a guide to this little town

i often wish i could go back in time.  i wish i could see familiar places as they were before technology, infrastructure, and population growth took over.  wouldn't it be neat to see mesa the way my ancestors saw it?  wouldn't it be neat to watch jared's grandparents work hard to keep their family thriving in this little community?  i would just love to see bluewater through grandma richardson's eyes as a little girl.  things change fast and they change drastically.  even taylor has changed so much since we moved here 14 years ago.

so for reference, i thought i would give a little guide to this town.  things you should see or do while you are here.  there isn't much, but by the time my kids are grown this place is going be more developed and life won't be so simple.

if you're coming into town from show low, make trappers your first stop!  order a hamburger deluxe and a slice of pie!  i can't say there is much else there worth eating, but those two are yum!  jared is a fan of the cream pies, i like the simple ones like cherry or german chocolate.  as i'm writing this i realized that i don't know the last time ordered a piece of pie!  it's been years!  maybe it's time to do that : )

our house ins't far from trappers.  we used to have a little train our front but uncle marion helped himself to it.  i can't help but think of how much fun colton and the kids would have on it if it was still there!  that little train was a landmark in this town.  for years people would ask "is your house the one with the train out front?"  that's how we were known around here.

across the street from us is the feed store with a fake life size horse out front.  the owner, michelle, is very artistic and paints the horse for every holiday.  it's usually black during halloween, red, white and blue during the fourth of july, pastel colors during springtime, painted like santa during christmastime, etc.  the neat thing is, it's never been the same thing twice!

past the stoplight at papermill road is the new walmart.  it opened in march of 2016.  i dare you to find a walmart that compares!  if you hit it in the morning it's quiet and you can shop in peace.  after about nine months of being open, it became busy like typical walmarts are.  this walmart has THE BEST clearance you will ever find!  items are typically marked 50-90%!  I've scored things for over 90% off!  and the people who work there aren't grouchy.  for the most part they are all so helpful and nice.

in the same parking lot, a new strip mall is going in.  they've been building it for, i don't know, eight years?  seriously, it's taking aaaaages!  i heard a soda or yogurt shop is going in one of the stores.  i'll see it when i believe it.  because at the rate they are going those will both be things of the past by the time it's finished!

we also got a circle k right in front of walmart recently.  boo!  it was the country store with a dairy queen (might i add, a quite expensive dq!).  they lost their lease and less than a week later it was painted, new pumps were put in, signs went up and there was a fully functioning circle k.  i give it six months before it looks dumpy like all other circle k's!

as you head towards snowflake you'll come into bellybutton.  it's not a real place- just the spot in between the two towns.  everyone knows bellybutton and treats it like it's a city of it's own but it actually belongs to snowflake.

if you want a good experience at a gas station, stop at maverick in snowflake.  the pumps are spaced nicely, the store is clean, it actually feels like an adventure when you're in there, they have a variety of drinks and concessions and everyone is nice.  and every once in a while they do something fun like offer $1 f'reals.  they typically sell for about $4 with tax, so it's steal!

next to that is el rancho.  don't.  stop.  here.  ever.  it's disgusting!

down the road across the street from mcdonald's is an old chevron station.  inside there is a yummy little restaurant hiding!  el cupido's!  it's mostly take out but there are a few tables to dine in.  the food is fast and consistently good.  jared loves the big jake, my kids like the bean burros and i thing the torta sandwich is pretty tasty.

not far off of main street is shevell's lds book store where they sell fudge.  if you go at christmastime or mother's day they sell divinity fudge.  dddddddeeeeeelicious.  that will turn anyone into a sugar addict!  i am so glad they only sell it twice a year!

towards the end of town is the main street chapel.  it's beautiful and historic!  it actually has a cry room!  why did the church do away with those?!  the baptismal font is not like they are these days either.  outside is a statue of the founders of snowflake.

just for fun, stop into ed's!  we love to go there solely because they have little shopping carts just for kids.  they are so fun!  and one of the greatest things about ed's is you never wait in line!  if more than one person is in a line they will open up a new register, just for you!

across the street is eva's (pronounced ava's- even thought we still say it with an 'e' sound).  you will never experience service like you will from eva!  she loves her customers, particularly the blonde haired little kids.  if you've got a baby in your hands, beware!  she will kidnapp that kid and carry them around as you enjoy dinner and she takes orders.  i remember her taking my babies into the kitchen while i ate.  does it get better than that?  and the food is good and served FAST!

i've saved the best for last.  the temple.  it's beautiful!  it sits up on a hill overlooking the two towns.  it's quiet there and of course you feel the peace that only a temple can offer.  my kids often beg me to drive to it while we are out on a ride or heading to or from bethany's house.

i live in a great little place!  i like to watch change happen and see good people move here.  there's so much potential, i can't wait to see what the next 14 years brings!