I stumbled upon Corduroy Lodge years ago when I booked a random night in-between blogging adventures in Pinetop-Lakeside and honestly just loved the vibe! So I kept in touch and we kept hoping for snow but it didn’t seem like Northern Arizona wanted to this year so I just booked random dates. Well… I got what I wished for! But fortunately the tail end of the snow as my Honda Civic is not the best low-to-the-ground car for icy roads. I wish I could tell my younger self to buy something more rugged but I was thinking fast and furious seven years ago! So I drove up on a Sunday after all the snow was melting away a bit, but the rocks were flying and one hit my windshield with a perfect star shape about halfway from Phoenix. It honestly scared the crap out of me as I was just cruising along and WHAP!
So I made the speaker phone cell call to Geico while driving, letting them know and bracing for the middle of nowhere no service available response. But alas, there was a Safelite in next town over Show Low, Arizona! So that was my new plan for the next morning, originally it was hiking but it was more important to not let that star ding spread. Ah, adulting… it’s so much fun! After driving four hours north from Phoenix, I was beat anyway as I had been at an event all day the previous day and was ready to just rest. I grabbed my gear, made quick content and then hunkered down for nightfall with the fireplace on and Roku TV ready to binge. I also forgot that the altitude of 6,804 really messes me up, making me pretty sluggish. It also makes it hard to sleep apparently and I was tossing and turning all night even with my beloved Valerian root and CBD roller on my shoulders and back. For food, I had packed some snacks and sandwiches for the hike so just ate that as I zoned out to Tubi, my new favorite free throwback app. See the tour below.
Welcome to the cutest log cabin at Corduroy Lodge! This wooden getaway is a boutique space tucked away in the pristine White Mountains of Arizona that offers three choices of lodging including vintage airstreams, wooden cabins or modern motel rooms. Easily walkable to a variety of great Pinetop-Lakeside places, you can park at home base and walk most anywhere! They also have a new coffee and lunch shop on site called Cyclelogical Coffee and every place you book offers it via French press in your stay with Los Poblanos products from their lavender and organic farm in New Mexico. We should have had breakfast and lunch on site but I guess we’ll have to return in the summer next time to stay in an Airstream, oh darn!
Cabin in Pinetop Lakeside
Keep an eye out for these signs to know where to go at Corduroy Lodge.Cabin number 3 was my home for a few nights at Corduroy Lodge, tucked back in the corner and existed when I stayed at the motel I found from my first video above.Snow still lingers, enough to play with at Corduroy Lodge.A row of Airstreams are available to rent too at Corduroy Lodge and more coming soon!A patio at one of the Airstreams at Corduroy Lodge.The communal yard to play with outside at Corduroy Lodge.The motel side of things at Corduroy Lodge lines towards the road.Brand new to me, the on site coffee shop at Corduroy Lodge.I popped in right at closing at 3 p.m. which seemed to be a trend for me at Corduroy Lodge.So you can get an idea of what to expect at Corduroy Lodge.They were kind enough to let me grab pics of the space at Corduroy Lodge.The baristas getting ready to close but the sky is the limit for options at Corduroy Lodge.Snacks and take home options at Corduroy Lodge.Merch because why not at Corduroy Lodge.A stuffed moose is an adorable option at Corduroy Lodge.More lounge space at Corduroy Lodge with ice cream available too!A better view of the front of the coffee shop at Corduroy Lodge.And when it’s nicer, space to sit outside at Corduroy Lodge.Right across the way, more seating to enjoy the space at Corduroy Lodge.Perhaps you want to start a fire at Corduroy Lodge?Dog paw prints leading to my cabin at Corduroy Lodge.The outside patio at Corduroy Lodge.My little cozy cabin at Corduroy Lodge.Walking inside cabin 3 at Corduroy Lodge. The bed was hard but not terrible on my picky back and the split heater was super warm!This type of decor is very popular in the West at Corduroy Lodge.Reclaimed wood was used to build these cabins at Corduroy Lodge. Blackout curtains were a blessing and I added my own to the bed one.The view out the side window at Corduroy Lodge.A spare cot and/or reading nook at Corduroy Lodge.This fireplace stayed lit almost the whole time at Corduroy Lodge.And the kitchen table where I did a lot of work at Corduroy Lodge. My cell service sucked with Sprint but the Wifi was wicked fast and I enjoyed the break honestly.The kitchen in cabin 3 at Corduroy Lodge has most of what you need.The electric water heater comes in clutch during the cold at Corduroy Lodge.Coffee and tea is included in your stay with the French press at Corduroy Lodge.Views at sunset just stepping outside at Corduroy Lodge.What the cabin looked like at night, so cozy and cute at Corduroy Lodge.
Things to Do in Pinetop Lakeside
The next morning after my fun with windshields, it was soon lunch time so I headed over to Woodland Lake Park. I found out a LOT of lakes around this area are privately owned which is rather odd to me as a gal coming from Pennsylvania. But since time was of the essence and I lost a hike and work time, I needed to move my body. So take a walkabout around Woodland Lake Park with me! Located in in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona, it is a perfect place to get your steps in, enjoy nature, feed some ducks, go fishing, leave your painted rock on the endless path and forest bathe. There’s also so beautiful photography spots as well for those epic travel pics. Pro tip: Grab a cup or three of coffee first and then zoom your way around a couple of times until you’re tired but a bit sweaty. And don’t forget to drink water, you’re still in Arizona even though it doesn’t feel that way!
Welcome to Woodland Lake Park!Lots of ducks quacking around at Woodland Lake Park.A family going fishing is so wholesome at Woodland Lake Park.Some future plans for Woodland Lake Park. Plant more trees, yes indeed!This makes for some cool photos at Woodland Lake Park especially in Spring.A view toward Woodland Lake Park from the walking path.This guy has the right idea at Woodland Lake Park.So you know where you are at Woodland Lake Park.Crossing the green bridge on a windy day at Woodland Lake Park.A pile of painted rocks at Woodland Lake Park.And that pile goes on and on around the rest of Woodland Lake Park.My favorite this little VW bug at Woodland Lake Park.Pine trees line the sides of Woodland Lake Park.A lady and her dog take a walk at Woodland Lake Park.To the right, some hiking paths although hella muddy from the previous snow that day at Woodland Lake Park.Soon I was back to the lodge and trying to get work done so just worked, stayed in and did more in the morning as planned. The next afternoon, my hunger took over so I walked past Munich Haus which I love but was closed the exact days I was there ironically!So I walked over to The Lion’s Den near the Corduroy Lodge, about an eight minute walk.I’ve spent some time here listening to music and enjoying in the summer so thought why not? Across the street, a huge new Circle K was being built which will be interesting for the traffic flow. I don’t know why but people kept beeping at me dressed like an eskimo. I was planning on hanging and enjoying happy hour beer but they have changed to only 50 cents off beer. Here was the weekly lineup!I got the daily special of pulled pork sandwich with slaw for $11.99 and an iced tea. It was pretty good until I was taking leftovers and found a hair in the slaw… needless to say ewww and no resolution from the waitress so back to the cabin I went.The next morning I woke up to this winter wonderland at Corduroy Lodge. The snow was messing with my plans a bit but honestly the timing worked out all right. I was able to leave by 10 a.m. with roads cleared for a beautiful drive to my next stop, Prescott.This and no car payment is a beautiful thing! Halfway to Prescott here at a very pretty rest stop with the windshield fixed ready for our next adventure. Stay tuned each Monday for the next live blog post. I’ll keep exploring if you keep reading!
