the Schnebly Hill Trailhead, and the best hiking window runs from September through May. Dogs are permitted on leash, though the scramble section near the top is not suitable for most animals.
For non-hikers, Jeep and helicopter tours of Sedona regularly point out the formation along with others in the area.
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Nolan Deck is a writer for Unofficial Networks, covering skiing and outdoor adventure. After growing up and skiing in Maine, he moved to the Denver area for college where he continues to live and work…
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Former Michigan sophomore defenseman Hunter Hady has transferred to Arizona State, according to an announcement on the team Instagram. The 6’4’’ defenseman will join the Sun Devils for his junior year.
Hady played just two games on Michigan’s blue line this season against Harvard in November and against Bentley in the NCAA regional semifinal. He recorded a secondary assist on junior forward Garrett Schifsky’s goal in the Bentley game for his only point of the year.
Hady’s contributions were more substantive in his freshman season — though his point total remained the same. He played 32 games for Michigan as the team struggled to find defensive pairings that worked throughout the year. Hady was a reliable blue line presence who could be counted on to provide solid defense and not make significant errors.
Prior to playing for the Wolverines, Hady spent three seasons with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, where he played with current Michigan teammates senior defenseman Luca Fantilli, sophomore forward Michael Hage and junior forward Jayden Perron, among others. He joins an Arizona State team that lost ground in the NCHC this season and is looking to reach a Frozen Four for the second time in its program history.
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless airplane pilot and a leading advocate for disability-led innovation, will be inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame on Friday, May 15, 2026. The induction ceremony, hosted by Rightfooted Foundation International in collaboration with the Pima Air & Space Museum, will take place at the museum from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cox’s recognition honors both her historic achievement in flight and her ongoing work expanding access and opportunity for people without arms. Through her leadership at Rightfooted Foundation International (RFI), Cox has championed mentorship, education and practical innovations that help aspiring pilots and families reimagine what’s possible in aviation and beyond.
“Saying I’m proud of her can’t fully encompass what I feel,” said Patrick Chamberlain, Cox’s husband and RFI’s Inclusive Engineering Director. “Jessica’s induction into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes both what she has accomplished and what she continues to do. She has helped shed light on the many pilots with disabilities in aviation and shown the world that disability does not mean inability.”
The 2026 induction class also honors two military aviators: Frank Schiel Jr., a Phoenix-born Flying Tigers veteran credited with seven enemy aircraft destroyed in World War II, and James K. Johnson, a Phoenix-born U.S. Air Force colonel and Korean War double ace credited with ten aerial victories.
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The Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame, established in 1985 and housed in the Dorothy Finley Aerospace Gallery at Pima Air & Space Museum, pays tribute to Arizonans who have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace history.
